4 Jobs Paying Over $100K Without a Degree in North Carolina (2024)
There are 4 occupations in North Carolina where the median salary exceeds $100,000 per year — and none of them typically require a bachelor's degree.
The highest-paying is Nuclear Power Reactor Operators at $120,300/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
4
$100K+ Jobs, No Degree
$120,300
#1: Nuclear Power Reactor Operators
$108,167
Avg Median of Listed Jobs
72,360
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
3 jobs
Top: Nuclear Power Reactor Operators — $120,300
Associate's Degree
1 job
Top: Nuclear Technicians — $107,380
All 4 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 North Carolina?
According to 2024 BLS data combined with O*NET education requirements, there are 4 occupations in North Carolina 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 North Carolina?
The highest-paying occupation in North Carolina that doesn't typically require a bachelor's degree is Nuclear Power Reactor Operators, with a median annual salary of $120,300. 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 North Carolina?
Among the 4 qualifying occupations in NC, the average median salary is $108,167/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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