Easiest High-Paying Jobs in the US: Realistic Options for 2026
Air traffic controllers lead as the top no-degree job at a median $144,580 (BLS Air Traffic Controllers), balancing high pay with structured training instead of years in college. Remote admin roles and bookkeeping work well for entry-level seekers, often starting with basic skills and paying into six figures remotely (FlexJobs 2026). Low-stress actuaries hit $125k with analytical work under 35 hours weekly (BLS Actuaries).
We're targeting US job seekers aged 20-45--entry-level workers, career changers without degrees, and anyone wanting remote or flexible low-effort paths to $100k+. These 8 roles focus on accessibility, backed by BLS and industry reports. Skip high-responsibility shifts like air traffic control if you prefer steady 9-5 hours.
Top Entry-Level High Salary Jobs No Experience Needed
The easiest starters combine minimal barriers with solid pay: air traffic controllers ($144,580 median, BLS via Visual Capitalist 2025), commercial pilots ($122k after certs, Tallo 2025), and remote admin or bookkeeping open to beginners (FlexJobs 2026). Driving instructors earn around $70k equivalent (30 hours/week at £1,110, ThisIsMoney 2025--UK data; US equiv ~$70k via similar certs, adapt locally). Construction managers reach $80-100k through on-site experience (historical data, Resume.io 2023).
Ranked by how easy they are to access:
- Remote Admin/Bookkeeping: No experience required; math and Excel skills get you in. Start with platforms like FlexJobs.
- Driving Instructor: Get certified after theory and driving tests; work flexible 30-hour weeks.
- Air Traffic Controller: FAA training program, no degree needed.
- Commercial Pilot: FAA certs, no college required.
- Construction Manager: Start as a laborer, build experience over time.
Real example: London Underground drivers report easy work at £65k (Guardian reader claim, 2023--union protections similar in US transit). Avoid pilots if training intensity or irregular flights don't fit your lifestyle.
Best Paying Low-Stress Jobs USA (Under 35 Hours)
Part-time roles under 35 hours appeal to 27.47 million US workers (BLS Part-Time Data via UoPeople 2024). Actuaries top out at $125,770 with low client stress, using models for risk assessment (Forbes 2026). Astronomers reach $132k studying data on their own (same source). Computer systems analysts earn $103k consulting on software with minimal daily pressure.
These fit low-stress seekers well: actuaries rely on stats instead of people-facing tasks, which means better work-life balance. Reader stories like £65k drivers contrast with structured analytics--choose trades for unions or data roles for predictability (Guardian 2023). Qualifications like a bachelor's are often needed, but trades let you skip degrees.
Remote Easy High Paying Jobs and Work-from-Home Six-Figure Paths
Picture yourself handling emails and schedules from your home office: Remote admin pros need no experience, just strong organization, paying solid rates with growth to six figures (FlexJobs 2026). Bookkeeping adds basic Excel or QuickBooks for higher earnings. UK trends show social media and SEO at £35-60k (~$45-78k USD equiv), with expected US parallels for 2026 based on 2025 data (ApexLearning 2025).
Checklist to start:
- Build skills: Free Excel certs or QuickBooks training.
- Platforms: FlexJobs for vetted listings.
- Freelance: Build a portfolio via Upwork, target small businesses (30M US, Tallo 2025).
If tech feels overwhelming, go for in-person work like driving instead of remote analytics.
High Paying Jobs Least Hours vs. Passive Income Careers
Ever wanted to clock out early while cash keeps rolling in? Short-hour gigs like driving instructors (30 hours at £1,110/week, ThisIsMoney 2025--UK data; US equiv ~$70k via similar certs, adapt locally) offer flexibility but variable shifts. Elevator mechanics hit $100k+ with OT (Forbes via 2026). Passive options like P2P lending require setup and vetting borrowers--it's not fully effortless, and market risks exist (Bankrate 2025).
| Aspect | Least Hours (e.g., Driving Instructor) | Passive (e.g., P2P Lending) |
|---|---|---|
| Pros | Flex shifts, quick cert entry | Hands-off after setup |
| Cons | Variable income, on-road | Risks, initial effort |
| Pay | ~$70k equiv (30hr/wk) | Varies, not guaranteed |
Freelance can scale to £100k after several years (Guardian 2023).
Lucrative Low Skill High Wage Jobs: Trade-Offs and Realities
No hype here: Six-figure no-degree odds are 1-in-10 (Forbes 2026). Real estate brokers hit $100k+ with experience (Tallo 2025); personal trainers make £20-60k post-cert (NCC 2025, UK trends). Many need certifications like FAA for pilots--not zero skill. Location matters: urban areas boost pay.
Trade-offs: High pay often means shifts or overtime; your results will vary based on hustle.
Evidence Pack
| Job | Pay (Median USD, Source/Year) | Hours/Ease | Entry Steps | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Traffic Ctrl | $144k (Visual 2025) | Med (shifts) | FAA training, no degree | Structured high-pay |
| Actuary | $125k (Forbes 2026) | Low (<35hr) | Bachelor's (often) | Low-stress analytics |
| Remote Bookkeeper | $50-80k+ (FlexJobs 2026) | Low (remote) | Excel/QuickBooks | WFH beginners |
| Commercial Pilot | $122k (Tallo 2025) | Med (flights) | FAA certs | Adventure seekers |
| Driving Instructor | ~$70k equiv (ThisIsMoney 2025) | Low (30hr/wk) | Theory/driving tests | Flexible part-time |
| Computer Analyst | $103k (Forbes 2026) | Low | Bachelor's (often) | Tech consulting |
| Admin Virtual Asst | $40-70k (FlexJobs 2026) | Low (remote) | Typing/comms skills | Entry-level remote |
| Real Estate Broker | $100k+ (Tallo 2025) | Med (commissions) | License, experience | Sales-oriented |
Job growth: Actuaries 22% (2024-2034, Forbes 2026); others no data.
Steps to Land Easy 100k+ Jobs Minimal Effort
Focus on the top 3: air traffic (FAA academy), remote admin (FlexJobs), trades (apprenticeships).
- Get certified: FAA for pilots and controllers (Tallo 2025); Excel for bookkeeping.
- Apply through platforms: FlexJobs for remote work.
- Network: Target the 30M small US businesses (Tallo 2025).
FAQ
Is air traffic control truly an easy high-paying job?
Yes, it tops no-degree jobs at $144k median (Visual Capitalist 2025), but you'll need FAA training and shift work--not ideal if you want routine hours.
Can I get remote high-pay jobs with no experience?
Yes, admin and bookkeeping roles through remote job boards offer paid training for typing and Excel.
What are low-stress six-figure careers US?
Actuaries at $125k and computer analysts at $103k, using models with low daily stress (Forbes 2026).
Do passive income jobs pay 100k+ effortlessly?
No, P2P lending needs borrower vetting and carries risks--it's not fully passive (Bankrate 2025).
Jobs paying 100k no degree realistic?
Possible in trades or as pilots with certs, but 1-in-10 odds overall (Forbes 2026).
Use this: Can you handle shifts? Do you prefer remote? Got basic tech skills? Match yourself to the top roles.
Next steps: Search remote job boards for admin listings today. Check the FAA site for air traffic training eligibility tomorrow.