20 Jobs That Pay Over $100K a Year without a Degree in California (video)

Are you looking for jobs that pay well without a degree? Below is a list of jobs that pay over $100k a year without a degree in California. We pulled the latest employment data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. The salary information below are mean annual salaries. The information presented in this article is based on data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (State Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics Published 2022).

Video of Jobs that Pay over $100K a year without a Degree

Jobs that pay over $100K without a degree in California

20 Jobs That Pay Over $100k a Year without a Degree in California

Below are high paying jobs that don’t require a bachelor’s degree in California. All of the jobs below pay over $100,000 a year.

Commercial Divers	$161,210
First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives	$150,760
Air Traffic Controllers	$141,200
Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance	$136,340
First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers	$124,120
Real Estate Brokers	$117,820
Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers	$112,530
Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers	$110,390
First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers	$109,410
Dental Hygienists	$108,200
Gambling Managers	$107,800
Power Distributors and Dispatchers	$107,600
Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay	$105,730
Athletes and Sports Competitors	$105,250
Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels	$103,910
Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officers	$102,920
Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers	$102,150
Gas Plant Operators	$100,920
Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists	$100,800
Boilermakers	$100,310

Jobs That Pay Over 100k a Year without a Degree in California

1. Commercial Divers

Commercial Divers are jobs that pay over $100k without a bachelor’s degree. You can make $161,210 a year in California as a Commercial Diver. The entry-level requirement to be a Commercial Diver is a Post Secondary Non-Degree Award. Most require an active ADC (Association of Diving Contractors) certification.

Commercial Divers work below the surface of the water, using surface-supplied air or scuba equipment to inspect, repair, remove, or install equipment and structures. They may use a variety of power and hand tools, such as drills, sledgehammers, torches, and welding equipment. They may conduct tests or experiments, rig explosives, or photograph structures or marine life.

2. First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives

First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives are jobs that pay over 100K a year without a degree. You can make a mean annual salary of $150,760 in California as a First-Line Supervisor of Police and Detectives. First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives directly supervise and coordinate the activities of members of the police force. The entry-level requirement to be a First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives is a High School Diploma.

3. Air Traffic Controllers

Air Traffic Controllers are jobs that pay well without a degree in California. It has a mean annual salary of $141,200 in California. Air traffic controllers coordinate the movement of aircraft to maintain safe distances between them. Air traffic controllers work in control towers, approach control facilities, or route centers. Their work can be stressful because maximum concentration is required at all times. Night, weekend, and rotating shifts are common. The entry-level requirement for Air Traffic Controllers is an associate’s degree.

4. Makeup Artists (Theatrical and Performance)

Makeup Artists (Theatrical and Performance) are jobs that pay over 100k a year without a degree. You can make a mean annual salary of $136,340 as a Makeup Artist in California. The entry-level requirement to be a Makeup Artist is a High School Diploma

5. First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers

First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers are jobs that pay over $100k without a bachelor’s degree. You can make $124,120 a year as a First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Worker in California. The entry-level requirement to be a First-Line Supervisor of Firefighting and Prevention Workers is a Postsecondary nondegree award. First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers directly supervise and coordinate activities of workers engaged in firefighting and fire prevention and control.

6. Real Estate Broker

Real Estate brokers are jobs that pay well without a degree in California. The mean annual salary of Real Estate Brokers in California is $117,820. The entry-level requirements to be a Real estate broker are a High School diploma and a Real Estate broker license. Before taking the real estate broker licensing exam, you will need to satisfy requirements to be eligible for the Real Estate broker license such as working as a real estate agent first.

7. Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers

Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers are jobs that pay over $100k without a degree. You can make $112,530 a year in California as an Elevator and Escalator installer and Repairer. The entry-level requirement to be an Elevator and Escalator installer and Repairer is a high school diploma. Nearly all learn how to do the work through an apprenticeship. Elevator and escalator installers and repairers install, maintain, and fix elevators, escalators, moving walkways, and other lifts.

8. Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers

Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers are jobs that pay over 100K a year without a degree. You can make a mean annual salary of $110,390 in California as a Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Manager. Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers plan, direct, or coordinate transportation, storage, or distribution activities in accordance with organizational policies and applicable government laws or regulations. Includes logistics managers. The entry-level requirement to be a Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Manager is a High School Diploma.

9. First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers

First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers are jobs that pay over $100k without a bachelor’s degree. You can make $109,410 a year as a First-Line Supervisor of Correctional Officer in California. The entry-level requirement to be a First-Line Supervisor of Correctional Officers is a high school diploma. First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers directly supervise and coordinate the activities of correctional officers and jailers.

10. Dental Hygienists

Dental Hygienists are jobs that pay over $100k without a bachelor’s degree. You can make $108,200 a year as a Dental Hygienist in California. The entry-level requirement to be a Dental Hygienist is an associate’s degree. Dental hygienists examine patients for signs of oral diseases, such as gingivitis, and provide preventive care, including oral hygiene.

11. Gambling Managers

Gambling Managers are jobs that pay over $100k without a bachelor’s degree. You can make $107,800 a year in California as a Gambling Manager. The entry-level requirement to be a Gambling Manager is a high school diploma. Gambling managers serve customers in gambling establishments, such as casinos or racetracks. Most gambling managers are employed in gambling industries. Because most of these establishments are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, employees often work nights, weekends, and holidays.

12. Power Distributors and Dispatchers

Power Distributors and Dispatchers are jobs that pay over $100k without a bachelor’s degree. You can make $107,600 a year in California as a Power Distributor and Dispatcher. The entry-level requirement to be a Power Distributor and Dispatcher is a high school diploma. Power plant distributors and dispatchers control the systems that generate and distribute electric power. Most power plant distributors and dispatchers work full-time. Many work rotating 8- or 12-hour shifts.

13. Electrical and Electronics Repairers (Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay)

Electrical and Electronics Repairers are jobs that pay over $100k without a bachelor’s degree. You can make $105,730 a year in California as an Electrical and Electronics Repairer. The entry-level requirement to be an Electrical and Electronics Repairer is a high school diploma. Although some specialized repairers do require advanced education, apprenticeship training, or work experience. Electrical and electronics installers and repairers install or repair a variety of electrical equipment. Many electrical and electronics installers and repairers work in repair shops or in factories. Installers and repairers may have to lift heavy equipment and work in awkward positions. The majority work full time.

14. Athletes and Sports Competitors

Athletes and Sports Competitors are jobs that pay over 100k a year without a degree. Professional athletes have a mean annual salary of $105,250 in California. There is no minimum educational entry-level requirement to become an Athlete and Sports competitor. Athletes and Sports Competitors may work irregular schedules, including evenings, weekends, and holidays. They typically work more than 40 hours per week for several months during their particular sports season. They frequently work outside, so they may be exposed to all weather conditions.

15. Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels

Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels are jobs that pay over 100K a year without a degree in California. It has a mean annual salary of $103,910. The entry-level requirement to be a Captain, Mate, and Pilot of Water Vessels is a High School Diploma and U.S. Coast Guard-approved training programs.

16. Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officers

Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officers are jobs that pay over 100K a year without a degree in California. It has a mean annual salary of $102,910. The entry-level requirement to be a Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officer is a High School Diploma. Most police must graduate from their agency’s training academy before completing on-the-job training. Candidates must be U.S. citizens, usually at least 21 years old, and able to meet rigorous physical and personal qualifications.

17. Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers

Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers are jobs that pay over 100K a year without a degree in California. It has a mean annual salary of $102,150. The entry-level requirement to be an Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairer is a High School Diploma.

Electrical Power Line installers and repairers install or repair electrical power systems and telecommunications cables, including fiber optics. Electrical Power Line workers encounter serious hazards on the job, including working with high-voltage electricity, often at great heights. The work also can be physically demanding. Although most work full time during regular business hours, some work irregular hours on evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays when needed.

18. Gas Plant Operators

Gas Plant Operators are jobs that pay over $100k without a bachelor’s degree. You can earn $100,920 a year in California as a Gas Plant Operator. The entry-level requirement to be a Gas Plant operator is a high school diploma. Gas Plant operators distribute or process gas for utility companies and others by controlling compressors to maintain specified pressures on main pipelines.

19. Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists

Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists are jobs that pay well without a degree in California. You can earn $100,800 a year in California as a Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialist. The entry-level requirement to be a Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialist is a high school diploma and previous work experience as a firefighter.

Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists examine buildings in order to detect fire hazards and ensure that federal, state, and local fire codes are met. Fire inspectors and investigators work in offices and in the field. They typically work during regular business hours, but investigators may also work evenings, weekends, and holidays because they must be ready to respond when fires occur. Forest fire inspectors and prevention specialists spend much of their time outdoors.

20. Boilermakers

Boilermakers are jobs that pay over $100K without a degree in California. You can earn $100,310 a year as a Boilermaker in California. The entry-level requirement to be a Boilermaker is a high school diploma. Boilermakers typically learn their trade through an apprenticeship program. Boilermakers assemble, install, maintain, and repair boilers, closed vats, and other large vessels or containers that hold liquids and gases. Boilermakers do physically demanding work. They may travel to worksites and be away from home for extended periods.