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. Many successful professionals have built their careers on skills and experience rather than formal education, finding high-paying jobs without a 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
Jobs that pay well without a degree are becoming increasingly sought after digitization. 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
Find your dream job here: FlexJobs
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
Find your dream job here: 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.
You can also freelance in scriptwriting. You can write and sell your scripts on Scripts.com if you have the flare for writing scripts. They take in scripts for their collection. Some people would want to buy your scripts. Scripts.com provides you with a platform to buy and sell scripts. Thus, you can make money by selling your scripts. If you need to be better versed in how to write scripts, you can check Scripts.com for the same.
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
Find your dream job here: 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
Find your dream job here: 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
Find your dream job here: 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.
6. Electrician
Average Salary: $70,880/year
Education Requirement: None
Skills Necessary: Know-how of Electrical System
Find your dream job here: ZipRecruiter
Tradespeople such as electricians often enjoy careers without a degree that pay well.
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
Find your dream job here: 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
Find your dream job here: 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
Find your dream job here: 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
Find your dream job here: 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
Find your dream job here: 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
Find your dream job here: 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
Find your dream job here: 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
Find your dream job here: 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
Find your dream job here: 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
The creative industry offers numerous jobs that pay well without a degree for those with talent and determination.
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
Find your dream job here: 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
Find your dream job here: 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
Find your dream job here: 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
Find your dream job here: 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. But remember, Lifelong learning is essential for staying competitive in jobs that pay well without a degree.
20. Voice-over Artist
Average Salary: $59,432/year
Education Requirement: None
Skills Necessary: Voice modulation, Tones
Find your dream job here: 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
Find your dream job here: Etsy
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
Find your dream job here: ZipRecruiter
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
Find your dream job here: 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
Find your dream job here: 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
Find your dream job here: 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
Find your dream job here: 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
Find your dream job here: 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.
8 Highest-Paying Jobs Without A Degree
“College isn’t for everyone,” and we completely get that sentiment.
Let us share some cool careers that can be done without a fancy degree and yet pay the bills.
1. Executive Assistant – Would you like to be the boss’s right-hand person but without the burden of being the boss that comes with it? This job is like being a super-organized problem-solving pro. As part of your responsibilities, you will schedule meetings, manage correspondence, and run the show behind the scenes.
2. Patrol Officer – If you want to take action and make a difference, this could be your thing. While you are out there, you will be tasked with defending the neighbourhood, solving riddles (sometimes crimes as well), and possibly even apprehending some criminals. The experience is akin to being a superhero in disguise!
3. Flight Attendant – Are you interested in travelling and meeting new people around the world? Role of a flight attendant will provide you with the chance to explore the world while simultaneously attending to the requirements of passengers. In addition to that, you will get the opportunity to wear a really cool uniform!
4. Sales Representative – It is possible only when you enjoy talking a lot and possess a natural gift for persuading other people, then sales could be the ideal road for you to take to accomplish your objectives. You will be the organization’s public face and be responsible for doing business transactions and building relationships with others.
5. Electrician – Problem-solving and puzzles are two of your favourite things to do. There is a significant demand for electricians. When it comes to electrical work, you will be the one to turn to for anything and everything, from repairing outlets to wiring entire structures.
6. Plumber – One more experience-based career with significant potential for financial gain. Plumbers are essential for ensuring our homes and businesses continue functioning without problems. When things get clogged, you will be the hero who comes to the rescue from the situation!
7. Hearing Aid Professional or Specialist – It is possible that this is your calling if you are compassionate and take pleasure in assisting other people. Through the process of fitting and adjusting hearing aids, you will be able to make people’s lives better. It is a job that is highly satisfying.
8. Bricklayer – Have a passion for constructing things with your hands? Brick masons are highly talented craftsmen in the construction industry who create stunning constructions. There is always a need for skilled people in this industry because it has been around for a long time. Consequently, there you have it!
Which of them piques your attention the most? Tell us in the comments.
Skills Required For Jobs That Pay Well Without A Degree
As a beginner, it might be critical to understand the skills essential to get lucrative jobs that pay well without a degree.
The specific skills required for jobs that pay well without a degree vary widely.
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.
1. 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. Overcoming challenges and setbacks is common in the pursuit of jobs that pay well without a degree.
2. Build A Portfolio: Of all your works, create a portfolio that defines your work in its best form. Make it handy and digital.
3. Clients Review: Take testimonies of your previous clients to add credibility to your work and gain the trust of the new clients.
4. 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.
Many well-paying jobs no degree demand strong interpersonal skills, problem-solving abilities, and a results-oriented mindset.
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
What education could land a job that pays well without a degree?
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.
Where do you find lucrative jobs that pay well without a college degree?
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.
What companies offer jobs that pay well without a degree?
Many companies are offering entry-level jobs. Big companies like Apple, Google, Microsoft, Amazon, IBM, Spectrum, etc., offer jobs and other perks.
What are some unskilled jobs that pay well without a degree?
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.
How can I make $100K without a degree?
You can achieve this through skilled trades, sales roles, tech jobs via bootcamps, entrepreneurship, or real estate.
How to make $70K a year without a degree?
Consider jobs in skilled trades, tech support, real estate, sales, or specialized roles like truck driving and logistics.
How to make $80K a year without a degree?
Options include becoming a skilled tradesperson, working in tech or sales, pursuing real estate, or advancing in a high-demand field like healthcare support.
