Key Takeaways
- Training and Certifications are necessary in most jobs.
- Soft skills are required in nearly all job options.
- Get your portfolio ready for more client engagement.
- Networking is the key to survival.
- Stay updated through online and offline sources.
Have you ever heard of the saying, “There’s no job too small”?
If you don’t have a college degree and believe you can’t earn well, explore this blog, and you will learn about the jobs that pay well without a degree.
Some jobs might require skills, portfolios, and experience to make a good income.
Earning well through jobs that pay well without a degree is one of the boons of the digital age.
Because in this modern world, work speaks more than a college degree.
You can earn well through online, offline, hard, or soft labor.
28 Best Jobs That Pay Well Without A Degree
Here is the list of all the lucrative jobs that pay well without a degree.
Online Hunt
It is easier to find jobs that pay well and don’t require you to have a college degree in the digital age. Here are a few of these:
1. Digital Marketing
Average Salary: $77,381/year
Education Requirement: Certifications: Google course: Fundamentals of Digital Marketing, Google Ads
Skills Necessary: Social Media Understanding, Good Networking
Search Site: The Muse
Digital marketing requires you to be creative and have basic knowledge of marketing a product/brand.
With tons of businesses running online, the need for a professional who could sell, market, and promote them has risen.
You can even own your venture once your clientele is established.
2. Content Writer
Average Salary: $84,151/year
Education Requirement: High school Diploma (Portfolio and Experience)
Skills Necessary: Command Over Language, Good Writing Skills
Search Site: Upwork
Writing requires you to be able to write relevant content. You must be able to edit, research, and proofread.
Although sometimes employers might be looking for someone with a professional or college degree in journalism or equivalent, good writing skills could nudge the employer in your direction.
3. E-commerce Manager
Average Salary: $93,160/year
Education Requirement: Certification – Certified E-Commerce Professional (CEP), Google – Digital Marketing & E-commerce Certificate
Skills Necessary: Sales and Negotiation
Job Site Search: ZipRecruiter
With more online businesses occurring, managers are also in high demand now.
As an e-commerce manager, you would handle sales online, build promotional calendars and advertising campaigns, and even optimize the website to bring in more deals.
4. Cyber Security Analyst
Average Salary: $119,860/year
Education Requirement: Certification – Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) & Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC)
Skills Necessary: Technology Savvy
Job Site Search: Cyber Security Jobs
If you love computers and are technology-friendly, understand the basics of digital attacks and malware because your job would include protecting the data from these attacks.
An entry-level IT job could also help you land a career as a cyber security analyst, along with a certification.
Jack Of All Trades
If you are the one in your house who repairs and mends and does not hold a college degree, here are some jobs that pay well without a degree.
5. Plumber
Average Salary: $63,215/year
Education Requirement: None
Skills Necessary: Plumbing and Repairing
Job Site Search: Simplyhired
This blue-collar job pays well if you know your way around taps, showers, pipes, etc.
It might seem menial work, but with experience, you could make a career out of it by installing and providing a vast range of toiletry appliances, creating your brand, and owning your business.
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6. Electrician
Average Salary: $70,880/year
Education Requirement: None
Skills Necessary: Know-how of Electrical System
Job Site Search: Glassdoor
The primary job of an electrician is to install, repair, and maintain the electrical system of a place.
Mending any broken wires, inspecting for any faults in transformers, etc.
The scope of this job extends from anywhere between residential to industrial, opening numerous gates to earn well without a degree.
7. Auto-Mechanic
Average Salary: $54,347/year
Education Requirement: None
Skills Necessary: Auto-mobile Repairing
Job Site Search: Monster Jobs
If you can repair and maintain any vehicle, you could earn well even without a degree.
With the complexities in cars today, auto mechanics have become auto technicians, and this has increasing scope.
You would require technical training to ensure quality of work, but this is one of the best jobs that pay well without a degree.
People Person
If you like being out in the world and can create relations easily, a job that requires a lot of interaction with other people would fit you, and such jobs pay well without a degree.
8. Flight Attendant
Average Salary: $85,102/year
Education requirement: High school diploma and Training Programme
Skills Necessary: Customer Service and Communication
Job Site Search: Future Flight Attendant
If traveling is your first love and interacting with people from different places your second, this job is custom-made for you then.
If you don’t mind working odd and long hours, you will have to undergo some training, and boom, you will earn well even without a college degree.
9. Fedex Driver
Average Salary: $65,899/year
Education Requirement: High school diploma (not necessary)
Skills Necessary: Driving and Navigating
Job Site Search: FedEx Careers
If you love driving, you can also make money out of it.
Meet people, drop their packages, and go through your city, all while earning well even without a college degree.
10. Dental Hygienist
Average Salary: $82,552/year
Education Requirement: Associate Degree
Skills Necessary: Licensed Practitioner
Job Site Search: Dentalpost
One job that pays well without a degree is that of a dental hygienist, which is different from a dentist.
You don’t need a bachelor’s degree; an associate’s degree could work.
It would help if you were near your clients, but less work on weekends and early earnings make it a good profession.
11. Massage Therapist
Average Salary: $49,860/year
Education Requirement: None (training)
Skills Necessary: Massaging, Reflexology
Job Site Search: American Massage Therapy Association
Get your magic hands and skills at work and earn well even without a college degree.
A massage therapist uses acupressure, stroking, kneading, hydro massage, and alternative therapy, amongst others, to heal the client physically and make them feel healthier.
You should take some training before working and over the years you could even become an expert in particular massaging techniques.
12. Life Coach
Average Salary: $60,140/year
Education Requirement: High school or equivalent
Skills Necessary: Counseling
Job Site Search: FlexJobs
With no entry restrictions, it could be easier to get into the industry.
You could earn well even without a college degree; you only need experience and ways to use your expertise to help coach other people.
Certified training could bring more credibility to your practice.
When counseling people about careers, life problems, relationships, etc. There are numerous niches to choose from.
Call Of Duty
If you are patriotic and feel you could do good for society, the following are the jobs that pay well without a degree, made just for you.
13. Police Officer/ Detective
Average Salary: $62,148/year
Education Requirement: High School Diploma and Training
Skills Necessary: Problem Solving
Job Site Search: National Testing Network
This job does pay well without a college degree, but it is a high-risk, high-stress job.
You will be required to undergo training and sometimes deal with hard criminals.
Nevertheless, you will get to protect people and contribute to society.
14. Firefighter
Average Salary: $51,680/year
Education Requirement: High school diploma or GED certificate
Skills Necessary: Quick Response
Job Site Search: Firecareers
You would be required to undergo training before extinguishing the fire and saving people and animals in accidents or emergencies.
They are also required to take some medical training since emergencies are different.
15. Paramedic
Average Salary: $49,090/year
Education Requirement: High school diploma or GED
Skills Necessary: Medical assistance
Job Site Search: EMT Jobs
You could save lives even if you are not a doctor. You could become a paramedic, which is one job that pays well without a degree.
However, you must clear the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians exam (NREMT) and the National Registry Paramedic cognitive exam and undergo training.
Creative Directives
If you have a creative bone and don’t have a college degree, following jobs that pay well without a degree could be your calling.
16. Choreographer
Average Salary: $50,990/year
Education Requirement: None
Skills Necessary: Dancing
Job Site Search: Dance/USA
If you are confident about your dancing skills and believe you could do justice with a dance routine, you could teach others, choreograph in some dance studio, or even open your own.
Pro Tip: You can add Zumba and Pilates and get even more people to join your classes.
17. Makeup Artist
Average Salary: $96,370/year
Education Requirement: A Cosmetology License
Skills Necessary: Fashion sense
Job Site Search: Academy of Makeup Arts
If you know your fashion, tints, and shades, you could get training and become a makeup artist.
You would require a cosmetology license. Nevertheless, this job will pay well even without a college degree.
With experience and practice, you can gain more expertise and become a better professional.
18. Singer/ Musician
Average Salary: $126,374/year
Education Requirement: None
Skills Necessary: Singing, Stage Presence
Job Site Search: Entertainers Worldwide Jobs
If you have rhythm or know how to sing or play any instrument, it would be difficult to get a job as a musician or singer in your local cafe, pub, club, church, etc.
Further, once you practice the art form and start making a name for yourself, it would not be wrong to say you could have a fruitful career.
This is one of the most lucrative jobs that pay well without a degree.
19. Content Creator
Average salary: $116,615/year
Education Requirement: None
Skills Necessary: Theatrical, Acting
Job Site Search: Backstage
With the influencer culture on the rise, it is easy to earn well even without a college degree by creating content.
You can either freelance or create content for a particular niche audience.
The content creation business is rising on apps like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, and earnings are over the roof.
20. Voice-over Artist
Average Salary: $59,432/year
Education Requirement: None
Skills Necessary: Voice modulation, Tones
Job Site Search: Voices.com
This job is for you if you believe your voice could be your identity.
It would help if you learned a few tricks of voice-covering and modulation of your voice; you could easily land up gigs.
As you keep working on your accents, you could make a defined name in the industry.
An efficient recording and editing equipment would be a necessity.
Sailing The Entrepreneurship
21. Business Owner
Average Salary: $111,230/year
Education Requirement: High School Diploma (not necessary)
Skills Necessary: Business Acumen
You can start your business if you know even the basics of business.
This business would be more accessible to manage if it interests you.
Expert knowledge might not be necessary as long as you have business management skills.
22. Online Selling
Average Salary: Varies
Education Requirement: High School Diploma (not necessary)
Skills Necessary: Selling and buying knowledge
You can sell your old products and items online for a good amount.
You can even buy old items from your acquaintances, repair, mend, and sell them again.
This would not require any college degree but might pay you well.
23. Stock Photographer
Average Salary: $62,338/year
Education Requirement: High School Diploma (not necessary)
Skills Necessary: Photography, Videography
Job Site Search: Icons8
If you are a skilled photographer, it is a job that pays well without a college degree.
There are many companies today that wish to buy high-quality pictures.
Selling your photographs could amount to a reasonable sum; remember the pictures your buyer has requested.
Other Lucrative Jobs That Pay Well Without A Degree
24. Real Estate Agent
Average Salary: $49,980/year
Education Requirement: None
Skills Necessary: Sales and Promotion
Job Site Search: NAR.Realtor
If you know the property rates and prices in your city/ area, you could earn natural wealth by becoming a realtor even without a college degree.
Your job would be to assist the clients in buying, selling, and renting the property along with pricing and contracts.
If you feel sales is your strength, you could build a rapport.
25. Executive Assistant
Average Salary: $64,456/year
Education Requirement: None (certificates optional)
Skills Necessary: Organizational
Job Site Search: Tiger Recruitment
If you are good with your time management and believe it could help assist in making their schedules, travel arrangements, bookings, etc., you would require business communication and managerial skills.
You could get certified over the years and enhance your credibility.
26. Commercial Pilot
Average Salary: $87,144/year
Education Requirement: Licenses and Certifications
Skills Necessary: Aviation knowledge
Job Site Search: PilotsGlobal
If you love being in the air and do not have a college degree but want to earn well, you could become a commercial pilot.
You must do a commercial pilot course, complete flight training, and pass the FAA test.
After this, you could earn well even without a college degree.
27. Golf Caddies
Average Salary: $39,218/year
Education Requirement: High School Diploma (not necessary)
Skills Necessary: Hospitality
Job Site Search: Golflink.com
You can make a decent amount of money by joining as a golf caddy or beverage cart attendant.
This is one of the most lucrative seasonal jobs that pay well without a degree.
Major earning comes from the tips, so make sure you put the best foot forward.
28. Baby Sitter/Pet Sitter/House Sitter
Average Salary: $36,641/year
Education Requirement: High School Diploma (not necessary)
Skills Necessary: Nurturing
Job Site Search: Jovie.com, Care.com
Amongst the jobs without a degree, you could work as a sitter, be it either a baby, pet, or house sitter.
There is high demand for all three, as America has a nuclear family culture.
You can make good greens with this job.
As a beginner, it might be critical to understand the skills essential to get lucrative jobs that pay well without a degree.
Here are some skills that may be needed in getting your preferred position.
| Skill | Description |
|---|---|
Teamwork | Learning to work and collaborate with different kinds of clients and companies is imperative. |
Critical Thinking | You can win little battles in your workspace if you think critically and solve problems quickly. |
Communication | If you can communicate efficiently with your co-workers, your job becomes more accessible. |
Time Management | If you can do more work in less time, your efficiency will increase income and job opportunities. |
Networking | It would help to create a network of professionals you can connect with when needing a job so that lucrative jobs that pay well without a degree are available. |
Diligence | You must stand out from others, which is possible if you have expertise and quality of work. |
If you are wondering how to begin your hunt for jobs that pay well without a degree, here are a few strategies that can help.
- Start Small: It is okay to earn less in the beginning. You can’t become Steve Jobs just in the face. Gain the experience and add to your portfolio.
- Build A Portfolio: Of all your works, create a portfolio that defines your work in its best form. Make it handy and digital.
- Clients Review: Take testimonies of your previous clients to add credibility to your work and gain the trust of the new clients.
- Certification: Take courses, earn certificates, and enhance the quality of your work. These certificates also help you get more trusting clients.
Conclusion
There is a myth in today’s educated world that without a college degree, earning well isn’t impossible.
But we have provided you with 28 lucrative jobs that pay well without a degree.
Some companies prefer the person’s experience and skills more than academic excellence.
Want to unlock your potential and get a job that pays well without a degree?
Don’t miss out on high-paying opportunities. Read our blog and take the road to success.
FAQs
There are various other alternatives to college education for getting a job. These include a high school diploma, GED, training, coding boot camps, apprenticeships, internships, and certifications.
Some platforms and websites allow you to find jobs that pay well even without a college degree. These are Upwork, Glassdoor, Indeed, ZipRecruiter, Monster, LinkedIn, and Hired, among others.
Many companies are offering entry-level jobs. Big companies like Apple, Google, Microsoft, Amazon, IBM, Spectrum, etc., offer jobs and other perks.
Various jobs don’t require much skill. These jobs include construction worker, administrative assistant, and real estate agent. You can learn different skills through certifications and earn more.
