In this article, we take a look at the 25 highest paying jobs in the world without a degree. For more such jobs, visit 10 Highest Paying Jobs in the World Without a Degree.
It is a widespread misconception that a college degree is necessary to land a high-paying job in today’s competitive employment market. In this article, we will debunk the myth that a degree is a prerequisite for a high income and explore a variety of high-paying jobs that don’t require one.
Many lucrative job options call for something other than a degree, giving people a chance to succeed without the cost or time commitment of a traditional college education. People may opt to forgo higher education for various reasons, including financial limitations, personal circumstances, or a simple desire to join the workforce sooner.
The value of technical and vocational skills in the employment market has come to the fore in recent years. Many sectors now prioritize practical experience and knowledge over formal schooling due to the rise of automation, artificial intelligence, and the gig economy. A study from Harvard Business Review showed that many tech companies like Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG), Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) and Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) have dropped the degree requirement.
Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT), Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG) and Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) have done it in order to make sure there’s no filter when it comes to attracting practically skilled individuals. Many other tech companies have started following in the footsteps of companies like Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT), Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) and Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG), when it comes to attracting talent.
Benefits and Drawbacks of Pursuing a Non-degree Career
Less expensive education, quicker entry into the workforce, and greater career freedom are advantages of choosing a non-degree career. On-the-job training and apprenticeships are standard in non-degree careers, allowing people to develop their skills and acquire experience. Trade and technical careers also frequently offer employment security and high demand.
For instance, the demand for electricians is expected to grow steadily at 7% from 2021 to 2031 — based on data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
However, disadvantages could include restricted chances for advancement and potential wage ceilings in certain areas. Some professions requiring no degree might be less prestigious or well-known than positions requiring a degree.
Furthermore, lacking a formal degree might make it more challenging to switch industries or professions later, necessitating additional education or certifications.
How to Find a Job without a Degree?
Start by figuring out your skills, interests, and aptitudes if you want to locate a job without a degree. Look into fields and professions that fit these criteria and don’t call for a degree. Use online employment boards, sector-specific websites, and neighborhood classified ads to look for openings.
Attend job fairs and industry events, and register for online discussion groups to meet people in your desired work area. To improve your abilities and show dedication to learning, consider obtaining certifications, attending workshops, or enrolling in online courses. Based on a survey, 60% of IT professionals say certifications lead to a new job.
Make a significant first impression with your resume and cover letter by emphasizing your relevant experience, successes, and soft skills. Lastly, practice common interview questions and demonstrate your enthusiasm and adaptability.
Challenges and Barriers
Social pressure to pursue traditional higher education and societal expectations may hinder obtaining a non-degree job. Even for jobs that don’t require a degree, some employers might favor candidates who have one, limiting your options for employment.
Due to the increasing number of graduates joining the job market, non-degree job seekers may encounter more intense competition. A lack of knowledge about non-degree career paths and the resources that can assist them may also exist.
Without the connections offered by a college setting, networking can be challenging. Lastly, non-degree job seekers might need help obtaining specialized training or certifications, which can hinder entry into some industries. Still, millions of workers entered the workforce with only a high-school diploma.
With that said, let’s move to the 25 highest paying jobs in the world without a degree.
Photo by Austin Distel on Unsplash
Methodology
We’ve defined ‘highest paying jobs without a degree’ as ones that do not require a college degree. For the purpose, we’ve visted various reddit threads on subreddits like r/askreddit, r/jobs and r/personalfinance, among others which are talking about the highest-paying jobs without a college education to see which jobs, in fact, are the highest-paying.
We then selected jobs that appeared frequently on the threads and then looked up their salaries on various sources, including Indeed, Payscale, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Glassdoor and Salary Expert, among others, to arrive at estimates. We looked up salary threads on reddit for job salaries that varied wildly among other mentioned sources, to find on-the-ground information and then based our estimates on them for certain listed jobs. We also relied on sources like US Career Institute, and US news to complement our list.
Note: There are thousands of jobs in the world that pay lucrative salaries and do not require a degree. However, their salary-figures vary by employer, region and experience, among various other factors. Therefore, the limitations of this list should be considered. These jobs have been selected based on the consensus on reddit threads we’ve surveyed.
Here are the 25 highest paying jobs in the world without a degree:
25. Desktop Support Technician (IT)
Average Salary: $53,462
Desktop support technicians, also known as help desk technicians, provide technical support and assistance to users of desktop computers, laptops, and other devices in an organization. Their job is to ensure that end-users can access and use their computing devices and software effectively, efficiently, and securely. You don’t typically require college education to pursue a career in the IT industry as a help desk technician.
24. Insurance Sales Agent
Average Salary: $55,889
Insurance sales agents are professionals who sell various types of insurance policies to individuals and businesses. They provide information about different types of insurance coverage, assess their clients’ insurance needs, and recommend policies that best meet their clients’ requirements.
Insurance sales agents typically work for insurance companies and are responsible for building relationships with potential clients, explaining the features and benefits of various insurance policies, and addressing any questions or concerns that their clients may have. They may also help their clients complete insurance applications, collect premiums, and process insurance claims. Insurance sales agents can make, on average, $56,000 a year in North America and Europe.
23. Plumber
Average Salary: $56,178
Plumbers construct, maintain, and repair pipes and plumbing fixtures for residential and business buildings. They follow plans, measure and cut pipelines, and put in fixtures like sinks, toilets, and showers. They also identify and fix plumbing problems like leakage and clogs.
A plumber’s primary duties include ensuring the plumbing system operates correctly and supplying the building’s inhabitants with clean, safe water. Plumbers earn higher salaries than the market average due to high demand.
22. Food Service Manager
Average Salary: $59,416
Food managers are professionals who oversee the operations of food service establishments, such as restaurants, cafeterias, and catering companies. Some of their duties include managing finances and staff, ensuring food safety, inventory and supply management, and ensuring customer satisfaction.
21. Building Inspector
Average Salary: $59,949
The job description of building inspectors involves ensuring that buildings are constructed and maintained in accordance with local, state, and national building codes and safety standards.
They conduct construction inspection, issue renovation and construction permits, investigate complaints related to building code violation and take appropriate action to ensure compliance.
20. Commercial Diver
Average Salary: $60,360
A commercial diver is a professional who is trained and certified to work underwater in various industries such as oil and gas, construction, marine salvage, and scientific research. Their job involves using specialized equipment and techniques to perform a range of tasks, such as inspecting, repairing, and maintaining underwater structures and equipment, installing or removing underwater cables, pipelines, and drilling rigs, and conducting underwater surveys and experiments. The median annual salary for a commercial diver, according to BLS, is $60,360.
19. Flight Attendant
Average Salary: $61,640
Flight attendants ensure the safety and comfort of passengers on board commercial flights. Their duties include conducting pre-flight safety briefings, assisting passengers during the flight, responding to emergencies and ensuring compliance with safety regulations, among a number of other duties.
18. Lodging Manager
Average Salary: $62,586
Lodging managers, or hotel managers oversee the operations of hotels, and motels. Their primary responsibilities include managing staff, ensuring guest satisfaction, maintaining the facility, and managing finances.
They are responsible for recruiting, hiring, training, and managing staff members, including front desk clerks, housekeeping staff, and maintenance workers. They also ensure that employees comply with policies and procedures, and provide them with feedback and coaching as needed.
17. Carpenter
Average Salary: $67,485
A carpenter builds and fixes wooden constructions like furnishings, cabinets, and buildings. They take measurements, cut materials, assemble structures, place them, and fix deteriorated or old structures.
Overall, carpenters play a critical role in the construction industry, using their skills and expertise to build and maintain structures and fixtures which are both functional and aesthetically pleasing. They may work for construction companies, home builders, or as independent contractors.
16. Truck Driver (Cargo)
Average Salary: $67,600
Truck drivers working for companies make, on average, $67,600 a year in net. Companies like the UPS pay $42 per hour, on average, to full-time drivers after four years on the job.
Owner-operators, on the other hand, easily make six figures in countries like the US and Canada. On average, they make 16% more than company drivers when demographic variables are not controlled for, because of the autonomy-factor, which allows them to choose their routes and cargo. Owner-operators also, on average, work 1.1 more hours on the job every week.
15. Executive Assistant
Average Salary: $73,500
An executive assistant is a professional who provides administrative support and assistance to one or more executives or high-level managers in an organization. Their job duties can vary depending on the needs of the executive they support, but generally include tasks such as managing their calendar and scheduling appointments, arranging travel and accommodations, screening phone calls and emails, organizing meetings and events, preparing reports and presentations, and handling other administrative tasks as needed.
14. Distribution Manager
Average Salary: $80,706
Distribution managers are responsible for overseeing the movement of products from a manufacturer or supplier to a retailer or end customer. They play a critical role in the supply chain by ensuring that products are delivered on time and at the right location.
13. Crane Operator
Average Salary: $83,200
Crane operators, as the name suggests, operate cranes. Crane operators make an average of $83,200 a year. In upstate New York, it can be as high as $116,480, depending on the union and contract.
In addition to operating the crane itself, crane operators must be able to read and interpret blueprints and other technical specifications to determine the appropriate crane and lifting techniques to use for a given task. This requires a strong understanding of weight and load distribution, as well as the mechanics of lifting and moving heavy objects.
12. Real Estate Agent
Average Salary: $95,190
An estate agent aids customers in purchasing, selling, or renting real estate. They carry out a market study, offer suggestions regarding pricing and bargaining, and assist clients with the buying or selling process. They also manage paperwork and legal documentation, hold open houses, and promote properties. A real estate agent’s main objective is to help clients achieve their real estate goals and requirements.
11. Lineperson
Average Salary: $100,000
Linepersons earn higher than average, especially in North America. For example, according to Indeed, the average salary for a US Department of Energy Lineperson is $95,986.
Among their duties is installation, maintenance, and repair of electrical power and telecommunication lines and equipment. Their work involves climbing poles and towers to perform maintenance and repair work on power lines and associated equipment, as well as using specialized tools and equipment to install and maintain power lines and equipment. Linepersons also test and troubleshoot electrical systems and equipment to diagnose and repair issues.
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Disclosure: none. 25 Highest Paying Jobs in the World Without a Degree is originally published on Insider Monkey.