Brief
High‑paying US entry‑level jobs that don’t require a college degree
Entry‑level roles such as commercial pilots and elevator constructors can earn six‑figure salaries despite lacking a college degree.
By Felo News Desk · Published
According to The Independent, several US entry‑level occupations that do not require a college degree can pay more than $100,000 a year.
What happened
The outlet notes that workers without a degree earn 39% less per week and face 26% higher unemployment than degree‑holders, but highlights specific jobs where the pay gap reverses. Median annual wages exceed $100,000 for commercial pilots ($123,020) and elevator constructors ($109,910). The article also mentions that these roles typically require apprenticeship or flight‑school training rather than a four‑year degree.
What the reports add
The Independent cites federal data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics for median salaries and references Epic Flight Academy as the largest FAA‑certified flight school, stating that it takes 12‑14 months and 250 flight hours to earn a commercial pilot licence. Training costs are detailed: Epic Flight Academy charges over $96,000, while ATP Flight School’s commercial certification exceeds $123,000. The piece also notes that military veterans can use GI Bill benefits for flight training, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs, and that apprenticeships for elevator constructors require about 2,000 hours of on‑the‑job training.
What was said
Global career consultant Hassan Akram told The Independent, “The best entry‑level job is one that pays well while rapidly increasing the value of the person doing it.”
How it came about
The article references broader labour‑market trends reported by Felo News, such as the rise of alternative pathways to high‑paying careers highlighted in our recent piece on Walmart’s Trade‑Skill Pathways (Walmart’s Trade‑Skill Pathways Offer Gen Z a Six‑Figure Career) and the steady US job‑openings figures (US job openings dip to 7.08 million in August 2026).
Key facts
- Median annual wage for commercial pilots is $123,020 (independent.co.uk)
- Median annual wage for elevator constructors is $109,910 (independent.co.uk)
- Commercial pilot training can cost over $96,000 at Epic Flight Academy (independent.co.uk)
- Apprenticeship for elevator constructors requires about 2,000 hours (independent.co.uk)
- Workers without a college degree earn 39% less per week than degree‑holders (independent.co.uk)
Sources
- [1] independent.co.uk — originally reported as “The highest paying entry-level jobs in the US - college degree not required”
