Colorado · BLS, May 2025 wages

$30-an-hour jobs without a degree in Colorado

Name: $30-an-hour jobs without a degree in Colorado, 2025
Creator: Degreeless Jobs
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

141 occupations in Colorado pay a median of $30 an hour or more and typically need less than a bachelor’s degree to enter. The highest is air traffic controllers at $85.28 an hour.

By the Degreeless Jobs research deskUpdated Sep 7, 2026Sources: BLS

All 141, sorted by hourly median

State medians for employed workers. The 25th to 75th range is annual. Occupations reported on an annual basis only are not included.

Occupations in Colorado with a median of $30 an hour or more that typically require less than a bachelor's degree
Occupation	Hourly median	Annual median	25th to 75th	Employed	Typical entry education
Air traffic controllersAssociate's degree	$85.28	$177,380	$108,990 to $204,150	740	Associate's degree
Transportation, storage, and distribution managersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$63.75	$132,610	$102,490 to $167,200	2,310	High school diploma or equivalent
First-line supervisors of police and detectivesHigh school diploma or equivalent	$60.97	$126,810	$116,750 to $133,400	2,790	High school diploma or equivalent
Electrical and electronics repairers, powerhouse, substation, and relayPostsecondary nondegree award	$60.37	$125,560	$100,890 to $133,300	210	Postsecondary nondegree award
Elevator and escalator installers and repairersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$59.31	$123,360	$74,150 to $125,950	530	High school diploma or equivalent
Nuclear medicine technologistsAssociate's degree	$56.25	$116,990	$104,860 to $128,360	200	Associate's degree
First-line supervisors of non-retail sales workersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$53.10	$110,450	$81,940 to $158,760	8,230	High school diploma or equivalent
Dental hygienistsAssociate's degree	$52.68	$109,580	$102,580 to $125,470	4,270	Associate's degree
Diagnostic medical sonographersAssociate's degree	$52.12	$108,410	$99,440 to $122,960	1,430	Associate's degree
Radiation therapistsAssociate's degree	$51.93	$108,020	$101,820 to $121,520	320	Associate's degree
Surgical assistantsPostsecondary nondegree award	$51.65	$107,440	$104,820 to $125,260	—	Postsecondary nondegree award
Detectives and criminal investigatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$50.71	$105,480	$86,290 to $115,130	1,930	High school diploma or equivalent
Magnetic resonance imaging technologistsAssociate's degree	$50.66	$105,380	$95,920 to $113,390	670	Associate's degree
Electrical power-line installers and repairersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$49.99	$103,980	$74,450 to $121,200	2,370	High school diploma or equivalent
Power plant operatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$49.42	$102,780	$90,210 to $133,020	250	High school diploma or equivalent
First-line supervisors of firefighting and prevention workersPostsecondary nondegree award	$49.32	$102,580	$84,160 to $125,770	1,900	Postsecondary nondegree award
Property, real estate, and community association managersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$48.12	$100,080	$80,790 to $155,460	2,230	High school diploma or equivalent
Aerospace engineering and operations technologists and techniciansAssociate's degree	$47.59	$98,990	$97,190 to $131,610	660	Associate's degree
Gas plant operatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$47.15	$98,080	$85,070 to $100,200	570	High school diploma or equivalent
Police and sheriff's patrol officersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$46.81	$97,350	$76,640 to $102,620	9,610	High school diploma or equivalent
Electrical and electronics installers and repairers, transportation equipmentPostsecondary nondegree award	$46.48	$96,680	$80,450 to $105,780	70	Postsecondary nondegree award
Musicians and singersNo formal educational credential	$46.27	—	—	420	No formal educational credential
Cardiovascular technologists and techniciansAssociate's degree	$45.29	$94,190	$77,870 to $109,860	720	Associate's degree
Petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$45.07	$93,750	$78,390 to $103,180	120	High school diploma or equivalent
Postmasters and mail superintendentsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$44.71	$93,000	$85,990 to $99,530	200	High school diploma or equivalent
Lodging managersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$44.11	$91,750	$70,980 to $127,840	1,100	High school diploma or equivalent
Locomotive engineersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$42.96	$89,360	$76,670 to $99,800	480	High school diploma or equivalent
BoilermakersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$42.96	$89,350	$86,360 to $94,930	40	High school diploma or equivalent
Radiologic technologists and techniciansAssociate's degree	$42.19	$87,760	$76,060 to $103,780	3,960	Associate's degree
Rail car repairersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$41.65	$86,630	$74,090 to $90,260	250	High school diploma or equivalent
Media and communication equipment workers, all otherHigh school diploma or equivalent	$41.52	$86,370	$45,410 to $118,560	580	High school diploma or equivalent
Respiratory therapistsAssociate's degree	$41.45	$86,220	$78,980 to $100,130	2,110	Associate's degree
Fire inspectors and investigatorsPostsecondary nondegree award	$41.23	$85,750	$79,260 to $99,280	—	Postsecondary nondegree award
Mechanical draftersAssociate's degree	$41.00	$85,280	$70,420 to $117,240	580	Associate's degree
Signal and track switch repairersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$40.35	$83,930	$78,820 to $94,440	160	High school diploma or equivalent
First-line supervisors of mechanics, installers, and repairersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$40.03	$83,260	$68,030 to $102,320	13,590	High school diploma or equivalent
Personal service managers, all otherHigh school diploma or equivalent	$39.94	$83,080	$63,990 to $174,720	30	High school diploma or equivalent
Court reporters and simultaneous captionersPostsecondary nondegree award	$39.91	$83,010	$72,690 to $103,380	260	Postsecondary nondegree award
Computer network support specialistsAssociate's degree	$39.78	$82,750	$74,410 to $91,760	4,530	Associate's degree
Aircraft mechanics and service techniciansPostsecondary nondegree award	$39.46	$82,080	$75,270 to $103,300	2,690	Postsecondary nondegree award
Transportation inspectorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$39.34	$81,820	$52,340 to $127,270	460	High school diploma or equivalent
First-line supervisors of correctional officersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$39.16	$81,460	$75,350 to $89,810	810	High school diploma or equivalent
MillwrightsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$39.15	$81,440	$67,340 to $83,600	200	High school diploma or equivalent
Stationary engineers and boiler operatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$39.09	$81,310	$60,500 to $92,420	560	High school diploma or equivalent
Roof bolters, miningHigh school diploma or equivalent	$39.07	$81,270	$79,700 to $86,380	40	High school diploma or equivalent
First-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$39.05	$81,230	$70,720 to $100,650	21,380	High school diploma or equivalent
Continuous mining machine operatorsNo formal educational credential	$38.99	$81,110	$81,040 to $81,110	290	No formal educational credential
Real estate brokersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$38.45	$79,970	$55,750 to $100,310	3,280	High school diploma or equivalent
Construction and building inspectorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$38.44	$79,950	$65,740 to $98,280	3,700	High school diploma or equivalent
Food service managersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$38.40	$79,870	$68,750 to $99,480	2,440	High school diploma or equivalent
Rotary drill operators, oil and gasNo formal educational credential	$38.38	$79,830	$69,120 to $86,780	110	No formal educational credential
Sales representatives of services, except advertising, insurance, financial services, and travelHigh school diploma or equivalent	$38.37	$79,810	$59,810 to $115,560	37,810	High school diploma or equivalent
Electrical and electronics repairers, commercial and industrial equipmentPostsecondary nondegree award	$38.27	$79,610	$63,440 to $94,790	2,200	Postsecondary nondegree award
Electrical and electronics draftersAssociate's degree	$38.13	$79,300	$63,350 to $101,980	750	Associate's degree
Aircraft cargo handling supervisorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$38.10	$79,260	$73,130 to $84,690	190	High school diploma or equivalent
Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific productsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$38.10	$79,250	$59,630 to $110,930	27,530	High school diploma or equivalent
Loading and moving machine operators, underground miningNo formal educational credential	$38.05	$79,150	$79,150 to $80,450	70	No formal educational credential
Avionics techniciansPostsecondary nondegree award	$37.98	$79,000	$67,390 to $107,380	220	Postsecondary nondegree award
First-line supervisors of production and operating workersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$37.93	$78,890	$61,570 to $100,780	9,580	High school diploma or equivalent
Health information technologists and medical registrarsAssociate's degree	$37.73	$78,470	$62,020 to $102,410	370	Associate's degree
Paralegals and legal assistantsAssociate's degree	$37.59	$78,190	$62,560 to $95,070	5,620	Associate's degree
Extraction workers, all otherHigh school diploma or equivalent	$37.45	$77,890	$65,360 to $81,250	60	High school diploma or equivalent
Desktop publishersAssociate's degree	$37.38	$77,750	$42,420 to $107,970	—	Associate's degree
Claims adjusters, examiners, and investigatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$37.32	$77,620	$64,460 to $100,640	5,680	High school diploma or equivalent
Title examiners, abstractors, and searchersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$37.31	$77,600	$59,450 to $87,920	1,400	High school diploma or equivalent
Railroad conductors and yardmastersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$37.28	$77,550	$77,020 to $83,240	490	High school diploma or equivalent
Hearing aid specialistsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$37.28	$77,540	$63,470 to $82,270	140	High school diploma or equivalent
Airfield operations specialistsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$37.26	$77,500	$66,670 to $85,810	70	High school diploma or equivalent
Electrical and electronic engineering technologists and techniciansAssociate's degree	$37.23	$77,440	$63,560 to $92,560	1,410	Associate's degree
Crane and tower operatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$37.08	$77,120	$65,500 to $79,040	470	High school diploma or equivalent
Mechanical engineering technologists and techniciansAssociate's degree	$37.06	$77,090	$60,270 to $85,810	330	Associate's degree
First-line supervisors of office and administrative support workersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$36.83	$76,600	$61,850 to $95,590	26,100	High school diploma or equivalent
Telecommunications equipment installers and repairers, except line installersPostsecondary nondegree award	$36.74	$76,410	$62,760 to $82,840	3,180	Postsecondary nondegree award
Architectural and civil draftersAssociate's degree	$36.72	$76,370	$61,570 to $92,310	3,570	Associate's degree
Gas compressor and gas pumping station operatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$36.63	$76,200	$58,570 to $82,910	—	High school diploma or equivalent
Railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$36.60	$76,140	$70,680 to $97,940	—	High school diploma or equivalent
Engineering technologists and technicians, except drafters, all otherAssociate's degree	$36.59	$76,110	$59,900 to $88,090	1,260	Associate's degree
Surgical technologistsPostsecondary nondegree award	$36.41	$75,740	$62,930 to $83,000	2,100	Postsecondary nondegree award
Industrial machinery mechanicsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$36.35	$75,600	$61,170 to $83,990	7,260	High school diploma or equivalent
Occupational therapy assistantsAssociate's degree	$36.22	$75,340	$65,320 to $84,860	710	Associate's degree
Wind turbine service techniciansPostsecondary nondegree award	$35.94	$74,740	$62,810 to $78,050	410	Postsecondary nondegree award
Electro-mechanical and mechatronics technologists and techniciansAssociate's degree	$35.93	$74,730	$61,080 to $76,760	570	Associate's degree
Healthcare practitioners and technical workers, all otherPostsecondary nondegree award	$35.81	$74,480	$62,210 to $108,680	200	Postsecondary nondegree award
Water and wastewater treatment plant and system operatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$35.68	$74,200	$60,080 to $83,620	2,620	High school diploma or equivalent
FirefightersPostsecondary nondegree award	$35.66	$74,170	$60,970 to $101,260	6,510	Postsecondary nondegree award
Broadcast techniciansAssociate's degree	$35.60	$74,040	$55,410 to $82,850	820	Associate's degree
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nursesPostsecondary nondegree award	$35.52	$73,880	$61,890 to $79,800	4,920	Postsecondary nondegree award
RiggersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$35.44	$73,720	$64,530 to $85,260	310	High school diploma or equivalent
Advertising sales agentsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$35.30	$73,420	$52,070 to $124,830	1,110	High school diploma or equivalent
Occupational health and safety techniciansHigh school diploma or equivalent	$35.15	$73,110	$59,580 to $84,300	400	High school diploma or equivalent
Wellhead pumpersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$34.95	$72,700	$61,510 to $80,170	370	High school diploma or equivalent
Computer user support specialistsSome college, no degree	$34.57	$71,900	$58,690 to $90,040	16,740	Some college, no degree
Mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except enginesHigh school diploma or equivalent	$34.53	$71,830	$60,490 to $86,270	4,060	High school diploma or equivalent
Lathe and turning machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plasticHigh school diploma or equivalent	$34.46	$71,670	$60,600 to $78,970	150	High school diploma or equivalent
Insurance appraisers, auto damagePostsecondary nondegree award	$34.42	$71,600	$65,840 to $80,720	330	Postsecondary nondegree award
Transportation security screenersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$34.39	$71,530	$58,530 to $73,920	1,250	High school diploma or equivalent
Aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$34.07	$70,870	$45,860 to $77,390	160	High school diploma or equivalent
Precision instrument and equipment repairers, all otherHigh school diploma or equivalent	$33.90	$70,510	$43,570 to $114,160	90	High school diploma or equivalent
Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialistsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$33.89	$70,480	$59,300 to $79,780	4,600	High school diploma or equivalent
Artists and related workers, all otherNo formal educational credential	$33.59	$69,860	$58,860 to $100,080	—	No formal educational credential
Explosives workers, ordnance handling experts, and blastersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$33.48	$69,640	$61,390 to $77,180	140	High school diploma or equivalent
Computer numerically controlled tool programmersPostsecondary nondegree award	$33.45	$69,570	$58,240 to $87,470	410	Postsecondary nondegree award
First-line supervisors of gambling services workersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$33.21	$69,070	$61,760 to $75,960	250	High school diploma or equivalent
Insurance sales agentsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$33.04	$68,730	$49,360 to $100,600	9,530	High school diploma or equivalent
Drafters, all otherAssociate's degree	$32.36	$67,320	$61,470 to $78,490	280	Associate's degree
Industrial engineering technologists and techniciansAssociate's degree	$32.14	$66,850	$60,020 to $81,850	930	Associate's degree
Media and communication workers, all otherHigh school diploma or equivalent	$32.13	$66,830	$49,500 to $81,030	270	High school diploma or equivalent
Medical equipment repairersAssociate's degree	$32.08	$66,720	$52,360 to $83,550	1,460	Associate's degree
Legal support workers, all otherAssociate's degree	$32.05	$66,660	$55,700 to $96,020	2,000	Associate's degree
Meter readers, utilitiesHigh school diploma or equivalent	$32.00	$66,550	$59,630 to $84,450	150	High school diploma or equivalent
First-line supervisors of farming, fishing, and forestry workersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$31.75	$66,030	$48,770 to $84,540	640	High school diploma or equivalent
Telecommunications line installers and repairersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$31.74	$66,020	$51,420 to $84,710	1,630	High school diploma or equivalent
Executive secretaries and executive administrative assistantsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$31.66	$65,850	$57,920 to $82,620	10,340	High school diploma or equivalent
First-line supervisors of protective service workers, all otherHigh school diploma or equivalent	$31.49	$65,490	$57,320 to $85,180	890	High school diploma or equivalent
Chefs and head cooksHigh school diploma or equivalent	$31.44	$65,400	$58,220 to $79,420	3,970	High school diploma or equivalent
First-line supervisors of transportation and material moving workers, except aircraft cargo handling supervisorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$31.43	$65,380	$56,170 to $81,070	11,890	High school diploma or equivalent
Brickmasons and blockmasonsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$31.37	$65,260	$51,230 to $75,120	870	High school diploma or equivalent
Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersPostsecondary nondegree award	$31.35	$65,200	$58,050 to $82,010	8,940	Postsecondary nondegree award
Earth drillers, except oil and gasHigh school diploma or equivalent	$31.16	$64,820	$59,220 to $81,390	280	High school diploma or equivalent
Physical therapist assistantsAssociate's degree	$31.16	$64,810	$57,740 to $77,280	1,350	Associate's degree
Derrick operators, oil and gasNo formal educational credential	$31.12	$64,730	$55,150 to $77,110	290	No formal educational credential
Rail-track laying and maintenance equipment operatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$30.91	$64,300	$54,360 to $77,030	300	High school diploma or equivalent
Payroll and timekeeping clerksHigh school diploma or equivalent	$30.84	$64,140	$51,650 to $76,040	2,580	High school diploma or equivalent
Maintenance workers, machineryHigh school diploma or equivalent	$30.77	$64,010	$57,580 to $76,620	740	High school diploma or equivalent
Production, planning, and expediting clerksHigh school diploma or equivalent	$30.76	$63,980	$53,830 to $78,470	7,800	High school diploma or equivalent
ParamedicsPostsecondary nondegree award	$30.73	$63,910	$59,790 to $78,270	2,110	Postsecondary nondegree award
Tool and die makersPostsecondary nondegree award	$30.67	$63,800	$48,750 to $77,820	160	Postsecondary nondegree award
Chemical techniciansAssociate's degree	$30.66	$63,770	$51,210 to $80,640	1,180	Associate's degree
Control and valve installers and repairers, except mechanical doorHigh school diploma or equivalent	$30.66	$63,770	$49,740 to $78,310	1,190	High school diploma or equivalent
Life, physical, and social science technicians, all otherAssociate's degree	$30.66	$63,760	$45,760 to $80,420	1,860	Associate's degree
Real estate sales agentsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$30.61	$63,670	$37,040 to $95,360	6,120	High school diploma or equivalent
Calibration technologists and techniciansAssociate's degree	$30.61	$63,660	$53,300 to $84,650	260	Associate's degree
Public safety telecommunicatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$30.54	$63,520	$57,710 to $75,790	1,800	High school diploma or equivalent
BailiffsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$30.44	$63,320	$50,960 to $77,610	70	High school diploma or equivalent
Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfittersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$30.40	$63,240	$52,370 to $78,740	10,080	High school diploma or equivalent
Bus drivers, transit and intercityHigh school diploma or equivalent	$30.29	$63,010	$55,610 to $66,840	3,540	High school diploma or equivalent
Chemical plant and system operatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$30.23	$62,870	$59,560 to $75,680	400	High school diploma or equivalent
CarpentersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$30.21	$62,830	$51,940 to $74,430	12,740	High school diploma or equivalent
Tax preparersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$30.11	$62,620	$43,380 to $75,260	1,540	High school diploma or equivalent
Operating engineers and other construction equipment operatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$30.11	$62,620	$57,700 to $73,670	11,700	High school diploma or equivalent
Mechanical door repairersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$30.03	$62,460	$50,790 to $75,130	570	High school diploma or equivalent

Sources and method

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, state estimates. Typical entry education from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35 (Table 1.2). An occupation is listed when its typical entry education is below a bachelor’s degree and its Colorado median hourly wage is $30.00 or more. Medians include experienced workers; entry pay is lower. Read the full method.

All 141, sorted by hourly median

Other states

Sources and method