The top paying jobs in Indiana without a degree include transportation managers ($96,000), commercial pilots without airline certification ($94,000), and power plant operators ($83,000). Other high-paying roles include elevator installers, mail superintendents, and gaming managers. Most require on-the-job training or certifications, not a college degree.
Introduction: High-Paying Careers Without a College Degree
Many high-paying jobs in Indiana don’t require a four-year college degree. Workers with a high school diploma and some training or certification can earn $60,000 to $90,000+ in fields like transportation, construction, logistics, and energy.
These careers are accessible to today’s high school students, career switchers, or parents looking for better pay without going back to college. Many positions require only on-the-job training, an apprenticeship, or a postsecondary nondegree award from a technical school.
These roles support career development, provide job security, and reduce the debt burden often associated with a college education or bachelor’s degree. Students and guidance counselors can use this list to explore students’ future careers outside of traditional academic paths.
Why Indiana Is a Top State for Non-Degree Jobs
Indiana ranks among the top states for skilled trades and industrial jobs with strong wages. The Indianapolis metro area, Fort Wayne, South Bend, and Evansville offer thousands of roles in manufacturing, construction, transportation, and logistics—industries that typically do not require a college degree.
Key sectors driving demand include manufacturing and assembly plants, freight and logistics hubs, utilities and system operations, and law enforcement and emergency services.
With more employers valuing skills over formal education requirements, Indiana supports career advancement through training, certifications, and real-world experience, not degrees.
Skilled Trades with High Pay and Demand
Many of Indiana’s highest paying jobs without a degree are in the construction trades and mechanical services.
These roles offer competitive wages, apprenticeship training, and long-term job security.
Top examples include:
- Electricians – $61,490 (Apprenticeship required)
- Plumbers and Pipefitters – $72,800 (Apprenticeship required)
- Millwrights – $65,010 (High school diploma)
- Insulation Workers (Mechanical) – $74,390
- Elevator and Escalator Installers – Often earn $80,000+
These jobs involve working with technical systems, air conditioning, electrical components, and structural iron. Apprenticeships allow entry from entry-level positions, even without prior experience.
Transportation and Logistics Careers
Indiana’s central location makes it a logistics powerhouse. Jobs in this sector often pay well and require only a high school diploma or certification.
High-paying transportation jobs include:
- Transportation Managers – $96,000
- Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors – $61,740
- Truck Drivers (CDL) – $55,000 to $80,000 depending on route
- First-Line Supervisors of Transportation Workers – $59,180
These roles may involve supervising material moving teams, managing shipping schedules, or operating heavy machinery. Many offer clear career paths, including roles in plant and system operators, gas plant operators, and operating engineers.
Healthcare Support Roles Without a Degree
The healthcare sector offers well-paying roles with short training periods. These jobs are ideal for those interested in social services, patient care, or working in medical settings—without needing a college credit or degree conferred.
Top healthcare support jobs in Indiana include:
- Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) – $59,080 (License required)
- Hearing Aid Specialists – $64,050
- Medical Assistants – $35,000 to $50,000
- Phlebotomists – $38,000 to $48,000
- Firefighting and Prevention Workers – $61,110 (Training required)
All of these positions require technical knowledge, clear communication, and hands-on training—not a college degree. They support doctors and patients across clinics, hospitals, and nursing homes.
Technology and Remote Work Options
Some high-paying jobs without degrees are available in tech, data, and remote services. These roles require digital skills, not formal education.
Remote or flexible job examples include:
- Data Entry Specialists – $30,000 to $55,000
- Account Managers – Up to $70,000 with experience
- Finance Clerks – $35,000 to $50,000
- Customer Service Supervisors – $55,000+
- Insurance Sales Agents – $61,840
These jobs support businesses, services, and administrative support workers. Many of them offer advancement opportunities into executive administrative assistants, non-retail sales workers, or sales representatives for technical and scientific products.
Remote-friendly fields include insurance, IT support, and administrative roles.
How to Start: Training, Certifications, and Career Resources
Indiana offers dozens of programs for adults and high school graduates to enter high-paying careers without a degree.
Key resources include:
- Apprenticeships.gov – Find trade apprenticeships across Indiana
- Ivy Tech Community College – Offers fast-track certifications
- Job Corps Indiana – For ages 16 to 24; free education and career training
- Indiana Career Explorer – Career guidance tools for students and adults
- CareerOneStop – Federal database of training programs
Certifications help qualify for roles like claims adjusters, criminal investigators, electronics repairers, or executive secretaries—none of which require a bachelor’s degree.
Students, family members, and teachers can use these tools to guide students’ future careers.
Top Paying Jobs in Indiana Without a Degree
| Job Title | Median Annual Wage | Typical Education Required | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Insulation Workers, Mechanical | $74,390 | High school diploma or equivalent | Apprenticeship often required |
| Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officers | $73,320 | High school diploma or equivalent | Moderate-term on-the-job training |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $72,800 | High school diploma or equivalent | Apprenticeship required |
| First-line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers | $72,570 | High school diploma or equivalent | No degree, supervisory experience helpful |
| Gambling Surveillance Officers and Investigators | $71,990 | High school diploma or equivalent | Moderate-term on-the-job training |
| Lodging Managers | $71,860 | High school diploma or equivalent | No degree, experience in hospitality helpful |
| First-line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $67,780 | High school diploma or equivalent | Supervisory experience preferred |
| Millwrights | $65,010 | High school diploma or equivalent | Apprenticeship required |
| Sales Representatives (Wholesale/Manufacturing) | $64,570 | High school diploma or equivalent | On-the-job training |
| Hearing Aid Specialists | $64,050 | High school diploma or equivalent | Moderate-term on-the-job training |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $63,940 | High school diploma or equivalent | Moderate-term on-the-job training |
| Sales Reps (Services, excl. insurance/finance/advertising) | $62,040 | High school diploma or equivalent | Moderate-term on-the-job training |
| Insurance Sales Agents | $61,840 | High school diploma or equivalent | Moderate-term on-the-job training |
| Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $61,740 | High school diploma or equivalent | On-the-job training |
| Electricians | $61,490 | High school diploma or equivalent | Apprenticeship required |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $61,400 | High school diploma or equivalent | Long-term on-the-job training |
| Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians | $61,280 | Postsecondary nondegree award | Technical training |
| Firefighters | $61,110 | Postsecondary nondegree award | Long-term on-the-job training |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanics | $61,030 | High school diploma or equivalent | Long-term on-the-job training |
| Food Service Managers | $60,670 | High school diploma or equivalent | Short-term on-the-job training |
| Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics | $60,590 | High school diploma or equivalent | Long-term on-the-job training |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $59,190 | High school diploma or equivalent | Long-term on-the-job training |
| First-line Supervisors of Transportation & Material Moving | $59,180 | High school diploma or equivalent | Supervisory experience helpful |
| Licensed Practical and Vocational Nurses | $59,080 | Postsecondary nondegree award | State license required |
| Tool and Die Makers | $58,630 | Postsecondary nondegree award | Long-term on-the-job training |
Common Questions
Below are common questions we get asked about this topic.
Are there high-paying jobs in Indiana without a degree that offer remote or flexible work options?
Yes. Jobs like Account Manager, Data Entry Specialist, and Finance Clerk offer remote or hybrid work with pay ranging from $30,000 to $55,000+. While not the highest-paying jobs, they provide flexibility and career growth.
What are the fastest-growing high-paying jobs in Indiana that don’t require a degree but do require certifications or apprenticeships?
Electricians, plumbers, millwrights, and insulation workers are in high demand. These careers pay $60,000–$75,000 and only require a state license or apprenticeship, not a four-year college education.
Can someone transition into these high-paying roles from unrelated fields, and what is the typical pathway?
Yes. Workers from retail, food service, or office roles can move into trades or supervisory jobs through entry-level positions, on-the-job training, or apprenticeships. Fields like sales, insurance, and logistics often offer training while working.
Final Takeaway
You don’t need a college degree to earn a high income in Indiana. Jobs in transportation, construction trades, logistics, sales, and healthcare support provide great wages and strong career paths. Most require a high school diploma, training, and certification—not years of college or thousands in student debt.
Whether you’re a student, a career changer, or someone ready to earn more, Indiana’s job market can work wonders without a degree.
