We have researched the highest paying trade school jobs in the United States that don't need a college degree. The jobs are not in any particular order below.
Trade schools, also known as vocational schools, are increasing in popularity as students are losing faith in the traditional four year college pathway, given its high cost and low potential return on investment. As a consequence, trade schools are becoming more popular options for high school graduates, or for adults who want a vocation change.
The trade jobs in this list don't require a two year (associate's) degree or a four year bachelor's degree. As a result, jobs like sonographer and paralegal aren't included.
For a list of the the highest paying jobs with an associate's degree, see our article The Best Online Associate's Degrees for Careers.
There are many different trade schools that teach a variety of professional training for many different kinds of jobs.
These trade school subjects include:
- HVAC\R
- Freight Broker
- Electrician
- Gunsmith
We set out to answer the question of which trade potentially offers the highest paying jobs. Our data is from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and other salary data aggregators where indicated.
Note: the highest paying job may be the owner of a company, such as owning your own HVAC/R company. We aren't including the figures of owning companies, as there are too many variables and too much variation in the salaries - so this list includes HVAC/R Technician salary figures, and the same is true for the other trades.
Also, salaries can vary by location. People who live in the northern states of the U.S. will not have as much business for HVAC work as states in the south, for example. Any given trade can have state to state or regional differences in demand and salary potential.
There is usually no minimum degree required, though there is specialty training required, and in some cases getting a license is required, such as Insurance Agent. In many of these jobs, an apprenticeship is available, such as in becoming a Plumber or Jewelry Maker.
The Highest Paying Trade School Jobs Without A Degree
1. Insurance Agent
Insurance Agents do not need a college degree, but passing a state exam is required to become a licensed insurance agent. After passing the state exam, you'll need to apply for a license and possibly pass a background check.
The salary for Insurance agents varies, given that there are many different kinds of insurance in which one can become an agent to sell, such as auto, home, health, life, and commercial insurance. The average salary across the United States is $56,561 according to Salary.com. To get more details on the state exams, check with your state's licensing board.
2. Electrician
Electricians earn an average median salary of $61,590 per year. Electricians work for home builders or commercial builders, often as contracted electricians.
3. Gunsmith
Gunsmiths earn an average salary nationwide of $49,539 according to Indeed.com. Gunsmiths repair, create or modify existing guns, which also includes cleaning, repairing, engraving, and other duties for themselves or clients.
4. HVAC/R
HVAC/R is short for Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration. The average annual median salary for HVAC/R techs is $57,300 per year.
5. Freight Broker
Freight Brokers earn an average of $67,442 in the nation, according to Indeed.com.
Freight Brokers arrange the transportation of physical goods by connecting the trucking companies with the suppliers or shippers of the goods. Their responsibilities can include tracking the shipment and keeping the supplier or shipper informed.
6. Life Coach
Life Coaches earn a median salary of $68,000 per year, according to Glassdoor.com. Life Coaches provide guidance on life issues, such as relationships, schooling, job and career advice, and other important facets of life to their clients. Life Coaches are not supposed to be counselors or participate in the arena of therapy, as the states have strict procedures and licensing requirements for mental health counselors.
7. Plumber
Plumbers earn an average salary of $61,550 per year. The Bureau of Labor Statistics includes Plumbers under their category of Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters. Plumbers can work in homes or businesses repairing or installing the plumbing and pipelines necessary for functioning.
8. Cabinet Maker
Cabinet Makers earn an average salary of $43,000 per year, according to Indeed.com. Cabinet Makers often work with home builders or commercial business builders in making their cabinets, or work with remodelers.
9. Jewelry Maker
The average salary for Jewelry Makers is $47,866 according to Ziprecruiter.com. Jewelry Makers, as the name implies, make jewelry. This position can usually be trained for from an apprenticeship training.
Trade school enrollment has increased substantially since the year 2020, with a 4.9% increase to the year 2023, while traditional college enrollment had seen a decline in this same time period.
10. Pharmacy Technician
Pharmacy Technicians assist the functioning of pharmacies by helping pharmacists, answering phones, taking prescription orders, checking out customers, and other duties. Pharmacy Technicians earn a mean average salary of $43,330, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The growth rate is projected to be 7%, higher than the average for all other occupations.
11. Personal Trainer
Personal Trainers help people in their health and wellness by teaching them proper training techniques. The fitness industry is growing, and Certified Personal Trainers are in increasing demand. The mean average salary for these positions is $68,548 per year, according to Salary.com. Personal Trainers can get certifications to become Certified Personal Trainers. Certification involves getting training and passing a certification exam.
Another education option for getting high paying jobs without a degree is to attend a bootcamp for job training. See our articles: