23 Highest Paying Jobs Without a Degree!
It may be surprising to know that there are many jobs that pay highly well without requiring a college degree. We have been raised with the mindset that getting a college degree equals getting a high-paying job that would give you financial freedom and happiness.
That’s completely not true. We mostly forget that the degree itself isn’t what’s going to make you succeed but rather, your desire to constantly seek education in relevant fields.
Let me use myself as an example. I started this blog with no experience at all; I didn’t know how to do SEO, I didn’t know how to write articles(in high school my English was average, I could hardly get above 60 in exams), I didn’t know how to design and build a website, and many more.
However, I figured out all these through self-education. No college degree made me a website owner or an online content creator.
This isn’t to discourage you from getting any college degree of that sort because let us be honest, college does come with some benefits including exposure, connections, etc.
Nonetheless, if you’re someone who doesn’t want to go spend four or more years in college for a certificate or degree – but has allowed the “ if you want to be successful, get a college degree” cliché to occupy your thoughts, buddy, there are many highest-paying jobs for you. So you got to suffocate those voices.
This article has outlined the 23 highest-paying jobs without a degree. Read further to know about these jobs.
High Paying Jobs Without A College Degree
Employers nowadays have on-the-job training for new employees. Moreover, the days that employers looked at the score on your certificate are gone.
Now, companies want to hire people who have some practical skills and are willing to cope with the intensity of the work. And frankly speaking, college doesn’t really teach students that.
This shift in preferences by employers has paved the way for non-degree holders to get the chance to work in IT, manufacturing companies, etc.
1. Commercial Pilot
- Median Income: $93,000 [Source]
- Entry-level Education: Commercial Pilot License and High school diploma.
- Expected Job Growth: 13% from 2020 to 2030. That’s around 15,000 jobs per year.
The job comes with so many amazing perks like traveling to beautiful cities, meeting new people on every workday, and going home without any job-related tasks. Commercial pilot only needs a high school diploma and a Commercial Pilot License(CPL) with some flight time to get employed.
There are so many types of commercial pilots; military pilots, flight instructors, crop duster pilots, corporate pilots, cargo pilots, and airline pilots – just to name a few.
However, to work for airlines, you may require a bachelor’s degree since legacy airlines like Delta, Southwest, and United Airlines have that as a requirement. Even so, not all airlines require a bachelor’s degree.
2. Firefighter
- Median Income: $51,000
- Entry-level Education: High school diploma or equivalent.
- Expected Job Growth: 8% from 2020 to 2030.
Firefighters are very important hence they are paid very well. Firefighters who have enough experience earn around $90,000. The work may be dangerous since you’re dealing with fire.
Because of this, firefighters go through intense training to prepare them to overcome any challenges that may come up during an operation. Firefighters are also taught how to provide immediate medical attention to fire victims before paramedics arrive.
3. Aircraft Maintenance Technician
- Median Income: $66,680
- Entry-level Education: High school diploma and an FAA certificate with Airframe and Power plant ratings.
- Expected Job Growth: 11% from 2020 to 2030.
Aircraft Maintenance Technician ensures that all maintenance checks have been done on an aircraft before it flies into the skies.
Moreover, any fault that pilots identify during flight is communicated to them to be fixed once the plane is on the ground.
There are special schools where you can get the needed training to qualify you as an AMT. These schools have to be FAA-approved. Aircraft Maintenance Technicians would always be needed as long as airplanes are around.
4. Truck Driver
- Median Income: $47,130
- Entry-level Education: High school diploma or equivalent and a commercial driver’s license(CDL).
- Expected Job Growth: 6% from 2020 to 2030.
Truck drivers normally work for logistics companies by transporting raw materials, chemical waste, finished products, etc, from warehouses or factories to retail stores and other places. Truck drivers drive long haul, so you have to be comfortable with that.
There are other medical checks one has to pass to drive trucks. The job is growing rapidly at the moment – with more than 231,100 truck drivers job openings every year!
5. IT Technician
- Median Income: $55,510
- Entry-level Education: High school diploma or associate’s degree in computer networking, information security, and server administration.
- Expected Job Growth: 9% from 2020 to 2030.
IT Technicians perform several tasks such as troubleshooting local area networks(LANs), wide area networks(WANs), and internet systems.
In addition, they test and evaluate existing network systems as well as make sure that the network runs smoothly. A high school diploma and an associate degree should be enough to get into the IT sector.
However, big tech companies may require a bachelor’s degree. All the same, your skill is what would give you the whip hand. It’s highly recommended that you get a CompTIA A+ certificate if you want to get into the IT sector. Experienced IT Technicians earn between $55,000 and $70,000 annually.
6. Cable Supervisor
- Median Income: $45,480 [ ZipRecruiter]
- Entry-level Education: High school diploma or associate degree.
- Expected Job Growth: -6% from 2020 to 2030.
The work of a cable supervisor is to oversee the works of cable technicians. To become a cable supervisor, you got to have knowledge and experience in voice cable systems and data installation, home routers and other devices, and also, setting of ground cables.
Furthermore, you should be able to inspect and interpret troubleshooting disorders associated with cable devices, as well as installed equipment.
In all, being a supervisor means you’re leading a team – therefore, you have to develop a good sense of judgement, and other leadership skills. The cable supervisor job prospect isn’t really promising since it’s expected to decrease within the next decade.
7. Power Plant Operator
- Median Income: $89,090
- Entry-level Education: High school diploma
- Expected Job Growth: -14% from 2020 to 2030.
The main duty of a power plant operator is to control the generation and distribution of electricity by systems. Power plant operators go through extensive on-the-job training before taking control of the systems, because of that, only a high school diploma or equivalent is enough. The median income is very high for this job, however, the job’s demand is expected to decline drastically from now to 2030.
8. Wind Turbine Technician
- Median Income: $56,230
- Entry-level Education: High school diploma
- Expected Job Growth: 68% from 2020 to 2030.
This job is growing exponentially at the moment, with a 68 percent growth rate, it has never been the right time to become a wind turbine technician!
The duty of a wind turbine technician is to install wind turbines and maintain or repair them when there’s a fault.
Most companies have on-the-job training to get you ready for the job. If you know wind turbines, they’re usually high above the ground. So you’ve to be sure you’re not afraid of height before you apply to become one.
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9. Radiation Therapist
- Median Income: $86,850
- Entry-level Education: Associate’s degree
- Expected Job Growth: 9% from 2020 to 2030.
The radiation therapist job is one that requires no bachelor’s degree. In fact, an associate’s degree should be enough to secure you a job. However, even after that, you’d be required to take a national medical test to qualify you for a job!
Radiation therapists treat cancers and tumors in patients via the use of radiation treatment. Becoming one, your workplace would be at the hospitals, centers of outpatients, and offices of physicians. The radiation therapist job is expected to grow steadily over the next decade.
10. Real Estate Agent
- Median Income: $60,370
- Entry-level Education: High school diploma
- Expected Job Growth: 4% from 2020 to 2030.
As a real estate agent, you would be assisting your clients to purchase, rent or sell properties for which you’d earn a commission from every sale. Leasing, selling, or buying a property especially if it’s the first time isn’t easy, so your service would be needed by people.
There’s a special course one has to take to become a licensed real estate agent – every state or country has its own specific qualifications. You would be better off if you learn marketing and accounting as well.
According to statistics, there are more than 47,000 openings for real estate agents every year. The average salary for real estate agents is around $60,000 per year!
11. Massage Therapist
- Median Income: $43,620
- Entry-level Education: High school diploma
- Expected Job Growth: 32% from 2020 to 2030.
Massage therapists work at various places such as hotels, spas, fitness centers, physicians’ offices, and many more. Your duty would be to help clients release stress and body pains through soft and smooth muscle touches.
A high school diploma and a certificate in this field are all that you need – this depends on the state you’re in. The job outlook for massage therapists would continue to soar. This job is amazing, and it pays well too.
12. Plumber
- Median Income: $56,330
- Entry-level Education: High school diploma or equivalent
- Expected Job Growth: 5% from 2020 to 2030.
Plumbers fix and repair pipe systems in factories, homes, and other places. The best way to learn this job is through apprenticeship or attending a technical institution. A high school diploma is okay to land you a job as a plumber.
Plumbers can be called to fix a leaking pipeline during any time of the day – even on weekends. So you have to be prepared for that. Plumber’s job is expected to grow 5 percent from now to 2030. The median salary for a plumber is around $56,330 – which makes it a cool job to consider.
13. Elevator & Escalator Mechanic
- Median Income: $88,540
- Entry-level Education: High school diploma or equivalent
- Expected Job Growth: 6% from 2020 to 2030.
This is one of the coolest jobs that pay well which you may haven’t considered. Elevator and Escalator mechanics fix faulty elevators, escalators, lifts, and many more to make sure everything is operating smoothly. You may also find them troubleshooting controls systems, switches, motors, and others.
The best way to become an elevator mechanic is by going through an apprenticeship course that is sponsored by an employer to ensure that you get into the workforce right after the training. A high school diploma is enough – having basic Physics knowledge would also be a pro for you.
You can become a certified elevator mechanic through the National Association of Elevators and Contractors or the National Association of Elevator Safety Authorities International.
Every year, this job has more than 2,500 openings and it’s expected to grow 6% from now to 2030. Don’t forget that the average salary per year of an elevator and escalator mechanic is $88,540!
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14. Web Developer
- Median Income: $77,200
- Entry-level Education: High school diploma
- Expected Job Growth: 13% from 2020 to 2030.
Businesses hire web developers to create, design, and manage their websites so they can make more sales. A web developer is good to go with a high school diploma but other companies may require that you have a bachelor’s degree. Several web developers also work as freelancers on platforms like Upwork, Upstack, Fiverr, and Toptal.
To become a web developer, you have to learn and understand HMTL programming deeply and support it with SQL or Javascript – to give you a high chance of being hired by a company.
It has been predicted that from now to 2030, there would be about 17,900 web developer job openings.
15. Criminal Investigator
- Median Income: $67,290
- Entry-level Education: High school diploma or equivalent
- Expected Job Growth: 7% from 2020 to 2030.
Criminal investigators perform background checks to find evidence in a case. They may as well disguise themselves to monitor the steps or activities of suspects. This job requires you to work at any time of the day within the week. If you have the passion to serve and protect lives, then this job is for you.
There are 67,000 job openings for criminal investors every year and it has been predicted that it would continue that way for the next decade. Criminal investigators earn good money – $67,290 is the median income per year.
16. Dental Hygienist
- Median Income: $77,090
- Entry-level Education: Associate’s degree
- Expected Job Growth: 11% from 2020 to 2030.
Dental hygienists put smiles on patients’ faces by helping them cure oral diseases such as cavity, periodontitis, and gingivitis. They also take dental x-rays and educate patients about oral hygiene and nutrition. The job requires you to have an associate’s degree which takes 3 years to complete. Dental courses are mostly found in technical institutions, universities, and community colleges.
Your working place would be at the dentist’s office. Dental hygienists make an average of $77,090 per year – with 15,600 job openings every year, this is a job to consider.
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17. Hearing Aid Specialist
- Median Income: $54,630
- Entry-level Education: High school diploma
- Expected Job Growth: 11% from 2020 to 2030.
Hearing Aid Specialists examine patients to determine how serious their impaired hearing is, and afterward, figure out the best medical treatment and lifestyle to help these patients. A high school diploma is enough to become a hearing aid specialist. There is on-the-job training you can take online under the International Hearing Society to become certified.
The prospect of the job is very bright since it’s expected to grow 11% within the next decade – $54,630 average salary isn’t bad plus you get the chance to help people hear better again! That’s very gratifying.
18. Surgical Technologist
- Median Income: $49,710
- Entry-level Education: High school diploma
- Expected Job Growth: 9% from 2020 to 2030.
Surgical Technologists prepare operating rooms by sterilizing the rooms, making surgical equipment ready, preparing patients for surgery, sterilizing equipment and many more. In general, surgical technologists help surgeons to perform safe and smooth operations.
To become a surgical technologist, you need a certificate or an associate’s degree from an accredited institution. These programs usually last for two years. CAAHEP has over 450 programs to train you as a fully qualified surgical technologist.
19. Occupational Therapy Assistant
- Median Income: $60,950
- Entry-level Education: High school diploma
- Expected Job Growth: 34% from 2020 to 2030.
Occupational therapy assistants support patients who have physical, cognitive, or sensory problems to heal, develop, maintain and improve their abilities or skills that are required for work and other activities in life. Other duties of occupational therapy assistants include motivating patients to go through a task, helping disabled children to live a more sociable and vibrant life, teaching patients how to use medical equipment, and many more.
To become an occupational therapy assistant, you have to complete a 2-year associate’s degree program from an accredited institution where you’d learn subjects like pediatric health, psychology, biology and geriatrics. But that wouldn’t be all – you also have to complete a minimum of 16 weeks of practical work to gain experience.
Occupational therapy assistant job prospect is bright; 34% expected growth within the next decade.
20. Flight Attendant
- Median Income: $59,050
- Entry-level Education: High school diploma or equivalent
- Expected Job Growth: 30% from 2020 to 2030.
Flight attendants work in the airplane to serve meals and beverages to passengers, give preflight briefings, assist passengers to fasten their seatbelts, help passengers evacuate the airplane in emergency situations and many more. Becoming a flight attendant is one of the coolest jobs you’d get since you get the chance to visit different cities and meet new amazing people.
However, be aware that you may be away from home most of the time on occasions like Christmas, birthday parties of your friends, etc. You may be working on holidays, weekends, nights, early mornings, etc. You need a high school diploma and fluency in foreign languages like Spanish, French, Chinese Mandarin, etc.
21. Funeral Director
- Median Income: $58,170
- Entry-level Education: Associate’s degree
- Expected Job Growth: 4% from 2020 to 2030.
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An associate’s degree in mortuary science, funeral services or any related field is required to take this position. A funeral director prepares the deceased body for funeral or burial, provides counselling to the families of the deceased, prepare death certificates and other legal funeral documents, etc. Furthermore, funeral director takes charge of the claiming of insurance and other funeral benefits.
There are more than 4,000 funeral director job openings every year and it’s expected to continue from now to the year 2030.
22. Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisor
- Median Income: $59,620
- Entry-level Education: High school diploma
- Expected Job Growth: 6% from 2020 to 2030.
Aircraft cargo handling supervisors oversee the loading, staging and unloading of baggage and cargo to ensure that all items are safe. Some of the skills needed to become a successful aircraft cargo handling supervisor are verbal communication, calculation or math ability – since you would be required to calculate the center of gravity of aircraft before loading cargo and baggage, in-depth knowledge about various types of aircraft, as well as supervisory and managerial skills.
A high school diploma is the minimum you should have to get this job.
23. Electrician
- Median Income: $56,900
- Entry-level Education: High school diploma or equivalent
- Expected Job Growth: 9% from 2020 to 2030.
If you enjoy working with cables, then become an electrician. Electricians basically install, maintain and repair light systems, electrical transformers or powers, communication systems and many more.
There are many technical schools you can attend to learn this trade. You can as well take a 4-5 years apprenticeship program. The Home Builders Institute offers certified programs for electricians(PACT).
As an electrician, you would be working during any hour of the day – if only there’s a problem you have to fix. The electrician job is projected to expand 9% from now to 2030. On average, electricians earn $56,900 per year!
Final Words
Now it’s obvious that you can have a high paying job even without a bachelor’s degree. So if you dread spending four to seven years in college for a degree, just go ahead for these jobs with your high school diploma. If it becomes crucial that you get an associate’s degree – get it, since that’s less expensive and takes only two years to complete.
While you work at these jobs, constantly seek for financial literacy. Learning how to make money work for you through investing in stocks, real estate and others, is the way to grow true wealth.
I hope that this article inspires you to work hard and smart for the financial freedom you’re after. Wishing you more dollars and freedom!
Manuelo is an entrepreneur and a personal finance nerd. He is the founder of Dollars And Freedom. An expert in side hustles, online gigs, and everything about making money. His works have been featured on major financial publications, such as Business Insider, GoBankingRates, Investopedia, Entrepreneur, and more. When he’s not busy with his blog or writing for others, you’ll catch him hanging out with loved ones or reading books on stoicism and self-development.
