Best paying jobs without degree. Highest Paying Occupations For Which a Degree Isn't Required.
These are the highest paying occupations, based on 2009 median wages, that require only work experience or on-the-job training. Keep in mind that the median wage is not necessarily what you would earn if you were working in this field, but rather the mid-point of wages earned by all workers in it. Half of all workers earned below this wage and half earned above it. Earnings vary by employer and will depend on factors including level of experience and training, and location.

Air traffic controllers are the traffic cops of the skies. They make sure airplanes fly a safe distance apart and regulate airport arrivals and departures. Those who want to become air traffic controllers must enroll in a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) course and pass a test. Air traffic controllers earned a median wage of $52.81 per hour or $109,850 per year in 2009. Use the Salary Wizard at Salary.com to find out how much air traffic controllers currently earn in or near your city.

Managers, other than those with job titles listed elsewhere on this list, earned a median hourly wage of $44.52 or $92,600 annually in 2009. Among the job titles included in this category are regulatory affairs manager, compliance manager, logistics manager, loss prevention manager and wind energy operations manager.

Industrial production managers oversee the activities required to produce millions of goods in the United States each year. While those who want to work in this field aren't required to have a college degree, many employers prefer they do. Other employers provide on-the-job training. Industrial production managers earned a median hourly wage of $40.90 and a median annual wage $85,080 in 2009. Use the Salary Wizard at Salary.com to find out how much industrial production managers currently earn in your city.

Transportation, storage, and distribution managers follow government policies and regulations to plan, direct, or coordinate transportation, storage, or distribution activities. They must have experience in a related occupation to work in this field. Transportation, storage, and distribution managers were paid a median hourly wage of $38.22 or a median annual wage of $79,490 in 2009. Use the Salary Wizard at Salary.com to find out how much transportation, storage, and distribution managers currently earn in your city.

First-line supervisors and managers of police and detectives coordinate and oversee the activities of these law enforcement employees. Those who want to work in this field must have work experience in a related occupation. The median hourly wages of first-line supervisors and managers of police and detectives were $36.78 and the median annual salary was $76,500 in 2009. Use the Salary Wizard at Salary.com to find out how much first-line supervisors and managers of police and detectives currently earn in your city.

Nuclear power reactor operators control equipment that affects the power of the reactor in a nuclear power plant. They are generally required to have extensive training, including refresher training, and many employers prefer they have taken some college courses. Nuclear power reactor operators earned a median hourly wage of $34.93 and a median annual salary of $72,650 in 2009. Use the Salary Wizard at Salary.com to find out how much nuclear power reactor operators currently earn in your city.

Sales representatives of wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products must interest buyers in the products made by the companies for which they work. While many employers hire sales representatives who don't have a college degree, generally those who sell technical and scientific products need one. The median hourly wages of wholesale and manufacturing and technical and scientific products sales representatives were $34.30 and the median annual salary was $71,340 in 2009. Use the Salary Wizard at Salary.com to find out how much those working in this field currently earn in your city.

In addition to installing, repairing and maintaining elevators, elevator installers and repairers also work on escalators, chairlifts, dumbwaiters, moving walkways, and similar equipment. While most people who want to work in this field receive their training through apprenticeship programs administered jointly by employers and the International Union of Elevator Constructors, others receive training through programs sponsored by independent contractors. In 2009 elevator operators and repairers received hourly median wages of $33.20 or an annual salary of $69,050.

First line supervisors and managers of fire fighting and prevention workers oversee those whose job it is to respond to fires and other emergencies, including car accidents. To become a supervisor or manager, one must first gain experience as a fire fighter. He or she must take a pass written promotion examinations as well. Supervisors and managers of firefighters earned median hourly wages of $32.81 and a median annual salary of $68,250 in 2009. Use the Salary Wizard at Salary.com to find out how much first line supervisors and managers of fire fighting and prevention workers currently earn in or near your city.

First-line supervisors and managers of non-retail sales workers oversee the activities of sales workers other than those who work in retail establishments. They must have work experience in a related field. Median hourly wages were $32.74 and the median annual salary was $68,100 in 2009.