Five Great Jobs Without a Degree

Do you want to get serious about a career but don’t have a college degree or the experience typically required? If you’re worried about finding a higher paying entry-level job that doesn’t require a four-year education, look no further. Based on information from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), we found five high-paying entry-level jobs with great earning potential, and they’re jobs that will bring work satisfaction and pay the bills.

Choose any of these and take a good look at the job descriptions and required skills, then see if this kind of work is available in your area. Everyone can and should earn a good living, even with just a high school diploma or equivalent. So grab your diploma and start earning.

Five High Paying Jobs Without a Degree

1. Event Planner

One of the fastest growing fields is event management, not only in the US but also in the rest of the world. And the good news is that event planners and planning assistants don’t require higher education.

For this job, the only thing you need is an interest in organizing events along with planning, managing, and negotiation skills. Attention to detail is a plus, too. But you don’t need years of experience or a bachelor’s degree.

Consider your life experiences. Have you been a member of a club? Have you ever volunteered to organize the club’s annual cook-out, a holiday party, or something else? If so, you have more skills than you thought. Are you a parent? If the answer is yes, you definitely have valuable experience.

This job can be part-time or full-time and, because it’s in demand, many people choose this career option. If you have fresh ideas and creativity, this field might be just right for you. And the good news is that there are plenty of job openings. So start browsing to find opportunities. The event planner’s average annual salary starts at $17,814 and can be as much as  $64,336.

2. Fashion Designer

Fashion design is one of the highest paying fields in the world. And most people think fashion designers have a fine arts degree or a degree specifically in fashion design. But that’s not true.

Creativity, imagination, and knowledge of the latest fashion trends are exactly what you need to be a fashion designer. Of course, a formal degree would help with practical skills and experience. But a creative fashion designer doesn’t require a formal degree to design eye-pleasing fashion.

And you could start small. Do you have ideas for handbags or canvas bags for shopping? What about fanciful scarves, hats, or even fascinators?

If you like to play with colors, fabrics, and possibilities, this opportunity is yours. And you might even find a position that offers training programs. The annual salary for fashion designers ranges from $29,673 and goes up to $122,131 and beyond.

3. Real Estate Agent

Real estate agents or Realtors® belong to one of the best professions with high pay, and it doesn’t require an associate degree or anything more than a high school education or equivalent. All you need is a respectable background, knowledge of the neighborhoods and homes in your area, and (usually) a car.

How you get started as a real estate agent depends on the laws and customs in your state. In some states, you’ll be required to take a course to prepare you for the licensing exam. After you pass the exam and get your license, you’ll work in a local real estate office that’s owned or managed by a real estate broker. To increase your knowledge, you might be assigned to a mentor or even work as an assistant to an established real estate agent.

Your earnings are based on commissions, which is a percentage of a home’s or commercial property’s selling price. And that depends on the housing market and the region in which you live. But it’s your own effort that determines how much you earn. With hard work and experience, your salary can grow. The average salary starts at $16,579 per year and may be as much as $105,864 and higher.

4. Computer Specialist

One of the best high-paying entry-level jobs that don’t require a college degree is a computer specialist. A computer specialist’s job role might include managing a network or acting as an administrator for a company’s internet and computer functions. You might work for a retail company that sells computers and technical equipment, or you might make house calls or visit small companies to troubleshoot and make repairs. There’s no limit to your bandwidth!

For this job, you can learn some advanced skills in community college courses or online. The experience required, however, isn’t extensive. If you have a good working knowledge of networking, network configuration, administration, troubleshooting networks, and so on, becoming a computer specialist or network administrator might make sense for you. The annual wage for computer specialists starts at $25,000 and goes up to $82,000.

5. Private Detective

A private detective needs only a high school degree to succeed. You most likely wouldn’t find a company job as a private detective since most detectives work as self-employed business people. If you like being your own boss, you might want to investigate this kind of work.

If crime investigation and tracking down criminals fascinates you, working as a private detective might be perfect. But going after the bad guys isn’t all you’ll do. You might help someone find a missing relative or provide evidence that someone’s husband or wife is cheating. The next time you watch a detective show on TV, make some notes about what you can see yourself doing. Then do some research and find out whether it might be a realistic choice.

You probably need to take a few courses on an investigation in detective schools. It would help if you gained some theoretical knowledge on research like how to investigate and the points you need to keep in mind.

You can be self-employed as a private investigator, or you can work with detective agencies. The annual wages for private detectives are around $25,972 – $76,554.

In Summary!

When choosing a career that requires only a high school diploma, these aren’t your only options. Jobs at electrical power plants and nuclear reactors provide job training and you learn on the job, too. Commercial pilots, game managers, air traffic controllers, and web development experts can also earn good incomes with a high school diploma and relevant training.

Want to browse more high-paying entry-level jobs without a college degree? Explore here. We hope this article helps you with your career choice. And don’t forget to share your thoughts or your experience with these jobs! For more new job updates, subscribe to GradSiren and get free email alerts for a lifetime.