Michigan has had its ups and downs in terms of employment, typically correlated with the health of the auto industry. But the downturn in the economy a decade ago also left Michigan with a shortage of people in the areas like healthcare, technology, and the skilled trades. These professions represent some of the highest paid jobs in Michigan without having to get a 4-year degree. Given the high cost of college, kids in Michigan would be well served to look at job opportunities that don’t require as much school.
Michigan has a large number of trade schools and community colleges that offer just this kind of education. And while there are some of the best value colleges in the nation located in Michigan, many still can’t beat the affordable cost of these trade and vocational schools. That makes attending one of these schools great for new students, and older ones looking to go back to school.
Check out this article if you’re looking for a national list of high paying jobs that require little schooling.
Jobs Requiring an Associated Degree
While you may not want to spend 4 years in school, earning an associate’s degree can greatly increase your earnings potential. By spending just a couple years in school, you will open the door to some very high paying jobs found in Michigan. Many of these jobs pay even more than what you would expect after earning a full bachelor’s degree.
Related: Best Nursing Schools in Michigan
Funeral Service Managers
Job summary: Manage the daily activities and resources at a funeral home.
Average annual income: $113,190
National growth estimates: 5.2%
Top industries: Death Care Services
Learn more about training and experience requirements
Air Traffic Controllers
Job summary: Manage the movements of aircraft to ensure they maintain safe distances both on the air and ground.
Average annual income: $111,830
National growth estimates: 1.3%
Top industries: Transportation and material moving
Learn more about training and experience requirements
Radiation Therapists
Job summary: Use radiation as a means to treat cancer and other illnesses.
Average annual income: $79,720
National growth estimates: 8.5%
Top industries: Health and Wellness
Learn more about training and experience requirements
Related: High Paying Medical Jobs
Nuclear Medicine Technologists
Job summary: Prepare radioactive drugs and administer them to patients for imaging or therapeutic purposes.
Average annual income: $70,270
National growth estimates: 6.9%
Top industries: Health and Wellness
Learn more about training and experience requirements
Dental Hygienist
Job summary: The main job functions are to clean teeth and provide other preventative dental care along with the identification of any dental disease.
Average annual income: $64,130
National growth estimates: 10.8%
Top industries: Health and Wellness
Learn more about training and experience requirements
Related: Find a New Career at 40
Jobs Requiring a Postsecondary Non-degree Award
Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay
Job summary: Install, maintain, and repair electrical equipment in generating stations, substations, and in-service relays.
Average annual income: $87,550
National growth estimates: 1.7%
Top industries: Electric power generation, transmission, and distribution; Local government excluding schools and hospitals
Learn more about training and experience requirements
Related: Best Paying Technology Jobs
First-Line Supervisors of Fire Fighting and Prevention Workers
Job summary: Supervise the activities of workers engaged in fire fighting and fire prevention control.
Average annual income: $68,960
National growth estimates: 5.3%
Top industries: Local government excluding schools and hospitals; State government excluding schools and hospitals
Learn more about training and experience requirements
Fire Inspectors and Investigators
Job summary: Responsible for inspecting building and other structures to detect fire hazards and ensure they are up to local fire codes. Also assist in investigations to determine the cause of fires and explosions.
Average annual income: $59,740
National growth estimates: 5.5%
Top industries: Local government excluding schools and hospitals; State government excluding schools and hospitals
Learn more about training and experience requirements
Sound Engineering Technicians
Job summary: Operate machines and equipment to record, synchronize, mix, or reproduce music, voices, or sound effects in sporting arenas, theater productions, recording studios, or movie and video productions.
Average annual income: $65,540
National growth estimates: 1.6%
Top industries: Motion picture and video; Sound recording industries
Learn more about training and experience requirements
Related: High Paying Certificate Jobs
Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage
Job summary: Make appraisals on automobiles with damage to determine the amount of repair costs. In some cases may work to complete insurance information and/or repair shops to facilitate the repair.
Average annual income: $61,120
National growth estimates: 4.5%
Top industries: Insurance carriers; Agencies, brokerages, and other insurance related activities
Learn more about training and experience requirements
Highest Paid Jobs With a High School Diploma or Equivalent
While more education most often means higher paychecks, you can still make a great living if you have your high school degree. Many of these jobs also come with considerable training requirements, but the high pay makes it worthwhile. Whether it’s a formal apprenticeship program, or general work experience, these Michigan jobs pay the most to folk with a high school degree.
Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers
Job summary: Work with organization to direct transportation and storage activities in accordance with all policies, procedures and regulations.
Average annual income: $109,240
National growth estimates: 5.6%
Top industries: Truck transportation; Warehousing and storage
Learn more about training and experience requirements
Power Distributors and Dispatchers
Job summary: In charge of coordinating, regulating, or distributing electricity or steam.
Average annual income: $88,640
National growth estimates: -3.9
Top industries: Electric power generation, transmission and distribution; Local government, excluding schools and hospitals
Learn more about training and experience requirements
Elevator Installers and Repairers
Job summary: Installs and maintains electric and hydraulic elevators, escalators, or dumbwaiters.
Average annual income: $82,860
National growth estimates: 10.3%
Top industries: Building equipment contractors; Machinery, equipment, and supplies merchant wholesalers
Learn more about training and experience requirements
Detectives and Criminal Investigators
Job summary: Investigate crimes at the Federal, State, or local levels.
Average annual income: $86,580
National growth estimates: 2.5%
Top industries: Local government, excluding schools and hospitals; Federal executive branch
Learn more about training and experience requirements
Jobs With No Formal Education Requirement
If you didn’t finish high school and have no formal education, you might think the opportunities are limited. While the list of jobs grows significantly after graduating high school, there are still 92 jobs tracked by the Bureau of Labor and Statistics for Michigan that require no formal education. 40 of these jobs also earned over the national median income level of $31,786.
Source for all jobs data: Bureau of Labor and Statistics
Plasterers and Stucco Masons
Job summary: Apply interior and exterior plaster, cement, stucco, and similar materials
Average annual income: $53,030
National growth estimates 2018-2028: 1.3%
Top industries: Building finishing contractors; Foundation, structure, and building exterior contractors.
Learn more about training and experience requirements
Sailors and Marine Oilers
Job summary: There are multiple functions performed by someone with this job title including keeping a lookout, measuring water depth, and helping to steer the ship. There are also a number other maintenance tasks onboard that may be performed.
Average annual income: $53,450
National growth estimates: -2.6%
Top industries: Support activities for water transportation; Deep sea, coastal, and great lakes water transportation
Learn more about training and experience requirements
Tapers
Job summary: Help in the building process by sealing joints on certain surfaces like wallboard.
Average annual income: $53,590
National growth estimates: 1.7%
Top industries: Building and finishing contractors; Nonresidential building construction
Learn more about training and experience requirements
Service Unit Operators, Oil, Gas, and Mining
Job summary: Perform functions related to the production and maintenance of oil and gas wells, and mining operations.
Average annual income: $49,860
National growth estimates: 13.2%
Top industries: Support activities for mining; Oil and gas extraction
Learn more about training and experience requirements
Tile and Marble Setters
Job summary: Install tile and marble products of many different types on walls, ceilings and other areas.
Average annual income: $46,610
National growth estimates: 17.6%
Top industries: Building finishing contractors; Residential building construction
Average Salary by Education Level
While getting a degree is not necessary, it’s worth mentioning that the highest paid jobs in Michigan undoubtedly get more plentiful as the level of education increases. Every person should do an analysis to understand if the price of an education is worthwhile when looking at the job opportunities and their potential salaries.
The Bottom Line
Regardless of education level, there is opportunity in Michigan. The highest-paid jobs at every education level easily earn more than the median national income level.
They also give potential students and people changing careers many options based on their current financial situation. It can’t be stressed enough the importance of getting an education that makes sense based on future earnings potential. It’s not worth racking up massive debt for a job that will never allow you to efficiently pay it back.