7 High-Paying Jobs That Don’t Need a Degree
✔️ Overview & Day‑to‑Day
1. Air Traffic Controller
- Role: Manage the safe, orderly flow of aircraft in airport airspace and on the ground.
- Daily Tasks:
- Sequencing take‑offs/landings
- Monitoring radar, radio communications
- Coordinating with pilots, ground crews, neighboring centers
🛠️ Core Requirements
- Age: 18–31 at application
- Certifications:
- Pass the FAA’s Air Traffic Selection and Training (AT‑SAT) exam
- Complete the FAA Academy’s 12‑month program in Oklahoma City
- Skills: Rapid decision‑making, stress management, crystal‑clear comms
💼 Top Employers & Links
- Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) – https://www.faa.gov/jobs/
- NAV CANADA – https://www.navcanada.ca/en/careers.aspx
- National Air Traffic Services (NATS, UK) – https://careers.nats.aero/
- Lockheed Martin (contract controllers) – https://careers.lockheedmartin.com/
- Thales Group – https://www.thalesgroup.com/en/careers
- SITA – https://careers.sita.aero/
- CAE Inc. (training & operations) – https://www.cae.com/civil-careers/
- Smiths Detection (air traffic tech & ops) – https://www.smithsdetection.com/careers
- Serco – https://www.serco.com/careers
- Raytheon Technologies – https://www.rtx.com/careers
💰 Salary Breakdown
- Entry: ~$130K
- Mid‑career: $160K–$190K
- Senior + bonuses: $200K–$240K
🎯 Training Resources
- FAA Academy (Oklahoma City)
- AT‑CTI Colleges: Embry‑Riddle Aeronautical University, Utah State, Florida Tech
- Prep Courses: National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) workshops
2. Commercial Airline Pilot
✔️ Overview & Day‑to‑Day
- Role: Pilot large passenger or cargo jets on domestic/international routes.
- Daily Tasks:
- Pre‑flight planning & weather briefings
- Aircraft performance calculations
- In‑flight systems monitoring & crew coordination
🛠️ Core Requirements
- Age: ≥ 18 for CPL; ≥ 23 for ATP
- Certifications:
- Commercial Pilot License (CPL) with instrument rating
- Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate (1,500+ flight hours)
- Medical: FAA Class II or I medical clearance
💼 Top Airlines & Links
- Delta Air Lines – https://delta.avature.net/careers
- American Airlines – https://jobs.aa.com/
- United Airlines – https://www.united.com/en/us/fly/career.html
- Southwest Airlines – https://careers.southwestair.com/
- FedEx Express – https://careers.fedex.com/fedex/
- UPS Airlines – https://www.jobs-ups.com/
- JetBlue Airways – https://careers.jetblue.com/
- Emirates – https://www.emiratesgroupcareers.com/
- Qatar Airways – https://careers.qatarairways.com.qa/
- Lufthansa – https://career.lufthansa.com/global/en
💰 Salary Breakdown
- First Officer: $80K–$120K
- Captain (Major Carriers): $200K–$300K+
- Cargo Captains (FedEx/UPS): $220K–$350K