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No-Degree Jobs in Iowa

High-paying careers that don't require a college degree

$113,620

Top Salary

50

Job Types

$59,020

All Jobs Avg.

State

Coverage

Best No-Degree Jobs in Iowa

You don't need a college degree to build a successful, high-paying career in Iowa. Many skilled trades, technical roles, and service positions offer competitive salaries and excellent growth opportunities. The occupations below are based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data and represent the highest-paying jobs that typically don't require a bachelor's degree.

Career Growth Potential

These roles often provide opportunities for advancement through experience, certifications, and specialized training. Many employers offer on-the-job training, apprenticeship programs, or tuition assistance for further education if you choose to pursue additional qualifications later.

How to Get Started

To get started, research the specific requirements for your target occupation, including any necessary licenses, certifications, or training programs. Many of these roles offer immediate employment opportunities with competitive starting salaries.

No-Degree Job Opportunities

Real Wages (Purchasing Power)

These careers typically require a high school diploma or equivalent, with on-the-job training, apprenticeships, or certification programs instead of a 4-year college degree.

No-Degree Jobs in Iowa


Transportation Inspectors SOC: 53-6051 No Degree	$113,620	$113,620	$55	60
Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers SOC: 11-3071 No Degree	$107,740	$107,740	$52	1,850
Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers SOC: 47-4021 No Degree	$105,700	$105,700	$51	90
First Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives SOC: 33-1012 No Degree	$101,540	$101,540	$49	1,370
First Line Supervisors of Non Retail Sales Workers SOC: 41-1012 No Degree	$99,890	$99,890	$48	2,530
Postmasters and Mail Superintendents SOC: 11-9131 No Degree	$93,770	$93,770	$45	260
Power Plant Operators SOC: 51-8013 No Degree	$93,580	$93,580	$45	470
Electrical Power Line Installers and Repairers SOC: 49-9051 No Degree	$92,740	$92,740	$45	1,390
Find Electrical Power Line Installers and Repairers Jobs
Detectives and Criminal Investigators SOC: 33-3021 No Degree	$87,110	$87,110	$42	410
Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers SOC: 51-8093 No Degree	$87,020	$87,020	$42	70
Gas Plant Operators SOC: 51-8092 No Degree	$86,690	$86,690	$42	480
Locomotive Engineers SOC: 53-4011 No Degree	$86,180	$86,180	$41	1,000
Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers SOC: 11-9013 No Degree	$83,670	$83,670	$40	180
Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door SOC: 49-9012 No Degree	$80,600	$80,600	$39	820
First Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers SOC: 47-1011 No Degree	$80,500	$80,500	$39	9,660
First Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers SOC: 49-1011 No Degree	$80,370	$80,370	$39	6,450
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Gambling Managers SOC: 11-9071 No Degree	$79,800	$79,800	$38	100
Boilermakers SOC: 47-2011 No Degree	$76,840	$76,840	$37	50
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products SOC: 41-4012 No Degree	$76,490	$76,490	$37	16,990
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers SOC: 33-3051 No Degree	$76,280	$76,280	$37	5,130
First Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers SOC: 33-1011 No Degree	$76,020	$76,020	$37	310
Insurance Sales Agents SOC: 41-3021 No Degree	$75,460	$75,460	$36	6,840
Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators SOC: 13-1031 No Degree	$74,300	$74,300	$36	3,930
First Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers SOC: 51-1011 No Degree	$74,190	$74,190	$36	10,130
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Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers SOC: 53-4022 No Degree	$74,180	$74,180	$36	220
Construction and Building Inspectors SOC: 47-4011 No Degree	$71,050	$71,050	$34	1,140
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters SOC: 47-2152 No Degree	$70,030	$70,030	$34	5,730
Food Service Managers SOC: 11-9051 No Degree	$69,950	$69,950	$34	1,760
Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel SOC: 41-3091 No Degree	$69,880	$69,880	$34	6,530
Bridge and Lock Tenders SOC: 53-6011 No Degree	$69,410	$69,410	$33	50
First Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers SOC: 43-1011 No Degree	$68,130	$68,130	$33	10,190
Crane and Tower Operators SOC: 53-7021 No Degree	$67,390	$67,390	$32	650
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Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators SOC: 51-8021 No Degree	$67,030	$67,030	$32	190
Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic SOC: 51-4062 No Degree	$66,650	$66,650	$32	90
Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines SOC: 49-3042 No Degree	$66,530	$66,530	$32	2,820
Industrial Machinery Mechanics SOC: 49-9041 No Degree	$66,440	$66,440	$32	6,050
Maintenance Workers, Machinery SOC: 49-9043 No Degree	$66,110	$66,110	$32	900
Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers SOC: 11-9141 No Degree	$66,020	$66,020	$32	2,290
Brickmasons and Blockmasons SOC: 47-2021 No Degree	$65,890	$65,890	$32	290
First Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers SOC: 45-1011 No Degree	$65,820	$65,820	$32	360
Find First Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers Jobs
Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers SOC: 49-2098 No Degree	$65,610	$65,610	$32	480
Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic SOC: 51-4023 No Degree	$65,600	$65,600	$32	660
Sheet Metal Workers SOC: 47-2211 No Degree	$65,480	$65,480	$31	1,650
Millwrights SOC: 49-9044 No Degree	$64,500	$64,500	$31	690
Tapers SOC: 47-2082 No Degree	$64,010	$64,010	$31	100
Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants SOC: 43-6011 No Degree	$63,930	$63,930	$31	4,150
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators SOC: 47-2073 No Degree	$63,770	$63,770	$31	5,530
Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders SOC: 51-9193 No Degree	$63,740	$63,740	$31	290
Find Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders Jobs
Hearing Aid Specialists SOC: 29-2092 No Degree	$63,700	$63,700	$31	200
Lodging Managers SOC: 11-9081 No Degree	$63,600	$63,600	$31	410

About No-Degree Careers

Many high-paying careers don't require a traditional 4-year college degree. These jobs often offer competitive salaries, strong job security, and clear advancement paths through:

On-the-job training programs
Apprenticeships (often paid)
Professional certifications
Trade school programs (typically 6 months to 2 years)
Community college associate degrees

The jobs shown above are filtered to include only occupations where the typical education requirement is high school or less, based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

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