When you hear "highest paying job with no experience," you might think of tech startups or Wall Street traders. But the real answer? It’s not what you expect. In fact, the top-paying job you can land without any prior work history is often found in the public sector-not Silicon Valley. And yes, you can start earning over $60,000 a year right out of high school or college, with zero experience, just by passing the right exam.

Meet the Federal Air Marshal

The Federal Air Marshal Service, part of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), offers one of the highest starting salaries for entry-level roles with no experience. You don’t need a college degree to apply-just a high school diploma or GED. But here’s the catch: you must pass a brutal selection process that includes a written exam, physical fitness test, background check, and a multi-day assessment center.

Once hired, trainees start at the GS-7 pay grade. In 2026, that means a base salary of $61,884 per year in most parts of the U.S. That’s more than most entry-level software engineers make. And if you’re assigned to a high-cost area like New York or San Francisco, your pay jumps to $75,000+ thanks to locality adjustments. You also get full federal benefits: health insurance, retirement plan, paid leave, and tuition reimbursement.

Why does this job pay so much with no experience? Because it’s dangerous, demanding, and requires split-second decision-making. Air marshals work undercover on flights, monitor suspicious behavior, and are trained to handle armed threats. The government pays well because turnover is high and the pool of qualified applicants is small. Most people can’t pass the physical or psychological screening.

How to Get Started

The application window opens once a year, usually between March and May. You apply through USAJobs.gov. No recruiter, no agency, no middleman. Just you, the website, and a 12-hour exam.

Here’s what you need to do:

1. Take the Federal Air Marshal Entry Exam (FAME). It tests math, reading comprehension, and situational judgment. Study materials are free on TSA’s website.
2. Pass the physical fitness test: 1.5-mile run under 13 minutes, 30 sit-ups in 1 minute, 20 push-ups in 1 minute.
3. Complete a detailed background questionnaire. Past drug use, credit issues, or criminal records can disqualify you-even if they happened years ago.
4. Attend the 12-week training program at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Georgia. You’ll learn firearms handling, defensive tactics, and aviation security law.

Most people fail on step three. The background check is stricter than most military enlistments. But if you clean up your record ahead of time-pay off debts, avoid legal trouble, stay off social media-you can make it.

Other High-Paying Entry-Level Government Jobs

The Air Marshal isn’t the only option. Other federal jobs that pay well with no experience include:

• Customs and Border Protection Officer: Starts at GS-7 ($60,000+). You screen people and goods at U.S. ports of entry. Requires U.S. citizenship and a clean record.
• Postal Service Mail Handler: Starts at $52,000. No degree needed. You sort and load mail nationwide. Benefits include pension and healthcare.
• Department of Defense Civilian Technician: Some roles start at GS-9 ($70,000). You support military operations-IT, logistics, maintenance. You don’t need to serve in the military.
• Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Administrative Assistant: Entry-level clerical roles pay $58,000+ in D.C. areas. You handle case files, schedules, and evidence logs. Requires a background check but no prior experience.

These jobs aren’t glamorous. But they’re stable. And unlike private-sector jobs, they don’t require internships, portfolios, or LinkedIn connections. You just need to pass the test.

Why Government Jobs Beat Private Sector

Private companies love to say they hire "talent," not experience. But in reality, most entry-level jobs require a college degree, internship history, or bootcamp certificate. Even fast-food chains now ask for prior work experience.

Government jobs flip that script. They use standardized exams. That means your score matters more than your resume. A 20-year-old with a GED and a 92% on the FAME exam has the same shot as a Harvard grad with a 3.9 GPA.

Also, federal pay scales are transparent. You can look up the exact salary for GS-7 in your zip code. No negotiation. No guessing. You know what you’ll earn before you apply.

What You Should Avoid

Don’t waste time on "high-paying" scams. TikTok influencers push "get rich quick" remote jobs in cybersecurity or data analysis. They promise $100,000 salaries if you pay $2,000 for a "certification." Those don’t exist. The government doesn’t hire people based on online certificates.

Also, avoid private security firms that claim to hire "no experience" agents. They pay $15/hour. Federal jobs pay $30/hour with benefits.

Real People, Real Results

In 2025, 17-year-old Jamal Rivera from rural Alabama passed the FAME exam. He had no college credits. He studied for six months using free YouTube videos and library books. He got hired. Now he’s stationed in Chicago, earns $68,000, and is saving for a house.

Same year, Maria Lopez, a single mom in Texas, became a Customs and Border Protection Officer. She studied for the exam while working night shifts at a Walmart. She passed. Now she’s on a 4-day workweek with paid overtime.

These aren’t outliers. They’re the norm. The government hires thousands of people like them every year.

What’s Next?

If you’re serious about landing one of these jobs, start now. Don’t wait until you "feel ready." The exams don’t care about your confidence. They care about your score.

Here’s your 30-day plan:

1. Visit USAJobs.gov and search for "Federal Air Marshal" or "Customs Officer."
2. Download the official study guide. Print it. Highlight the key sections.
3. Take a free practice test. See where you’re weak.
4. Set a daily goal: 30 minutes of study, 10 push-ups, 1 mile run.
5. Apply the moment the window opens. Don’t delay.

You don’t need experience. You don’t need a degree. You just need to show up, study hard, and pass the test. That’s it.