Virginia · BLS, May 2025 wages

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

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

121 occupations in Virginia 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 $92.22 an hour.

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

All 121, 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 Virginia 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	$92.22	$191,820	$140,480 to $214,360	1,120	Associate's degree
Legal support workers, all otherAssociate's degree	$86.52	$179,960	$131,640 to $195,190	—	Associate's degree
Transportation, storage, and distribution managersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$57.28	$119,140	$93,570 to $157,250	3,380	High school diploma or equivalent
Media and communication equipment workers, all otherHigh school diploma or equivalent	$56.56	$117,640	$90,020 to $139,030	400	High school diploma or equivalent
Detectives and criminal investigatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$54.21	$112,760	$79,770 to $160,760	3,180	High school diploma or equivalent
Artists and related workers, all otherNo formal educational credential	$53.62	$111,530	$85,030 to $132,080	180	No formal educational credential
Elevator and escalator installers and repairersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$52.04	$108,250	$74,880 to $125,740	280	High school diploma or equivalent
Musicians and singersNo formal educational credential	$50.60	—	—	400	No formal educational credential
Radiation therapistsAssociate's degree	$49.67	$103,310	$95,170 to $129,020	500	Associate's degree
Dental hygienistsAssociate's degree	$49.50	$102,950	$97,630 to $119,690	3,770	Associate's degree
Nuclear medicine technologistsAssociate's degree	$48.95	$101,820	$95,600 to $107,730	430	Associate's degree
First-line supervisors of police and detectivesHigh school diploma or equivalent	$48.67	$101,230	$80,320 to $130,250	3,750	High school diploma or equivalent
Electrical and electronics repairers, powerhouse, substation, and relayPostsecondary nondegree award	$47.79	$99,390	$72,840 to $104,500	910	Postsecondary nondegree award
Nuclear techniciansAssociate's degree	$47.56	$98,930	$77,010 to $131,540	680	Associate's degree
Magnetic resonance imaging technologistsAssociate's degree	$47.42	$98,640	$85,770 to $108,350	1,070	Associate's degree
Engineering technologists and technicians, except drafters, all otherAssociate's degree	$47.31	$98,410	$79,620 to $110,930	3,720	Associate's degree
First-line supervisors of non-retail sales workersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$47.20	$98,170	$69,440 to $130,980	9,020	High school diploma or equivalent
First-line supervisors of firefighting and prevention workersPostsecondary nondegree award	$47.01	$97,780	$74,460 to $115,610	3,300	Postsecondary nondegree award
Diagnostic medical sonographersAssociate's degree	$45.99	$95,660	$82,510 to $103,010	2,160	Associate's degree
Signal and track switch repairersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$45.97	$95,620	$95,400 to $95,620	170	High school diploma or equivalent
Postmasters and mail superintendentsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$45.57	$94,790	$89,770 to $101,310	370	High school diploma or equivalent
Locomotive engineersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$43.64	$90,780	$82,020 to $90,940	790	High school diploma or equivalent
Drilling and boring machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plasticHigh school diploma or equivalent	$43.46	$90,390	$43,570 to $90,390	100	High school diploma or equivalent
Electrical and electronics installers and repairers, transportation equipmentPostsecondary nondegree award	$42.24	$87,860	$72,040 to $89,090	240	Postsecondary nondegree award
Captains, mates, and pilots of water vesselsPostsecondary nondegree award	$42.12	$87,610	$66,460 to $120,460	2,270	Postsecondary nondegree award
Gas plant operatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$41.59	$86,500	$80,860 to $99,720	400	High school diploma or equivalent
Avionics techniciansPostsecondary nondegree award	$41.18	$85,660	$74,250 to $97,830	250	Postsecondary nondegree award
Rail-track laying and maintenance equipment operatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$40.75	$84,750	$62,540 to $84,750	360	High school diploma or equivalent
Rail car repairersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$40.25	$83,720	$59,340 to $83,870	210	High school diploma or equivalent
Respiratory therapistsAssociate's degree	$39.86	$82,910	$78,820 to $94,770	3,340	Associate's degree
Ship engineersPostsecondary nondegree award	$39.60	$82,370	$56,700 to $117,140	1,450	Postsecondary nondegree award
Aircraft mechanics and service techniciansPostsecondary nondegree award	$39.52	$82,200	$74,700 to $96,520	2,260	Postsecondary nondegree award
Precision instrument and equipment repairers, all otherHigh school diploma or equivalent	$39.35	$81,850	$71,350 to $92,230	140	High school diploma or equivalent
Funeral home managersAssociate's degree	$39.28	$81,700	$74,620 to $101,690	310	Associate's degree
Insurance appraisers, auto damagePostsecondary nondegree award	$39.17	$81,470	$76,800 to $90,140	—	Postsecondary nondegree award
Power distributors and dispatchersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$38.98	$81,080	$64,530 to $102,220	330	High school diploma or equivalent
Aerospace engineering and operations technologists and techniciansAssociate's degree	$38.96	$81,040	$73,140 to $96,100	270	Associate's degree
First-line supervisors of mechanics, installers, and repairersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$38.83	$80,770	$64,730 to $99,720	16,910	High school diploma or equivalent
Radiologic technologists and techniciansAssociate's degree	$38.78	$80,670	$71,430 to $95,870	5,140	Associate's degree
Watch and clock repairersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$38.66	$80,410	$42,630 to $82,470	—	High school diploma or equivalent
Executive secretaries and executive administrative assistantsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$38.62	$80,330	$63,480 to $98,770	10,360	High school diploma or equivalent
Railroad conductors and yardmastersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$38.41	$79,900	$79,750 to $79,900	900	High school diploma or equivalent
Property, real estate, and community association managersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$38.37	$79,810	$61,540 to $119,880	5,570	High school diploma or equivalent
Electrical and electronic engineering technologists and techniciansAssociate's degree	$38.24	$79,540	$64,210 to $102,920	4,670	Associate's degree
Telecommunications line installers and repairersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$38.03	$79,090	$57,310 to $96,830	4,120	High school diploma or equivalent
Surgical assistantsPostsecondary nondegree award	$37.94	$78,910	$51,030 to $103,860	1,000	Postsecondary nondegree award
First-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$37.81	$78,640	$63,010 to $96,150	24,970	High school diploma or equivalent
Aircraft cargo handling supervisorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$37.70	$78,420	$50,000 to $91,740	240	High school diploma or equivalent
Roof bolters, miningHigh school diploma or equivalent	$37.62	$78,260	$77,500 to $97,340	110	High school diploma or equivalent
Real estate brokersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$37.15	$77,270	$55,430 to $127,260	1,500	High school diploma or equivalent
Loading and moving machine operators, underground miningNo formal educational credential	$36.97	$76,900	$75,620 to $81,540	190	No formal educational credential
Cardiovascular technologists and techniciansAssociate's degree	$36.96	$76,880	$46,610 to $98,130	2,410	Associate's degree
Computer network support specialistsAssociate's degree	$36.90	$76,760	$58,720 to $98,580	5,650	Associate's degree
Electrical power-line installers and repairersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$36.82	$76,590	$60,740 to $100,460	2,920	High school diploma or equivalent
Construction and building inspectorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$36.38	$75,660	$60,870 to $88,340	6,550	High school diploma or equivalent
Mechanical engineering technologists and techniciansAssociate's degree	$36.37	$75,650	$60,040 to $81,090	670	Associate's degree
Hearing aid specialistsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$36.20	$75,300	$43,880 to $82,800	210	High school diploma or equivalent
Occupational therapy assistantsAssociate's degree	$36.04	$74,960	$63,090 to $79,500	1,130	Associate's degree
Electro-mechanical and mechatronics technologists and techniciansAssociate's degree	$36.00	$74,880	$60,550 to $97,070	570	Associate's degree
Computer numerically controlled tool programmersPostsecondary nondegree award	$35.76	$74,390	$58,570 to $87,020	330	Postsecondary nondegree award
Claims adjusters, examiners, and investigatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$35.69	$74,240	$60,930 to $94,420	7,860	High school diploma or equivalent
First-line supervisors of production and operating workersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$35.65	$74,150	$57,970 to $93,410	13,530	High school diploma or equivalent
Physical therapist assistantsAssociate's degree	$35.46	$73,760	$60,810 to $80,400	3,370	Associate's degree
Power plant operatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$35.41	$73,640	$59,260 to $94,180	590	High school diploma or equivalent
Calibration technologists and techniciansAssociate's degree	$34.97	$72,730	$61,380 to $99,120	330	Associate's degree
Sales representatives of services, except advertising, insurance, financial services, and travelHigh school diploma or equivalent	$34.92	$72,640	$47,900 to $106,600	41,390	High school diploma or equivalent
Airfield operations specialistsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$34.74	$72,250	$40,160 to $104,500	280	High school diploma or equivalent
Electrical and electronics repairers, commercial and industrial equipmentPostsecondary nondegree award	$34.29	$71,320	$60,150 to $79,620	1,570	Postsecondary nondegree award
Food service managersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$34.25	$71,230	$60,610 to $83,110	3,820	High school diploma or equivalent
Fire inspectors and investigatorsPostsecondary nondegree award	$33.88	$70,460	$59,060 to $81,280	100	Postsecondary nondegree award
Layout workers, metal and plasticHigh school diploma or equivalent	$33.78	$70,260	$54,970 to $93,600	1,080	High school diploma or equivalent
Transportation security screenersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$33.61	$69,910	$57,160 to $72,240	1,870	High school diploma or equivalent
Mechanical draftersAssociate's degree	$33.48	$69,630	$60,010 to $83,380	630	Associate's degree
Media and communication workers, all otherHigh school diploma or equivalent	$33.37	$69,420	$49,760 to $92,560	130	High school diploma or equivalent
Transportation inspectorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$32.99	$68,610	$58,620 to $100,680	330	High school diploma or equivalent
Control and valve installers and repairers, except mechanical doorHigh school diploma or equivalent	$32.69	$68,000	$60,030 to $80,150	820	High school diploma or equivalent
Radio, cellular, and tower equipment installers and repairersAssociate's degree	$32.59	$67,790	$58,750 to $76,440	660	Associate's degree
Surgical technologistsPostsecondary nondegree award	$32.49	$67,580	$59,110 to $84,100	1,910	Postsecondary nondegree award
BoilermakersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$32.47	$67,540	$54,390 to $75,170	150	High school diploma or equivalent
Life, physical, and social science technicians, all otherAssociate's degree	$32.33	$67,240	$50,250 to $83,860	2,710	Associate's degree
Drafters, all otherAssociate's degree	$32.32	$67,220	$57,370 to $82,780	170	Associate's degree
First-line supervisors of office and administrative support workersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$32.29	$67,170	$54,900 to $84,600	35,160	High school diploma or equivalent
Civil engineering technologists and techniciansAssociate's degree	$32.26	$67,100	$54,580 to $79,760	1,480	Associate's degree
Lodging managersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$32.21	$66,990	$46,150 to $93,120	—	High school diploma or equivalent
Farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$32.11	$66,780	$57,410 to $83,630	50	High school diploma or equivalent
Crane and tower operatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$32.02	$66,600	$54,770 to $77,630	1,120	High school diploma or equivalent
Pump operators, except wellhead pumpersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$31.97	$66,500	$62,220 to $66,920	150	High school diploma or equivalent
Industrial engineering technologists and techniciansAssociate's degree	$31.88	$66,310	$58,610 to $79,180	1,270	Associate's degree
Police and sheriff's patrol officersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$31.67	$65,870	$58,140 to $78,480	19,970	High school diploma or equivalent
Personal service managers, all otherHigh school diploma or equivalent	$31.64	$65,800	$58,480 to $74,880	80	High school diploma or equivalent
Maintenance workers, machineryHigh school diploma or equivalent	$31.49	$65,500	$53,790 to $80,660	1,420	High school diploma or equivalent
Food science techniciansAssociate's degree	$31.42	$65,360	$60,490 to $72,950	150	Associate's degree
Camera and photographic equipment repairersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$31.33	$65,170	$41,870 to $72,310	—	High school diploma or equivalent
Computer user support specialistsSome college, no degree	$31.27	$65,040	$51,460 to $80,870	20,910	Some college, no degree
Gas compressor and gas pumping station operatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$31.25	$64,990	$55,180 to $79,680	40	High school diploma or equivalent
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nursesPostsecondary nondegree award	$31.21	$64,920	$59,610 to $74,540	15,550	Postsecondary nondegree award
Electrical and electronics draftersAssociate's degree	$31.08	$64,650	$57,010 to $86,120	280	Associate's degree
First-line supervisors of correctional officersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$30.86	$64,190	$57,790 to $80,260	2,230	High school diploma or equivalent
Stationary engineers and boiler operatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$30.84	$64,150	$48,340 to $77,410	350	High school diploma or equivalent
Plasterers and stucco masonsNo formal educational credential	$30.83	$64,120	$56,730 to $64,310	100	No formal educational credential
Tool and die makersPostsecondary nondegree award	$30.79	$64,050	$52,210 to $74,660	390	Postsecondary nondegree award
Industrial machinery mechanicsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$30.78	$64,020	$53,780 to $79,150	9,470	High school diploma or equivalent
Paralegals and legal assistantsAssociate's degree	$30.77	$63,990	$56,050 to $81,590	10,250	Associate's degree
Real estate sales agentsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$30.76	$63,980	$43,120 to $94,050	5,750	High school diploma or equivalent
Mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except enginesHigh school diploma or equivalent	$30.74	$63,950	$53,500 to $77,060	4,340	High school diploma or equivalent
Explosives workers, ordnance handling experts, and blastersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$30.73	$63,920	$61,410 to $76,280	80	High school diploma or equivalent
EmbalmersAssociate's degree	$30.68	$63,810	$60,260 to $70,650	120	Associate's degree
Electric motor, power tool, and related repairersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$30.62	$63,690	$44,240 to $76,890	570	High school diploma or equivalent
RiggersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$30.59	$63,620	$50,310 to $71,090	1,920	High school diploma or equivalent
Continuous mining machine operatorsNo formal educational credential	$30.52	$63,480	$52,280 to $74,630	230	No formal educational credential
Architectural and civil draftersAssociate's degree	$30.51	$63,450	$53,940 to $76,800	2,600	Associate's degree
Motorboat mechanics and service techniciansHigh school diploma or equivalent	$30.51	$63,450	$58,960 to $99,060	—	High school diploma or equivalent
Healthcare practitioners and technical workers, all otherPostsecondary nondegree award	$30.49	$63,410	$41,880 to $104,770	530	Postsecondary nondegree award
Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific productsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$30.48	$63,400	$48,960 to $94,310	22,570	High school diploma or equivalent
Chefs and head cooksHigh school diploma or equivalent	$30.42	$63,270	$50,170 to $77,270	3,600	High school diploma or equivalent
Chemical plant and system operatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$30.29	$63,000	$48,950 to $77,930	760	High school diploma or equivalent
Animal trainersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$30.27	$62,960	$41,910 to $107,830	720	High school diploma or equivalent
ElectriciansHigh school diploma or equivalent	$30.24	$62,900	$49,410 to $78,190	23,630	High school diploma or equivalent
Woodworkers, all otherHigh school diploma or equivalent	$30.16	$62,730	$57,600 to $67,540	40	High school diploma or equivalent
Postal service clerksNo formal educational credential	$30.10	$62,610	$56,740 to $71,860	1,980	No formal educational credential
Brokerage clerksHigh school diploma or equivalent	$30.08	$62,560	$56,720 to $75,840	750	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 Virginia median hourly wage is $30.00 or more. Medians include experienced workers; entry pay is lower. Read the full method.

All 121, sorted by hourly median

Other states

Sources and method