Just realized something worth talking about - college debt is crushing people right now, but there's actually a bunch of solid career paths that pay really well without needing a degree. Like, genuinely six-figure money.

I was looking at some recent data and elevator installers are making over $102k median, which is wild. You need a high school diploma, a four-year apprenticeship, and state certification, but that's it. No six-figure student loans hanging over your head.

Then there's the whole logistics and supply chain side. Transportation and distribution managers are pulling in around $99k, and honestly, if you're organized and have some experience moving goods around, this is a legitimate path. Getting certifications like CSCP or Lean Six Sigma actually moves the needle here.

Power line installers hit $85k, train engineers around $73-74k, aircraft mechanics $75k. These aren't jobs you just stumble into - they require real training, apprenticeships, sometimes FAA certifications - but the point is you can get that training without drowning in college debt.

Even the weirder ones work. Flight attendants make $68k plus free travel. Detectives and criminal investigators around $75k. Professional athletes in minor leagues still earn $70k+. Sales reps in manufacturing around $73k if you're good at talking to people.

The pattern I'm noticing is that jobs that pay well without degree tend to fall into a few buckets: trades (electrical, elevators, aircraft maintenance), logistics/operations, transportation, and specialized technical roles. They all require some form of structured training or apprenticeship, but the ROI is way better than traditional college.

Construction inspectors, building inspectors, train engineers - they all want high school plus either experience or specific certifications. It's actually a smarter financial move for a lot of people than the college route.

The real takeaway? If you're looking for jobs that pay well without degree, stop thinking college is the only path. Apprenticeships, technical certifications, and on-the-job training can get you to six figures without the debt trap. Worth considering if the traditional education route isn't clicking for you.