Many people are starting to look for careers that don’t require a college degree as student loan debt continues to rise. Nevertheless, what are the possibilities for well-paying jobs without a degree? S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U. S. The Career Institute compiled a list of 80 positions with an average annual salary of over $50,000 that don’t require a degree. Many of the jobs only require a high school diploma or its equivalent, while some of the listed positions may require some additional training and a postsecondary nondegree award. You’ll see that some of the high-paying positions on the list don’t require a formal education. Farm labor contractors, who earn a median salary of $61,910 and have no formal educational requirements, were discovered to have the highest paying occupation with the fewest educational requirements. Find out more about the 80 jobs that can be obtained without a degree and their expected rate of job growth over the following ten years.
- Electrical foreman. National average salary: $30.12 per hour. …
- Yoga instructor. National average salary: $30.33 per hour. …
- Makeup artist. National average salary: $30.41 per hour. …
- Massage therapist. …
- Freelance photographer. …
- MRI technician. …
- Dental hygienist. …
- Power plant operator.
20 jobs that pay at least $60,000 without a degree
The careers on the following list span several industries and don’t require a postsecondary degree. Additionally, these positions may pay at least $60,000 a year. Some of these career paths might need particular education, training, certification, or licensing. You can use this list to research potential high-paying career paths if you don’t have a bachelor’s degree:
An electrical foreman’s main responsibilities are organizing and managing electrical projects. They frequently already have experience working as electricians, which calls for a high school diploma or its equivalent, participation in specialized training or apprenticeship programs, and obtaining a license. Their duties include analyzing the electrical requirements of clients, preparing time and cost estimates, hiring and training staff, managing project staff, ensuring compliance with safety regulations, and inspecting and performing quality assurance on work.
A yoga instructor’s main responsibilities include instructing yoga to students in order to increase their flexibility and strength. Although a degree is not necessary for entry into this field, instructors must complete a specialized training or certification program in order to practice. Yoga instructors can work independently or for studios and fitness centers. Planning lessons, demonstrating yoga poses and techniques, modifying instructions for all student levels, and instructing breathing exercises are among their duties.
A makeup artist’s main responsibilities include applying makeup to clients for both personal and professional use. There are no educational requirements for this position because clients typically value experience levels of makeup artists. Makeup artists can work in a variety of settings, including the entertainment industry, department stores, and freelance positions. Their duties include working with clients to create desired makeup looks, determining what will look best on clients, and offering guidance on makeup application. Working in entertainment settings may require applying prosthetics on performers.
A massage therapist’s main responsibilities include massaging patients for relaxation, pain relief, or rehabilitation. There are no educational prerequisites for this profession, but applicants must have a massage therapy license. Massage therapists may conduct their business from client homes, injury treatment centers, or offices. Maintaining treatment records, assessing patients to find sore or tense spots, and advising patients on posture, relaxation, strengthening, or stretching techniques are among the duties.
The main responsibilities of a freelance photographer are to take pictures for clients. There are no educational requirements for this career because clients typically hire photographers based on their level of experience and previous work. According to state regulations, independent photographers may need to obtain a business permit and must own their own camera equipment. They must work with clients to create the photos they want, negotiate contracts or payments, locate locations for photo shoots, edit the photos, and then deliver them to the clients.
MRI technicians, also called MRI technologists, are in charge of operating the equipment that generates 3D images of patients’ organs and tissues. An associate’s degree, certificate, or MRI technology diploma from a community college or trade school is required for people who want to pursue this career. Injecting patients with dye for imaging purposes, positioning patients for scans, going over medical histories, addressing concerns, and making sure imaging equipment is maintained are among their duties. To read and analyze images, they frequently collaborate closely with physicians and radiologists.
Primary responsibilities: A dental hygienist performs cleanings and examinations of teeth under the direction of dentists. To become certified, those who are interested in this profession must complete an associate’s or specialized training program in dental hygiene. They must inform patients about oral health, protect teeth with materials, take X-rays, and collaborate with dentists to create treatment plans.
Primary responsibilities: A power plant operator is in charge of overseeing and maintaining the machinery used to generate electricity at the facility. They may operate generators, turbines, boilers, and reactors among other machinery. A high school diploma or its equivalent is required for those interested in this career, and they receive in-depth training while working. Cleaning equipment, keeping an eye on graphs and meters to gauge voltage and electricity flows, inspecting tools and indicators to spot problems, and ensuring adherence to safety and environmental regulations are just a few of their duties.
Preventing theft or fraud at retail establishments is the main responsibility of an asset protection specialist. There are no educational prerequisites for this career, and people frequently receive on-the-job training. They are responsible for writing case reports, enhancing store security, instructing staff members about loss prevention, and conducting inventory inspections. They may also be in charge of keeping store personnel and customers safe and informing managers of any hazards.
An instrument technician’s main responsibilities include keeping an eye on, fixing, and maintaining mechanical systems. They are also referred to as instrumentation control technicians and frequently work in manufacturing facilities supervising industrial equipment. Although there are no educational prerequisites for this career, technicians frequently receive on-the-job training or work toward an Engineering Technologies certification. Monitoring equipment performance, testing and calibrating equipment, and ensuring adherence to pertinent safety and environmental standards are among their duties.
Primary responsibilities: A truck driver is in charge of moving cargo using a tractor-trailer or large truck. A high school diploma or its equivalent is required, as well as obtaining a commercial drivers license. They might travel for days or weeks, taking local or long-distance routes. They are responsible for devising effective travel routes, regularly inspecting their trucks, keeping daily logs, and securing cargo.
A ranch manager’s main responsibilities are to supervise ranch operations. Many managers receive training for this position through practical experience working on ranches or participating in apprenticeship programs, so a degree is not necessary. Their duties in relation to livestock include making sure animals have access to food and water, managing vaccination programs, monitoring animal breeding, and branding or tagging animals. Recruiting and training ranch workers, keeping track of finances and operations, ensuring compliance with laws, and negotiating the sale of crops and livestock are among the additional duties.
The primary responsibilities of a cargo pilot are to transport cargo by air Although certification as an airline transport pilot and a commercial pilot license are prerequisites for this profession, degrees are not. Typically, cargo pilots fly at night or in the early morning, carrying items like mail, perishables, industrial supplies, or supplies for humanitarian aid. They must plan routes, check the weather before flights, work with air traffic controllers to coordinate flight plans, and keep an eye on fuel and equipment, among other duties.
Primary responsibilities: A sales representative promotes manufacturers’ and wholesalers’ products and services. Roles in this profession do not require a post-secondary degree. However, some specialized sales positions, like those in the pharmaceutical or technical industries, might call for additional education. They are responsible for reaching out to current and potential clients, giving product demonstrations, negotiating sales agreements, and managing transactions. Additionally, they might have to regularly produce sales reports and achieve any sales targets set by their employers.
A radiation therapist’s main responsibilities include giving radiation treatments to patients, frequently those who have cancer. Although some employers favor applicants with an associate’s degree in radiation therapy, others hire people who have finished a certificate program and obtained licensure. Operating radiation therapy equipment, taking X-rays to determine treatment areas, discussing treatment protocols, adhering to radiation safety protocols, and monitoring patients throughout the course of treatment are among their duties.
An IT technician’s main responsibilities include installing, repairing, and maintaining computer systems as well as handling IT problems. Although employers might favor applicants with a bachelor’s degree in computer science, those without one can still land entry-level positions with the right certifications, formal training, and experience. The duties of IT technicians include troubleshooting computer issues, responding to support requests, testing hardware and software to ensure system compatibility, and implementing upgrades as necessary.
An HVAC supervisor’s main responsibilities include managing a group of HVAC engineers or technicians. HVAC professionals install, maintain, and repair heating and cooling systems for homes and businesses. If someone has worked as an HVAC technician in the past, they may pursue a supervisory position, which necessitates certification and participation in an apprenticeship program. Work orders are assigned, repair and maintenance activities are planned and overseen, time and cost estimates are made, and inventory is managed by HVAC supervisors.
A web developer’s main responsibilities are building websites and web applications. Although some employers favor applicants with an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, those without one can start their careers as independent developers. People interested in this career can learn web development techniques on their own or take courses. They are responsible for writing both front-end and back-end code, working with clients and designers, identifying improvements using user feedback and testing techniques, and troubleshooting problems.
A real estate agent’s main responsibilities include working with clients to buy, sell, or rent properties. Individuals must complete the courses necessary for their state to grant them a real estate license in order to practice as real estate agents. Real estate agents consult with clients frequently to ascertain their needs, do research to evaluate potential options, and respond to inquiries about the neighborhood. They are responsible for contract creation, contract negotiations, coordinating property viewings, and publishing real estate listings.
The following are the main responsibilities of an owner-operator driver in the trucking and transportation sector. This position necessitates a current commercial drivers license because they frequently have prior trucking experience and own semi-trailer trucks. They are liable for the truck’s costs as its owners, including maintenance and fuel. Long-distance truck driving, route planning, adhering to traffic regulations, and loading and unloading cargo are among their duties. Additionally, they might carry out business-related tasks like accounting and tax-related ones.
Additional job options
Here are 16 additional professions that, if you lack a degree, you might be interested in. Potentially, these positions can pay at least $60,000 annually:
The 10 Highest Paying Jobs Without A College Degree – LEARN THESE NOW!
FAQ
What can I do to make 60k a year?
- Market Research Analyst.
- Compensation, Benefits and Job Analysis Specialist. …
- Film and Video Editor. …
- Conservation Scientist or Forester. …
- Human Resources Specialist. …
- High School Teacher. …
- Respiratory Therapist. …
- Public Relations Specialist. Median annual salary in 2018: $60,000. …
What job pays you the most without a degree?
- Patrol Officer.
- Executive Assistant.
- Sales Representative.
- Flight Attendant.
- Electrician.
- Plumber.
- Wind Turbine Technician.
How can I make 70k without a degree?
- Air traffic controllers. …
- Transportation, storage and distribution managers. …
- First-line supervisors of police and detectives. …
- Radiation therapists. …
- Nuclear technicians. …
- Detectives and criminal investigators. …
- Electrical and electronics repairers.
What jobs pay 50K a year without college?
- Property manager.
- Retail store manager.
- Law enforcement officer.
- Title examiner.
- Web developer.
- Fitness manager.
- Hotel manager.
- Pipe welder.
