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No Bachelor's Degree Required

9 Jobs Paying Over $100K Without a Degree in Louisiana (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

There are 9 occupations in Louisiana where the median salary exceeds $100,000 per year — and none of them typically require a bachelor's degree. The highest-paying is Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance at $129,580/year (typical entry: Post-Secondary Certificate). Based on 2025 BLS salary data combined with O*NET education requirements.

Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 + O*NET 28.3

9
$100K+ Jobs, No Degree
$129,580
#1: Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance
$107,886
Avg Median of Listed Jobs
58,990
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
5 jobs
Top: Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels — $117,160
Post-Secondary Certificate
3 jobs
Top: Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance — $129,580
Associate's Degree
1 job
Top: Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians — $102,800

All 9 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.

# Occupation Education Median Salary Workers
1 Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance Certificate $129,580 N/A
2 Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels HS Diploma $117,160 6,830
3 Gas Plant Operators HS Diploma $108,350 800
4 Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers HS Diploma $106,640 3,490
5 Ship Engineers Certificate $103,430 610
6 Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians Associate's $102,800 270
7 General and Operations Managers HS Diploma $101,790 43,220
8 Power Plant Operators HS Diploma $101,170 370
9 Chemical Plant and System Operators Certificate $100,060 3,400

Top Career Fields (No Degree, $100K+)

Production
4 qualifying jobs
Top: Gas Plant Operators — $108,350
Transportation
2 qualifying jobs
Top: Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels — $117,160
Personal Care
1 qualifying job
Top: Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance — $129,580
Architecture & Engineering
1 qualifying job
Top: Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians — $102,800
Management
1 qualifying job
Top: General and Operations Managers — $101,790

Frequently Asked Questions

How many jobs pay over $100K without a degree in Louisiana?
According to 2025 BLS data combined with O*NET education requirements, there are 9 occupations in Louisiana 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 Louisiana?
The highest-paying occupation in Louisiana that doesn't typically require a bachelor's degree is Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance, with a median annual salary of $129,580. Entry typically requires: Post-Secondary Certificate.
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 Louisiana?
Among the 9 qualifying occupations in LA, the average median salary is $107,886/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.

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$100K+ Jobs Without a Degree in Other States

What's the actual take-home? These $100K+ salaries are before taxes.

More Salary Data for Louisiana

All $100K+ Jobs in Louisiana · All Louisiana Jobs

Data Source & Methodology

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 2025 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.

See our Methodology and Data Sources pages for details.

Sources: BLS OEWS · O*NET OnLine