Pittsburgh-area jobs where you can make $100K or more without a college degree 

PITTSBURGH — What if we told you there are jobs where you can make six figures or more without a college degree, and they’re all local? 

Whether you’re looking for a job, still in school, or thinking about a career change, there are options for people of all ages.  For many of these careers, you are paid while you learn. 

Geno Berfield is an OTIS Elevator Constructor Mechanic.  He installs, maintains and repairs OTIS elevators. We met him at the Koppers Building downtown to learn more about his career trajectory.  He says his path wasn’t always clear. 

“I never really knew what I wanted to do in high school,” Berfield tells Channel 11.  “Probably like the majority of high school kids.” 

For starters, Berfield went to college for two years, but that was to play football, a passion of his.  He told us growing up, his dad worked for OTIS and saw how he was able to provide for his family comfortably, while working with his hands and challenging himself. 

So, after two years of college, Berfield joined another union before signing on with the IUEC, the International Union of Elevator Constructors. 

“There’s also a five-year apprenticeship program once you’re in, which gives you an ample amount of classroom and on-the-job training,” Berfield tells Channel 11.  

He was paid to learn and says he met other people who were looking to change careers or find a job that was more meaningful than sitting behind a desk all day. 

“It’s fine also if you had a change of heart,” Berfield said.  “We also have new hires in their mid-40s. There is no age limit.” 

Joshua West is the General Manager of OTIS Pittsburgh and West Virginia. He says the future is high-rise, mid-rise and senior living with constant development and need for maintenance and upgrades. 

“I have a deep appreciation for folks like Geno,” West tells Channel 11. “We’re predicting about 2/3 of the world’s population will live in urban environments by 2050.” 

West says OTIS wouldn’t run without tradespeople who work hard and are compensated comfortably for their training and skills. 

“They work overtime, often times when there are emergencies, and they have to be calm under pressure,” West says.  

Over on the City’s North Side, Josh Copeland is training the next generation of line workers for Duquesne Light. 

“It’s probably one of the most diverse groups,” Copeland tells Channel 11.  “We have individuals with degrees, with no degrees, and really a lot of them just wanted to work with their hands.”

Copeland started as an apprentice and worked his way up to a leadership role. He says the opportunity for growth is so important for employees. 

“Even through the apprenticeship program, it is a very good-paying job,” Copeland added. 

He says the need for line workers is huge, and there is job security with new development and EV technology. 

“That is probably one of the most in-demand jobs right now, not just for us but for the industry,” Copeland tells Channel 11.  

According to CNBC, there are several jobs where the largest share of workers make $100 thousand or more without a bachelor’s degree. 

They include: 

• Locomotive engineers 
• Power plant operators
• Air traffic controllers
• Railroad conductors 

So, if you’re looking to make a change, not sure where to turn, or want to make a few extra bucks for your family, there is something for everyone.  

OTIS tells Channel 11, it is hiring and Duquesne Light is looking for people for their line worker apprenticeship programs in January and June. 

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