Even if you do not have a degree from a postsecondary institution, you still have a wide variety of employment alternatives to choose from, many of which have the potential to pay well. These positions are available in a wide variety of sectors, and although some of them need specific training, others do not. You will be able to evaluate which line of work is the most suitable for you by analyzing the many employment opportunities that are open to you, as well as the requirements associated with each one. We have compiled a list of 36 different professions that pay at least $60,000 annually and do not need a degree in this post.
Without a degree, here are 20 careers that pay at least $60,000 annually.
The list that follows provides examples of occupations in a variety of fields that do not need any more education beyond secondary schooling. These occupations have the potential to give a yearly compensation of at least sixty thousand dollars. Some of these potential lines of work may need completion of specialized training or educational programs, as well as certification or licensing. You may use this list to help you investigate prospective high-paying job routes even if you do not have a bachelor's degree in any of the following areas:
1. Electrical foreman
The national average wage is now sitting at $30.12 per hour.
Planning and overseeing the completion of electrical projects are at the forefront of an electrical foreman's primary responsibilities. They often have previous experience working as electricians, a position that needs a high school certificate or its equivalent, participation in specialized training or apprenticeship programs, and the acquisition of a license. Their tasks include discussing the electrical requirements of customers, performing time and cost estimates, employing and training people, supervising project staff, ensuring compliance with safety regulations, checking work for quality assurance, and so on.
2. a person who teaches yoga
The national average wage is now sitting at $30.33 an hour.
The primary responsibilities of a yoga teacher include leading classes that help students become more flexible and stronger through the practice of yoga. Although a bachelor's degree is not necessary for entry into this field, those who want to work as teachers must first finish an approved certification or training program. Yoga teachers have the option of working independently or finding employment in studios or fitness facilities. Among their tasks are the preparation and demonstration of yoga postures and methods, the modification of instructions to accommodate students of varying skill levels, and the instruction of breathing exercises.
3. Makeup artist
The national average wage is $30.41 an hour at this time.
The primary responsibilities of a makeup artist include the application of cosmetics to the faces of customers, both for aesthetic and functional reasons. There are no educational prerequisites for this position, since the amount of expertise held by a makeup artist is the primary factor that customers consider. Makeup artists may find employment in a variety of venues, including the creation of entertainment, the operation of beauty counters in department stores, or independent freelancing. Their tasks include working together with customers to create the desired cosmetic looks, determining which products would look best on customers, and offering guidance on how to apply makeup. When you work in the entertainment industry, you can be required to apply prosthetics to performers.
4. a specialist in massage therapy
The national average wage is now sitting at $30.55 per hour.
The primary responsibilities of a massage therapist include providing customers with massages that promote relaxation, provide pain relief, or aid in rehabilitation. Although formal schooling is not required to enter this field, persons must still receive a license in order to practice massage therapy. Massage therapists may find employment in a variety of settings, including private practices, hospitals, and even their customers' homes. Keeping treatment records, screening clients to detect sore or tight regions, and offering instruction on methods targeted at improving posture, relaxation, strength, or stretching are some of the responsibilities involved in this line of work.
5. Photographer working on their own time
The national average wage is $35.67 an hour at this time.
Primarily responsible for taking images for various customers, a freelance photographer is a self-employed professional who works in the photography industry. As a rule, customers choose photographers to work with based on their degree of expertise and the portfolios they have produced in the past, thus this field does not mandate any specific educational prerequisites. Freelance photographers are required to possess their own camera equipment, and depending on the regulations of the state, they may also be required to get a business permission. Their tasks include working together with customers to create the pictures they want, negotiating contracts or payments, locating sites for photoshoots, editing images, and delivering them to customers.
6. MRI technologist
The national average wage is now sitting at $36.39 per hour.
The primary responsibilities of an MRI technician, who is also referred to as an MRI technologist, include operating the gear that creates three-dimensional pictures of the organs and tissues of patients. Individuals who are interested in pursuing this line of work are required to get an associate degree, certificate, or MRI technology diploma from an accredited community college or technical institution. Among their tasks are the administration of dye to patients by injection for the purposes of imaging, the positioning of patients in preparation for scans, the discussion of patients' medical histories, the resolution of patients' concerns, and the maintenance of imaging equipment. When it comes to reading and analyzing pictures, they often collaborate closely with medical professionals like physicians and radiologists.
7. Dental hygienist
The median annual wage throughout the nation is $37.83.
The primary responsibilities of a dental hygienist are to operate under the direct supervision of dentists in order to examine and clean patients' teeth. In order to qualify for certification in this field, prospective employees must first finish either an associate's degree or a specialized training program in dental hygiene. Their duties include teaching patients about the need of maintaining good oral health, placing protective coatings to teeth, taking X-rays of the mouth, and collaborating with dentists to design treatment regimens.
8. person in charge of a power plant
The national average wage is now sitting at $43.57 an hour.
The primary responsibilities of a power plant operator include the control and maintenance of the machinery that is used in the process of producing energy at a power plant. They could operate with generators, turbines, boilers, or reactors among other pieces of machinery throughout their shifts. People who are interested in this line of work are required to have at least a high school diploma or its equivalent, and they will undergo extensive training while they are working. Their duties include cleaning the machinery, watching charts and meters to determine the voltage and the amount of electricity flowing through the system, inspecting the equipment and the indicators to determine whether or not there are any problems, and ensuring that all safety and environmental regulations are adhered to.
9. Specialist in the preservation of assets
Annual compensation averaging $60,177 throughout the nation
The primary tasks of an asset protection expert are the prevention of shoplifting and other forms of fraudulent activity in retail establishments. This is a field that does not need a certain level of education to enter, and employees often obtain training on the job. They are responsible for a variety of tasks, including the preparation of case reports, the enhancement of store security measures, the training of personnel about loss prevention, and the performance of inventory checks. They could also be responsible for ensuring that the shop is a safe environment for both staff and customers, as well as reporting any potential risks to the company's management.
10. Instrument technician
An annual salary of $61,088 is considered to be the national average.
Monitoring, repairing, and maintaining mechanical systems are among the primary responsibilities of an instrument technician. Instrumentation control technicians are a common kind of worker found in manufacturing companies, where their primary responsibility is to monitor various pieces of industrial equipment. Although formal schooling is not required to enter this field, most employers prefer to provide their technicians with on-the-job training or provide the option to seek certification in Engineering Technologies. Monitoring the operation of the equipment, testing and calibrating the equipment, and assuring compliance with the appropriate safety and environmental requirements are all included in their tasks.
11. Truck driver
A yearly salary of $61,711 is considered to be the national average.
The primary function of a truck driver is to move products from one location to another using a tractor-trailer or a big vehicle. Individuals are required to earn a commercial driver's license in addition to a high school diploma or an equal level of education. It is possible that they may be traveling for many days or perhaps weeks, via either regional or national routes. They are responsible for a variety of tasks, including the creation of effective travel routes, the routine examination of their vehicles, the upkeep of daily logs, and the security of goods.
12. the manager of the ranch
An annual salary of $63,339 is considered to be the national average.
The primary responsibilities of a ranch manager include being in charge of the ranch's daily operations. There is no educational prerequisite for this position; rather, the majority of managers acquire their knowledge through gaining practical experience working on ranches or by participating in apprenticeship programs. They are responsible for a variety of tasks that are associated with livestock, such as ensuring that animals have enough access to food and water, supervising vaccination programs, monitoring animal reproduction, and branding or tagging cattle. Other tasks include recruiting and instructing ranch workers, keeping financial and operational records, ensuring compliance with rules, negotiating the sale of crops and cattle, and maintaining financial and operational records.
13. Cargo pilot
Annual pay at the national average: 64 667 dollars
The primary function of a cargo pilot is to ensure the safe and timely delivery of freight or products by aircraft. In order to work in this field, persons are required to earn a commercial pilot license as well as airline transport pilot certification, although they are not required to have a college degree. Transporting products such as mail, perishable items, industrial supplies, and disaster relief supplies is the primary responsibility of cargo pilots, who generally fly at night or in the early morning hours. Their tasks include, but are not limited to, the planning of routes, the monitoring of fuel and equipment, the inspection of the weather before flights, and the coordination of flight plans with air traffic controllers.
14. Sales representative
An annual salary of $65,155 is considered to be the national average.
The primary responsibilities of a sales representative are to sell the products and services of wholesalers and manufacturers on behalf of such businesses. A post-secondary degree is not required for employment opportunities in this field. On the other hand, obtaining an additional degree can be necessary for some specialist sales roles, such as those in the pharmaceutical or technical industries. Contacting current and prospective clients, giving product demos, negotiating sales contracts, and managing transactions are all part of their tasks. They may also be required to routinely provide sales reports and accomplish sales objectives that have been established for them by their employers.
15. A specialist in radiation therapy
The national average pay is now sitting at $74,686 per year.
Radiation therapists are medical professionals that are responsible for administering radiation therapy to patients, most often patients who have been diagnosed with cancer. In the field of radiation treatment, some businesses look for applicants who have earned an associate's degree, while others recruit those who have finished a certificate program and gone on to get a license. Their tasks include operating the equipment used in radiation therapy, taking X-rays to determine treatment regions, outlining treatment processes, maintaining radiation safety rules, and monitoring patients while treatment is being administered.
16. an information technology specialist
The national average wage is now set at $74,965 per year.
IT technicians' primary responsibilities include problem-solving related to information technology (IT), as well as the installation, repair, and maintenance of computer systems. Employers may give preference to applicants who have a bachelor's degree in computer science; but, those with appropriate certificates or other formal training and experience might get entry-level employment. Experience is very important. The testing of hardware and software to verify that it is compatible with the system is one of the roles of IT experts. Other responsibilities include responding to support inquiries, resolving computer issues, and deploying updates as required.
17. HVAC supervisor
Annual salary at or above the national average: $75,767
The primary responsibilities of an HVAC supervisor consist of being responsible for the oversight of a team of HVAC engineers or technicians. HVAC technicians are responsible for the upkeep, repair, and installation of heating and cooling systems in homes and commercial buildings. If a person has previous experience working as a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning technician, which requires them to earn certification and take part in an apprenticeship program, then that person may seek a supervisory job. Supervisors of HVAC systems are responsible for a variety of tasks, including the assignment of work orders, the planning and supervision of repair and maintenance operations, the performance of time and cost estimations, and the management of inventories.
18. Web developer
An annual salary of $76,950 is considered to be the national average.
The primary responsibilities of a web developer include the development of websites and apps on the web. Even while some organizations give preference to applicants who have an associate's or bachelor's degree in the appropriate discipline, people may start their career as self-employed developers even if they do not have one of these degrees. People who are interested in pursuing this line of work have the option of teaching themselves web development skills or enrolling in classes. Writing front-end and back-end code, interacting with customers and designers, using user input and testing procedures to discover changes, and resolving difficulties are all part of their duties.
19. Real estate agent
An annual salary of $86,039 is considered to be the national average.
The primary responsibilities of a real estate agent include assisting customers in the buying, selling, and renting of properties. Individuals who want to operate as real estate agents are needed to earn a real estate license first, which requires them to complete classes that are mandated by their state. Real estate brokers spend a lot of time getting to know their customers' unique requirements, performing research to evaluate other possibilities, and providing information about the communities in which they operate. The posting of real estate listings, the coordination of property viewings, the negotiation of purchase offers, and the creation of contracts are all part of their tasks.
20. Owner-operator driver
A yearly salary of $280,330 is considered to be the national average.
The primary responsibilities of an owner-operator driver include working as an independent contractor within the trucking and transportation industries. Because they often have previous trucking expertise and because they own semi-trailer vehicles, candidates for this profession are required to possess a current commercial driver's license. Because they are the proprietors of the vehicle, they are liable for all of its costs, including repairs and gasoline. Their duties include operating trucks over extended distances, mapping out routes, adhering to all applicable traffic rules, as well as loading and unloading goods. In addition to this, they could be responsible for business-related responsibilities, such as accounting and tax-related work.