While some individuals are willing to accept the burden of tens of thousands of dollars in student debt as a responsibility, other people do not have the luxury of entering into an entry-level employment that provides entry-level earnings when there is the possibility of large monthly student loan repayments. The Department of Education estimates that a borrower with federal student loans ranging from $20,000 to $40,000 will have to make payments on the loans for a period of 20 years under the normal payment plan. Alternately, high school graduates are gravitating toward businesses that do not strictly demand a degree in order to avoid the need for financial assistance that may be required to get a degree.
Positions in the trades, postsecondary credentials that do not need a degree, or even just a high school diploma may lead to occupations that pay earnings that are almost twice that of an entry-level job that requires a four-year degree. These jobs can be found in many different industries.
Others can be started immediately, with an optional certification that may enhance total salary, although some of the higher-paying trade occupations will need a significant expenditure on licenses and longer courses. However, some of these positions can be started immediately. A good number of these certificates may be obtained for a sum that is as little as a few hundred dollars, which provides the chance to pay for the certification using an installment loan rather than a bigger student loan. Keeping this in mind, we have painstakingly compiled a list of 25 high-paying careers that do not need a degree.
Jobs That Pay $80,000 Annually That Do Not Require a Degree
It's not necessarily necessary to have a master's degree and ten years of work experience in order to qualify for jobs that pay an average of $80,000 or more. Jobs that pay close to a six-figure wage may be discovered in the strangest of locations, which comes as a complete surprise. When you go on an elevator the next time, give some thought to the fact that the installer pulls in about $85,000 year.
Commercial Pilot
Median pay: $121,430 per year
The minimum level of education required to get a license is a high school diploma.
Est. cost: $80,995
Estimated amount of time needed to qualify: 1,500 hours of relevant experience
Increase of 5% is anticipated in terms of growth.
Managing Director of Transportation, Storage, and Distribution
Pay at the median level is $94,560 per year.
Diploma from an accredited high school must be obtained.
Cost estimates range from $250 to $500, depending on the CPDW program.
Estimated amount of time needed to qualify: five years of experience in an area that is relevant.
Increase of 4% is anticipated in terms of growth.
Supervisor of the Police and Detectives on the Front Lines
Median pay: $91,090 per year
The minimum level of education required to get a license is a high school diploma.
Cost is projected to range from $5,000 to $10,000, depending on the state.
Estimated amount of time needed to qualify: five years of experience in an area that is relevant.
Increase of 5% is anticipated in terms of growth.
Technicians Skilled in the Installation and Repair of Elevators and Escalators
Median pay: $84,990 per year
The minimum level of education required to get a license is a high school diploma.
Cost is projected to range from $310 to $500, depending on the state.
Est. time to qualify: 240 minutes for C-11 test
Increase of 7% is anticipated in terms of growth.
Jobs That Pay $60,000 Annually That Do Not Require a Degree
The United States Census Bureau reports that the typical American family brings in $65,712 in annual income. This figure accounts for homes with two income earners. Imagine for a moment that you had a single paycheck that brought in between $60,000 and $79,999. It's not as difficult to achieve as you would imagine, whether your goal is to work on a farm or become a police officer.
Operator of the Subway and Streetcars
Median pay: $67,880 per year
Diploma from an accredited high school must be obtained.
Est. cost: N/A
Est. time to qualify: Immediate
Increase of 5% is anticipated in terms of growth.
Mechanics, installers, and repairers report to this individual as their first-line supervisor.
Median pay: $67,460 per year
Diploma from an accredited high school must be obtained.
Cost estimates range from $75 to $550 for certificates that are completely optional.
OSHA estimates that candidates will need between 10 and 30 hours of training.
Increase of 3% is anticipated, according to projections.
Supervisor in Charge of First-Line Operations for the Construction Trades
Median pay: $66,210 per year
The minimum level of education required to get a license is a high school diploma.
Cost varies by state, but is estimated to be $5,184 total
The estimated amount of time needed to qualify for certification is five months.
Increase of 5% is anticipated in terms of growth.
Officers of the Law and Those on Patrol
Median pay: $65,170 per year
Diploma from an accredited high school must be obtained.
Cost is projected to range from $5,000 to $10,000, depending on the state.
Approximately half a year is required to qualify for the Police Academy.
Increase of 5% is anticipated in terms of growth.
Craftsman who works with wood
Median pay: $64,880
Diploma from an accredited high school must be obtained.
Cost estimates range from variable to around $50 per month for apprentice dues.
Estimated amount of time needed to get qualified: one to two years of apprenticeship
A decline of 5% is anticipated in terms of growth.
Boilermaker
Median pay: $63,100 per year
Diploma from an accredited high school must be obtained.
Est. cost: Varies, estimated $17,400
Estimated time needed to get a Certificate III in Engineering is between three and four years.
An rise of 1% is anticipated in terms of growth.
Engineer in Charge of Stationary Operations and Boiler Operator
Median pay: $62,150 per year
The minimum level of education required to get a license is a high school diploma.
Cost is projected to range from $175 to $300, depending on the state.
Estimated time to qualify: three years of work experience in addition to passing the NCEES test
Increase of 2% is anticipated in terms of growth.
Contractor for Agricultural Labor
Median pay: $61,910 per year
Education requirements: N/A
Est. cost: N/A
Est. time to qualify: Immediate
Increase 10% anticipated in the future.
Inspection of Construction and Building Work
Median pay: $60,710 per year
The minimum level of education required to get a license is a high school diploma.
Cost is projected to range from $1,000 to $2,000, depending on the state.
The estimated amount of time needed to qualify for a license is one to two weeks.
Increase of 3% is anticipated, according to projections.
Jobs That Pay 50,000 Annually That Do Not Require a Degree
There are a lot of entry-level jobs in businesses that need an undergraduate degree, and if you're fortunate, you'll earn a salary between $40,000 and $59,999. The catch is that these jobs come with the condition of having to pay off student loans. Careers that may be started immediately after graduating from high school often do not need a degree in order to earn the same amount of money as other jobs that do.
Manager of Real Estate and Property, in addition to Community Associations
Median pay: $58,760 per year
The minimum educational requirement is a high school certificate coupled with relevant certification.
Cost ranges from around $150 to $300, depending on the qualification.
Estimated length of time needed to qualify ranges from one to seven days, depending on the program.
Increase of 0% is anticipated, according to projections.
First-Level Supervisor of Employees Working in Transportation
Pay at the median level is $57,840 per year.
Diploma from an accredited high school must be obtained.
Est. cost: N/A
Estimated amount of time needed to get qualified: two to three years of on-the-job training
Increase of 5% is anticipated in terms of growth.
Manager of the Food Service
Annual salary at the median is $55,320.
Diploma from an accredited high school must be obtained.
Cost estimates range from $1,495 to $2,500, depending on the optional certification chosen.
Estimated time needed to become qualified for the Foodservice Management Professional credential is three years.
An rise of 1% is anticipated in terms of growth.
Supervisor of Cargo Operations for Aircraft
Median pay: $55,110 per year
Diploma from an accredited high school must be obtained.
Est. cost: N/A
Estimated amount of time needed to get qualified: one to two years of on-the-job training
Increase of 5% is anticipated in terms of growth.
Both the Chef and the Head Cook
Median pay: $51,530 per year
Diploma from an accredited high school must be obtained.
Cost is projected to range from $335 to $600, depending on the program.
The estimated amount of time needed to get certified as an Executive Chef is three years.
Increase of 6% is anticipated in terms of growth.
Broker and Sales Representative in Real Estate
Median pay: $50,730 per year
The minimum level of education required to get a license is a high school diploma.
Cost ranges from around $125 to $600, depending on the state.
Estimated length of time needed to qualify: four to six months
Increase of 2% is anticipated in terms of growth.
Supervisor in Charge of First-Line Operations for Landscape Laborers
Median pay: $50,020 per year
Diploma from an accredited high school must be obtained.
Cost estimates range from $450 to $585 for certificates that are completely optional.
Approximately six months to three years are required to qualify for certification, according to estimates.
Increase of 11 percent is anticipated in the future.
Heavy Equipment Operator
The average annual salary is $48,160.
Diploma from an accredited high school must be obtained.
Cost estimates range from $4,000 to $15,000, depending on the chosen package.
For a certificate program, the estimated time to qualify is eight weeks.
Increase of 4% is anticipated in terms of growth.
Supervisor in Charge of First-Line Operations for Cleaning and Maintenance Staff
Median pay: $40,780 per year
Diploma from an accredited high school must be obtained.
Est. cost: N/A
Estimated amount of time needed to get qualified: three years of on-the-job training
Increase of 8% is anticipated, according to projections.
Worker in the Highway Maintenance Crew
Median pay: $40,730 per year
Diploma from an accredited high school must be obtained.
Est. cost: N/A
Est. time to qualify: Immediate
Increase of 5% is anticipated in terms of growth.
Loan Interviewer and Clerk
Annual salary at the median level is $40,540.
Diploma from an accredited high school must be obtained.
Est. cost: N/A
Estimated amount of time needed to get qualified: one to two years of on-the-job training
Increase of 0% is anticipated, according to projections.
Personal Trainer and Exercise Leader of Group Fitness Classes
Median pay: $40,390 per year
The minimum educational requirement is a high school certificate coupled with relevant certification.
Cost ranges from around $699 to $2,199, depending on the qualification.
10–12 weeks is the estimated time needed to qualify for certification.
Increase of 15% is anticipated in terms of growth.
How to Land a Job That Pays Well Even Without a Degree
Employers of positions that do not need a college degree may focus their hiring decisions on an applicant's practical experience or significant work history. Even if you are just starting out in your profession, you may differentiate yourself from the other applicants by obtaining specialized training, certifications, or apprenticeships, all while maintaining your financial literacy and avoiding paying exorbitant college fees. You may get one of these profitable occupations in less time and with less capital investment than it takes to acquire a college degree by setting realistic resolutions, being aware of your objectives, applying lessons from individuals who inspire you, and using the suggestions that are provided below.
Be proactive in your job hunt. Before you have experience in the real world, you should know what you want to accomplish in your career. Before you apply for a job, you should look for job ads in the industry that interests you and discover what qualifications and licenses are required. Keep a copy of the initial job advertising, and make it a habit to go back to it whenever you feel the need to readjust your objectives.
Build a foundation: Once you have an understanding of what is essential in the industry that interests you, seek out certifications, courses, and apprenticeships in order to acquire the practical skills necessary to obtain the position.
Be aware of your abilities and demonstrate them: You probably possess a variety of additional abilities that you've picked up during your life that may be used to your advantage while looking for a job. For instance, if you are interested in a career as a manager of transportation, storage, and distribution, the job ad may demand you to organize and delegate tasks to other staff. Consider using that ability in a real-world setting and analyzing the ways in which you could already be using it. Have you ever served in the military as a corporal? Did you manage volunteers? Personalize each application you are going to send in and make sure to emphasize any talents that are mentioned in the job description, regardless of how unconventional the experience may be.
Acquaint yourself with the organization: Before you send in your application, be sure you've done your research. You should have a basic understanding of the firm you are applying to, its goods or services, its core values, and any current news or corporate changes before your initial conversation with a recruiter or manager.
Make sure you rehearse for your interview: You should always practice before going in for an interview. Reread the job description, be familiar with your resume inside and out, practice answering common interview questions with a buddy, prepare questions for the person who will be interviewing you, and be confident in your abilities.