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No Bachelor's Degree Required

7 Jobs Paying Over $100K Without a Degree in Missouri (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

There are 7 occupations in Missouri where the median salary exceeds $100,000 per year — and none of them typically require a bachelor's degree. The highest-paying is Athletes and Sports Competitors at $172,700/year (typical entry: Less than a High School Diploma). Based on 2025 BLS salary data combined with O*NET education requirements.

Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 + O*NET 28.3

7
$100K+ Jobs, No Degree
$172,700
#1: Athletes and Sports Competitors
$119,101
Avg Median of Listed Jobs
3,560
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
4 jobs
Top: Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers — $126,750
Associate's Degree
2 jobs
Top: Nuclear Technicians — $104,580
Less than a High School Diploma
1 job
Top: Athletes and Sports Competitors — $172,700

All 7 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 Athletes and Sports Competitors No Formal $172,700 670
2 Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers HS Diploma $126,750 450
3 Air Traffic Controllers HS Diploma $122,200 260
4 Power Distributors and Dispatchers HS Diploma $105,450 100
5 Nuclear Technicians Associate's $104,580 150
6 Power Plant Operators HS Diploma $101,900 N/A
7 Diagnostic Medical Sonographers Associate's $100,130 1,930

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

Production
2 qualifying jobs
Top: Power Distributors and Dispatchers — $105,450
Arts & Media
1 qualifying job
Top: Athletes and Sports Competitors — $172,700
Construction
1 qualifying job
Top: Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers — $126,750
Transportation
1 qualifying job
Top: Air Traffic Controllers — $122,200
Life & Physical Science
1 qualifying job
Top: Nuclear Technicians — $104,580
Healthcare Practitioners
1 qualifying job
Top: Diagnostic Medical Sonographers — $100,130

Frequently Asked Questions

How many jobs pay over $100K without a degree in Missouri?
According to 2025 BLS data combined with O*NET education requirements, there are 7 occupations in Missouri 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 Missouri?
The highest-paying occupation in Missouri that doesn't typically require a bachelor's degree is Athletes and Sports Competitors, with a median annual salary of $172,700. Entry typically requires: Less than a High School Diploma.
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 Missouri?
Among the 7 qualifying occupations in MO, the average median salary is $119,101/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 Missouri

All $100K+ Jobs in Missouri · All Missouri 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