15 Jobs Paying Over $100K Without a Degree in Colorado (2024)
There are 15 occupations in Colorado where the median salary exceeds $100,000 per year — and none of them typically require a bachelor's degree.
The highest-paying is Air Traffic Controllers at $168,580/year (typical entry: High School Diploma or Equivalent).
Based on 2024 BLS salary data combined with O*NET education requirements.
Data: BLS OEWS May 2024 + O*NET 28.3
15
$100K+ Jobs, No Degree
$168,580
#1: Air Traffic Controllers
$115,156
Avg Median of Listed Jobs
62,150
Workers in These Roles
Education Breakdown
These high-paying jobs span different education levels — from no formal education to associate's degrees and trade certifications.
High School Diploma or Equivalent
8 jobs
Top: Air Traffic Controllers — $168,580
Associate's Degree
5 jobs
Top: Radiation Therapists — $106,560
Post-Secondary Certificate
2 jobs
Top: Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians — $118,280
All 15 Jobs Paying $100K+ Without a Bachelor's Degree
Ranked by median annual salary. Education level from O*NET (typical entry-level requirement). Click any job for the full salary breakdown.
How many jobs pay over $100K without a degree in Colorado?
According to 2024 BLS data combined with O*NET education requirements, there are 15 occupations in Colorado where the median salary exceeds $100,000/year and the typical entry-level education is below a bachelor's degree.
What is the highest-paying job without a degree in Colorado?
The highest-paying occupation in Colorado that doesn't typically require a bachelor's degree is Air Traffic Controllers, with a median annual salary of $168,580. Entry typically requires: High School Diploma or Equivalent.
What education do you need for a $100K job without a college degree?
The jobs on this list typically require one of: a high school diploma, a post-secondary certificate or trade certification, some college courses, or an associate's degree. Many of these roles value on-the-job training, apprenticeships, or industry certifications over formal degrees.
What's the average salary for $100K+ no-degree jobs in Colorado?
Among the 15 qualifying occupations in CO, the average median salary is $115,156/year. These jobs range from just over $100,000 to well above $200,000 in some fields like management and skilled trades.
How do I get a $100K job without a bachelor's degree?
Focus on high-demand fields like skilled trades (elevator installers, power plant operators), transportation (airline pilots, air traffic controllers), sales management, or tech roles that accept certifications. Build relevant experience through apprenticeships, on-the-job training, or industry certifications. Many employers value demonstrated skills and experience over formal education.
This page combines two authoritative data sources: salary data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024 estimates, and education requirements from the O*NET 28.3 database maintained by the U.S. Department of Labor. Jobs are filtered to those where the typical education requirement is below a bachelor's degree (including high school diploma, post-secondary certificate, associate's degree, or some college courses) and the state-level median salary exceeds $100,000/year.
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