What Is the Highest Paying Job With No Experience?

There’s a myth that you need years of experience to earn a good salary. That’s not true - especially when it comes to government jobs. Many federal, state, and local positions pay well from day one, even if you’ve never held a full-time job before. You don’t need a degree, you don’t need to be an expert, and you don’t need to work your way up for a decade. Some of the highest paying jobs with no experience are right inside the public sector.

Postal Service Mail Carrier - Starting Pay Over $60,000

The U.S. Postal Service hires thousands of new mail carriers every year. You don’t need a college degree. You don’t need prior experience. You just need to pass a background check, a basic physical test, and the USPS entrance exam. The starting salary for a city carrier is around $60,000 a year, with benefits that include health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off. Overtime is common and often paid at 1.5x your hourly rate. Many carriers make $70,000+ within their first few years just by picking up extra routes.

Why does this job pay so much with no experience? Because it’s physically demanding, requires reliability, and involves handling sensitive mail. The government pays a premium to keep these roles filled. There’s no competition from private companies - the USPS has a legal monopoly on letter delivery. That means stable pay, no layoffs, and predictable raises.

Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Officer - $50,000 to $70,000

If you’re good at staying calm under pressure and paying attention to details, TSA officer might be the job for you. You’ll work at airports, screening passengers and baggage. The starting salary varies by location but averages $50,000. In high-cost areas like New York, San Francisco, or Washington D.C., it can hit $70,000 with locality pay adjustments. Benefits include federal health insurance, 13-26 days of paid leave per year, and a retirement plan.

You don’t need a degree. You don’t need to be a former cop or military vet. You just need to pass a drug test, a background check, and complete a 3-4 week training program. Many people start as TSA officers and later move into federal law enforcement, customs, or homeland security roles. It’s a real career launchpad.

Federal Air Marshal - $60,000-$90,000 (With Training)

This one’s a bit harder to get into, but it’s the highest paying job you can land with zero experience - if you’re willing to train. The Federal Air Marshal Service hires people straight out of high school. You don’t need a college degree. You don’t need prior law enforcement experience. You just need to be a U.S. citizen, pass a rigorous physical fitness test, and score well on the written exam.

Once hired, you’ll go through a 16-week paid training program at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center. After graduation, you’ll be assigned to fly on commercial flights undercover to prevent hijackings and terrorist acts. Starting salary is $60,000. With overtime, hazard pay, and locality adjustments, many air marshals earn $80,000-$90,000 in their first year. The job requires travel, long hours, and mental toughness - but it pays like a mid-career role.

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officer - $65,000+

CBP officers work at ports of entry - airports, land borders, and seaports. They inspect people and goods coming into the U.S. This job pays $65,000-$80,000 starting, depending on location. You don’t need a degree. You don’t need to be a former soldier. You just need to pass a background check, a medical exam, a fitness test, and a polygraph.

Training lasts 19 weeks at the CBP Academy. You’ll learn how to spot smuggling, identify fraudulent documents, and handle high-stress encounters. After training, you’re assigned to a border crossing or airport. The job comes with a federal pension, health insurance, and generous leave. Many officers get promoted to supervisory roles within 2-3 years, pushing salaries past $100,000.

U.S. Forest Service Firefighter - ,000-,000

Most people think firefighters need years of training. But the U.S. Forest Service hires seasonal wildland firefighters with no experience. These aren’t city firefighters - they fight wildfires in national forests across the West. The job pays $55,000-$75,000 for a 6-8 month season. Many work 12-16 hour days, 7 days a week during fire season.

You need to pass a physical fitness test called the Work Capacity Test (WCT), which includes a 3-mile hike with a 45-pound pack in under 45 minutes. No degree required. No prior experience needed. You get paid while you train. After one season, you can reapply for full-time positions, which pay even more. Many go on to become smokejumpers, engine crew leads, or dispatchers - all with higher pay and better benefits.

Why Government Jobs Pay More With No Experience

Private companies can’t compete with federal pay for entry-level roles because they don’t have the same budget. A tech startup might pay $45,000 to a new hire with no experience. The government pays $65,000 - and gives you benefits that cost thousands more in value.

Here’s what you get that private jobs rarely offer:

• Health insurance starting Day 1 - premiums often covered 70-80% by the government
• Retirement plan - FERS pension + 5% government contribution to your Thrift Savings Plan (TSP)
• Annual leave - 13 days your first year, increasing to 26 after 15 years
• Job security - layoffs are rare. Even in budget cuts, federal jobs are protected
• Pay raises - automatic step increases every 1-2 years, even without promotion

These aren’t perks. They’re part of the salary. Add them up, and a $60,000 federal job is worth closer to $85,000-$95,000 in total compensation.

How to Apply - No Resume Needed

You don’t need a fancy resume. You don’t need to network. You don’t need to pay for a career coach. All you need is a free USAJobs.gov account.

Search for these job series:

• 0083 - Postal Service Mail Carrier
• 0025 - Transportation Security Administration Officer
• 0080 - Customs and Border Protection Officer
• 0025 - Federal Air Marshal (apply under DHS)
• 0402 - Forest Service Firefighter

Filter by "Open to the public" and "No experience required." Then click "Apply Now." Most applications take under 30 minutes. You’ll answer a few questions about your background, upload your resume (it can be one page), and submit.

Don’t wait for the perfect moment. These jobs have rolling deadlines. Some open once a year. Others are always hiring. Check USAJobs.gov every Monday. Set up email alerts. The right job might be posted tomorrow.

What Doesn’t Work

Don’t waste time applying for jobs that say "Entry Level" but require a degree or certification. Many private sector roles - like IT support, medical billing, or paralegal - claim to hire beginners but actually want someone with a certificate or internship. They’re not entry level. They’re filtered.

Also avoid jobs that require you to pay for training. Legitimate federal jobs never charge you to apply or train. If someone asks for money, it’s a scam.

Real Stories - People Who Started With Nothing

Meet Maria, 22. She dropped out of community college after her first semester. She worked part-time at a gas station. She applied for a TSA job on a whim. She passed the test. Got hired. Now she makes $68,000 in Los Angeles. She’s saving for a house.

Meet James, 20. He had a GED. He wanted to travel. He applied to be a Forest Service firefighter. He worked 8 months a year, saved $35,000, and used it to buy a truck. He’s back this year - now training to be a crew boss.

These aren’t outliers. They’re typical. Thousands of people start in these jobs with no resume, no degree, no connections - and end up with careers that pay better than 80% of college grads.

Final Thought: Your First Job Doesn’t Define Your Future

You don’t need to be a genius. You don’t need to go to college. You don’t need to know how to code or design websites. You just need to show up, pass the test, and do the work. The government doesn’t care where you went to school. They care if you can follow rules, show up on time, and handle responsibility.

These jobs are the quiet path to financial stability. No hype. No influencers. No startup drama. Just steady pay, real benefits, and a future you can count on.

If you’re looking for the highest paying job with no experience - look at the government. It’s not flashy. But it pays.