- Demographic Based
- Interest Based
- Location Based
- Pay Based
- Requirement Based
Find a Job You Really Want In
In the U.S., the average household income currently stands at about $68,700.
If your goal is to have a job that pays $50k a year or more, you’re in luck. Your goal is achievable.
Many jobs pay over 50K. Some of these jobs require at least an associate degree. Others need a bachelor’s degree.
However, some of the jobs that pay over $50,000 a year are entry-level jobs that may not need a college degree. A high school diploma or its equivalent will do. Those that don’t need a degree tend to be trade jobs.
Many jobs that pay over $50k and need a degree tend to be within the STEM fields. These include jobs within the architectural and engineering fields, as well as those within the information systems field. And some need additional academic credentials such as doctorate degrees.
Key Takeaways:
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There are many great jobs that pay over $50,000 a year, including registered nurse, data scientist, and construction manager.
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Great entry level jobs that pay over $50,000 include electrician and social work.
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Although helpful, a higher education degree is not necessary to obtain a job that pays over $50,000.
Best Jobs Pay Over 50K
When looking for a job that pays over 50K, you need to consider factors such as:
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Academic qualifications
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Level of experience that you need to begin earning 50K
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Ability to work from home
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Flexibility in your work schedule
Based on these criteria, you can decide what works for you best.
Below are lucrative jobs that pay over an average annual salary of $50,000 or more:
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Petroleum engineer
Average Annual Salary: $109,000If you would like to work in the energy sector, then try petroleum engineering. Your job will involve designing and developing methods for oil and gas extraction from underneath the earth’s surface.
This job requires a bachelor’s degree in petroleum, chemical, mechanical, or civil engineering. The average salary is $106,000 per year.
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Pharmacist
Average Annual Salary: $119,000As a pharmacist, you will dispense medication and guide patients on the right dosage. You will also take part in screenings, help out during immunization drives, and advise patients on healthy lifestyles.
This job requires a Doctor of Pharmacy degree as well as a license to operate. The average wage is $119,000 per year.
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Surgeon
Average Annual Salary: $328,000Being a surgeon means you will be responsible for patient operations to diagnose and treat diseases, remove tumors, and correct deformities, etc.
Surgeons also need to have a bachelor’s degree, medical degree, and additional training as an intern and resident when specializing. The average salary is $314,000 per year.
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Registered nurse
Average Annual Salary: $63,000Registered nurses (RNs) are licensed medical professionals that assist doctors to administer medical care and during surgeries.
RNs work in hospitals, clinics, medical offices, and other community health settings to educate the public and patients on health issues and provide emotional support to patients and their families.
You need an associate degree in nursing or a Bachelor of Science in nursing. If you become a registered nurse, your average salary will be $67,000 per year.
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Air traffic controller
Average Annual Salary: $64,000You should become an air traffic controller if you like the idea of monitoring and directing aircraft movement in the air and on the ground.
This high-pressure job requires nerves of steel and focus. Background, medical, and strict citizenship checks are necessary.
The average salary is $53,000 per year. An associate degree is needed though.
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Fire inspector
Average Annual Salary: $49,000As a fire inspector, you will be responsible for ensuring buildings meet all the fire codes.
Chemistry, fire science, or engineering degrees also help. But completing an EMT program may get your foot in the door if you have some work experience such as firefighting.
The average salary for this position is $74,000 per year.
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Data scientist
Average Annual Salary: $97,000As a data scientist, your job will involve solving problems using data. This can be done via computer science, statistics, analysis, mathematics, and modeling. Data science jobs include computer science or information research jobs.
You might need a master’s degree to get started, but the average salary of $105,000 is great.
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Commercial pilot
Average Annual Salary: $71,000As a commercial pilot, you get to fly all manner of aircraft for different companies around the world and may participate in rescue efforts.
The average salary for commercial pilots is $97,000 per year. Getting in requires a high school diploma, at least 500 flight hours, and an FAA–Airline Transport Pilot certificate.
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Sonographer
Average Annual Salary: $69,000You could opt to work in healthcare using ultrasonic devices to obtain body images. Then you can analyze these images to help doctors diagnose and treat different diseases.
Sonographers make an average salary of $70,000 per year. But you need a relevant associate degree.
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Chief executive officer
Average Annual Salary: $190,000Being a chief executive officer of any organization allows you to make corporate decisions that matter, run daily operations, and manage the company’s resources. CEOs are the administrators who have the final say.
The average salary is $191,000 per year. You need a relevant bachelor’s degree and at least five years of work experience.
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Loan officer
Average Annual Salary: $48,000As a loan officer, your job will involve determining the creditworthiness of borrowers then assisting them to access loans if they are eligible. You could work in financial institutions.
The salary for top-earning loan officers is $65,000 per year. You need a bachelor’s degree to get this job. It also comes with lots of on-the-job training.
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Construction manager
Average Annual Salary: $81,000Your duties as a construction supervisor will include monitoring worksite activity and overseeing the construction project to completion. You will also lead and manage everyone and ensure all safety protocols are observed.
A bachelor’s degree in a relevant construction field is needed. But you will also benefit from on-the-job training. The average pay is $89,000 per year.
Entry-Level Jobs Pay Over 50K
Some jobs require minimal work experience. They also provide a stepping stone to other career opportunities. But they still pay $50k or more. These include:
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Federal investigator
Average Annual Salary: $55,583As a federal investigator, you will gather evidence, interview people, search records, and conduct surveillance to solve mysteries. The average salary is $56,500 per year. And you only need a high school diploma and critical thinking skills.
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Mechanical engineering technologist
Average Annual Salary: $59,000Mechanical engineering technicians are responsible for assisting mechanical engineers in the development and maintenance of mechanical devices.
The top earners get $65,000 per year. And you can get this job if you have an associate degree. If you have mechanical skills and can master new technology quickly, this is the job for you.
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Electrician
Average Annual Salary: $49,000As an electrician, you will be responsible for installing and maintaining electrical systems including circuit breakers, transformers, and electronic devices.
This job offers an average pay of $59,000 per year. And you only need a high school diploma to get started. It’s great for problem solvers.
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Police officer
Average Annual Salary: $47,000Your job as a police officer will be to defend and uphold the law, protect and defend people, and hold those who break laws accountable. It’s a good choice for anyone who loves to help others and prefers order.
The average pay for police officers is $52,000 per year. The basic minimum requirement is a high school diploma followed by a course in the police academy. On-the-job training is also mandatory.
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Property claims adjuster
Average Annual Salary: $47,000Your job will be to determine the validity of insurance claims and the extent to which insurance companies should assume liability.
The average pay for insurance claims adjusters is $61,000 per year. And you only need a high school diploma and strong critical thinking skills. Some employers may require some work experience too.
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Plumber
Average Annual Salary: $56,000Plumbers work with all pipe-related systems including those that transport steam, waste, and clean water, as well as gas. The top earners make $78,000 per year.
A high school diploma, apprenticeship training, and strong problem solving, and mechanical skills are necessary.
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Social worker
Average Annual Salary: $51,000As a social worker, your job will be to protect vulnerable children, provide psychosocial support to vulnerable families, and advocate for resources for the community to which you are assigned. Problem-solving skills are needed.
The average pay for this job is $55,000 per year. A bachelor’s degree is needed for entry-level social work positions.
Work-From-Home Jobs Pay Over 50k
If you don’t like to socialize with people a lot, you may want to pursue work-from-home jobs. These kinds of gigs are also an excellent choice if you like flexibility concerning your schedule.
You can work from home as a:
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Graphic designer
Average Annual Salary: $45,000As a graphic designer, you get to create visual concepts that communicate relevant messages to target audiences from home. The top-earning designers make $64,000 per year but you need creativity and sometimes a bachelor’s degree to get started.
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Writer
Average Annual Salary: $57,000You would write blog content, technical manuals, social media content, and fiction and non-fiction books right from home. The average pay for writers and authors is $53,000 per year. A bachelor’s degree, writing skills, and on-the-job training may be what get you into this job.
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Sales representative
Average Annual Salary: $56,000You can work in sales for the wholesale or manufacturing industries from home. All you need is internet access and a phone.
Top-earning sales reps make as much as $128,000 per year. And a high school diploma is the basic minimum requirement. But your selling, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills matter most.
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Agriculture manager
Average Annual Salary: $61,000You can choose to raise plants and animals for human and animal consumption. You can also opt to run a farm on behalf of someone else.
You should know how to plant, fertilize, water, harvest, and store crops and animal products. The average pay is $57,000 per year and only a high school diploma is needed. But some work experience will be helpful.
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Software developer
Average Annual Salary: $80,000As a software developer you will be responsible for designing, then installing, and testing software systems for individuals and organizations.
The average pay is $84,000 per year. A relevant bachelor’s degree will equip you with the technical skills you need to get this job. But problem-solving and creativity skills are handy to have.
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Editor
Average Annual Salary: $51,000You could be a video or content editor who works remotely to edit raw video footage or written works.
The top-earning video editors get about $75,000 a year while content editors earn as much as $69,000 a year. A bachelor’s degree, critical thinking skills, and on-the-job training are good to have.
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Interpreter and Translator
Average Annual Salary: $42,000You can use your multi-lingual skills to convert written or spoken content from one language to another. You may need a bachelor’s degree in the relevant language if you are not a native speaker. The highest-earning translators and interpreters get an average of $62,000 a year.
Can I get a job that pays over $50,000 a year if I don’t have a degree?
Yes, you can get a job that pays over $50,000 a year if you don’t have a degree. As this list shows, there are many opportunities to find work that provides meaningful wages. Many are found in the trades. Others are found in fields that require training and certification but don’t necessarily need a degree.
If you want a job that pays over $50,000 a year without a degree, consider the following tips to help you in your search:
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Join a trade. Some of the best paying jobs that come without a degree are in the trades. Trades offer great work, especially for people who don’t want to work in an office environment. To join a trade, you can first look into going to a trade school. Afterwards, usually you need to take up an apprenticeship and it is helpful to become a member of a union.
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Learn valuable skills. If you want to become a a valuable employee, you’ll need valuable skills. Luckily, a lot of these skills can be learned outside degree programs, particularly online. Some valuable skills including programming languages or graphic design.
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Build a portfolio. A portfolio is a collection of work. Some jobs are more curious about your portfolio of work than your education background. This is especially true in creative fields like web design and photography. If you can show that you have successfully done relevant work in the past, then you can be more convincing as a job candidate.
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Get certified.Certifications provide tangible proof that you have certain skills. By getting certified, you can learn skills that help increase your job prospects. The best part is that there are many certification programs for almost every industry.
- Demographic Based
- Interest Based
- Location Based
- Pay Based
- Requirement Based
These are just some of the ways you can get a high paying job without a degree. The most important thing to remember is that as long as you can prove your value, you generally have opportunities wherever you go.
Final Thoughts
Think about what you want to do, the level of work-life balance you need, and how flexible you want your job to be before deciding on the kind of job you want. With the right skill set, you have lots of job opportunities to choose from that will pay you $50,000 a year or more.
Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
