Is it possible to find high paying jobs with no schooling?

I'm curious if there are any high paying jobs that don't need schooling at all. Are there fields where experience or skills matter more than formal education? I'd like to explore options where I can get started right away.

There are indeed high-paying jobs that do not require formal education or a degree. It's important to note that while these roles may not require higher education, they often require hands-on training, skill-building, certifications, or apprenticeships. Here are few examples:

1. Sales Representative: Many types of sales roles, such as those in pharmaceuticals or real estate, don't necessitate a degree. Successful salespeople often have excellent interpersonal and communication skills and a drive to meet or exceed sales goals. However, some roles require specific certifications.

2. Air Traffic Controller: This role, which involves coordinating the movement of aircraft to prevent accidents, requires an associate’s degree or equivalent work experience, complete an FAA-recognized education program, and pass qualifying exams and medical and background checks.

3. Radiation Therapist: They work in the medical field administering radiation treatments to patients with cancer. This job requires a 12-month certification program or a two-year associate's degree.

4. Commercial Pilot: For those interested in aviation, becoming a commercial pilot is an option. While a college degree is not required, pilots need a high school diploma, pilot's license from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and flight hours.

5. Elevator Installers/Repairers: This job involves installing, repairing, and maintaining elevators, escalators, moving walkways, and other similar equipment. Many people in this field start with a high school diploma and then enter a 4-year apprenticeship program.

6. Gas Plant Operators: These professionals control the systems that generate and distribute utilities. These jobs typically require a high school diploma or equivalent, along with long-term on-the-job training.

If you're thinking along these lines, you'll want to consider what interests and motivates you, beyond just the potential earnings. Even in jobs that do not require formal education, there's often a lot of learning on the job, as well as continuous professional development, both formal and informal.

Jobs that require no education at all are becoming rarer, especially those that offer good compensation. Still, there are also entrepreneurial paths, like starting your own business, that are less about formal education and more about drive, creativity, and a willingness to take on risk. It's all about finding a balance between what you enjoy, what you're good at, and what will offer you a sustainable livelihood.