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Ranking

Easiest careers to start

Occupations that typically need no degree, ranked by pay. The point is a realistic way in, not an effortless one.

  1. 1First-Line Supervisors of Police and DetectivesDirectly supervise and coordinate activities of members of police force.Protective Service · High school diploma · Job Zone 2 of 5 · middle AI exposure$106,040US median a year
  2. 2Biomass Plant TechniciansControl and monitor biomass plant activities and perform maintenance as needed.Production · High school diploma · Job Zone 2 of 5 · middle AI exposure$102,040US median a year
  3. 3Power Plant OperatorsControl, operate, or maintain machinery to generate electric power.Production · High school diploma · Job Zone 2 of 5 · middle AI exposure$102,040US median a year
  4. 4Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and GaugersOperate or control petroleum refining or processing units.Production · High school diploma · Job Zone 2 of 5 · middle AI exposure$96,710US median a year
  5. 5Postmasters and Mail SuperintendentsPlan, direct, or coordinate operational, administrative, management, and support services of a U.S.Management · High school diploma · Job Zone 2 of 5 · higher AI exposure$96,660US median a year
  6. 6Electrical Power-Line Installers and RepairersInstall or repair cables or wires used in electrical power or distribution systems.Installation, Maintenance, and Repair · High school diploma · Job Zone 2 of 5 · lower AI exposure$95,320US median a year
  7. 7Gambling ManagersPlan, direct, or coordinate gambling operations in a casino.Management · High school diploma · Job Zone 2 of 5 · higher AI exposure$93,220US median a year
  8. 8Transportation Vehicle, Equipment and Systems Inspectors, Except AviationInspect and monitor transportation equipment, vehicles, or systems to ensure compliance with regulations and safety standards.Transportation and Material Moving · High school diploma · Job Zone 2 of 5 · middle AI exposure$92,100US median a year
  9. 9Gas Plant OperatorsDistribute or process gas for utility companies and others by controlling compressors to maintain specified pressures on main pipelines.Production · High school diploma · Job Zone 2 of 5 · middle AI exposure$87,820US median a year
  10. 10Subway and Streetcar OperatorsOperate subway or elevated suburban trains with no separate locomotive, or electric-powered streetcar, to transport passengers.Transportation and Material Moving · High school diploma · Job Zone 2 of 5 · middle AI exposure$86,380US median a year
  11. 11Roof Bolters, MiningOperate machinery to install roof support bolts in underground mine.Construction and Extraction · High school diploma · Job Zone 2 of 5$78,540US median a year
  12. 12Non-Destructive Testing SpecialistsTest the safety of structures, vehicles, or vessels using x-ray, ultrasound, fiber optic or related equipment.Architecture and Engineering · High school diploma · Job Zone 2 of 5 · middle AI exposure$78,350US median a year
  13. 13Railroad Conductors and YardmastersCoordinate activities of switch-engine crew within railroad yard, industrial plant, or similar location.Transportation and Material Moving · High school diploma · Job Zone 2 of 5 · middle AI exposure$78,000US median a year
  14. 14Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station OperatorsOperate steam-, gas-, electric motor-, or internal combustion-engine driven compressors.Transportation and Material Moving · High school diploma · Job Zone 2 of 5 · lower AI exposure$77,320US median a year
  15. 15BoilermakersConstruct, assemble, maintain, and repair stationary steam boilers and boiler house auxiliaries.Construction and Extraction · High school diploma · Job Zone 2 of 5 · lower AI exposure$76,410US median a year
  16. 16Terrazzo Workers and FinishersApply a mixture of cement, sand, pigment, or marble chips to floors, stairways, and cabinet fixtures to fashion durable and decorative surfaces.Construction and Extraction · High school diploma · Job Zone 2 of 5 · lower AI exposure$76,170US median a year
  17. 17Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground MiningOperate underground loading or moving machine to load or move coal, ore, or rock using shuttle or mine car or conveyors.Construction and Extraction · High school diploma · Job Zone 2 of 5$74,500US median a year
  18. 18Pile Driver OperatorsOperate pile drivers mounted on skids, barges, crawler treads, or locomotive cranes to drive pilings for retaining walls, bulkheads, and…Construction and Extraction · High school diploma · Job Zone 2 of 5 · lower AI exposure$73,300US median a year
  19. 19Wellhead PumpersOperate power pumps and auxiliary equipment to produce flow of oil or gas from wells in oil field.Transportation and Material Moving · High school diploma · Job Zone 2 of 5 · lower AI exposure$69,960US median a year
  20. 20Food Service ManagersPlan, direct, or coordinate activities of an organization or department that serves food and beverages.Management · High school diploma · Job Zone 2 of 5 · middle AI exposure$69,390US median a year
  21. 21Computer Numerically Controlled Tool ProgrammersDevelop programs to control machining or processing of materials by automatic machine tools, equipment, or systems.Production · High school diploma · Job Zone 2 of 5$68,120US median a year
  22. 22Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and GasSet up or operate a variety of drills to remove underground oil and gas, or remove core samples for testing during oil and gas exploration.Construction and Extraction · Less than high school · Job Zone 2 of 5 · lower AI exposure$67,890US median a year
  23. 23Rail Car RepairersDiagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul railroad rolling stock, mine cars, or mass transit rail cars.Installation, Maintenance, and Repair · High school diploma · Job Zone 2 of 5 · lower AI exposure$67,530US median a year
  24. 24Transportation Security ScreenersConduct screening of passengers, baggage, or cargo to ensure compliance with Transportation Security Administration (TSA) regulations.Protective Service · High school diploma · Job Zone 2 of 5 · middle AI exposure$66,770US median a year
  25. 25Athletes and Sports CompetitorsCompete in athletic events.Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media · Less than high school · Job Zone 2 of 5 · lower AI exposure$66,710US median a year
  26. 26MillwrightsInstall, dismantle, or move machinery and heavy equipment according to layout plans, blueprints, or other drawings.Installation, Maintenance, and Repair · High school diploma · Job Zone 2 of 5 · lower AI exposure$65,700US median a year
  27. 27Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems AssemblersAssemble, fit, fasten, and install parts of airplanes, space vehicles, or missiles, such as tails, wings, fuselage, bulkheads, stabilizers,…Production · High school diploma · Job Zone 2 of 5 · lower AI exposure$65,380US median a year
  28. 28Layout Workers, Metal and PlasticLay out reference points and dimensions on metal or plastic stock or workpieces, such as sheets, plates, tubes, structural shapes, castings, or…Production · High school diploma · Job Zone 2 of 5 · lower AI exposure$63,870US median a year
  29. 29First-Line Supervisors of Gambling Services WorkersDirectly supervise and coordinate activities of workers in assigned gambling areas.Personal Care and Service · High school diploma · Job Zone 2 of 5$63,820US median a year
  30. 30Flight AttendantsMonitor safety of the aircraft cabin.Transportation and Material Moving · High school diploma · Job Zone 2 of 5 · lower AI exposure$63,580US median a year
  31. 31RiggersSet up or repair rigging for construction projects, manufacturing plants, logging yards, ships and shipyards, or for the entertainment industry.Installation, Maintenance, and Repair · High school diploma · Job Zone 2 of 5 · lower AI exposure$62,640US median a year
  32. 32Biofuels Processing TechniciansCalculate, measure, load, mix, and process refined feedstock with additives in fermentation or reaction process vessels and monitor production…Production · High school diploma · Job Zone 2 of 5 · lower AI exposure$62,470US median a year
  33. 33Postal Service ClerksPerform any combination of tasks in a United States Postal Service (USPS) post office, such as receive letters and parcels; sell postage and…Office and Administrative Support · High school diploma · Job Zone 2 of 5 · middle AI exposure$62,130US median a year
  34. 34Brickmasons and BlockmasonsLay and bind building materials, such as brick, structural tile, concrete block, cinder block, glass block, and terra-cotta block, with mortar and…Construction and Extraction · High school diploma · Job Zone 2 of 5 · lower AI exposure$62,120US median a year
  35. 35Continuous Mining Machine OperatorsOperate self-propelled mining machines that rip coal, metal and nonmetal ores, rock, stone, or sand from the mine face and load it onto conveyors,…Construction and Extraction · High school diploma · Job Zone 2 of 5 · lower AI exposure$61,810US median a year
  36. 36Sheet Metal WorkersFabricate, assemble, install, and repair sheet metal products and equipment, such as ducts, control boxes, drainpipes, and furnace casings.Construction and Extraction · High school diploma · Job Zone 2 of 5 · lower AI exposure$61,800US median a year
  37. 37Pump Operators, Except Wellhead PumpersTend, control, or operate power-driven, stationary, or portable pumps and manifold systems to transfer gases, oil, other liquids, slurries, or…Transportation and Material Moving · High school diploma · Job Zone 2 of 5 · lower AI exposure$61,770US median a year
  38. 38Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and BlastersPlace and detonate explosives to demolish structures or to loosen, remove, or displace earth, rock, or other materials.Construction and Extraction · High school diploma · Job Zone 2 of 5$61,390US median a year
  39. 39Refractory Materials Repairers, Except BrickmasonsBuild or repair equipment such as furnaces, kilns, cupolas, boilers, converters, ladles, soaking pits, and ovens, using refractory materials.Installation, Maintenance, and Repair · High school diploma · Job Zone 2 of 5 · lower AI exposure$61,290US median a year
  40. 40Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and HostlersDrive switching or other locomotive or dinkey engines within railroad yard, industrial plant, quarry, construction project, or similar location.Transportation and Material Moving · High school diploma · Job Zone 2 of 5 · lower AI exposure$60,600US median a year
  41. 41CarpentersConstruct, erect, install, or repair structures and fixtures made of wood and comparable materials, such as concrete forms; building frameworks,…Construction and Extraction · High school diploma · Job Zone 2 of 5 · lower AI exposure$60,580US median a year
  42. 42Postal Service Mail CarriersSort and deliver mail for the United States Postal Service (USPS).Office and Administrative Support · High school diploma · Job Zone 2 of 5 · lower AI exposure$60,550US median a year
  43. 43Earth Drillers, Except Oil and GasOperate a variety of drills such as rotary, churn, and pneumatic to tap subsurface water and salt deposits, to remove core samples during mineral…Construction and Extraction · High school diploma · Job Zone 2 of 5$60,190US median a year
  44. 44Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System OperatorsOperate or control an entire process or system of machines, often through the use of control boards, to transfer or treat water or wastewater.Production · High school diploma · Job Zone 2 of 5 · middle AI exposure$60,020US median a year
  45. 45Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment OperatorsOperate one or several types of power construction equipment, such as motor graders, bulldozers, scrapers, compressors, pumps, derricks, shovels,…Construction and Extraction · High school diploma · Job Zone 2 of 5 · lower AI exposure$59,850US median a year
  46. 46Production, Planning, and Expediting ClerksCoordinate and expedite the flow of work and materials within or between departments of an establishment according to production schedule.Office and Administrative Support · High school diploma · Job Zone 2 of 5 · middle AI exposure$59,650US median a year
  47. 47Bus Drivers, Transit and IntercityDrive bus or motor coach, including regular route operations, charters, and private carriage.Transportation and Material Moving · High school diploma · Job Zone 2 of 5$59,050US median a year
  48. 48Correctional Officers and JailersGuard inmates in penal or rehabilitative institutions in accordance with established regulations and procedures.Protective Service · High school diploma · Job Zone 2 of 5 · lower AI exposure$58,940US median a year
  49. 49Drywall and Ceiling Tile InstallersApply plasterboard or other wallboard to ceilings or interior walls of buildings.Construction and Extraction · Less than high school · Job Zone 2 of 5 · lower AI exposure$58,930US median a year
  50. 50Tank Car, Truck, and Ship LoadersLoad and unload chemicals and bulk solids, such as coal, sand, and grain, into or from tank cars, trucks, or ships, using material moving equipment.Transportation and Material Moving · High school diploma · Job Zone 2 of 5 · lower AI exposure$58,870US median a year
  51. 51Title Examiners, Abstractors, and SearchersSearch real estate records, examine titles, or summarize pertinent legal or insurance documents or details for a variety of purposes.Legal · High school diploma · Job Zone 2 of 5 · higher AI exposure$58,650US median a year
  52. 52Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck DriversDrive a tractor-trailer combination or a truck with a capacity of at least 26,001 pounds Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW).Transportation and Material Moving · High school diploma · Job Zone 2 of 5 · lower AI exposure$58,640US median a year
  53. 53Derrick Operators, Oil and GasRig derrick equipment and operate pumps to circulate mud or fluid through drill hole.Construction and Extraction · Less than high school · Job Zone 2 of 5 · lower AI exposure$58,620US median a year
  54. 54Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine OperatorsPrepare incoming and outgoing mail for distribution for the United States Postal Service (USPS).Office and Administrative Support · High school diploma · Job Zone 2 of 5 · lower AI exposure$58,470US median a year
  55. 55Insulation Workers, MechanicalApply insulating materials to pipes or ductwork, or other mechanical systems in order to help control and maintain temperature.Construction and Extraction · High school diploma · Job Zone 2 of 5 · lower AI exposure$58,340US median a year
  56. 56Aircraft Cargo Handling SupervisorsSupervise and coordinate the activities of ground crew in the loading, unloading, securing, and staging of aircraft cargo or baggage.Transportation and Material Moving · High school diploma · Job Zone 2 of 5$58,170US median a year
  57. 57Service Unit Operators, Oil and GasOperate equipment to increase oil flow from producing wells or to remove stuck pipe, casing, tools, or other obstructions from drilling wells.Construction and Extraction · High school diploma · Job Zone 2 of 5 · lower AI exposure$58,160US median a year
  58. 58Bridge and Lock TendersOperate and tend bridges, canal locks, and lighthouses to permit marine passage on inland waterways, near shores, and at danger points in waterway…Transportation and Material Moving · High school diploma · Job Zone 2 of 5 · middle AI exposure$57,700US median a year
  59. 59Plasterers and Stucco MasonsApply interior or exterior plaster, cement, stucco, or similar materials.Construction and Extraction · Less than high school · Job Zone 2 of 5 · lower AI exposure$57,660US median a year
  60. 60Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface MiningOperate or tend machinery at surface mining site, equipped with scoops, shovels, or buckets to excavate and load loose materials.Construction and Extraction · High school diploma · Job Zone 2 of 5$57,430US median a year

How this is ranked

Included: occupations in O*NET Job Zone 2 (some preparation needed) where the most common education reported is a high school diploma, a short certificate or less, and where a US wage is published. That is a screen on typical entry requirements, not a list of easy jobs.

Several are physically demanding, shift-based or licensed, and some need an apprenticeship or on-the-job training measured in years. The ranking does not account for how many openings exist or how competitive entry is, so check both locally.

Showing the top 60 of 259 qualifying occupations.

Occupation data: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.