Here are 20 of the top-paying jobs that don't require a degree according to Shatkin's book:
Air traffic controller Annual income: $102,030
Storage and distribution manager Annual income: $66,600
Transportation manager Annual income: $66,600
Police and detectives supervisor Annual income: $64,430
Non-retail sales manager Annual income: $59,300
Forest fire fighting and prevention supervisor Annual income: $58,920
Municipal fire fighting and prevention supervisor Annual income: $58,902
Real estate broker Annual income: $58,720
Elevator installers and repairer Annual income: $58,710
Sales representative Annual income: $58,580
Dental hygienist Annual income: $58,350
Radiation therapist Annual income: $57,700
Nuclear medicine technologist Annual income: $56,450
Child support, missing persons and unemployment insurance fraud investigator Annual income: $53,900
Criminal investigators and special agent Annual income: $53,990
Immigration and Customs inspector Annual income: $53,990
Police detective Annual Income: $53,990
Police identification and records officer Annual income: $53,990
Commercial pilot Annual income: $53,870
Talent director Annual income: $52,840

Highest-demand, competitive-paying jobs Competitive paying jobs for which there is high demand for workers include:
Vocational education teachers at the post secondary level, with annual earnings of $40,740 and 216,000 openings each year;
Registered nurses, with annual earnings of $52,330 and 215,000 openings each year;
Wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives, with annual earnings of $45,400 and 160,000 openings annually; and
Tractor trailer/truck drivers, with annual earnings of $33,520 and 300,000 annual openings.