What are some high paying jobs that don't require traditional schooling?

I'm a high school junior considering options after graduation and am curious about high paying jobs that don't require a college degree. Are there any specific trades or fields where I could earn well without going the traditional college route?

Absolutely, there are plenty of great career paths that don't require a traditional college degree. Consider these options:

1. Electrician: After high school, you would typically enter an apprenticeship program. It takes about 4–5 years to become a fully licensed electrician, but you're generally paid while you learn. Median pay in 2020 was around $56,900 per year.

2. Welder: Certification programs can be done in just a few weeks, or up to two years. The median wage in 2020 was about $44,190 per year. Welders with certain high-demand skills and those willing to travel or work in hazardous conditions can make quite a bit more.

3. Elevator installers and repairers: They earn a median wage of about $84,990 per year. You'll typically enter an apprenticeship lasting four years. Again, you're paid while you learn.

4. Commercial Pilot: No degree is required, but you will need a FAA license, which typically requires a minimum of 250 flying hours. The median wage for commercial pilots was about $93,300 in 2020.

5. Air traffic controller: The median wage is $130,420. While you don't need a four-year degree, you will need to enroll in an FAA-approved Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative (AT-CTI) program.

Remember that all these jobs require certification or training. So, while you might not be in a traditional educational setting, you will still be learning and training for that career.