The vast majority of individuals in the present generation feel that a four-year bachelor’s degree is required in order to acquire a well-paying job or pursue a decent career. This is applicable most of the time, yeah, but not always. Not in the present economic landscape, at least.
There’s an entire world of opportunities out there that really don’t require a college degree. These are high-paying and pretty stable professions that have tremendous potential in the years ahead. Here, we’ll be taking a quick look at 18 rewarding occupations that don’t need a college degree.
1. Automotive Technician
The following career is another fantastic choice if you really want to make a big wage with no college degree or without needing to struggle in an office environment.
An auto repair sector employer looks for job-related expertise rather than a degree, and they may also give on-the-job training if necessary. This is a profession to consider for those who like working with their hands. To be successful in this field, you need also be familiar with working with electronics since diagnostic computers are becoming more used in the automobile industry.
Considering that the typical yearly pay for an Automotive Mechanic III is $58,628, it is feasible to make a lot of money in this area if you work hard and advance through the ranks.
2. Dental Hygienist
According to Salary.com, dental hygienists make a median salary of $75,574 every year, and this may rise to $95,000 in some cases.
An associate’s degree plus the necessary licenses or qualifications in dental hygiene are all that is needed to get launched in this field, which is both quicker and less expensive to achieve than a four-year college education! When considering your vocation, keep in mind that there are bachelor’s degrees in dental hygiene accessible as well, so compare and examine both alternatives.
3. Commercial Pilot
To work as a commercial airline pilot, you do not need a bachelor’s degree in aviation. According to PayScale, the typical yearly income for commercial airline pilots is $78,476.
Despite the fact that the statistics on the projected wage differ, it is evident that that’s one of the top paid careers available to those without a college degree. You will be expected to attend pilot training as well as extensive on-the-job training. However, you will most probably be able to continue this immediately after high school, foregoing the four-year degree in the process.
4. Software Developer
According to the Bureau of Labour Statistics, software engineers may also make six figures, which has a current average pay of $110,140 for the position. In addition, a degree is no longer required for this position at all. Many developers are self-taught or have attended coding bootcamps rather than just attending a traditional university in lieu of completing a four-year bachelor’s degree. When it comes to recruiting software engineers, each company would have its own set of educational criteria, just as when it comes to employing salespeople. However, more and more organizations are abandoning the necessity for a college degree.
As a result, software engineering is one of the top and highest-paying careers available that does not need a university degree. Software engineering has become one of the greatest careers available for long-term employment development, ranking within the top five.
5. Elevator Mechanic
If you have a mechanical aptitude, another job choice to explore is that of an elevator installation or repairer. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, this position has a typical annual salary of $84,990. Definitely, one of the highest-paying occupations on our ranking.In order to enter this field, you will only require a high school diploma or an equivalent qualification. After that, you’ll want to seek an apprenticeship program where you may begin acquiring the job-related skills you need to succeed. In addition, depending on which state(s) you want to operate in, you may be required to get licenses as a last stage in the process.
6. Loan Officer
Loan officers assist customers in the application for loans at certain financial institutions such as banks. They are most often known for assisting individuals with mortgage applications, although they also help individuals with other types of loan applications. A high school diploma or its equivalent is the bare minimum educational qualification required here.
You will get on-the-job training and will be expected to grasp how loans and other fundamental financial instruments function and the related rules and regulations, but you will not be entitled to have a bachelor’s degree to master these skills. In terms of median yearly income, we looked at a number of different sources and found a wide variety of figures, but the general opinion seems to have been that you’d approximately make $45,000 and $70,000 annually if you are working as a loan officer.
7. Salesperson
Many sales positions pay an average compensation in the six-figure range, and many of these positions do not need a college degree. Sales positions have the opportunity to be quite lucrative since you typically earn commission in addition to a basic wage, which means that your company pays you a percentage of each sale you bring in.
This is a position that many organizations seek out for entry-level employees as an added bonus. So, if you’re looking for work but don’t have any prior experience, being a salesperson is definitely one of the strongest possibilities your way. These occupations, as well as their specific salary, are not all created equal, though. In the same way, every employer has their own set of needs in regards to academic qualifications. So, nothing can be said about these positions for sure, except that these are really decent jobs, to begin with.
8. Power Plant Operator
Power plants operators perform routine maintenance of the powerhouse to ensure that it is operating effectively and safely. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual earnings for this profession is $85,950, and a high school graduate or equivalent is eligible for the position. Of course, you’ll need lots of on-the-job training to get familiar with the equipment you’ll be using, as well as safety laws and other important information. The work orientation you will get will be a combination of classroom education and hands-on training using the apparatus and control panels you will be required to utilize while working on the floor.
9. Digital Marketer
Many of the world’s highest-paid digital marketers just have a high school background or less. Instead of spending four years obtaining a conventional college degree, they are now either self-taught or engaged in online marketing classes to enhance their education. Digital advertising is a well-paying sector that offers a wide range of career options, whether you are looking for freelancing work or full-time, permanent positions.
Specializations in a range of industries, including social media advertising, content marketing, and other areas, are also available. The Bureau of Labor Statistics states that an Advertisement and Marketing Manager makes an average annual salary of $141,490. I am sure this gives you an idea of what this sort of career may develop into in the long run.
10. Skilled Trades
Often overshadowed by those pursuing a college degree or seeking regular office jobs, skilled trades jobs such as an electrician or a locksmith are very lucrative. They almost never require a college degree, yet, having one will make your job search significantly more efficient. If you are super-efficient with your particular speciality, your earnings may even reach six figures.
11. Respiratory Therapist
One of the many medical professions that may be pursued without a four-year degree is that of a respiratory therapist.
Adequate education and training, on the other hand, are necessary. The completion of an advanced diploma in respiratory therapy is required for employment as a respiratory therapist. In comparison to four years of college, this two-year commitment is a significant save. Because they are provided through community l institutions, associate degrees are a reasonable investment.
12. Networking and Telecommunications Specialist
A Network Specialist operates in the information technology department of a corporation to guarantee that telecommunication systems are operational at all times without experiencing any downtime. They undertake various tasks, including analyzing network performance information, monitoring maintaining network infrastructure, and more.
This is a crucial position since almost every firm today interacts digitally and relies on the availability of its phones, internet, and other systems on a consistent basis. A specialized set of computational skills is required for this employment, although most companies do not demand a four-year college education in order to be accepted for this position. They’re often more interested with your specialized, job-related capabilities than with your general abilities. According to Pay scale, network experts make a typical yearly income of $56,708, which includes benefits.
13. Medical Records Technician
Medical records technicians are responsible for maintaining and organizing patients’ medical information, which may include lab results, x-rays, and other data. To be eligible for this position, you will most likely need an associate’s degree, which will take almost two years to accomplish. After that, you’ll need certificates. Nonetheless, this is a far less expensive route to high-paying employment than earning a bachelor’s degree! If you’re interested in pursuing a career in the medical industry, this is a fantastic choice to think about exploring.
In contrast to the other alternatives, we’ve looked at before, the median yearly salary is lower in this position. According to Salary.com, the typical annual salary is $37,887.
14. Small Business Owner
Entrepreneurs who did not attend college account for 33% of the total. Isn’t that shocking?
Being an entrepreneur or a small company owner is one of the most effective methods to generate a substantial income without requiring any formal education or training. Millions of small company entrepreneurs operate in the United States. Nonetheless, the greatest aspect is that none of your clients will ever enquire about your past school history or credentials. Quite literally, no one would enquire about your academic degree or even the reason for why you are working in the first instance. Even while entrepreneurship is not the best career path for everyone, it may be a fantastic alternative for certain individuals.
15. A Real Estate Broker or Agent
Countless settled real estate agents do not have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. Instead, they earn high school graduation and then go on to acquire their real estate license and begin working in the real world. This enables students to enter the real estate market at a reasonably early age since positions in this profession sometimes do not need any more formal educational qualifications.
Most of the time, you are offered compensation in addition to your base wage in your work for each piece of land you sell or put on rent. Without a doubt, this means that you’d be earning more than individuals who are just given a flat salary throughout their professional lives. Because this career is often oriented around a single city or place and necessitates the development of a network, it is advisable to pursue this route if you want to remain in your current state or region for an extended period.
16. Air Traffic Controller
A job in air traffic control is a fantastic option if you want to make a nice wage while working in the aviation business but don’t want to be a pilot. Air traffic controllers interact with pilots on the air or on the ground to ensure safety and avoid crashes or other potentially hazardous circumstances. The work might be tricky and time-consuming, but you will be compensated well for your accomplishments. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for air traffic controllers in 2019 was $122,990.
17. Retail Store Manager
A job in retail store management may be a fantastic choice for you if you don’t mind working on weekends and holidays and have excellent communication skills. The position of shop manager is one of the highest-paying positions that does not need a college degree, but it is frequently disregarded because people are unaware of how much money can be made in this position.
