"Average Annual Salary of 170 Million KRW"...This Job in the U.S. Gains Attention Even for High School Graduates

Jobs Paying Over 100 Million KRW Without a College Degree
Air Traffic Controller and Nuclear Power Reactor Operator Among Top Earners

In the United States, jobs that offer annual salaries exceeding 100 million KRW (approximately $74,000) without requiring a college diploma are drawing attention.

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On May 22 (local time), U.S. business magazine Business Insider reported, based on data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), a ranking of occupations that require only an associate degree, a high school diploma or equivalent, non-degree certificate programs, or no formal educational credentials, according to their median annual salaries.

The occupation with the highest median salary was air traffic controller, who supervises flights at airports. The median annual salary for air traffic controllers was found to be $144,580 (about 200 million KRW). This job is open to those who have obtained an associate degree from a two-year college.

Control Tower. Paxels

The second highest-paying job was commercial pilot, with a median annual salary of $122,670 (about 170 million KRW). To become a commercial pilot, one must obtain a commercial pilot's license after completing higher education.

Nuclear power reactor operator, with a median annual salary of $122,610 (about 170 million KRW), was also identified as a high-paying job. Nuclear power reactor operators are required to have a high school diploma or an equivalent certificate.

In addition, power plant operator ($99,670, about 137 million KRW) and dental hygienist ($94,260, about 130 million KRW) were also found to be high-paying jobs that do not require a bachelor's degree.

Meanwhile, according to the BLS, last year the median weekly earnings for high school graduates (who did not attend college) were $946 (1.29 million KRW), translating to an estimated annual income of $49,192 (about 67.16 million KRW). For those with a bachelor's degree, the median weekly earnings were $1,533 (2.1 million KRW), with an estimated annual income of $79,716 (about 108.82 million KRW).