8 Six-Figure Jobs Without College: Hidden Careers Paying $100k+ [2025 Guide]
While everyone chases college debt, Fortune 200 advisor reveals 8 six-figure careers requiring no degree. Complete 2025 guide with training paths.
While everyone's racing toward college debt and corporate climbing, we're tracking the $80k+ opportunities hiding in plain sight.
Everyone talks about software engineering, finance, and consulting when six-figure salaries come up. But what if I told you there are dozens of jobs paying $100,000+ that require no four-year degree, often provide company-sponsored training, and are desperate for qualified workers right now?
These aren't your typical "trades" either. We're talking about high-tech roles at the intersection of technology and hands-on work - positions that exist in the shadows of our digital economy, keeping the lights on while everyone else fights over the same crowded career paths.
The best part? Most people have never heard of these jobs, which means less competition and more opportunities for those smart enough to look beyond the obvious.
Why These Jobs Pay So Well (And Why No One Talks About Them)
Here's the thing: while millions of people compete for the same tech and finance roles, critical infrastructure still needs maintaining. Data centers need monitoring. Elevators need fixing. Medical equipment requires calibration. Power grids demand oversight.
These roles combine technical expertise with specialized knowledge that can't be easily automated or outsourced. They're essential, complex, and there simply aren't enough qualified people to fill them.
The result? Companies are paying premium salaries and offering extensive training programs to anyone willing to learn.
The Hidden Six-Figure Opportunities
1. Data Center Technicians ($70k - $120k+)
Current demand: 139,000+ active job openings nationwide Growth projection: 5% through 2028 (18,200 new jobs projected)
What they actually do: Walk massive data center floors monitoring servers, troubleshooting hardware issues, and ensuring 99.9% uptime for companies like Amazon, Google, and Microsoft. Think of it as being the "security guard" for the internet's backbone.
The reality: Much of the work involves physical monitoring, replacing failed hard drives, and following detailed procedures. It's methodical, not rocket science.
Training path: Five-day Certified Data Center Technician Professional (CDCTP®) programs or Google IT Support Professional Certificate on Coursera. Many companies provide full on-the-job training.
Training costs: $39/month for Google IT Certificate (3-6 months = $117-$234) or CDCTP® program ($2,500-$3,500)
Why it pays well: Data center downtime costs companies millions per hour. A skilled technician who can quickly identify and resolve issues is worth their weight in gold.
Entry requirements: High school diploma plus technical aptitude. Many technicians have successfully launched careers through apprenticeships and on-the-job training.
Salary progression:
Year 1 (Entry-level): $45k-$55k
Year 3 (Experienced): $65k-$80k
Year 5+ (Senior): $85k-$120k
2. Biomedical Equipment Technicians ($62k - $129k+)
Current demand: 22,700+ active job openings nationwide Growth projection: 18% through 2033 (7,300 new openings annually - much faster than average)
What they actually do: Install, maintain, and repair medical equipment in hospitals - from MRI machines to ventilators. They're the unsung heroes ensuring life-saving equipment works perfectly.
The reality: It's part electronics repair, part computer troubleshooting, and part mechanical work. You'll read manuals, attend training seminars, and work with diagnostic software.
Training path: AAMI offers a two-year apprenticeship program combining education with up to 6,000 hours of paid on-the-job learning. Many community colleges offer 2-year associate degree programs.
Training costs: $0 for AAMI apprenticeship (paid training) or $4,000-$12,000 for community college associate degree program
Why it pays well: Salaries range from $62,642 to $100,278 with top earners making $129,149+. Medical equipment failures can be life-threatening, so hospitals pay premium wages for reliable technicians.
Entry requirements: High school diploma and basic understanding of electronics and mechanical systems. Many programs accept candidates with no prior experience.
Salary progression:
Year 1 (Entry-level): $50k-$62k
Year 3 (Certified): $70k-$85k
Year 5+ (Senior/Specialized): $90k-$125k
3. Elevator Technicians ($81k - $133k+)
Current demand: 2,200 new openings annually nationwide Growth projection: 6% through 2033 (faster than average for all occupations)
What they actually do: Install, maintain, and repair elevators, escalators, and moving walkways. Modern elevators are sophisticated computer systems requiring both mechanical and electronic expertise.
The reality: Hands-on assembly, troubleshooting, and fixing mechanical and electrical issues. You'll work with blueprints, electrical systems, and hydraulics.
Training path: 4-5 year apprenticeships through the National Elevator Industry Educational Program (NEIEP) including 600 hours of classroom instruction and 8,000 hours of on-the-job training.
Training costs: $0 (fully paid apprenticeship - you earn while learning)
Why it pays well: Median annual wage of $106,580 with salaries ranging up to $115,598. Elevator safety is heavily regulated, creating high demand for certified professionals.
Entry requirements: High school diploma or GED, age 18+, and pass an aptitude test covering basic arithmetic, reading comprehension, and mechanical concepts.
Salary progression:
Year 1 (Apprentice): $45k-$55k
Year 3 (Advanced Apprentice): $70k-$85k
Year 5+ (Licensed Mechanic): $95k-$130k
4. Industrial Automation Technicians ($54k - $85k+)
Current demand: High demand across manufacturing sector Growth projection: Strong growth driven by Industry 4.0 automation trends
What they actually do: Program, maintain, and troubleshoot the robotic systems and automated machinery in manufacturing plants. They're the people who keep assembly lines running smoothly.
The reality: Installation, maintenance, troubleshooting and repair of robotic systems, conducting performance diagnostics, and interpreting schematics.
Training path: Industrial Automation or Mechatronics Technology programs at community colleges (6-24 months). Search for "PLC programming," "industrial automation technology," or "mechatronics" programs. Many manufacturers provide extensive on-the-job training.
Training costs: $3,000-$8,000 for community college programs or $1,500-$4,000 for specialized PLC training courses
Why it pays well: Average salary of $85,046 with top earners making $107,707+. Manufacturing automation is exploding, but there's a severe shortage of qualified technicians.
Entry requirements: High school completion and entry into Industrial Maintenance Technology, Mechatronics, or Advanced Manufacturing programs at community/technical colleges (6-24 months).
Salary progression:
Year 1 (Entry-level): $45k-$55k
Year 3 (Experienced): $60k-$75k
Year 5+ (Senior/Lead): $75k-$95k
5. Power Grid Technicians ($72k - $119k+)
Current demand: Stable demand with infrastructure modernization Growth projection: 4% average growth with renewable energy driving additional opportunities
What they actually do: Monitor and maintain electrical power transmission and distribution systems. They ensure reliable electricity delivery to millions of homes and businesses.
The reality: Work on power generation equipment, transmission lines, and control systems using advanced monitoring technologies.
Training path: Diploma in Electrical/Power Systems Engineering from recognized technical institutes plus on-the-job training programs.
Training costs: $3,000-$10,000 for electrical technology diploma programs plus $500-$1,000 for NERC certification exams
Why it pays well: Salaries range from $34,700 to $119,566 annually. Grid modernization and renewable energy integration create massive demand for skilled technicians.
Entry requirements: Diploma qualification in electrical/power systems with minimum 55% marks plus one year of relevant experience.
Salary progression:
Year 1 (Entry-level): $50k-$65k
Year 3 (Experienced): $70k-$85k
Year 5+ (Senior): $85k-$115k
6. Network Operations Center (NOC) Technicians ($50k - $95k+)
Current demand: High demand driven by digital transformation Growth projection: Computer and IT roles projected for much faster than average growth through 2033
What they actually do: Monitor computer networks 24/7 from centralized command centers, troubleshooting connectivity issues and ensuring network uptime for businesses and internet service providers.
The reality: Much of the work involves monitoring dashboards, following escalation procedures, and coordinating with field technicians. It's detail-oriented but not overly complex.
Training path: CompTIA Network+ certification, Cisco CCNA training, or community college networking programs. Many employers provide full training.
Training costs: $370-$670 for CompTIA Network+ and CCNA exams, or $2,000-$6,000 for community college networking programs
Why it pays well: Network downtime costs businesses thousands per minute. Companies pay well for reliable technicians who can quickly identify and resolve issues.
Entry requirements: High school diploma plus basic computer skills. Many positions offer complete training for motivated candidates.
Salary progression:
Year 1 (Entry-level): $40k-$50k
Year 3 (Experienced): $55k-$70k
Year 5+ (Senior/Lead): $70k-$95k
7. Air Traffic Controllers ($127k - $160k+)
Current demand: Federal hiring windows open periodically with 2,200+ annual openings Growth projection: 3% through 2033 with stable long-term demand
What they actually do: Guide aircraft safely through takeoffs, landings, and flight paths using sophisticated radar and communication systems. You're literally the person ensuring planes don't collide and flights run on schedule.
The reality: Monitor radar screens, communicate with pilots via radio, and follow strict protocols. It's detail-oriented and high-pressure, but the procedures are well-defined.
Training path: FAA Academy in Oklahoma City (3-5 months of paid training) followed by 1.5-3 years of on-the-job training. Entry requires associate's degree OR work experience OR combination of both.
Training costs: $0 (FAA Academy is fully paid training with housing allowance)
Why it pays well: Median salary of $144,580 with certified controllers earning over $160,000 within three years. Aviation safety is non-negotiable, so controllers command premium wages.
Entry requirements: U.S. citizenship, pass Air Traffic Skills Assessment (ATSA), meet medical/physical standards, and complete FAA Academy training.
Salary progression:
Year 1 (Academy + Training): $45k-$60k
Year 3 (Certified Professional): $120k-$160k
Year 5+: $160k-$180k
8. Radiation Therapists ($102k - $130k+)
Current demand: 800+ annual openings with strong healthcare demand Growth projection: 3% through 2033 with stable demand from aging population
What they actually do: Operate linear accelerators and other equipment to deliver precise radiation treatments to cancer patients. You're part of oncology teams fighting to save lives.
The reality: Position patients correctly, calibrate machines, monitor treatments, and maintain detailed records. It's technical work with enormous human impact.
Training path: 1-2 year associate degree programs in radiation therapy plus certification through American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT).
Training costs: $8,000-$20,000 for associate degree programs plus $200 for ARRT certification exam
Why it pays well: Median salary of $101,990 with top earners making $130k+. Cancer treatment requires precision and expertise that commands high wages.
Entry requirements: High school diploma, complete radiation therapy program, pass ARRT certification exam, and obtain state licensure.
Salary progression:
Year 1 (Entry-level): $75k-$85k
Year 3 (Experienced): $95k-$110k
Year 5+ (Senior/Specialized): $110k-$130k
How to Find These Jobs in Your Area (The Search Terms That Actually Work)
Don't just search the job title - most of these positions are posted under multiple names or buried in company career pages. Here's how to actually find them:
Data Center Roles:
Search: "data center technician," "server technician," "NOC technician," "data center operations"
Companies to target: Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud, Digital Realty, Equinix
Pro tip: Search "[your city] data center jobs" - many facilities don't advertise widely
Biomedical Equipment:
Search: "BMET," "biomedical technician," "medical equipment technician," "clinical engineering"
Target: Hospital systems, medical device companies (GE Healthcare, Philips, Siemens)
Hidden gem: Search hospital career pages directly for "technician" roles
Elevator Technicians:
Search: "elevator mechanic," "elevator apprentice," "vertical transportation technician"
Target: Otis, Schindler, KONE, ThyssenKrupp, local elevator contractors
Key search: "[your city] elevator apprenticeship" + check NEIEP.org for local openings
Industrial Automation:
Search: "automation technician," "controls technician," "PLC technician," "robotics technician"
Target: Manufacturing plants, automotive companies, food processing facilities
Location hack: Search "manufacturing jobs [your city]" then filter for technician roles
Power Grid:
Search: "power systems technician," "electrical grid technician," "utility technician"
Target: Your local utility company, electrical contractors, renewable energy companies
Government search: Check USAJOBS.gov for "electrical power" positions
Air Traffic Control:
Search: "air traffic controller," "air traffic control specialist," "ATC trainee"
Target: FAA, airports, contract tower companies
Key search: Check FAA.gov/atc-hiring for recruitment windows (limited time openings)
Radiation Therapy:
Search: "radiation therapist," "radiation therapy technologist," "medical dosimetrist"
Target: Hospitals, cancer treatment centers, outpatient clinics
Hidden gem: Search "oncology technician" for broader opportunities
Advanced Search Tips:
Use LinkedIn's job search with location radius of 50+ miles
Set up Google job alerts for multiple variations of these titles
Check Indeed but also ZipRecruiter and company websites directly
Search "apprenticeship programs [your city]" for training opportunities
The Training Reality: Faster and Cheaper Than You Think
Here's what makes these opportunities so accessible - with exact certification pathways and costs:
Data Center Certification Track:
Start: Google IT Support Professional Certificate (3-6 months, $39/month on Coursera)
Next: CompTIA Server+ ($370 exam, 2-3 months study time)
Advanced: Certified Data Center Technician Professional (CDCTP®) - 5-day program, $2,500-$3,500
Biomedical Equipment Track:
Entry: AAMI Biomedical Equipment Technician Apprenticeship (2 years, paid training)
Certification: Certified Biomedical Equipment Technician (CBET) - $395 exam after 2 years experience
Alternative: Community college Biomedical Technology programs (2 years, $3,000-$8,000 total)
Elevator Technician Track:
Application: NEIEP apprenticeship recruitment (apply at NEIEP.org when openings available)
Training: 4-5 year paid apprenticeship ($600 classroom hours + 8,000 OJT hours)
Certification: Certified Elevator Technician (CET) through NAEC after completion
Industrial Automation Track:
Start: Allen-Bradley PLC training courses ($1,500-$3,000, 1-2 weeks)
Alternative: Siemens SIMATIC training programs ($2,000-$4,000, 2-4 weeks)
Advanced: Certified Automation Professional (CAP) - $695 exam fee
Network Operations Track:
Foundation: CompTIA Network+ ($370 exam, 3-4 months study)
Next: Cisco CCNA ($300 exam, 4-6 months study)
Advanced: Cisco CCNP Data Center ($400 per exam, 6-12 months total)
Power Grid Track:
Education: Community college Electrical Technology diploma (18-24 months, $3,000-$10,000)
Certification: NERC certification for grid operators ($500-$1,000 per exam)
Company Training: Most utilities provide 6-12 month paid training programs
Air Traffic Control Track:
Education: Associate's degree in aviation management or AT-CTI program (2 years, $6,000-$15,000)
Training: FAA Academy in Oklahoma City (3-5 months, fully paid + housing)
Certification: On-the-job training certification (1.5-3 years, paid progression)
Radiation Therapy Track:
Education: Associate's degree in Radiation Therapy (1-2 years, $8,000-$20,000)
Certification: ARRT certification exam ($200 exam fee after graduation)
Licensing: State licensure requirements (varies by state, $100-$300)
The Bottom Line: Total investment typically ranges from $500-$5,000 and 6 months to 2 years - versus $100,000+ and 4 years for a traditional degree.
Your Blueprint to Six Figures
Step 1: Choose Your Path Research these 8 roles thoroughly. Shadow professionals if possible. Each requires different aptitudes - some are more mechanical, others more electronic, some require intense focus under pressure.
Step 2: Get Basic Training Start with fundamental certifications or community college programs. Many are available online or evenings/weekends.
Step 3: Apply for Apprenticeships Companies like elevator contractors actively recruit for apprenticeship programs. Healthcare systems partner with biomedical equipment training programs.
Step 4: Leverage Your Current Experience If you have any technical background - military service, electronics repair, mechanical work - emphasize these skills in applications.
Step 5: Start Local These jobs exist everywhere. Data centers, hospitals, office buildings, manufacturing plants, airports, and power grids are in every major city.
The Advantage of Getting In Early
These fields are at an inflection point. Employment of elevator technicians is projected to grow 6% through 2033. Biomedical equipment jobs are expected to grow 18% - four times the national average. Air traffic control and radiation therapy roles offer stable, long-term demand as infrastructure and healthcare needs expand.
Getting established now means:
Less competition for positions
Better training opportunities
Faster advancement as demand grows
Premium pay for experienced workers
Why This Matters for Your Financial Future
While your peers accumulate student debt chasing crowded career paths, you could be earning $80k+ with paid training and clear advancement opportunities.
These aren't dead-end jobs. They're launching pads into specialized technical careers with room for growth into supervisory, training, or consulting roles.
Most importantly: You'll have skills that can't be easily automated or outsourced. These jobs require human expertise, problem-solving, and hands-on work that AI and robots can't replicate.
The Bottom Line
Six-figure salaries aren't reserved for those with expensive degrees and corporate connections. They're available right now to anyone willing to look beyond the obvious career paths and invest in specialized technical skills.
While everyone else fights over the same saturated markets, these hidden opportunities offer faster entry, better training, and often superior long-term prospects.
The infrastructure keeping our modern world running needs skilled technicians. Companies are willing to pay handsomely and train extensively to find them.
The question isn't whether these opportunities exist - it's whether you're smart enough to pursue them while everyone else is looking the other way.
Ready to Fast-Track Your Path to Six Figures?
While these hidden opportunities offer incredible potential, there's an even faster route to $100k that most people completely overlook: getting promoted at your current company.
Most employees have no idea their company has a systematic promotion rubric - criteria they use to decide who moves up and who stays stuck. But when you understand how to work with your company's promotion system instead of against it, you can engineer your next raise in months, not years.
Download our free 30-page guide: "Get Double-Promoted: The Job Rubric Method" and discover:
How to uncover your company's hidden promotion criteria (most HR departments will give you this information if you ask the right way)
The 3 promotion "triggers" that fast-track advancement in any industry
Exact scripts for the conversations that lead to raises
Why most high performers get passed over (and how to avoid their mistakes)
[Ready to get double-promoted? Get instant access to the complete guide + templates below.]
Whether you pursue one of these hidden career paths or accelerate advancement where you are, the fastest route to six figures starts with understanding the system.
Ready to explore these hidden career paths? Start by researching apprenticeship programs and certification requirements in your area. Your six-figure future might be closer than you think.