Michigan · BLS, May 2025 wages

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

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

104 occupations in Michigan 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 $57.18 an hour.

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

All 104, 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 Michigan 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	$57.18	$118,930	$99,610 to $178,590	360	Associate's degree
Power distributors and dispatchersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$56.15	$116,780	$93,560 to $127,700	450	High school diploma or equivalent
Electrical power-line installers and repairersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$51.39	$106,890	$85,050 to $125,050	2,800	High school diploma or equivalent
Electrical and electronics repairers, powerhouse, substation, and relayPostsecondary nondegree award	$51.25	$106,600	$86,430 to $120,650	450	Postsecondary nondegree award
Power plant operatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$50.88	$105,820	$99,350 to $124,090	1,220	High school diploma or equivalent
Gambling managersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$48.97	$101,860	$79,880 to $124,590	190	High school diploma or equivalent
Gas plant operatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$48.32	$100,500	$97,110 to $109,530	540	High school diploma or equivalent
Elevator and escalator installers and repairersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$47.67	$99,140	$60,760 to $139,690	560	High school diploma or equivalent
Transportation, storage, and distribution managersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$47.65	$99,100	$77,100 to $128,990	8,180	High school diploma or equivalent
BoilermakersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$47.22	$98,220	$74,500 to $100,110	—	High school diploma or equivalent
First-line supervisors of police and detectivesHigh school diploma or equivalent	$47.19	$98,140	$81,580 to $103,320	3,290	High school diploma or equivalent
Postmasters and mail superintendentsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$47.02	$97,790	$93,290 to $104,230	450	High school diploma or equivalent
Control and valve installers and repairers, except mechanical doorHigh school diploma or equivalent	$46.58	$96,890	$62,060 to $102,410	2,240	High school diploma or equivalent
Media and communication equipment workers, all otherHigh school diploma or equivalent	$46.41	$96,530	$34,040 to $122,930	50	High school diploma or equivalent
Radiation therapistsAssociate's degree	$46.10	$95,890	$83,310 to $102,880	450	Associate's degree
Nuclear medicine technologistsAssociate's degree	$45.86	$95,400	$84,590 to $98,710	640	Associate's degree
Signal and track switch repairersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$44.74	$93,060	$78,790 to $99,550	120	High school diploma or equivalent
Reinforcing iron and rebar workersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$43.86	$91,220	$77,570 to $94,470	—	High school diploma or equivalent
Detectives and criminal investigatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$43.58	$90,650	$80,140 to $120,560	2,220	High school diploma or equivalent
MillwrightsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$42.88	$89,190	$74,610 to $92,300	2,900	High school diploma or equivalent
Magnetic resonance imaging technologistsAssociate's degree	$40.68	$84,620	$80,190 to $91,350	1,270	Associate's degree
Petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$40.40	$84,030	$64,980 to $95,450	180	High school diploma or equivalent
Dental hygienistsAssociate's degree	$40.28	$83,790	$79,670 to $93,310	8,640	Associate's degree
Stationary engineers and boiler operatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$39.81	$82,800	$67,010 to $91,500	490	High school diploma or equivalent
Farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$39.72	$82,620	$57,400 to $105,000	270	High school diploma or equivalent
Real estate brokersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$39.67	$82,510	$64,680 to $111,770	1,150	High school diploma or equivalent
Diagnostic medical sonographersAssociate's degree	$39.66	$82,490	$76,640 to $91,510	3,100	Associate's degree
Cardiovascular technologists and techniciansAssociate's degree	$38.77	$80,650	$49,590 to $86,950	2,070	Associate's degree
First-line supervisors of protective service workers, all otherHigh school diploma or equivalent	$38.67	$80,430	$66,100 to $93,640	440	High school diploma or equivalent
Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfittersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$38.56	$80,190	$58,090 to $95,390	14,120	High school diploma or equivalent
First-line supervisors of non-retail sales workersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$38.54	$80,170	$62,740 to $109,250	3,490	High school diploma or equivalent
Respiratory therapistsAssociate's degree	$38.39	$79,850	$71,740 to $83,020	4,520	Associate's degree
Ship engineersPostsecondary nondegree award	$38.06	$79,170	$52,550 to $90,330	100	Postsecondary nondegree award
Railroad conductors and yardmastersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$37.96	$78,960	$65,610 to $79,890	760	High school diploma or equivalent
Claims adjusters, examiners, and investigatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$37.91	$78,850	$62,850 to $96,260	6,640	High school diploma or equivalent
Gas compressor and gas pumping station operatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$37.62	$78,240	$56,900 to $101,890	40	High school diploma or equivalent
First-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$37.59	$78,180	$64,670 to $97,620	16,660	High school diploma or equivalent
First-line supervisors of correctional officersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$37.57	$78,150	$75,610 to $85,360	1,020	High school diploma or equivalent
First-line supervisors of mechanics, installers, and repairersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$37.41	$77,810	$60,160 to $98,280	15,740	High school diploma or equivalent
First-line supervisors of firefighting and prevention workersPostsecondary nondegree award	$37.29	$77,550	$61,970 to $96,300	1,830	Postsecondary nondegree award
Fire inspectors and investigatorsPostsecondary nondegree award	$37.24	$77,460	$67,600 to $90,570	250	Postsecondary nondegree award
Funeral home managersAssociate's degree	$37.09	$77,140	$73,250 to $120,650	430	Associate's degree
Healthcare practitioners and technical workers, all otherPostsecondary nondegree award	$37.08	$77,130	$59,460 to $100,830	1,160	Postsecondary nondegree award
Insurance appraisers, auto damagePostsecondary nondegree award	$37.05	$77,060	$69,030 to $79,130	310	Postsecondary nondegree award
Radiologic technologists and techniciansAssociate's degree	$36.74	$76,420	$63,270 to $81,700	7,220	Associate's degree
ElectriciansHigh school diploma or equivalent	$36.67	$76,270	$50,360 to $92,300	23,530	High school diploma or equivalent
Musicians and singersNo formal educational credential	$36.63	—	—	1,340	No formal educational credential
Rail-track laying and maintenance equipment operatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$36.27	$75,450	$57,920 to $80,810	290	High school diploma or equivalent
Aircraft mechanics and service techniciansPostsecondary nondegree award	$36.01	$74,900	$59,990 to $82,230	3,380	Postsecondary nondegree award
Electrical and electronic engineering technologists and techniciansAssociate's degree	$35.96	$74,800	$58,550 to $83,720	2,350	Associate's degree
Telecommunications line installers and repairersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$35.75	$74,360	$59,120 to $79,330	2,780	High school diploma or equivalent
Engineering technologists and technicians, except drafters, all otherAssociate's degree	$35.56	$73,960	$51,920 to $84,100	1,130	Associate's degree
Electrical and electronics draftersAssociate's degree	$35.51	$73,860	$57,730 to $91,760	380	Associate's degree
Police and sheriff's patrol officersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$35.45	$73,730	$60,410 to $80,170	16,750	High school diploma or equivalent
Sales representatives of services, except advertising, insurance, financial services, and travelHigh school diploma or equivalent	$35.28	$73,380	$49,290 to $103,070	27,160	High school diploma or equivalent
Brokerage clerksHigh school diploma or equivalent	$35.26	$73,350	$61,200 to $78,350	430	High school diploma or equivalent
Plasterers and stucco masonsNo formal educational credential	$35.09	$72,990	$62,370 to $77,450	210	No formal educational credential
Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific productsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$35.09	$72,980	$51,060 to $100,380	40,960	High school diploma or equivalent
Terrazzo workers and finishersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$34.83	$72,450	$68,380 to $75,560	—	High school diploma or equivalent
Chemical plant and system operatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$34.82	$72,430	$58,460 to $83,930	40	High school diploma or equivalent
Mechanical draftersAssociate's degree	$34.75	$72,280	$57,720 to $94,900	2,030	Associate's degree
First-line supervisors of production and operating workersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$34.70	$72,170	$57,410 to $82,900	26,650	High school diploma or equivalent
Construction and building inspectorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$34.15	$71,040	$60,680 to $82,510	3,090	High school diploma or equivalent
Massage therapistsPostsecondary nondegree award	$34.11	$70,960	$50,040 to $77,550	2,410	Postsecondary nondegree award
Calibration technologists and techniciansAssociate's degree	$33.72	$70,140	$58,020 to $86,860	400	Associate's degree
Aerospace engineering and operations technologists and techniciansAssociate's degree	$33.58	$69,840	$46,160 to $87,860	70	Associate's degree
Pump operators, except wellhead pumpersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$33.43	$69,540	$49,980 to $95,860	40	High school diploma or equivalent
Electrical and electronics installers and repairers, transportation equipmentPostsecondary nondegree award	$33.42	$69,510	$59,680 to $96,740	130	Postsecondary nondegree award
Mechanical engineering technologists and techniciansAssociate's degree	$32.77	$68,170	$54,080 to $81,160	4,930	Associate's degree
Drafters, all otherAssociate's degree	$32.57	$67,750	$56,590 to $87,960	360	Associate's degree
Transportation security screenersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$32.40	$67,390	$55,100 to $71,880	1,070	High school diploma or equivalent
Occupational health and safety techniciansHigh school diploma or equivalent	$32.36	$67,310	$57,400 to $88,020	450	High school diploma or equivalent
Health information technologists and medical registrarsAssociate's degree	$32.28	$67,150	$50,630 to $87,480	1,020	Associate's degree
Railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$32.20	$66,970	$51,520 to $77,930	190	High school diploma or equivalent
Executive secretaries and executive administrative assistantsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$32.14	$66,840	$57,570 to $81,050	9,030	High school diploma or equivalent
Eligibility interviewers, government programsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$32.13	$66,830	$56,480 to $70,660	5,060	High school diploma or equivalent
Mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except enginesHigh school diploma or equivalent	$32.06	$66,680	$58,850 to $78,120	3,860	High school diploma or equivalent
Precision instrument and equipment repairers, all otherHigh school diploma or equivalent	$31.91	$66,360	$59,160 to $79,850	190	High school diploma or equivalent
Legal support workers, all otherAssociate's degree	$31.86	$66,280	$49,010 to $104,110	1,020	Associate's degree
Electrical and electronics repairers, commercial and industrial equipmentPostsecondary nondegree award	$31.80	$66,140	$52,130 to $79,460	1,460	Postsecondary nondegree award
Computer network support specialistsAssociate's degree	$31.68	$65,900	$51,360 to $83,700	2,470	Associate's degree
Tool and die makersPostsecondary nondegree award	$31.53	$65,590	$55,700 to $80,590	9,420	Postsecondary nondegree award
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nursesPostsecondary nondegree award	$31.47	$65,460	$62,050 to $73,880	10,880	Postsecondary nondegree award
Advertising sales agentsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$31.15	$64,800	$50,180 to $105,950	2,040	High school diploma or equivalent
First-line supervisors of office and administrative support workersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$31.12	$64,720	$52,490 to $81,340	30,690	High school diploma or equivalent
Plant and system operators, all otherHigh school diploma or equivalent	$31.10	$64,690	$61,790 to $80,140	250	High school diploma or equivalent
Computer numerically controlled tool programmersPostsecondary nondegree award	$31.08	$64,640	$58,890 to $76,720	2,300	Postsecondary nondegree award
Industrial engineering technologists and techniciansAssociate's degree	$31.01	$64,510	$56,600 to $80,190	5,410	Associate's degree
Sheet metal workersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$31.01	$64,490	$48,680 to $86,690	4,000	High school diploma or equivalent
Rail car repairersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$30.95	$64,370	$45,060 to $80,060	370	High school diploma or equivalent
Industrial machinery mechanicsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$30.89	$64,250	$57,310 to $77,310	17,310	High school diploma or equivalent
Radio, cellular, and tower equipment installers and repairersAssociate's degree	$30.83	$64,130	$50,650 to $69,240	410	Associate's degree
Correctional officers and jailersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$30.78	$64,020	$54,630 to $68,520	8,220	High school diploma or equivalent
Artists and related workers, all otherNo formal educational credential	$30.69	$63,830	$48,230 to $87,170	230	No formal educational credential
Postal service clerksNo formal educational credential	$30.60	$63,650	$57,820 to $71,930	2,340	No formal educational credential
TapersNo formal educational credential	$30.59	$63,630	$61,460 to $63,880	190	No formal educational credential
Brickmasons and blockmasonsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$30.53	$63,500	$55,430 to $81,050	2,240	High school diploma or equivalent
Surgical technologistsPostsecondary nondegree award	$30.44	$63,320	$51,890 to $76,470	3,840	Postsecondary nondegree award
Occupational therapy assistantsAssociate's degree	$30.41	$63,260	$59,500 to $70,590	1,250	Associate's degree
Structural iron and steel workersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$30.21	$62,830	$48,290 to $75,750	1,750	High school diploma or equivalent
Wind turbine service techniciansPostsecondary nondegree award	$30.19	$62,800	$58,460 to $79,770	70	Postsecondary nondegree award
Operating engineers and other construction equipment operatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$30.14	$62,690	$54,710 to $78,410	9,500	High school diploma or equivalent
Earth drillers, except oil and gasHigh school diploma or equivalent	$30.08	$62,570	$56,710 to $74,780	850	High school diploma or equivalent
Electro-mechanical and mechatronics technologists and techniciansAssociate's degree	$30.03	$62,460	$59,330 to $76,850	850	Associate's degree

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

All 104, sorted by hourly median

Other states

Sources and method