No Degree Necessary: These Are 40 Well-Paying Jobs That Don't Require A University Degree
While much of the vocational landscape these days is taken up with jobs that require a four-year college degree (even for entry-level positions), there are many jobs that don't require a college degree—and they'll pay you more than minimum wage, too. While they may require a one (or two-year) trade school diploma or certification, you can spend more time making money and be in less student debt. Here are 40 jobs that don't require a university degree.
Sheet Metal Fabricators
Sheet metal fabricators work in sheet metal plants fabricating, assembling, and maintaining sheet metal products like metal roofing, ducting, and much more. Anywhere you've seen sheet metal in your life, chances are it was made by a sheet metal fabricator. While you don't need a four-year degree, training facilities like the Sheet Metal Institute in Portland, Oregon offer apprenticeships to post-high school students with a diploma.
The median salary for a sheet metal fabricator is $55,350 per year.
Medical Assistants
Medical assistants are often the glue that holds a doctor's office together. These highly-skilled individuals are quick with a computer and can operate efficiently to keep things running smoothly. You must be highly detail and process-oriented, but also good with people as you'll be speaking with doctor's patients' daily. Medical assistants don't need to have a four-year degree—a training program at a local college will suffice.
The median salary for a medical assistant is $38,270 per year.
Security Guard
While not quite on the same level as a police officer, security guards still perform important functions like securing private properties and buildings for clients ranging from private individuals to large corporations. If you're a bit of a night owl and can handle the sometimes stressful situations that can arise, then being a security guard might be a great option for you! While you don't need a college degree, basic training like CPR, active shooter training, and other requirements are a necessity.
The median security guard salary is $34,750 per year.
Bus Driver
Bus drivers are always in demand—whether you're working for a school district (hey, summer's off!) or pick up a bus driving job working for your locality or city, you'll almost never be out of work. You must be good with people and be over the age of 18 (or 21 in some states) and hold a commercial driver's license.
The median salary for a bus driver is $50,000 per year.
Carpenter
Carpenters are always busy. And if you work for yourself, you can choose your own hours and which jobs you take—or pass—on. There's also opportunities to work for someone else and maintain a steady schedule. Most carpenter's don't have college degrees, but instead will obtain a diploma from a local community college.
The median salary for a carpenter is $51,390 per year.
Teacher's Assistants
Teacher's assistants (just like teachers) aren't paid enough in my opinion. Nevertheless, being a TA can be a very rewarding career, particularly if you think you'd be good at working with children and are good at helping others and approaching people with kindness and patience. Teacher's assistants generally must have an associate's degree, but don't need a Bachelor's or Master's degree.
The median salary for a teacher's assistant is $30,000 per year.
Taxi Driver
Unfortunately, you won't be getting paid like the guy does in the Martin Scorsese movie of the same name, but taxi drivers are the unsung and underappreciated heroes of the morning rush hour. If you're good with people and know your city's streets like the back of your hand, moonlighting (or even full-timing) as a taxi driver can be a good gig. On-the-job training is provided by your cab company and you'll need at least a high school diploma for most taxi driving positions. You'll also need to undergo a background check and have a clean driving record.
The average salary for a taxi driver is $30,000 per year. However, in bigger cities, that number can be as high as $43,000 per year.
Construction Worker
While some people may look down upon construction workers, without them, nothing would be built! Construction can be a great trade area to explore as a summer job while you're still in school. You can begin as a general laborer, then work your way up and into a specialization like plumbing, electrical, or carpentry.
Construction workers typically earn a median salary of $40,750 per year.
Auto Mechanic
If you've always had an affinity for cars and are good at problem-solving, then a career as an auto mechanic might be right up your alley. Whether you want to go into business for yourself or can find work with a local mechanic shop, auto mechanics are always in high-demand. You may need to complete a vocational program to qualify as an auto mechanic, but you won't need a four-year degree.
The median salary for an auto mechanic is $46,970 per year.
Optician
It may surprise you to learn that you don't need a college degree to become an optician—although an associate's degree in ophthalmology will certainly help. You can receive training on-the-job and will be helping people see better in no time at all. Opticians are generally highly-specialized careers, but can be very lucrative and busy in larger population centers.
The average salary for an optician is $39,610 per year.
Delivery Truck Driver
The best part of being a delivery truck driver might be meeting everyone's pets—or hearing the exasperated sigh of a spouse who was unaware that their significant other had ordered something else from Amazon. Either way, being a delivery truck driver allows you to explore your local area, with somewhat flexible schedules. If you're driving anything smaller than a box truck, you might not need a commercial driver's license.
Delivery truck drivers have an average salary of $40,410 per year.
Plumber
Another job that's geared towards the problem-solvers in our world is plumbing. Helping people repair leaking pipes, resolve drain blockages, and installing plumbing in people's homes is a critical job that's always going to be in demand. While you'll need an apprenticeship or a trades certificate in plumbing, most plumbers are able to learn on the job. If you want to go independent, you'll need to be licensed to do so in your state, which usually requires between two and five years of working for someone else.
Plumbers have an average salary of $60,090 per year.
Ophthalmic Medical Technicians
If being an optician isn't something you're interested in but you still want to work in the optical field, there's always the position of an ophthalmic medical technician. These are the people who perform the initial part of an eye assessment: testing visual acuity and optical reactions, and taking a patient's history. You must have a high school diploma or equivalent and will receive intensive on-the-job training as part of your employment.
Ophthalmic medical technicians have an average salary of $38,860 per year.
Medical Records Technician
If you're an organized person that's good with keeping track of things, then you are perfectly-suited for a career as a medical records technician. Despite the digitization of patient records, MRTs are still required to keep track of millions of data points and can be hired on a small scale by doctor's offices, or on a larger scale by hospitals and healthcare centers. It's possible to enter the profession with a high school diploma or equivalent, provided you are technologically-inclined and have excellent attention to detail.
MRTs have an average salary of $47,180 per year.
Solar Panel Installation Technician
As much of the world is embracing solar power, now is a really good time to get a job as a solar panel installation tech. While you'll likely work for a company that installs them, it's a safe bet you'll be kept busy. You'll need a high school diploma, but the rest of your training can be completed on-the-job. This usually takes a few months to a year before you're fully trained.
Solar panel installers have an average salary of $45,320 per year.
Licensed Practical Nurse
One of the main differences between a licensed practical nurse (LPN) and a registered nurse (RN) is that the former doesn't require a Bachelor's Degree in Sciences. LPNs can be hired with just a community college certification. Your time as a LPN could be spent changing bandages, stitching cuts, and performing other basic—but necessary—medical procedures. You can also assist RNs and doctors in their duties.
LPNs have an average salary of $54,620 per year.
Choreographer
If you have a background in dance, then aside from dance teaching, you could find work as a choreographer helping large-scale musical or dance productions. From events to live performances, TV and film or sporting events, choreographers are always in demand. If you think you'd be a good teacher, see if your local dance scene is in need of a choreographer—a high school diploma is beneficial.
Depending on the production you're working for, choreographers can make $50,000 per year.
Pharmacy Technician
Pharmacy technician positions are key roles within the pharmaceutical industry, assisting pharmacists in filling prescriptions. While you must have a high school diploma to enter the field, you can receive on-the-job training, or earn a certificate or diploma for a Pharmacy Technician course at your local community college.
Pharmacy techs have an average salary of $37,790 per year.
Massage Therapists
Another medical profession that doesn't require a four-year degree is that of a massage therapist. Most massage therapy courses are two years of intense training in human anatomy and biology at a local community college or massage therapy school. You'll need a high school diploma to enter these programs and will need to pass various certifying exams before you can practice. Massage therapists can also specialize in deep tissue massage, reflexology, or acupuncture, among many specializations.
The average salary for a massage therapist is $49,860 per year.
Flight Attendant
Being a flight attendant is a great opportunity to see the world, experience new cultures and places, and meet hundreds of new people every day of your career. If you've a yearning to spread your wings, then becoming a flight attendant might be a great option for your career. Flight attendants do require a high school diploma, and can obtain a Hospitality & Tourism certificate from a college, but the rest of your training is provided by the airline that hires you.
Flight attendants have an average salary of $63,760 per year.
Wind Turbine Technician
Wind turbine technicians help to install, troubleshoot, and maintain wind energy infrastructure. If you don't have a fear of heights and are into alternative energy sources, then a career as a wind turbine technician may be right up your alley. While wind turbine technicians aren't required to have a university degree, they are required to complete technical training through a community college or technical school.
Wind turbine technicians are paid for being that high up all the time: Their average salary is $57,320 per year.
Electrician
If you enjoy problem solving and want to work a job that allows you to interact with people on a daily basis—plus have the flexibility to work for yourself, or with a company—then electrical work might be the perfect fit. While electricians do require licensure that consists of four or five years of a mixture of on-the-job training and classroom work, you can begin your work through an apprenticeship.
Electricians have an average salary of $60,240 per year.
Community Health Workers
Community health workers play an important role in the health service's patient advocacy department. If you think yourself an excellent communicator who's passionate about helping others, then this might be the job for you—and community health workers are in high demand. You may find yourself working for a healthcare agency or as part of a locality's social service team dealing with patients with complex medical needs. Community health work is rewarding on all levels, both for yourself and those whom you serve. You will need a high school diploma and a one-year certificate or two-year associate's degree.
Community health workers can expect to make an average salary of $46,190 per year.
Hearing Aid Specialist
Say what? Exactly. Hearing aid specialists are those who help others with hearing loss make adjustments to their hearing aids, troubleshoot issues with hearing aids, and administer hearing tests prior to an individual receiving hearing aids. To become a hearing aid specialist, you'll likely only need a high school diploma as most training you'll receive is done on the job.
The average salary of a hearing aid specialist is $59,020 per year.
Commercial Airline Pilot
It might surprise you to learn that you don't need a university degree to pilot commercial aircraft. A bachelor's degree is not required but you will need to complete a flight school program and achieve a certain number of flying hours before you can fly commercial aircraft. Or, you could join the Air Force and fly military aircraft.
On average, commercial airline pilots make $113,080 per year.
Web Developer
Becoming a web developer is an incredibly lucrative career for those who are adept with coding and computer programming. Even if you start off small by designing and developing websites for small businesses in your area, it's the perfect option for the tech-savvy among us. You can take online courses to learn more over time, or receive a certificate from a local college, but neither are required to start your own web design/development firm.
Web developers can make an average of $80,000 per year.
Sound Engineering Technician
If you've got an ear for a good mix and know your way around a soundboard, then why not pursue a career as a sound engineering technician? You'll always be busy, whether you work for yourself bouncing between live music events, performances and more, or work for a company or institution like a local theater.
Sound engineering technicians can earn an average of $60,000 per year.
IT Support Specialist
You don't need a college degree to work in IT, just an aptitude for computers and the ability to learn as you go. While a computer science degree or alternative qualifications are an asset, most of your training can be done on the job and there's plenty of room for upward movement once you're hired by a company.
IT support specialists can earn an average of $69,000 per year.
Police Officer
While a degree in criminology may help, it's not a requirement for police officers, who instead complete many months of rigorous training to join a police department. If you've got an eye for troublemakers and want to help your community, consider a rewarding career as a police officer.
The average salary of a police officer in the US is $67,114 per year.
Bricklayers
Bricklayers make up an important part of any construction team that builds housing. Bricklayers often find work with a particular company and learn skills as a general laborer when they begin their term. You don't need any specific qualifications to become a bricklayer, just a strong set of shoulders, a strong back, and the ability to learn and work at a fast pace.
The average salary of a bricklayer is $59,000 per year.
Translators
If you speak another language, then you can usually find work as a translator. Whether private tutoring or for an organization or company—or running your own business as a freelancer—you can put your linguistic skills to money-making use. In particular, Spanish is a language in high demand for translating to and from in the United States.
Translators, depending on where they work and whether they're freelancing or not, make an average salary of $57,200 per year.
Firefighters
If you have a calling to serve others, whether in your community or elsewhere, you can apply and be trained as a full-time firefighter. Most firefighting units in the United States are volunteer, so you'll need to move somewhere larger to become a full-time member of the fire department, but once there, you can expect to be responding to emergencies of all types in a profession that never stops.
Firefighters can earn an average of $51,680 per year.
Mobile Developers
If you're looking to expand your knack for web development, why not consider branching out into developing applications for mobile devices? Mobile developers can be hired by agencies, governments, or put themselves out there as freelancers. As the world becomes more mobile-focused, expect your skillset to be in high demand.
The average salary of a mobile developer is $114,431 per year.
Executive Chef
Like to cook? Consider putting those cooking skills to good use and becoming an executive chef. While you aren't required to have a degree to become an executive chef, taking culinary courses at your local community college or culinary school will help you rise through the ranks and take that prized job at the upscale restaurants and hotels that pay the big bucks.
On average, your expected salary will be $71,000 per year as an executive chef.
Dental Assistant
You can't put a price on good teeth. Helping to maintain your patient's oral health is one of the key roles of a dental assistant. You'll likely spend much of your time assisting the dentist by passing them instruments, cleaning instruments for future use, and ensuring patients are well cared for before and after their dental appointments.
Dental assistants earn an average salary of $43,000 per year.
Graphic Designer
Like web and mobile developers also on this list, graphic designers can enjoy a great deal of flexibility with where they work, how often they work, and which projects they take on. If you've got a gift for design on paper, try putting that design into the digital space and honing your skills. Even if you start small by designing logos for small businesses, you could find yourself working at the corporate level within a few years.
Graphic designers don't need a formal education, although a certificate or diploma in graphic design is an asset. You can expect to make an average salary of $74,000 per year.
Miners
Becoming a miner is not without its risks and challenges—after all, you'll be spending hours a day miles beneath the earth's surface. You can go into mining straight out of high school and if you want to specialize, there are options to expand your knowledge with vocational training (usually paid for by your company). You can also choose a job in mining that takes place above the surface.
Miners can expect to make an average of $52,000 per year.
Executive Assistants, Executive Incomes
Executive assistants are the people that make the CEOs life easier. They're highly-organized, motivated and excellent communicators tasked with preparing and analyzing reports for the company's executives, scheduling meetings, making travel arrangements, and acting as a liaison between the executive and others. You don't need a university degree, just a keen eye for detail, the ability to work in a fast-paced environment, and a degree of technological literacy.
The job's been called "the executive's right hand"—and for that reason, an executive assistant can make upwards of $65,000 per year.
