“Secret” Careers: High-Paying Jobs Almost No One Knows About. You may think that all high-paying jobs require years of education or are saturated with competition—but that’s not always the case. Across the country, there are industries quietly offering salaries well above the national average, yet they go unnoticed by most job seekers.
If you’re searching for a new path or a career change, these lesser-known roles could be the key to your next big opportunity.
Let’s dive straight into the hidden corners of the job market where demand is high, salaries are strong, and surprisingly few people are applying.
Power Plant Operators – Big Pay Without a College Degree
Power plant operators are responsible for controlling, monitoring, and maintaining the machinery that generates electricity. Despite its critical role in modern life, it’s a job that few outside the industry even consider.
- Average Salary: $95,000+ per year
- Top Earners: Over $120,000
- Education Needed: High school diploma or GED
- Training: Typically through long-term on-the-job training and technical instruction
Where to Find Openings
Most job postings are not aggressively advertised but are listed on industry-specific platforms or local government websites. A good place to start is the USAJobs federal portal, especially if you’re open to working in energy-focused states like Texas, Pennsylvania, or Illinois.
How to Stand Out as a Candidate
- Apply for entry-level roles in utility companies or energy firms
- Gain certifications such as NERC System Operator Certification
- Take online courses in mechanical or electrical systems to boost your resume
- Focus your search on rural or industrial towns, where demand is higher
Court Reporters – Quiet Work, High Income
What Makes This Job So Attractive?
Court reporters, also called stenographers, create word-for-word transcripts of legal proceedings, speeches, and meetings. While it doesn’t sound flashy, it’s an in-demand career that offers flexibility, stability, and excellent income.
- Average Salary: $70,000 to $90,000
- Freelance Opportunities: Some earn six figures, especially in busy metro areas
- Education Needed: Postsecondary non-degree award or certification
- Work Style: Remote options, freelance contracts, and court-employed positions
Where to Apply
Many vacancies appear on legal support job boards or specialized websites. Additionally, local courts often list job openings directly on their websites.
How to Get Certified and Hired
- Enroll in a court reporting program (9–24 months)
- Pass the state or national certification exam (RPR or state equivalent)
- Build a portfolio by taking transcription gigs on platforms like Verbit or Rev
- Network with legal professionals
Wind Turbine Technicians – Climbing to the Top (Literally and Financially)
With the push for clean energy, wind turbine technicians are becoming vital. It’s physically demanding, requires comfort with heights, but pays very well and is growing rapidly in demand.
- Average Salary: $56,000 to $75,000
- Fastest-Growing Job: Expected 44% growth through 2031 (U.S. BLS)
- Education Needed: Technical certificate or associate degree
- Perks: Travel opportunities, outdoor work, strong job security
Where to Look for Jobs
Many clean energy employers post positions on niche platforms. Start with Energy Jobline or companies like Siemens Gamesa and NextEra Energy, which regularly hire technicians for wind farms across the country.
Getting Qualified Without a Degree
- Complete a wind energy technology program (6–12 months)
- Get certified through programs
- Apply to apprenticeships through local unions or vocational schools
- Use military or veteran programs if applicable.
Radiation Therapists – High Salary in Health Without Medical School
The Overlooked Healthcare Career
Radiation therapists work closely with oncology teams to administer radiation treatments to cancer patients. Despite being part of the medical field, this role doesn’t require a full medical degree, yet offers outstanding pay and career longevity.
- Average Salary: $86,000 per year
- Top Earners: Over $110,000
- Education Needed: Associate’s degree in radiation therapy
- Work Settings: Hospitals, cancer treatment centers, outpatient clinics
Where to Find Open Positions
These roles are typically listed in health-specific portals like Health eCareers or directly through large hospital networks.
Tips to Secure This High-Earning Role
- Enroll in an accredited radiation therapy program
- Pass the ARRT certification exam
- Volunteer or intern in healthcare settings to build early experience
- Highlight empathy, technical skill, and precision in your application
What Makes This a Smart Choice?
This career consistently ranks among the best-paid trades in the U.S., yet it remains off the radar for most people not in the construction industry. Elevator installers and repairers work on elevators, escalators, and moving walkways in commercial and residential buildings.
- Average Salary: $95,000+ per year
- Top Earners: Over $120,000
- Education Needed: High school diploma or GED
- Training: Paid apprenticeships, often union-sponsored
Where Are the Jobs?
Positions are often listed through local union chapters or construction contractor associations. You can also explore openings at large firms, which frequently recruit through platforms like Indeed.
How to Begin
- Apply for a 4-year apprenticeship program through the National Elevator Industry Educational Program (NEIEP)
- Pass a mechanical aptitude test
- Learn on the job while earning a competitive wage
- Maintain licenses or certifications as required by your state
Why This Tech Job Pays Big
Ethical hackers (also called penetration testers) are paid to legally break into systems to identify vulnerabilities before criminals do. As cyber threats grow, demand for these roles is skyrocketing, and companies are offering serious salaries—even to freelancers.
- Average Salary: $90,000 to $130,000
- Freelancers: Can earn $500–$1,000 per assignment
- Education Needed: None required, but certifications are crucial
- Work Style: Remote-friendly and contract-based
Where to Apply for Roles or Gigs
Many cybersecurity firms offer both full-time and freelance opportunities. A few places to check include Bugcrowd and HackerOne, where companies crowdsource vulnerability testing to vetted ethical hackers.
How to Break In (Without a CS Degree)
- Study independently and earn certifications like CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker) or CompTIA PenTest+
- Practice on legal platforms
- Create a GitHub portfolio showcasing security tools or findings
- Network at DEF CON events or local infosec meetups
Why So Few People Apply?
Commercial divers work in underwater welding, pipeline repairs, and marine construction. It’s physically intense and sometimes dangerous, but compensation reflects the challenge. It also offers global travel and specialized assignments in oil rigs, dams, and ports.
- Average Salary: $60,000 to $100,000
- Specialized Jobs: Can exceed $200,000 in offshore drilling zones
- Education Needed: Commercial diving certification
- Schedule: Often rotational—months on, months off
Where Are These Jobs Found?
Roles are available through industrial contractors and marine engineering firms. Search for openings at global providers like Subsea 7, or check regional opportunities via the Association of Diving Contractors International.
Requirements to Get Hired
- Complete a certified commercial diving program (3–12 months)
- Pass rigorous physical fitness and medical tests
- Gain safety certifications like HAZWOPER or OSHA
- Apply to entry-level tender positions to gain hands-on experience
Voice-Over Artists – Quiet Career with Loud Rewards
What’s the Catch?
Voice-over work isn’t just for animation. It’s widely used in audiobooks, commercials, e-learning, GPS, and mobile apps. Many artists work from home studios and earn high rates for short gigs, making this a perfect side hustle—or even a full-time business.
- Average Pay: $100–$500 per finished hour (audiobooks); $200–$1,000 per ad
- Top Earners: Six figures annually
- Education Needed: None, but training improves success
- Flexibility: Fully remote, freelance-friendly
Where to Get Hired
Professional work is found on talent platforms like Voices, where brands post auditions and hire for everything from radio to YouTube.
Getting Started Without a Studio
- Invest in a basic USB microphone and soundproofing
- Take online classes to learn vocal delivery and script reading
- Upload demos and audition regularly on freelance sites
- Build relationships with independent producers and agencies
Wind Turbine Technicians – Big Energy, Small Teams, Strong Pay
With the U.S. rapidly expanding renewable energy infrastructure, wind turbine technicians (or “wind techs”) are in high demand. Despite requiring no four-year degree, this career pays well and is expected to grow over 44% in the next decade.
- Average Salary: $57,000 to $80,000
- Top Earners: Over $100,000 with experience
- Education Needed: Technical school or associate’s degree
- Work Environment: Outdoors, heights, remote areas
Where the Jobs Are
Many wind farms are in Texas, Iowa, and the Midwest. Major energy companies like Ørsted and Siemens Gamesa regularly post vacancies on renewable energy job boards like Renewable Energy Jobs.
How to Qualify Quickly
- Complete a wind energy training program (around 1 year)
- Gain first aid, CPR, and tower rescue certifications
- Apply through wind energy service contractors or directly with operators
- Prepare for travel-based or rotational schedules
Court Reporters – Typing Your Way to a Comfortable Salary
Court reporters transcribe legal proceedings in real-time using specialized equipment. It requires precision and speed, but surprisingly, it’s often unknown outside of the legal field—despite strong income and job stability.
- Average Salary: $60,000 to $90,000
- Top Earners: Over $100,000 in federal court systems
- Education Needed: Court reporting certificate (18–24 months)
- Demand Areas: Legal courts, government agencies, TV captioning
Where You Can Find Jobs
Opportunities exist in local courthouses, legal agencies, and broadcast networks. Job listings are available on government boards or niche platforms.
Steps to Certification
- Learn to use a stenotype machine
- Achieve required words-per-minute accuracy
- Pass licensing exams (varies by state)
Radiologic Technologists – Imaging Behind the Scenes
Often confused with radiologists (medical doctors), radiologic technologists handle X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs. It’s a vital and well-paid hospital job that doesn’t require medical school—and many people have no idea it exists.
- Average Salary: $65,000 to $85,000
- Top Earners: $100,000+ in specialized imaging or overtime shifts
- Education Needed: Associate degree + state certification
- Work Settings: Hospitals, clinics, outpatient centers
Where to Apply
Positions are available nationwide through hospitals, urgent care chains, and diagnostic imaging centers. A great resource for healthcare jobs is Health eCareers.
How to Stand Out as a Candidate
- Complete an ARRT-accredited program
- Become licensed in your state (if required)
- Consider specialization in MRI or CT to boost salary
- Show strong patient care and tech skills in your resume
Freelance Technical Writers – Hidden Wordsmiths of the Industry
Tech companies and engineering firms need plain-English guides for software, machinery, and internal processes. While creative writing roles are saturated, technical writing pays handsomely and doesn’t require a writing degree—just clarity and structure.
- Average Pay: $35–$65/hour
- Top Freelancers: $100,000+ annually
- Education Needed: None specific, but writing samples are crucial
- Clients: Software companies, health tech, government contractors
Best Places to Get Started
Tech writers can find consistent gigs on industry-specific job boards like We Work Remotely. Contracts are often available through software companies or government agencies needing manuals and training materials.
Building a Portfolio Without Experience
- Create user guides or documentation samples for fictional software
- Learn Markdown, Git, and Google Docs workflows
- Build a simple portfolio site with writing samples
Why So Few People Know About This Trade
While millions use elevators daily, few realize the people who install and maintain them earn more than many office workers. These professionals typically work for construction companies or manufacturers and are often represented by strong trade unions.
- Average Salary: $85,000 to $100,000
- Top Earners: $120,000+ with overtime and certifications
- Education Needed: High school diploma + apprenticeship
- Work Type: Hands-on, mechanical, high attention to safety
Where to Find Opportunities
Most positions are filled through union apprenticeship programs or construction firms. A key place to find job info is through the National Elevator Industry Educational Program, which offers entry routes and paid training.
How to Start and Get Noticed
- Apply for a union apprenticeship (paid while you train)
- Learn electrical systems, hydraulics, and safety procedures
- Get OSHA certification and stay up to date with building codes
- Demonstrate reliability and precision under pressure
Industrial Divers – Underwater Work, High Rewards
Industrial divers perform maintenance, inspections, and construction work in underwater settings—bridges, oil rigs, and dams. While niche and physically demanding, it’s among the highest-paid trade jobs in the U.S.
- Average Salary: $60,000 to $100,000
- Top Earners: Over $150,000 for saturation divers
- Education Needed: Commercial diving certification
- Environment: Harsh, often remote, safety-critical
Where to Apply for Diving Contracts
Start with commercial diving schools, many of which connect graduates directly with employers. Companies in oil & gas, construction, and energy sectors use platforms like ADC International for hiring certified divers.
Requirements and Certifications
- Must complete a commercial diving program (2–12 months)
- Requires physical fitness and ability to work under pressure
- Certifications in welding, NDT, or salvage diving boost pay
- Travel and overnight shifts are common
Niche Tech Support Roles – Think Beyond Help Desks
Most people think of tech support as a low-entry job, but some niche support roles—like infrastructure, high-security environments, or enterprise systems—pay very well. The key is specializing in uncommon tools or platforms.
- Average Salary: $60,000 to $90,000
- Top Earners: $100K+ in government or defense sectors
- Education Needed: Certifications > degrees (CompTIA, CISSP, AWS)
- Ideal For: Self-taught tech enthusiasts, veterans, IT pros
Best Niches to Explore
- Cloud infrastructure (AWS, Azure)
- SCADA systems in industrial plants
- Government IT support requiring security clearance
- Legacy systems (mainframes, proprietary software)
How to Stand Out Without a Degree
- Get certifications on platforms like CompTIA
- Build experience through freelancing or entry-level MSP work
- Demonstrate soft skills: communication, fast problem-solving
- Specialize in uncommon tools that are critical in legacy environments
6 Fast Strategies to Win in “Secret” Career Paths
- Set Up Job Alerts
Use specific keywords like “apprenticeship,” “technician,” or “field engineer” on job boards. This helps uncover hidden roles before they flood with applicants. - Tap Industry Forums
Reddit threads, Discord communities, and niche job boards often post leads early. - Join Training Networks
Many industries recruit directly from certified training programs—get on their radar by joining as a student or alumni. - Skip the Generic Resume
Focus your resume around the industry’s keywords. A one-size-fits-all approach won’t work for specialized jobs. - Reach Out to Recruiters in Niche Fields
Many of these roles are filled by industry recruiters rather than mainstream hiring platforms. - Learn What Certifications Really Matter
Many hidden careers value hands-on certification more than degrees. Know the top 1–2 certs for the job and invest in them early.
Opportunity Is Hiding in Plain Sight
If you’ve been job hunting and feel like every path is overcrowded or underpaid, it might be time to step into one of these “secret” careers. From repairing elevators to diving under bridges, these roles offer financial freedom without years of college debt.
They may not come with fame or even LinkedIn glamour—but they bring high pay, low competition, and real job satisfaction. And that’s something most people never even think to search for.
