Jobs that pay well without a degree in Guam
18 careers in Guam with a median above $40,000 a year that need no college degree — 8 of them pay over $50,000. Figures are from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
What counts as "no degree"
Every role below can be entered without a college degree. Some still need a licence or certification — a CDL, an EPA card, a state exam — which usually takes weeks or months rather than years, and is often paid for by the employer. Those are marked.
Roles requiring an associate or bachelor's degree are deliberately excluded, even where the pay would make the list look better. Nursing, dental hygiene, sonography and radiography all pay well and none of them belong on a page like this.
Ranked by median pay in Guam
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1
Police Officer $62,130/yr $29.87/hr
Police officers and sheriff's deputies patrol communities, respond to calls and investigate incidents. Entry is through a paid academy rather than a degree.
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2
Bus Driver $59,050/yr $28.39/hr
Bus drivers transport passengers on school, transit or charter routes. It requires a commercial licence with passenger endorsement, and school routes in particular suit people wanting split shifts.
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3
Crane Operator $58,140/yr $27.95/hr
Crane operators lift and place loads on construction and industrial sites. Certification is mandatory, the responsibility is significant, and the pay reflects both.
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4
Production Supervisor $57,440/yr $27.62/hr
Production supervisors run a manufacturing shift — the people, the output and the safety of both. Usually promoted from the floor.
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5
Mail Carrier $56,080/yr $26.96/hr
Mail carriers deliver post on foot and by vehicle along a fixed route. Federal postal roles carry benefits that are unusual for work with no degree requirement.
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6
Diesel Mechanic $51,720/yr $24.87/hr
Diesel mechanics maintain and repair trucks, buses and heavy equipment. Pay runs well above general automotive work and the skills are in short supply.
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7
Construction Supervisor $51,370/yr $24.70/hr
Construction supervisors and foremen run crews on site — sequencing work, keeping to programme and owning site safety. Promoted from the tools.
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8
Phlebotomist $50,920/yr $24.48/hr
Phlebotomists draw blood for testing, donation and research. Training is short — often a few months — making it one of the quicker clinical roles to enter.
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9
Restaurant Manager $44,770/yr $21.52/hr
Restaurant managers run the whole operation — staffing, cost control, service standards and compliance. It is the first salaried role in most food service careers.
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10
Quality Inspector $44,160/yr $21.23/hr
Quality inspectors check that products meet specification, using measurement tools and documented procedures. A common step up from production line work.
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11
Machine Operator $43,220/yr $20.78/hr
Machine operators run packaging, filling and production machinery — setting it up, keeping it running and fixing minor faults.
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12
Electrician $43,020/yr $20.68/hr
Electricians install, maintain and repair electrical systems in homes, businesses and industrial sites. It is licensed work reached through a paid apprenticeship rather than college debt.
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13
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) $42,870/yr $20.61/hr
Licensed practical nurses provide hands-on nursing care under the direction of RNs and physicians, most often in long-term care, clinics and home health. Training is around a year.
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14
School Bus Driver $41,720/yr $20.06/hr
School bus drivers transport students on fixed routes. Split shifts and the school calendar define the job, and districts will usually pay for your licence.
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15
Welder $40,600/yr $19.52/hr
Welders join metal components across construction, manufacturing, shipbuilding and pipeline work. Pay varies enormously by process, certification and whether the work involves travel.
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16
Dental Assistant $40,280/yr $19.37/hr
Dental assistants support dentists chairside, prepare instruments and manage patient flow. Requirements vary widely by state, and some allow on-the-job training.
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17
HVAC Technician $40,110/yr $19.28/hr
HVAC technicians install and service heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration systems. Work is seasonal in pattern but year-round in volume, and EPA certification is mandatory for refrigerants.
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18
Production Worker $40,110/yr $19.28/hr
Production workers operate machinery and assemble products on manufacturing lines. It is a common entry point into manufacturing with clear internal progression.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — Guam. Annual medians; hourly equivalents use 2,080 hours a year. Roles marked National figure had no separate Guam estimate, so the national median is shown rather than nothing.
Other states
Pay figures are estimates for guidance only, not an offer or guarantee. Education and licensing requirements vary by state and employer — check your own state's rules before committing to a training programme. Figures are from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.