Are you looking for a high-paying job but don’t want to spend money on to a four-year or graduate degree? You do not need a college degree to get a good job. There is a new type of job that values skills over education and work experience.
“New-collar jobs,” sometimes known as “middle-skill jobs,” are ones that demand specific hard skills but do not require a four-year college degree (or substantial work experience). Employees can often acquire the necessary skills for their jobs through vocational training, a certificate program, an apprenticeship, or a two-year degree program.
These skilled professions can be found in a wide range of industries. They are especially prevalent in service, healthcare, information technology (IT), and manufacturing.
Hospitals, state governments, schools, factories, IT businesses, and other institutions are now looking for individuals with suitable skills rather than the right degree. Some employers even provide paid training programs for prospective hopefuls, akin to apprenticeships.
Here’s a list of the top ten most interesting jobs to go after without a degree. These are the jobs that don’t require a four-year degree, pay well, and are in high demand. Read the job descriptions, as well as a list of other prospects, to determine which new-collar job is best for you.
Top 8 Popular Jobs for People without a degree.
1. Sales person
Many sales jobs can pay six figures, and not all require a four-year degree. The jobs differ… For example, you could be a car salesman or work in an office selling software to other firms. whereas selling vehicles is B2C (business-to-consumer).
B2B often pays more, but many firms require a four-year college degree. However, that is not all!
Each employer will have specific educational background requirements. Sales positions may be quite lucrative since you generally receive commission in addition to a base wage, which means the business pays you a share of each sale you generate.
(The percentage changes according to the profit margin of the product you are selling. If you want to earn $100,000 or more, I would try selling anything with a high margin, such as software subscriptions.
In addition, several organizations seek entry-level applicants for this position. So, if you’re looking for a job with no experience, sales is one of your greatest possibilities.
Once employed for an entry-level sales position, your employer will give you with job training that includes observing and listening to experienced salespeople.
I believe that sales is one of the best occupations to start right now. (Among all jobs, not just those that do not require a college degree).
2. Software Developer
Software developers can also earn thousands of dollars, and many of them bypassed college in favor of self-teaching or attending coding boot camps instead. (Coding boot camps are accelerated programs that can be completed online or in person and typically run 12 weeks. They teach the fundamentals of software development).
When employing software developers, each firm will have its own educational criteria, similar to sales, but an increasing number of companies are eliminating the requirement for a college diploma.
According to CNBC, Google, Apple, and 12 other well-known technology businesses no longer require a four-year degree to secure employment!
This makes software engineering one of the highest-paying careers that do not require a degree. If you want to get started as a softwaredeveloper
3. Digital Marketer
Many top-earning digital marketers have only a high school diploma. They are either self-taught or engaged in digital marketing classes, rather than pursuing a general college degree across four years.
Digital marketing is a lucrative sector with several work prospects, whether you freelance or seek full-time, permanent employment.
You can also specialize in a variety of areas, including social media marketing, content marketing, paid advertising, and more.
4. Real Estate Agent.
Many successful real estate professionals do not hold a college degree. Instead, they finish high school and then receive their real estate license and start working.
This helps kids to enter the real estate market at a reasonably young age, since working in this industry sometimes don’t require any additional formal schooling.
Real estate agents and brokers, like salesmen, get a commission or percentage of the deals they sell, therefore if you are successful in this sector, your profits can be quite substantial (in the hundreds of thousands of dollars).
Because this career is often concentrated around a single city or place and requires you to create a network, it’s better to go this route if you want to stay in your city or region for an extended period. If you need to migrate, you can rebuild your network.
5. Expert in Networks
In the IT department of a business, a network specialist makes sure that systems and communication networks are always operational. In addition to monitoring and maintaining network security, they also evaluate statistics on network performance. Since almost every business today communicates digitally and needs continuous uptime for their phones, internet, and other devices, this is a crucial position.
Although most employers do not require a four-year college degree to attain this position, there are some technical skills that are necessary for this profession. They frequently care more about your specialized, work-related abilities. According to PayScale, the median yearly compensation for network professionals is $56,708.
6. Operator of a Power Plant
In order to ensure that everything is operating correctly and producing power in a safe and dependable manner, power plant operators keep an eye on and maintain the equipment. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median yearly salary for this occupation is $85,950, and operators normally only need to complete high school or its equivalent to be eligible for employment. Naturally, a great deal of on-the-job training will be necessary to learn about safety rules, the equipment you’ll be using, and other topics.
You can anticipate a combination of classroom job training and practical teaching using the necessary equipment and control panels if you decide to pursue this vocation.
7. Professional Skills
When people are thinking about college or traditional office jobs, they frequently overlook jobs in the skilled trades (plumber, electrician, locksmith, etc.). However, the truth is that skilled trades jobs pay very well and rarely require a college degree (in fact, many don’t even require a high school diploma, though having one will definitely make your job search easier).
You can make six figures if you are an expert in your field and specialize in something like commercial plumbing.
Higher-paying positions without a degree are quite rare, particularly if you don’t want to work in an office! (Earlier, we talked about real estate, software development, and sales. Those might pay more, but you would be working in an office.
8. Auto Repair
If you want to make a lot of money without a degree and without working in an office, this is another great alternative!
Employers in the auto repair sector strive for job-related knowledge and frequently offer job training in addition to a degree. This is a career worth pursuing if you have a mechanical bent.
The median yearly compensation for an Automotive Mechanic III is $58,628, according to Salary.com, thus after making advancement in this sector, you can make a comfortable living.
If you concentrate and master a particular car type or brand, you can also increase your income. (The auto repair industry is getting increasingly automated and digital, and each model is slightly different, therefore a true professional is required to diagnose and repair modern car engines).
Alternative Educational Methods
1. Documents
A certification can be a great asset to a job on its own or in conjunction with a degree. Compared to academic degrees, the world of certification is more varied. Most can be completed in less than a year or two, and many of them include academic credits, some may lead to licensure, are organization-endorsed, and are tailored to specific career goals.
2. Non-Degree Postsecondary Certificates
Another broad category of non-degree certifications is postsecondary non-degree awards. Once postsecondary education or training is finished, which may take two weeks to two years, these rewards are given out. Healthcare and other extremely profitable industries can make use of a large number of non-degree awards.
3. Instruction in Technology
The purpose of career and technical education is to provide industry-relevant vocational training. A diploma or certification in a particular field of interest could result from this. Technical and vocational schools, as well as two- to four-year colleges and universities, offer these programs.
4. Apprenticeships
Apprenticeship programs combine elements of paid work and education to offer industry-recognized credentials. These days, those seeking nationally recognized qualifications in a variety of industries can find excellent possibilities through industry-recognized apprenticeship programs (IRAPs) or registered apprenticeship programs (RAPs).
5. Certification
Since licensing is a state-granted, required credential, it differs from state to state. Licensure is necessary for a number of professions, including professional electrical work, clinical practice, and counseling. In addition to having passed the necessary tests, licensed practitioners are subject to industry-specific ethical standards. Although obtaining a certificate is not a requirement for obtaining a license, it might lead to one by offering the academic hours or credits needed for state tests.
We’ve now examined a few of the highest-paying jobs that don’t require a degree. This list is a good place to start if you want a job that pays the highest with the least amount of schooling. Next, select the options that most interest you from the list. and then do more research into the requirements.
Consider the kind of work you would like to do as well. Which would you prefer: working outside or in an office? Which would you rather work with: people or technology/information? Both of those job kinds have good careers that do not require a degree. Think on your prior knowledge and expertise. If you already have some relevant training or abilities, it will be easier to be recruited.