Here are the highest paying occupations in 2005, by median hourly wage, for which a college degree is not required. You need only work experience or on-the-job training. According to statistics collected by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), these "no degree required" occupations paid the highest median hourly wages in 2005, the most recent year for which this information is available. The requirements for employment in these fields include work experience and on-the-job training.
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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 $51.73 per hour or $107,600 per year in 2005. See a
state-by-state comparison of air traffic controller's wages.
2. Managers, All Others
Managers, who work in a variety of fields other than those management jobs listed elsewhere on this list, earned a median hourly wage of $38.06 or $79,200 annually in 2005.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 $36.34 and a median annual wage of $75,600 in 2005. 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 $33.23 or a median annual wage of $69,100 in 2005. Use the Salary Wizard at
Salary.com to find out how much transportation, storage, and distribution managers 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 $31.84 and a median annual wage of $66,200 in 2005. Use the Salary Wizard at
Salary.com to find out how much nuclear power reactor operators currently earn in your city.
6. First-Line Supervisors and Managers of Police and Detectives
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 $31.52 and the median annual salary was $65,600 in 2005. 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.
7. First-Line Supervisors and Managers of Non-Retail Sales Workers
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 $29.79 and the median annual salary was $62,000 in 2005. Use the Salary Wizard at
Salary.com to find out how much first-line supervisors and managers of non-retail sales workers currently earn in your city.
8. First-Line Supervisors and Managers of Fire Fighting and Prevention Workers
First-line supervisors and managers of fire fighting and prevention workers oversee the work of those who work as firefighters and in other fire prevention jobs. Experience is a requirement for working in this field. First-line supervisors and managers of fire fighting and prevention workers earned median hourly wages of $29.25 and a median annual salary of $60,800 in 2005. 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 your city.
Sales representatives 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, an increasing number require them. Many employers provide on-the-job training. The median hourly wages of wholesale and manufacturing and technical and scientific products sales representatives were $29.21 and the median annual salary was $60,800 in 2005. Use the Salary Wizard at
Salary.com to find out how much those working in this field currently earn in your city.
Gaming managers plan, organize, direct, control, or coordinate gaming operations in a casino. To enter this field one must have work experience in a related field. Gaming managers earned median hourly wages of $28.82 and a median annual salary of $59,900 in 2005. Use the Salary Wizard at
Salary.com to find out how much gaming managers currently earn where you live.
