These Jobs Pay Six Figures Without A College Degree. One Has Over 18,000 Openings a Year, Another Just 400.

Americans looking for a six-figure salary without a four-year college degree could find substantially more opportunities managing warehouses and supply chains than operating nuclear reactors, even though both careers offer median annual pay above $100,000.

Transportation, storage and distribution managers earn a median salary of $107,230, with approximately 18,300 job openings projected annually through 2035. Nuclear power reactor operators earn more, at $122,890, but have just 400 projected openings a year, according to the latest federal employment projections.

The figures come from the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ 2025–2035 occupational employment projections, which detail median wages, education requirements, training and expected job openings.

A comparison of 11 selected occupations with median salaries of at least $100,000 that do not typically require a bachelor’s degree for entry shows approximately 44,900 combined annual openings. These are projected averages over the decade, not currently advertised vacancies, and include positions created when workers retire or change careers.

Transportation, storage and distribution managers oversee logistics operations, coordinate shipments and manage warehouse activities. While the position typically requires only a high school diploma, workers generally need at least five years of related experience.

Employment is projected to grow 6.1% between 2025 and 2035, adding approximately 14,000 jobs. The BLS occupational outlook identifies e-commerce and increasingly complex supply chains as factors supporting demand.

First-line supervisors of police and detectives offer another relatively large pool of opportunities, with approximately 10,600 openings annually and median pay of $106,040. These positions typically require previous law enforcement experience and additional training.

Commercial pilots earn considerably more, at $123,220 annually, with approximately 5,200 projected openings. The occupation typically requires postsecondary nondegree training, along with the necessary flight certifications.

Air traffic controllers earn an even higher median salary of $148,080, but have only about 2,100 projected openings each year. The BLS lists an associate degree as the typical education requirement, alongside extensive training.

Nuclear power reactor operators illustrate the difference between earning potential and employment opportunities. Despite their higher median salaries, employment in the occupation is expected to decline by 5.9% through 2035. Workers typically need a high school diploma, extensive on-the-job training and a license.

Other power-related occupations face similar employment challenges. Power plant operators earn $102,040 at the median, with approximately 2,300 openings annually, even as overall employment is projected to decline by 5.1%.

Power distributors and dispatchers, who earn a median salary of $106,730, have just 700 projected annual openings.

High-paying careers without four-year degrees are not limited to management, aviation and power generation. Elevator and escalator installers and repairers earn a median annual salary of $109,910, with approximately 1,900 openings projected each year. Workers generally enter with a high school diploma and complete an apprenticeship.

Electrical and electronics repairers specializing in powerhouses, substations and relay equipment earn $103,020 at the median, with about 1,800 annual openings. The occupation typically requires technical education, related experience and additional training.

Ship engineers earn $109,530, with approximately 900 openings annually, while radiation therapists earn $105,310, with about 700 openings. Both occupations typically require postsecondary education below the bachelor’s level, with additional qualifications depending on the position.