Illinois · BLS, May 2025 wages

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

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

144 occupations in Illinois 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 $87.29 an hour.

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

All 144, 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 Illinois 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	$87.29	$181,560	$117,500 to $209,440	990	Associate's degree
First-line supervisors of police and detectivesHigh school diploma or equivalent	$64.94	$135,080	$106,430 to $135,080	4,900	High school diploma or equivalent
Elevator and escalator installers and repairersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$64.27	$133,690	$94,850 to $160,450	1,080	High school diploma or equivalent
Radiation therapistsAssociate's degree	$59.91	$124,600	$107,380 to $124,850	—	Associate's degree
Nuclear power reactor operatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$59.60	$123,980	$119,100 to $130,500	410	High school diploma or equivalent
First-line supervisors of firefighting and prevention workersPostsecondary nondegree award	$59.37	$123,500	$95,810 to $131,690	3,240	Postsecondary nondegree award
Transportation, storage, and distribution managersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$57.81	$120,250	$91,940 to $156,020	11,030	High school diploma or equivalent
Hoist and winch operatorsNo formal educational credential	$56.83	$118,210	$118,210 to $118,210	320	No formal educational credential
Stationary engineers and boiler operatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$55.66	$115,780	$86,750 to $123,780	1,680	High school diploma or equivalent
Ship engineersPostsecondary nondegree award	$55.44	$115,310	$77,770 to $123,300	110	Postsecondary nondegree award
TapersNo formal educational credential	$54.41	$113,180	$103,990 to $113,730	320	No formal educational credential
Musicians and singersNo formal educational credential	$53.12	—	—	1,300	No formal educational credential
Nuclear techniciansAssociate's degree	$53.07	$110,390	$80,800 to $124,470	780	Associate's degree
Electrical power-line installers and repairersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$51.98	$108,120	$101,620 to $126,440	3,090	High school diploma or equivalent
Electrical and electronics repairers, powerhouse, substation, and relayPostsecondary nondegree award	$51.67	$107,470	$100,060 to $119,590	420	Postsecondary nondegree award
Terrazzo workers and finishersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$51.54	$107,190	$98,180 to $107,350	—	High school diploma or equivalent
First-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$50.84	$105,750	$82,550 to $124,460	19,340	High school diploma or equivalent
Reinforcing iron and rebar workersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$50.76	$105,580	$96,040 to $105,580	—	High school diploma or equivalent
First-line supervisors of correctional officersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$50.70	$105,450	$93,590 to $129,590	2,860	High school diploma or equivalent
Nuclear medicine technologistsAssociate's degree	$50.46	$104,950	$96,540 to $117,840	620	Associate's degree
Power plant operatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$50.21	$104,440	$93,150 to $120,390	1,160	High school diploma or equivalent
Petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$49.47	$102,890	$101,310 to $111,370	1,070	High school diploma or equivalent
Structural iron and steel workersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$48.97	$101,850	$81,750 to $120,640	2,740	High school diploma or equivalent
Power distributors and dispatchersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$48.79	$101,470	$73,890 to $109,530	330	High school diploma or equivalent
Diagnostic medical sonographersAssociate's degree	$48.40	$100,660	$85,230 to $107,330	3,270	Associate's degree
Police and sheriff's patrol officersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$48.33	$100,520	$76,480 to $107,810	29,180	High school diploma or equivalent
Insulation workers, mechanicalHigh school diploma or equivalent	$48.27	$100,400	$62,360 to $115,280	1,100	High school diploma or equivalent
Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfittersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$48.05	$99,950	$72,070 to $120,050	16,750	High school diploma or equivalent
BoilermakersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$47.95	$99,730	$89,520 to $103,430	110	High school diploma or equivalent
ElectriciansHigh school diploma or equivalent	$47.87	$99,560	$73,520 to $117,460	23,120	High school diploma or equivalent
Farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$47.81	$99,440	$72,860 to $144,910	120	High school diploma or equivalent
Gas plant operatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$47.03	$97,810	$74,420 to $105,930	530	High school diploma or equivalent
Operating engineers and other construction equipment operatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$46.99	$97,740	$69,230 to $109,320	12,290	High school diploma or equivalent
Dental hygienistsAssociate's degree	$46.48	$96,670	$79,400 to $101,800	8,970	Associate's degree
Signal and track switch repairersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$45.96	$95,610	$89,390 to $120,540	720	High school diploma or equivalent
Magnetic resonance imaging technologistsAssociate's degree	$45.86	$95,380	$81,800 to $103,250	2,760	Associate's degree
Postmasters and mail superintendentsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$45.66	$94,970	$89,770 to $102,250	510	High school diploma or equivalent
Plasterers and stucco masonsNo formal educational credential	$45.09	$93,790	$76,290 to $105,660	270	No formal educational credential
Locomotive engineersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$44.87	$93,320	$84,470 to $97,280	2,340	High school diploma or equivalent
Electrical and electronics installers and repairers, transportation equipmentPostsecondary nondegree award	$44.86	$93,300	$67,230 to $97,900	140	Postsecondary nondegree award
Pump operators, except wellhead pumpersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$44.38	$92,310	$74,410 to $100,010	50	High school diploma or equivalent
Detectives and criminal investigatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$43.84	$91,190	$69,590 to $114,640	3,270	High school diploma or equivalent
Brickmasons and blockmasonsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$43.26	$89,980	$62,450 to $102,260	2,490	High school diploma or equivalent
First-line supervisors of non-retail sales workersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$42.70	$88,820	$62,420 to $120,200	5,280	High school diploma or equivalent
Sheet metal workersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$41.65	$86,630	$59,400 to $105,330	3,260	High school diploma or equivalent
First-line supervisors of protective service workers, all otherHigh school diploma or equivalent	$41.47	$86,260	$41,160 to $96,410	470	High school diploma or equivalent
Electrical and electronic engineering technologists and techniciansAssociate's degree	$41.11	$85,510	$66,510 to $101,410	1,980	Associate's degree
Rail car repairersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$40.66	$84,570	$66,220 to $94,530	1,850	High school diploma or equivalent
Respiratory therapistsAssociate's degree	$40.43	$84,090	$77,440 to $96,260	4,880	Associate's degree
First-line supervisors of mechanics, installers, and repairersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$39.99	$83,180	$66,610 to $105,300	17,710	High school diploma or equivalent
Roof bolters, miningHigh school diploma or equivalent	$39.36	$81,860	$79,300 to $81,860	200	High school diploma or equivalent
RiggersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$39.36	$81,860	$68,210 to $83,290	120	High school diploma or equivalent
Aircraft mechanics and service techniciansPostsecondary nondegree award	$39.27	$81,680	$57,720 to $126,500	3,370	Postsecondary nondegree award
Avionics techniciansPostsecondary nondegree award	$39.03	$81,170	$46,270 to $82,200	300	Postsecondary nondegree award
Excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface miningHigh school diploma or equivalent	$38.75	$80,600	$57,720 to $87,580	1,310	High school diploma or equivalent
Surgical assistantsPostsecondary nondegree award	$38.56	$80,210	$80,210 to $80,210	2,300	Postsecondary nondegree award
Radiologic technologists and techniciansAssociate's degree	$38.43	$79,930	$66,000 to $97,950	7,650	Associate's degree
Railroad conductors and yardmastersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$38.38	$79,820	$76,980 to $96,120	2,790	High school diploma or equivalent
Engineering technologists and technicians, except drafters, all otherAssociate's degree	$38.37	$79,800	$64,840 to $93,470	940	Associate's degree
Gambling managersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$38.27	$79,610	$67,320 to $100,740	310	High school diploma or equivalent
Electro-mechanical and mechatronics technologists and techniciansAssociate's degree	$38.18	$79,400	$77,850 to $95,740	250	Associate's degree
Electric motor, power tool, and related repairersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$38.14	$79,320	$61,750 to $115,250	840	High school diploma or equivalent
Civil engineering technologists and techniciansAssociate's degree	$38.07	$79,190	$62,390 to $99,820	4,190	Associate's degree
Correctional officers and jailersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$38.07	$79,190	$65,900 to $88,790	12,190	High school diploma or equivalent
Earth drillers, except oil and gasHigh school diploma or equivalent	$38.02	$79,080	$67,820 to $103,480	330	High school diploma or equivalent
CarpentersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$37.98	$79,000	$56,160 to $106,950	19,570	High school diploma or equivalent
Motion picture projectionistsNo formal educational credential	$37.98	$78,990	$77,740 to $85,470	—	No formal educational credential
Rail-track laying and maintenance equipment operatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$37.94	$78,910	$63,010 to $83,740	1,190	High school diploma or equivalent
FirefightersPostsecondary nondegree award	$37.68	$78,380	$47,910 to $103,530	18,400	Postsecondary nondegree award
Construction and building inspectorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$37.66	$78,340	$59,660 to $100,030	2,560	High school diploma or equivalent
Cement masons and concrete finishersNo formal educational credential	$37.58	$78,170	$57,860 to $98,930	5,890	No formal educational credential
RoofersNo formal educational credential	$37.45	$77,900	$57,850 to $103,040	5,300	No formal educational credential
Plant and system operators, all otherHigh school diploma or equivalent	$37.39	$77,780	$74,400 to $84,220	230	High school diploma or equivalent
Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersPostsecondary nondegree award	$37.21	$77,410	$60,200 to $96,030	9,740	Postsecondary nondegree award
Mechanical engineering technologists and techniciansAssociate's degree	$37.03	$77,020	$62,530 to $86,660	1,170	Associate's degree
Claims adjusters, examiners, and investigatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$37.02	$77,010	$60,570 to $97,770	14,210	High school diploma or equivalent
Railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$36.68	$76,290	$49,140 to $86,590	1,210	High school diploma or equivalent
Industrial machinery mechanicsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$36.63	$76,200	$61,120 to $91,880	12,100	High school diploma or equivalent
Court reporters and simultaneous captionersPostsecondary nondegree award	$36.48	$75,890	$31,200 to $95,990	770	Postsecondary nondegree award
Loading and moving machine operators, underground miningNo formal educational credential	$36.48	$75,890	$75,850 to $79,440	90	No formal educational credential
First-line supervisors of production and operating workersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$36.16	$75,200	$59,130 to $91,270	29,640	High school diploma or equivalent
Refuse and recyclable material collectorsNo formal educational credential	$36.08	$75,050	$58,750 to $84,300	4,910	No formal educational credential
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nursesPostsecondary nondegree award	$36.06	$75,000	$63,580 to $79,560	17,440	Postsecondary nondegree award
Property, real estate, and community association managersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$36.05	$74,980	$56,380 to $104,320	11,180	High school diploma or equivalent
Continuous mining machine operatorsNo formal educational credential	$35.98	$74,830	$47,490 to $78,500	230	No formal educational credential
Executive secretaries and executive administrative assistantsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$35.76	$74,390	$57,590 to $93,180	14,900	High school diploma or equivalent
Broadcast techniciansAssociate's degree	$35.68	$74,210	$39,030 to $103,820	690	Associate's degree
Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific productsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$35.34	$73,510	$56,070 to $99,580	51,310	High school diploma or equivalent
Sound engineering techniciansPostsecondary nondegree award	$35.16	$73,130	$40,460 to $99,460	570	Postsecondary nondegree award
Paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$35.13	$73,060	$56,000 to $102,240	950	High school diploma or equivalent
Underground mining machine operators, all otherNo formal educational credential	$35.00	$72,800	$60,560 to $78,500	70	No formal educational credential
Healthcare practitioners and technical workers, all otherPostsecondary nondegree award	$34.91	$72,610	$53,620 to $100,140	970	Postsecondary nondegree award
Media and communication equipment workers, all otherHigh school diploma or equivalent	$34.82	$72,430	$31,200 to $101,540	140	High school diploma or equivalent
Insurance appraisers, auto damagePostsecondary nondegree award	$34.38	$71,510	$61,570 to $76,240	560	Postsecondary nondegree award
Mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except enginesHigh school diploma or equivalent	$34.31	$71,370	$55,160 to $80,870	3,470	High school diploma or equivalent
Logging equipment operatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$34.19	$71,100	$42,260 to $78,170	40	High school diploma or equivalent
Industrial engineering technologists and techniciansAssociate's degree	$34.18	$71,090	$57,620 to $81,240	2,260	Associate's degree
Traffic techniciansHigh school diploma or equivalent	$34.12	$70,970	$51,810 to $88,190	40	High school diploma or equivalent
Bridge and lock tendersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$34.08	$70,890	$64,640 to $74,110	290	High school diploma or equivalent
Telecommunications line installers and repairersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$33.99	$70,700	$49,310 to $94,320	2,460	High school diploma or equivalent
Transportation security screenersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$33.93	$70,570	$63,130 to $75,130	1,970	High school diploma or equivalent
Floor layers, except carpet, wood, and hard tilesNo formal educational credential	$33.60	$69,880	$51,960 to $91,090	1,330	No formal educational credential
Morticians, undertakers, and funeral arrangersAssociate's degree	$33.46	$69,600	$48,340 to $100,410	1,320	Associate's degree
Captains, mates, and pilots of water vesselsPostsecondary nondegree award	$33.46	$69,600	$59,830 to $104,330	900	Postsecondary nondegree award
First-line supervisors of office and administrative support workersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$33.18	$69,010	$55,530 to $84,600	42,400	High school diploma or equivalent
Model makers, metal and plasticHigh school diploma or equivalent	$33.12	$68,890	$45,560 to $68,890	—	High school diploma or equivalent
Computer numerically controlled tool programmersPostsecondary nondegree award	$33.09	$68,830	$61,110 to $80,110	1,070	Postsecondary nondegree award
Computer network support specialistsAssociate's degree	$32.95	$68,530	$58,670 to $84,410	6,960	Associate's degree
Motorboat operatorsPostsecondary nondegree award	$32.88	$68,380	$68,380 to $75,190	40	Postsecondary nondegree award
Electrical and electronics draftersAssociate's degree	$32.84	$68,310	$62,780 to $91,280	150	Associate's degree
Water and wastewater treatment plant and system operatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$32.60	$67,810	$55,260 to $83,140	3,500	High school diploma or equivalent
Medical equipment repairersAssociate's degree	$32.40	$67,380	$48,850 to $81,800	2,620	Associate's degree
Tile and stone settersNo formal educational credential	$32.29	$67,160	$48,250 to $93,240	730	No formal educational credential
Sales representatives of services, except advertising, insurance, financial services, and travelHigh school diploma or equivalent	$32.17	$66,900	$49,120 to $99,900	69,910	High school diploma or equivalent
MillwrightsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$32.04	$66,640	$49,620 to $85,150	2,160	High school diploma or equivalent
Advertising sales agentsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$31.87	$66,290	$47,620 to $99,010	3,790	High school diploma or equivalent
Occupational health and safety techniciansHigh school diploma or equivalent	$31.71	$65,960	$59,240 to $88,870	1,790	High school diploma or equivalent
Chemical plant and system operatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$31.59	$65,710	$60,580 to $74,770	160	High school diploma or equivalent
BarbersPostsecondary nondegree award	$31.46	$65,430	$34,430 to $71,930	—	Postsecondary nondegree award
First-line supervisors of transportation and material moving workers, except aircraft cargo handling supervisorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$31.45	$65,420	$54,770 to $79,940	25,270	High school diploma or equivalent
Physical therapist assistantsAssociate's degree	$31.37	$65,240	$59,410 to $74,280	4,890	Associate's degree
Bus drivers, transit and intercityHigh school diploma or equivalent	$31.35	$65,200	$57,430 to $85,990	8,650	High school diploma or equivalent
Mechanical door repairersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$31.29	$65,090	$50,920 to $72,850	1,770	High school diploma or equivalent
Surgical technologistsPostsecondary nondegree award	$31.08	$64,650	$60,160 to $77,670	3,570	Postsecondary nondegree award
Telecommunications equipment installers and repairers, except line installersPostsecondary nondegree award	$31.07	$64,630	$49,930 to $77,530	5,760	Postsecondary nondegree award
First-line supervisors of gambling services workersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$31.07	$64,620	$50,270 to $74,700	510	High school diploma or equivalent
Tree trimmers and prunersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$30.99	$64,450	$60,860 to $75,630	700	High school diploma or equivalent
Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialistsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$30.93	$64,340	$53,640 to $80,640	11,320	High school diploma or equivalent
Insurance sales agentsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$30.90	$64,280	$46,780 to $98,370	16,360	High school diploma or equivalent
Occupational therapy assistantsAssociate's degree	$30.83	$64,120	$59,460 to $73,850	2,470	Associate's degree
Food service managersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$30.73	$63,930	$52,250 to $79,850	11,270	High school diploma or equivalent
Paralegals and legal assistantsAssociate's degree	$30.61	$63,670	$56,160 to $81,970	14,130	Associate's degree
Personal service managers, all otherHigh school diploma or equivalent	$30.53	$63,500	$63,500 to $70,740	100	High school diploma or equivalent
Milling and planing machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plasticHigh school diploma or equivalent	$30.46	$63,360	$48,920 to $64,700	570	High school diploma or equivalent
Brokerage clerksHigh school diploma or equivalent	$30.46	$63,350	$52,060 to $75,130	2,060	High school diploma or equivalent
Mechanical draftersAssociate's degree	$30.44	$63,320	$56,710 to $81,480	450	Associate's degree
Legal support workers, all otherAssociate's degree	$30.41	$63,250	$46,750 to $80,830	3,010	Associate's degree
Drywall and ceiling tile installersNo formal educational credential	$30.38	$63,180	$51,540 to $102,480	740	No formal educational credential
Hearing aid specialistsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$30.31	$63,050	$46,350 to $77,460	360	High school diploma or equivalent
Audiovisual equipment installers and repairersPostsecondary nondegree award	$30.23	$62,870	$54,580 to $79,480	530	Postsecondary nondegree award
Furnace, kiln, oven, drier, and kettle operators and tendersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$30.23	$62,870	$45,830 to $67,130	230	High school diploma or equivalent
Health information technologists and medical registrarsAssociate's degree	$30.18	$62,780	$48,250 to $74,630	900	Associate's degree
Real estate brokersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$30.07	$62,540	$51,590 to $105,670	990	High school diploma or equivalent
Fire inspectors and investigatorsPostsecondary nondegree award	$30.00	$62,400	$55,470 to $93,100	440	Postsecondary nondegree award

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 Illinois median hourly wage is $30.00 or more. Medians include experienced workers; entry pay is lower. Read the full method.

All 144, sorted by hourly median

Other states

Sources and method