A four-year degree isn’t the only path to a strong salary. The 12 careers below all clear $70,000 a year at the median and welcome applicants without a bachelor’s degree, from union-apprenticed trades to academy-trained public safety and aviation careers. If you’re looking for a way to earn extra money through a career shift, the options below prove that “no degree” doesn’t mean “no ceiling.”
Editor’s note: All salary data is from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
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1. Air traffic controller
Median annual wage: $144,580
Common entry paths include the FAA’s Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative (associate’s or bachelor’s degree programs at approximately 36 approved schools), a bachelor’s degree in any field, or a qualifying combination of postsecondary education and work experience…