Are you looking for high paying jobs without a degree? There are many high paying jobs and careers in California that do not require a degree.

Are you considering relocating to California permanently? Or are you interested in finding work-study opportunities in the state? California has many great options for residents, including excellent job prospects and a wide range of lifestyle choices. You can also find plenty of opportunity to participate in cultural activities and explore the state’s natural wonders.

California has a wide range of high-paying jobs, so you can find what you’re looking for. If you want to make a decent living, however, many people are not satisfied with their current positions.

There are many high-paying careers and occupations in California that don’t require a degree.

What is a high-demand job in California?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), caregiving employment is on the rise in California, but wages are relatively low. Low-paying, high-demand positions like home health aides and caretakers are expected to provide a significant number of new job opportunities.

However, we have a list of the highest paying jobs in California for you.

California: Everything You Need to Know

California is a western US state with many well-known cities, including Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego.

There are plenty of lucrative job opportunities in California without a college degree, as the state’s economy is larger than most others. Additionally, California has one of the highest standards of living in the world.

What does it Mean to Have a High-paying Job in California?

A high-paying job is one that pays well. A position that pays more than $150,000 a year is a high-paying job.

The beginning point for most high-paying jobs is typically lower than the starting point for many low-paying jobs. However, with experience and greater skill, you can work your way up to earning a higher salary in any field. This holds true especially in professions or industries where there is high demand for expertise.

Some jobs may require you to earn a certificate or diploma. Certificates and diplomas indicate that you have completed training and are qualified for the position.

Some companies will hire you, even if you don’t have any experience, if you agree to undergo on-the-job training for a specific amount of time.

List of Highest Paying Jobs in California Without a Degree

Without a college diploma, Californians can find high-paying careers in fields such as business, engineering, and law. Businesses are increasingly recognizing the value of employees with non-traditional backgrounds and are rewarding workers accordingly.

1. Air Traffic Controller 

Air traffic controllers are responsible for monitoring and directing planes in the air. They must constantly be vigilant, as this is a demanding profession that often requires long hours. However, without a degree, you can still earn a good living as an Air Traffic Controller in California.

2. Real estate agent

Real estate agents are typically well-paid, with an average annual wage of $99,786. They can help you increase the value of your home and sell it quickly for a higher price.

3. Supervisor of the HVAC system

If you have no prior experience in the HVAC field, you may be able to earn up to $86,000 per year as a residential or commercial HVAC supervisor. This includes scheduling service visits, training workers, assigning projects, procuring equipment, servicing installation tools and assessing the quality of a finished job. Additionally, supervisors are responsible for administrative activities such as budgeting estimating and hiring subcontractors.

4. Tanker Driver

Tanker drivers are truck drivers who transport liquids and gases, such as gasoline and propane. They stop at checkpoints to fill up their tanks, plan routes, record weights, miles traveled, and travel hours. They assist with freight unloading and examine their vehicle for safety purposes to avoid spills or flame exposure. The average income for a tanker driver is $84,532 per year.

5: Electric Power Plant Operator

To work as a power plant operator in California, you only require a high school diploma and on-site training. This career path offers great earning potential and is one of the most popular jobs in the state. Power plant operators typically earn an average annual salary of $83,020 which makes it one of the highest-paying careers in California.

6. Commercial Pilot 

For airline pilots, a college diploma is essential, but not for commercial pilots. With high school graduation and a commercial pilot’s license, which takes six to eight weeks to get, the median income is $82,240. However, there are currently available positions; read more about job openings and apply.

7. Brickmasons and Blockmasons 

Brickmasons and Blockmasons are two different types of brick masons. Masons who work together to build structures are known as blockmasons, while those who work independently are known as bricklayers. Bricklayers in California earn an average of $79,960 per year.

8. Brokers of real estate 

You will be selling real estate either as a commercial real estate broker or owner of an office, where you will be responsible for both the sale and financing of properties. The average annual salary in this field is $78,470.

9. Distribution Manager

They design systems for managing inventories, shipping goods, tracking deliveries, scheduling drivers and warehouse workers, and placing orders. They also collect data on their team’s performance to determine where improvements can be made. Distribution managers conduct performance reviews to identify areas in which employees need improvement. They then train employees on how to improve their efficiency.

The average income for distribution managers: $78,244 per year

10. Front Desk Manager

 

Front desk managers oversee front desk personnel, maintain guest satisfaction levels in hotels and other hospitality organizations, update customer records and handle high-level transactions. They also assist guests by processing bookings.

The average income for someone who works as a registered nurse in California is about $78,244 per year. This makes it one of the most lucrative careers and jobs in the state.

11. Web developer 

 

Web development is one of the highest paying jobs in California, and developers are responsible for designing and coding websites, integrating features, updating content, resolving user concerns, as well as collecting data from the website.

Web developers earn an average of $77,742 per year.

12. Radiation Therapists 

Radiation therapists have a variety of duties that include checking equipment, examining patients after treatments, and documenting sessions.

An associate’s degree is the minimum requirement for most jobs in California, and you can get one from any school. This means that even if you don’t have a college degree, you can still find a high-paying job in California.

If you’re looking for work in healthcare, you should know that the average salary is $77,560.

13. Installers and Repairers of Elevators 

Elevators do not install themselves, and they must be repaired when they malfunction, necessitating the use of humans to set them up and repair them when they malfunction.

If you work full-time, you can earn up to $76,650 each year.

14. Electricians 

The average salary for an electrician without a degree is $77,470 per year in California. Apprenticeships provide the necessary skills to become an electrician and can lead to a high-paying career.

15. Executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants 

Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants are government employees who serve in the executive branch. They typically require a high school diploma or equivalent, but many positions also accept college degrees. California is one of the most popular states for these jobs, with an average annual salary of $72,690.

16. Heating, Ventilation, and Cooling (HVAC) system supervisors

HVAC system supervisors are responsible for ensuring the proper installation and care of heating, ventilation, and cooling (HVAC) systems in both residential and commercial settings. They must be knowledgeable about working equipment, plan service trips, train HVAC employees, maintain installation equipment, and evaluate the effectiveness of completed jobs. In addition to their regular job duties, HVAC system supervisors typically also assess contracts awarded to subcontractors as well as allocate resources among various projects. Their average annual income is $86000.

17. Massage Therapists

 

Massage therapists use a variety of techniques and body strokes to provide relief from tension and pain. They often discuss the client’s massage expectations with them, as well as which muscles or areas the customer would like to focus on during treatment. Impulses are then made available to the muscles through massaging, helping create a sense of ease and reducing strain. Massage therapists earn an average salary of $83,017 annually.

18. Electric Power Plant Operators

In order to work as an electric power plant operator in California, you will need a high school diploma. This position is usually responsible for scheduling and administering power plant processes and making sure that the plant transmits energy to the right locations. Electric power plant operators in California earn an average of $83,020 annually.

19. Real Estate Brokers

A real estate broker is either employed by a real estate establishment or owns their own real estate office. They are also involved in retailing rented apartments and bargaining loans for them. The average annual remuneration for a real estate broker is $78,470.

20. Boilermakers 

Skilled workers who produce, install, and manage huge boiler structures for industries usually examine the building’s layout to ensure that they position the boiler in its exact location. They also trim metal sheets, weld the boiler parts in place, attach the boiler to pipes and mend spoilt boilers. Furthermore, they monitor the operation of the boiler and renovate burners & trays as needed to optimize their productivity. The average annual salary for a boilermaker in California is $77,003.

21. Elevator Technicians

 

Skilled personnel that install, maintain, and overhaul elevators are called elevator technicians. To become an elevator technician in California, you must have a high school diploma and an internship for tech fittings and repairs. Elevator technicians earn a net salary of $76,650 yearly.

22. Nuclear Power Reactor Operators

Nuclear power operators in California typically earn an above-average income. They are responsible for using control panels and tools to operate nuclear power systems, like generators, reactors, and turbines. They change levers, push buttons, input commands and utilize other control prompts to start and end the reactor, begin certain processes and confirm that the reactor produces the right amount of electricity.

23. Police Officers

Police officers are responsible for law and order, keeping the community safe, and responding to emergency calls. They work in specified areas of a city or town, watch for suspicious activity, question witnesses and suspects, and write incident reports. In California, police officers earn an average income of $73,582 yearly.

24. Executive secretaries and assistants

Executive secretaries and assistants in California earn an annual salary of $72,690. They are responsible for conducting research, processing data requests, drafting emails, prepping conference calls, welcoming visitors, arranging meetings, and readingying statistical information.

25. Freelance Copywriters

A content developer who works on a contractual basis is typically referred to as a freelance writer. Freelance writers are responsible for writing blog posts, drafting advertisements through email, crafting captivating social media posts, creating engaging website copy, and writing white papers. In California, freelance writers earn an average income of $71,456 per year.