How rare is a $100K salary?
Think six-figure salaries are only for Silicon Valley programmers or Wall Street sharks? Guess again. From managing fries to wrangling trash, you’d be shocked at how many “ordinary” jobs pay solid money. There’s no college required for the most part, and some don’t even need a high school diploma.
Ready to rethink your profession? Let’s dive in. Here’s a review of the 15 best jobs that pay $100K a year.
$100K jobs that don’t require a college degree
You don’t need a Bachelor’s degree to earn a six-figure salary. With just a high school diploma — or even less for some high-paying jobs — you can earn $100K-plus a year.
1. Doorman
“I’m a doorman for a luxury residential building in NYC. I make $110K to $120K a year. It’s the easiest and best job I’ve ever had.” (Source: Reddit)
Doormen in New York’s poshest buildings are living the dream: steady work, good benefits, and sky-high tips from wealthy residents during the holidays. With a base salary of $45,000-$57,000 and another $40,000+ in tips, six-figure doormen aren’t unusual.
Who knew you could be so well-compensated for holding doors, coordinating Amazon packages, and chatting up residents while hailing cabs?
2. Flight attendant
“After nearly 10 years, I’m close to $100K a year as a flight attendant. Seniority is everything.” (Source: Reddit)
Flight attendants aren’t known for making great money. For most major airlines, average salaries start at $30,000 -$50,000 a year — earnings that mean you’re sharing a pad with several roommates or couch-crashing at Mom and Dad’s.
But with overtime, seniority, bonuses, and flying choice routes, salaries can soar past $100K. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the highest-paid flight attendants are bringing home $104,000-plus a year — and that’s in addition to other perks like strong airline unions and free travel.
If you can handle jet lag and cranky passengers, and make it through your first five years or so to build seniority, it could be a very lucrative career.
3. Housekeeper for the wealthy
Cleaning up after rich people can pay off—literally. The ultra-wealthy often pay $100,000+ for butlers (household managers) and housekeepers who are part cleaner, part confidante, and part household manager. These roles require discretion, attention to detail, and sometimes cooking or other domestic tasks.
Elite housekeepers are often skilled at discreetly managing errands and organizing homes so they look Instagram-worthy.
Those working in high-cost-of-living areas like NYC or LA have solid earning potential, but pay is even better in Florida. There’s a major servant shortage in Palm Springs, Florida, with bidding wars among mansion owners. Many area housekeepers are earning $150K.
Related: To buy or not to buy? Surprising things to consider when deciding to buy or rent.
4. McDonald’s Manager
Yes, you read that right. Running a busy McDonald’s can earn you six figures, especially in big cities. According to salary data on Indeed, the fast-food giant pays managers an average of $51,812 annually which is solid money for no four-year degree. Top-performing managers in high-volume locations report salaries as high as $131,000.
Additional data from The Ladders reveals some McDonald’s managers’ annual salaries exceed $200K when factoring in bonuses, commissions, profit sharing, and stock options.
Managing a fast-food restaurant requires stamina, organizational skills, and patience, but the rewards can be huge, particularly for those who stick around.
5. Freelance Writer
Freelancing isn’t just for starving artists. Skilled writers in fields like SEO, copywriting, and technical documentation can charge premium rates. Most freelance writers can earn $15 to $150+ per hour, depending on skill level, client industry, and location.
According to PayScale, the median annual wage for a freelance writer in the U.S. is $27.25 per hour and the top 10% of earners make around $110K.
As someone who works as a full-time freelance writer, I think the PayScale figures are a bit low. I know many full-time writers — with agency or B2B clients — who earn $200K+ a year.
To get started as a freelance writer, do need to be able to write and communicate ideas effectively for your clients. Find high-paying niches, consistently deliver quality, and market yourself like a boss. Experience in journalism or marketing can be very helpful as freelance writing can be a challenging field to break into.
Tip: While you can do it all from your couch, if you’re serious about this career path, you’ll likely want a dedicated office space where you can advise clients and organize your work.
6. Traffic Striper
Ever noticed those perfect road lines? They don’t happen by accident and they require lots of upkeep. According to one Reddit user, traffic stripers (yes, that’s a profession) can earn $110,000-$180,000 a year depending on location (they’re based in the Pacific Northwest) and overtime.
Wages reported on salary boards are around $22-$40 an hour, however, these are for non-union company jobs and not municipal employment as the traffic striper on Reddit reported. And even at $40 an hour, that’s still equivalent to $83,200 a year. Not too shabby, right?
7. Software Developer
Forget college. Coding bootcamps like General Assembly and Flatiron School are launching graduates into six-figure jobs with just a few months of training. Entry-level software developers earn $85K-$110K annually — and it only goes up from there.
According to the BLS, the median annual salary for all software developers is $132,270, with top earners making $208K+.
While hiring in the tech field has slowed in the past couple of years (after companies went on an over-hiring spree during COVID-19), the tech field is booming.
8. Solid Waste Manager
If you can stomach managing trash, you can cash in a big paycheck according to Yahoo! Finance. The garbage industry is hard work that no one wants. Solid waste removal managers earn $100K+ annually overseeing garbage removal, recycling operations, and environmental compliance.
Who knew there was that much money in trash?
9. Union Firefighter
In large cities, firefighters can earn $100K+ annually, especially with overtime. Often these are union jobs that come with excellent benefits, including pensions, making it a coveted role for those willing to risk their lives and respond to emergencies.
Salary will vary greatly by location. In Minneapolis, Minn., firefighters earn an average annual salary of $91,551. Top earners make over $143,000.
10. Casino Manager
Casino managers in major gaming hubs can earn up to $100K-$150K annually according to salary research by Career Karma. Similarly, BLS data shows average annual earnings for gambling managers at $82,380.
Being a casino manager isn’t all glitz and glam. It requires overseeing intricate operations across many departments, resolving disputes, keeping high rollers happy, and being able to “handle” people.
11. Elite Dog Walker
Yes, walking dogs can make you rich — if you cater to the wealthy. Elite dog walkers in NYC or LA earn $100K or more annually. Offering premium services like pet training, overnight stays, or pet concierge can help inch those figures upward.
Target clients in wealthy areas for the most lucrative gigs. To maximize reach, build simple websites, post your services on social media, join associations, and ask for word-of-mouth referrals.
With white-collar workers increasingly being hit with return-to-office orders, demand for dog walkers will continue to rise.
12. Vending Machine Operator
Take a page from Marcus Gram’s playbook. Gram turned a $17-per-hour managerial job into a $300,000 annual vending machine business by identifying a profitable side hustle with low overhead. Starting with an initial investment of $4,500 and two machines in 2018, Marcus expanded Joyner Vending to 21 machines across several cities, including Philadelphia and Detroit, while working just four hours a week.
Stocking his machines with popular snacks like Coca-Cola and Doritos, Gram’s machines see a 50% profit margin and show how a low-cost, scalable side hustle can generate six figures.
13. Home Mover
People hate moving. And when they can no longer ply their friend with beer and pizza, they shell out for moving services.
For movers, it can be a lucrative job. Helping others with this dreaded chore may even catapult you into six-figure earnings. Gig apps like TaskRabbit connect movers with high-paying clients who need a hand, and the best movers can clear $100K-plus annually.
14. Nanny
Think babysitting is just a teenage side hustle? Think again. Babysitting itself is good money these days (teen sitters in my city earn $20 an hour), but elite nannies working full-time for wealthy families can rake in serious cash. Many earn upwards of $100K annually, with top-tier salaries reaching $200,000-plus.
These high-paying gigs often require more than just childcare. Think of nannies as part teacher, part event planner, and part household manager. Some even travel with families abroad, or tutor kids in multiple languages.
15. Server
Waiting tables might not sound like a six-figure career, but in high-end restaurants in cities like New York, it can absolutely pay that much. Top-tier servers can make $100,000 or more annually, combining a base salary with hefty tips from diners dropping hundreds — or even thousands — on a single meal.
To reach this level, you’ll need polished people skills, knowledge of fine dining and wines, and the ability to navigate high-pressure environments. Landing a job at a Michelin-starred restaurant or an exclusive private club can make all the difference. For the best in the business, it’s not just serving food — it’s creating a luxury experience worth tipping for.
How many Americans make six figures?
Only 18% of Americans make $100,000 or more annually, according to a recent salary survey. For context, that’s fewer than 1 in 5 workers.
Most of these jobs, predictably, are in health care, tech, and banking. But other non-college jobs can get you there too. In addition to the jobs we’ve outlined on our list with no education requirements, here are other surprising six-figure careers:
- Sales manager or commissioned sales jobs
- Human resources manager
- Teacher
- Police officer
- Air traffic controller
Typically, substantial training is required and your starting salary may fall well below $100K. But usually, the potential is there to break six figures within the first 10 years.
Marketing manager is another lucrative career path to consider. While employers typically require a bachelor’s or master’s degree for this role, 10% of all marketing managers have a two-year degree or marketing certificate.
Bottom line
Six-figure salaries aren’t just for the ultra-elite. You don’t need a master’s degree or med school to join the $100K club. Whether you’re painting highways or scooping fries, there are surprising ways to tip the pay scale to your advantage — if you’re willing to get creative.
And if you’re looking for a side gig to top up your regular ‘9 to 5,’ check out these 50 best remote side hustles.
