Minnesota · BLS, May 2025 wages

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

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

150 occupations in Minnesota 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 $85.02 an hour.

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

All 150, 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 Minnesota 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	$85.02	$176,840	$120,940 to $200,510	680	Associate's degree
Elevator and escalator installers and repairersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$61.55	$128,020	$102,320 to $131,040	550	High school diploma or equivalent
First-line supervisors of police and detectivesHigh school diploma or equivalent	$57.09	$118,750	$99,300 to $127,280	2,870	High school diploma or equivalent
Transportation, storage, and distribution managersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$56.82	$118,180	$91,420 to $156,030	4,030	High school diploma or equivalent
Musicians and singersNo formal educational credential	$53.64	—	—	540	No formal educational credential
Nuclear medicine technologistsAssociate's degree	$51.63	$107,380	$103,560 to $117,120	200	Associate's degree
Insulation workers, mechanicalHigh school diploma or equivalent	$50.80	$105,670	$66,820 to $109,350	250	High school diploma or equivalent
Power distributors and dispatchersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$50.78	$105,630	$82,390 to $126,540	100	High school diploma or equivalent
Electrical power-line installers and repairersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$50.09	$104,180	$90,730 to $115,740	2,190	High school diploma or equivalent
Dental hygienistsAssociate's degree	$49.99	$103,970	$99,040 to $116,350	4,110	Associate's degree
Diagnostic medical sonographersAssociate's degree	$49.45	$102,850	$94,530 to $108,950	1,710	Associate's degree
Plasterers and stucco masonsNo formal educational credential	$49.29	$102,530	$66,990 to $108,160	160	No formal educational credential
Petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$49.00	$101,910	$99,910 to $128,520	550	High school diploma or equivalent
Magnetic resonance imaging technologistsAssociate's degree	$48.51	$100,900	$86,880 to $106,620	710	Associate's degree
Gas plant operatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$48.32	$100,500	$82,570 to $100,550	360	High school diploma or equivalent
Electrical and electronics repairers, powerhouse, substation, and relayPostsecondary nondegree award	$48.03	$99,900	$75,290 to $107,560	—	Postsecondary nondegree award
Respiratory therapistsAssociate's degree	$47.46	$98,710	$86,440 to $103,010	1,250	Associate's degree
Radiation therapistsAssociate's degree	$47.11	$98,000	$85,480 to $105,540	210	Associate's degree
First-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$46.93	$97,610	$75,790 to $109,770	13,580	High school diploma or equivalent
Signal and track switch repairersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$46.53	$96,780	$96,750 to $96,910	80	High school diploma or equivalent
First-line supervisors of correctional officersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$46.50	$96,720	$81,120 to $107,180	750	High school diploma or equivalent
BoilermakersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$46.25	$96,190	$81,420 to $105,430	140	High school diploma or equivalent
Structural iron and steel workersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$45.83	$95,320	$89,720 to $98,160	910	High school diploma or equivalent
Brickmasons and blockmasonsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$45.78	$95,220	$84,880 to $98,810	1,040	High school diploma or equivalent
Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfittersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$45.39	$94,410	$61,150 to $108,750	10,720	High school diploma or equivalent
Power plant operatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$45.38	$94,390	$81,420 to $99,120	970	High school diploma or equivalent
Locomotive engineersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$45.05	$93,700	$85,620 to $93,830	990	High school diploma or equivalent
Transportation inspectorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$44.65	$92,860	$35,050 to $140,880	310	High school diploma or equivalent
Postmasters and mail superintendentsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$44.43	$92,410	$88,250 to $98,580	320	High school diploma or equivalent
Continuous mining machine operatorsNo formal educational credential	$43.66	$90,820	$64,440 to $99,850	420	No formal educational credential
Health information technologists and medical registrarsAssociate's degree	$43.64	$90,760	$78,000 to $103,690	1,040	Associate's degree
Construction and building inspectorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$42.63	$88,670	$78,030 to $100,890	1,390	High school diploma or equivalent
First-line supervisors of non-retail sales workersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$42.55	$88,510	$61,700 to $117,590	2,130	High school diploma or equivalent
Plant and system operators, all otherHigh school diploma or equivalent	$42.45	$88,290	$78,150 to $96,170	200	High school diploma or equivalent
First-line supervisors of mechanics, installers, and repairersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$41.90	$87,160	$73,750 to $103,830	9,110	High school diploma or equivalent
RiggersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$41.88	$87,120	$68,790 to $100,960	190	High school diploma or equivalent
Legal support workers, all otherAssociate's degree	$41.80	$86,940	$75,170 to $100,920	220	Associate's degree
Carpet installersNo formal educational credential	$41.30	$85,910	$81,350 to $85,910	—	No formal educational credential
Fire inspectors and investigatorsPostsecondary nondegree award	$40.58	$84,410	$69,540 to $96,920	230	Postsecondary nondegree award
Court reporters and simultaneous captionersPostsecondary nondegree award	$40.23	$83,680	$69,180 to $88,400	320	Postsecondary nondegree award
Radiologic technologists and techniciansAssociate's degree	$40.10	$83,400	$78,590 to $98,900	4,910	Associate's degree
Police and sheriff's patrol officersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$40.08	$83,360	$75,750 to $98,430	9,160	High school diploma or equivalent
Underground mining machine operators, all otherNo formal educational credential	$39.96	$83,120	$51,470 to $85,000	930	No formal educational credential
PipelayersNo formal educational credential	$39.41	$81,980	$75,840 to $95,040	510	No formal educational credential
Aircraft mechanics and service techniciansPostsecondary nondegree award	$39.41	$81,980	$63,530 to $131,840	2,390	Postsecondary nondegree award
First-line supervisors of farming, fishing, and forestry workersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$39.17	$81,480	$56,850 to $94,100	230	High school diploma or equivalent
Engineering technologists and technicians, except drafters, all otherAssociate's degree	$39.08	$81,290	$69,900 to $93,660	670	Associate's degree
Crane and tower operatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$38.91	$80,930	$58,210 to $114,480	370	High school diploma or equivalent
Captains, mates, and pilots of water vesselsPostsecondary nondegree award	$38.90	$80,920	$57,020 to $111,700	110	Postsecondary nondegree award
First-line supervisors of protective service workers, all otherHigh school diploma or equivalent	$38.75	$80,600	$50,740 to $94,970	190	High school diploma or equivalent
Electrical and electronics repairers, commercial and industrial equipmentPostsecondary nondegree award	$38.57	$80,220	$67,190 to $88,370	1,240	Postsecondary nondegree award
Surgical technologistsPostsecondary nondegree award	$38.56	$80,210	$72,730 to $86,420	1,770	Postsecondary nondegree award
Detectives and criminal investigatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$38.46	$80,000	$69,580 to $100,090	1,970	High school diploma or equivalent
Healthcare practitioners and technical workers, all otherPostsecondary nondegree award	$38.46	$79,990	$55,500 to $109,240	410	Postsecondary nondegree award
Funeral home managersAssociate's degree	$38.41	$79,900	$73,610 to $109,170	500	Associate's degree
Food service managersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$38.38	$79,820	$64,320 to $95,190	730	High school diploma or equivalent
Mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except enginesHigh school diploma or equivalent	$38.16	$79,370	$63,060 to $90,500	2,890	High school diploma or equivalent
Operating engineers and other construction equipment operatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$38.04	$79,130	$63,310 to $95,740	8,590	High school diploma or equivalent
Railroad conductors and yardmastersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$37.95	$78,930	$78,830 to $90,560	830	High school diploma or equivalent
Lodging managersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$37.93	$78,890	$63,840 to $101,710	250	High school diploma or equivalent
First-line supervisors of firefighting and prevention workersPostsecondary nondegree award	$37.89	$78,800	$66,820 to $101,780	1,120	Postsecondary nondegree award
Civil engineering technologists and techniciansAssociate's degree	$37.83	$78,690	$71,490 to $90,890	2,030	Associate's degree
Electrical and electronics installers and repairers, transportation equipmentPostsecondary nondegree award	$37.83	$78,690	$78,690 to $80,390	40	Postsecondary nondegree award
Insurance sales agentsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$37.81	$78,640	$59,940 to $104,170	10,010	High school diploma or equivalent
MillwrightsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$37.77	$78,570	$65,430 to $86,020	480	High school diploma or equivalent
First-line supervisors of production and operating workersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$37.76	$78,550	$64,090 to $93,340	13,380	High school diploma or equivalent
Executive secretaries and executive administrative assistantsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$37.73	$78,470	$64,810 to $91,540	7,970	High school diploma or equivalent
Hoist and winch operatorsNo formal educational credential	$37.69	$78,400	$66,860 to $78,400	60	No formal educational credential
Claims adjusters, examiners, and investigatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$37.67	$78,350	$65,200 to $97,840	5,530	High school diploma or equivalent
Electrical and electronic engineering technologists and techniciansAssociate's degree	$37.64	$78,280	$64,670 to $90,500	1,540	Associate's degree
ElectriciansHigh school diploma or equivalent	$37.58	$78,160	$58,430 to $101,410	14,350	High school diploma or equivalent
TapersNo formal educational credential	$37.54	$78,090	$78,080 to $81,440	220	No formal educational credential
Media and communication equipment workers, all otherHigh school diploma or equivalent	$37.48	$77,960	$60,840 to $112,720	50	High school diploma or equivalent
Traffic techniciansHigh school diploma or equivalent	$37.41	$77,810	$65,660 to $82,390	60	High school diploma or equivalent
Rail car repairersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$37.40	$77,800	$60,230 to $82,750	170	High school diploma or equivalent
Tree trimmers and prunersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$37.24	$77,460	$71,560 to $77,460	—	High school diploma or equivalent
Gambling managersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$37.19	$77,360	$48,890 to $112,300	—	High school diploma or equivalent
Electrical and electronics draftersAssociate's degree	$37.18	$77,330	$70,610 to $96,010	250	Associate's degree
Radio, cellular, and tower equipment installers and repairersAssociate's degree	$37.00	$76,960	$74,240 to $86,470	80	Associate's degree
Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific productsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$36.90	$76,750	$59,490 to $100,630	31,230	High school diploma or equivalent
Control and valve installers and repairers, except mechanical doorHigh school diploma or equivalent	$36.85	$76,640	$58,420 to $81,560	710	High school diploma or equivalent
Tank car, truck, and ship loadersNo formal educational credential	$36.84	$76,620	$52,320 to $84,440	—	No formal educational credential
Insurance appraisers, auto damagePostsecondary nondegree award	$36.76	$76,460	$68,500 to $78,240	—	Postsecondary nondegree award
First-line supervisors of office and administrative support workersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$36.75	$76,440	$61,600 to $91,050	21,690	High school diploma or equivalent
Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersPostsecondary nondegree award	$36.71	$76,350	$58,860 to $87,190	4,200	Postsecondary nondegree award
ParamedicsPostsecondary nondegree award	$36.68	$76,300	$67,840 to $82,040	1,690	Postsecondary nondegree award
Computer network support specialistsAssociate's degree	$36.54	$76,000	$62,510 to $88,450	2,930	Associate's degree
Surgical assistantsPostsecondary nondegree award	$36.52	$75,950	$67,080 to $89,950	360	Postsecondary nondegree award
Metal-refining furnace operators and tendersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$36.48	$75,880	$50,770 to $79,070	200	High school diploma or equivalent
Stationary engineers and boiler operatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$36.47	$75,850	$67,310 to $84,640	1,440	High school diploma or equivalent
Paralegals and legal assistantsAssociate's degree	$36.33	$75,570	$56,230 to $83,420	7,400	Associate's degree
Sales representatives of services, except advertising, insurance, financial services, and travelHigh school diploma or equivalent	$36.24	$75,370	$51,440 to $102,790	19,220	High school diploma or equivalent
Telecommunications equipment installers and repairers, except line installersPostsecondary nondegree award	$36.13	$75,150	$60,520 to $82,750	1,900	Postsecondary nondegree award
Patternmakers, metal and plasticHigh school diploma or equivalent	$36.01	$74,900	$67,960 to $74,900	60	High school diploma or equivalent
ChoreographersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$35.97	$74,810	$41,600 to $87,360	40	High school diploma or equivalent
Water and wastewater treatment plant and system operatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$35.90	$74,670	$62,850 to $79,590	2,290	High school diploma or equivalent
RoofersNo formal educational credential	$35.81	$74,490	$55,670 to $91,620	1,890	No formal educational credential
Bridge and lock tendersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$35.78	$74,420	$69,200 to $77,710	60	High school diploma or equivalent
Occupational health and safety techniciansHigh school diploma or equivalent	$35.77	$74,400	$60,330 to $83,840	270	High school diploma or equivalent
Computer numerically controlled tool programmersPostsecondary nondegree award	$35.67	$74,190	$63,740 to $81,820	1,250	Postsecondary nondegree award
Medical equipment repairersAssociate's degree	$35.55	$73,940	$55,900 to $85,370	2,080	Associate's degree
Meter readers, utilitiesHigh school diploma or equivalent	$35.54	$73,930	$57,550 to $83,990	120	High school diploma or equivalent
Telecommunications line installers and repairersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$35.44	$73,710	$58,830 to $88,560	1,130	High school diploma or equivalent
Grounds maintenance workers, all otherNo formal educational credential	$35.24	$73,300	$59,840 to $80,080	60	No formal educational credential
Surveying and mapping techniciansHigh school diploma or equivalent	$35.19	$73,190	$61,980 to $81,120	1,060	High school diploma or equivalent
Mechanical draftersAssociate's degree	$35.14	$73,090	$62,940 to $79,870	1,220	Associate's degree
Sheet metal workersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$35.08	$72,970	$51,570 to $106,870	2,980	High school diploma or equivalent
Industrial machinery mechanicsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$34.60	$71,960	$60,940 to $82,110	6,510	High school diploma or equivalent
Cardiovascular technologists and techniciansAssociate's degree	$34.38	$71,520	$48,970 to $90,510	950	Associate's degree
Aerospace engineering and operations technologists and techniciansAssociate's degree	$34.25	$71,240	$71,240 to $78,080	—	Associate's degree
Media and communication workers, all otherHigh school diploma or equivalent	$34.18	$71,090	$46,430 to $72,990	200	High school diploma or equivalent
Tool and die makersPostsecondary nondegree award	$34.15	$71,020	$62,390 to $82,200	1,150	Postsecondary nondegree award
Architectural and civil draftersAssociate's degree	$33.98	$70,680	$61,450 to $80,780	1,930	Associate's degree
Tile and stone settersNo formal educational credential	$33.92	$70,560	$61,750 to $71,750	610	No formal educational credential
Industrial engineering technologists and techniciansAssociate's degree	$33.89	$70,490	$60,270 to $80,390	5,380	Associate's degree
First-line supervisors of transportation and material moving workers, except aircraft cargo handling supervisorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$32.90	$68,430	$57,970 to $81,010	9,410	High school diploma or equivalent
Paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$32.78	$68,180	$61,930 to $80,450	830	High school diploma or equivalent
Transportation security screenersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$32.35	$67,290	$54,450 to $73,280	740	High school diploma or equivalent
Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialistsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$32.14	$66,840	$59,480 to $78,600	7,300	High school diploma or equivalent
Cement masons and concrete finishersNo formal educational credential	$32.13	$66,830	$59,920 to $79,480	3,070	No formal educational credential
Physical therapist assistantsAssociate's degree	$32.10	$66,770	$61,720 to $73,690	1,230	Associate's degree
Public safety telecommunicatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$31.99	$66,550	$62,730 to $77,960	1,460	High school diploma or equivalent
Chemical plant and system operatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$31.97	$66,500	$52,350 to $75,740	150	High school diploma or equivalent
GlaziersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$31.79	$66,130	$61,610 to $91,930	460	High school diploma or equivalent
Correctional officers and jailersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$31.75	$66,040	$59,630 to $76,250	5,350	High school diploma or equivalent
Farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$31.68	$65,900	$64,930 to $78,000	160	High school diploma or equivalent
Subway and streetcar operatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$31.45	$65,410	$65,410 to $69,680	140	High school diploma or equivalent
Environmental science and protection technicians, including healthAssociate's degree	$31.41	$65,320	$51,730 to $91,000	450	Associate's degree
Dental assistantsPostsecondary nondegree award	$31.38	$65,270	$59,940 to $74,410	5,980	Postsecondary nondegree award
Wind turbine service techniciansPostsecondary nondegree award	$31.25	$65,000	$60,360 to $80,120	450	Postsecondary nondegree award
CarpentersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$31.22	$64,930	$55,240 to $84,410	14,930	High school diploma or equivalent
Occupational therapy assistantsAssociate's degree	$31.21	$64,920	$61,270 to $72,820	540	Associate's degree
Property, real estate, and community association managersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$31.20	$64,890	$59,320 to $79,570	4,480	High school diploma or equivalent
Mechanical engineering technologists and techniciansAssociate's degree	$30.77	$63,990	$49,820 to $80,390	400	Associate's degree
Earth drillers, except oil and gasHigh school diploma or equivalent	$30.67	$63,790	$50,650 to $77,340	340	High school diploma or equivalent
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nursesPostsecondary nondegree award	$30.65	$63,750	$59,960 to $71,270	12,840	Postsecondary nondegree award
Computer user support specialistsSome college, no degree	$30.59	$63,630	$54,450 to $78,710	15,320	Some college, no degree
Drafters, all otherAssociate's degree	$30.39	$63,220	$55,480 to $80,130	170	Associate's degree
Legal secretaries and administrative assistantsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$30.38	$63,180	$54,460 to $79,410	2,410	High school diploma or equivalent
Highway maintenance workersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$30.36	$63,150	$55,810 to $66,150	4,610	High school diploma or equivalent
Ophthalmic medical techniciansPostsecondary nondegree award	$30.33	$63,080	$50,510 to $78,070	720	Postsecondary nondegree award
Massage therapistsPostsecondary nondegree award	$30.32	$63,070	$56,440 to $81,000	1,690	Postsecondary nondegree award
Maintenance workers, machineryHigh school diploma or equivalent	$30.30	$63,020	$54,790 to $72,100	730	High school diploma or equivalent
Floor sanders and finishersNo formal educational credential	$30.26	$62,940	$58,390 to $62,940	—	No formal educational credential
Eligibility interviewers, government programsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$30.20	$62,820	$59,440 to $71,090	2,910	High school diploma or equivalent
Advertising sales agentsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$30.13	$62,660	$49,560 to $97,230	1,750	High school diploma or equivalent
Chefs and head cooksHigh school diploma or equivalent	$30.10	$62,600	$53,050 to $75,960	1,730	High school diploma or equivalent
Refuse and recyclable material collectorsNo formal educational credential	$30.08	$62,570	$52,030 to $65,980	2,500	No formal educational credential
Security and fire alarm systems installersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$30.02	$62,440	$48,610 to $86,000	770	High school diploma or equivalent
Chemical techniciansAssociate's degree	$30.00	$62,400	$55,770 to $80,210	870	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 Minnesota median hourly wage is $30.00 or more. Medians include experienced workers; entry pay is lower. Read the full method.

All 150, sorted by hourly median

Other states

Sources and method