It has long been put into everyone’s heads from a young age that if you want to get a good job, you need to go to college. But as tuition costs have continued to rise and people with degrees have seen an increased struggle to find good-paying work, many now wonder if that notion still holds water.

If you have wondered if you really need a college education to have a good career, Stacker found some of the best jobs in Philadelphia that don’t require a higher degree. Here are the top-paying jobs of the bunch that you can get with just a high school diploma.

Power Distributors

These workers supply electricity to buildings to power all sorts of devices and functions. In Philadelphia, they typically make around $96,000.

Detectives

If you have a passion for helping to solve crimes and bringing justice to the area, you can earn in the vicinity of $99,000 a year as a detective.

First-line Supervisors of Sales Workers

If you work in sales, you can work your way up to managerial and supervisory positions without needing a higher degree. The pay is often just over $99,000.

Gambling Managers

Casinos deal in big money and need diligent managers to ensure that nobody is cheating. This is another job that pays just over $99,000.

Real Estate Brokers

One of the big draws of getting into real estate is that you can earn your real estate license from home by completing the set number of hours of coursework on your own. The pay is generally around $107,000.

Nuclear Power Reactor Operators

Despite people’s concerns, nuclear power is actually one of the cleanest and most reliable forms of energy. Working in this energy source of the future can earn you over $111,000.

First-line Supervisors of Police

Getting into the police force does not require a formal education. And after working your way up the ranks, you could earn over $111,000 as a supervisor.

Commercial Pilots

You would need to have a pilot’s license, but you can accomplish that without a university education if you want to be a pilot and earn around $118,000.

Distribution Managers

The storage and transportation of all manner of goods is a crucial job in Philadelphia, as evidenced by the typical salary exceeding $120,000.

As you can see, you can get find some really good-paying local work without having to spend thousands of dollars earning a degree.

For the full list of the 50 best-paying jobs in Philadelphia that do not require a college education, read the Stacker article here.

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Investment councilor Mark Tilbury shares the highest paid jobs you can learn without going to college and getting a degree.

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Montgomery County Community College, the sponsor of MONTCO.Today’s Career Corner offers more than 100 associate’s degree and certificate programs at the college’s Blue Bell, Pottstown, The Culinary Arts Institute in Lansdale campuses, and online.

Funded by Montgomery County, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and student tuition, Montgomery County Community college offers a high-quality, affordable, accessible education that leads to relevant, rewarding transfer and career opportunities.

Take advantage of all the College has to offer — from challenging educational and professional development opportunities to stimulating activities and cultural programs. Their doors are always open.

Learn more about the College’s degrees and programs or plan an in-person visit to get a firsthand look at the College’s state-of-the-art facilities and friendly campus life. 

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