A college diploma is no longer the only path to a high-paying career. A new study shows that millions of U.S. workers are earning six-figure salaries without holding a bachelor’s degree.
According to a LendingTree analysis of the U.S. Census Bureau’s latest American Community Survey, nearly 6 million full-time workers without college degrees made at least $100,000 in 2023. That’s about 9% of non-college graduates nationwide.
“This report is clear proof that you don’t need a degree to earn a substantial income,” said Matt Schulz, LendingTree’s chief consumer finance analyst. “There are many fields where you can be just as successful and financially secure without college.”
Six-figure jobs without college
The study highlighted a wide range of occupations where non-college workers thrive, including software development, truck driving, elevator repair, and more. In fact, at least 40% of workers without a bachelor’s degree earned six figures in 20 specific roles. These include:
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CEOs and legislators
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Software developers
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Sales engineers
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Aircraft pilots and flight engineers
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Air traffic controllers
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Elevator installers and repairers
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Power plant operators
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Computer network architects
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Information security analysts
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Firefighting supervisors
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Electrical power-line installers
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Petroleum, mining, and geological engineers
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Locomotive engineers
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Sales managers
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Nuclear medicine technologists
Interestingly, CEOs who never completed college topped the list, with 64% earning six-figure salaries. Schulz noted that this likely reflects the success of entrepreneurs and small business owners, rather than executives at large corporations.
Changing attitudes about college
The report comes as more young people question the cost and value of higher education. Tuition has soared over the past decade, leaving many graduates with heavy debt loads. A 2024 Pew Research Center study found that nearly 30% of U.S. adults believe college isn’t worth the price.
Meanwhile, recent college graduates face challenges of their own: earlier this year, their unemployment rate stood at nearly 6%—higher than the national average of 4.2%. Economists attribute this partly to the growing use of artificial intelligence, which is replacing many entry-level roles.
Shifting job market
Some employers are also easing up on degree requirements. “For a long time, a college diploma was a hard-and-fast prerequisite,” Schulz said. “That’s no longer the case, which is opening doors that were once closed.”
Location also plays a role in earnings. Non-college workers in San Francisco, Seattle, and San Jose were most likely to earn six figures, while in El Paso, Texas, and Greensboro, North Carolina, only about 5% reached that level.