Top 7 Highest-Paying Jobs You Can Get Without a College Degree

Despite the biases telling people that a college education equals better pay, the reality is different. First of all, not all jobs require a college degree. Second, the greatest world shakers like Walt Disney or Steve Jobs never got their college certificate. But somehow, they undeniably impacted the world we know today. Well, you get the gist.

Check the article below to learn which professions don't require a college education and can leave you satisfied with the monthly payments.

Is Getting a College Degree Worth It?

Let's stay clear - we don't discourage you from entering the university. We just want to teach you about a few stereotypes here and there. Sure, most aviation and healthcare occupations require years of college study. You'll want to impress the employer by getting the best resume editing service on Skillhub and formatting your Education data. But will your employer care about your education if you're a carpenter or a web developer? Well, there is a high chance the recruiter will care more about your skills than the fancy college name.

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What are the alternatives to getting educated while staying away from college debts?

1. Certifications. Did you know that in 2022, you don't need a college degree to enter IT? Yeap, getting certified on Coursera or any other online platform is a great way to save money and acquire the skills you need;
2. Apprenticeships. Helping the local carpenter with their projects for free is a great way to master new skills. The same goes for other professionals like a hairdresser or a tailor;

1. On-the-job training. Jobs like flight attendant or bartender provide special training right after you pass the job interview;
2. Postsecondary nondegree awards. Check out the job position of a licensed practical nurse. They share the same job responsibilities as registered nurses but don't require a college education to do that.

#1: Social Media Influencer - $100k and More

The best formula for getting money for literally any hobby is doing videos and posting them online. The rise of YouTube and later TikTok and Instagram presented the stuck-at-home individuals (check COVID-19) with amazing opportunities for career growth. If you're not afraid of cameras and being the center of attention, you can make good money on social media. A TikToker or Youtuber's average pay nowadays is $100-150 thousand per year. But, again, everything depends on one's partnering with brands and the scale of audience engagement.

The best platforms for influencing and brand partnering are as follows:

1. YouTube;
2. TikTok;
3. Instagram;
4. AspireIQ;
5. CreatorIQ;
6. Digimind.

#2: Flight Attendant - $65-100k

This is a great career path if you love helping people and traveling the world. Ensuring that the passengers are safe and the environment is welcoming will be your core priority. Therefore, the demands for the job are high. A candidate must have stress resistance, physical stamina, and superb communication skills—no wonder most airline companies accept applicants younger than 32.

You'll learn everything about safety, conflict management, and first aid during your on-job training. Oh, don't forget about the job bonus - the uniform of flight attendants has been an object of envy for decades.

#3: Sales Representative - $70k and More

These are the people living at the forefront of a company. The goal of a sales representative is to showcase the company's services and products in the best light. Sure, a degree in Business and Management would be beneficial. However, what matters most is your ability to attract new buyers and close the old deals. Top job duties are organizing product presentations to potential clients and using your persuasive skills to sell more.

Commonly, a company will organize an on-job-training to teach you communication hacks and selling scenarios.

#4: Computer Support Specialist - $50k

Let's say you're naturally gifted at computer technologies. While most IT positions require at least a course certificate, being a computer support specialist is based purely on your tech and communication skills. Yeap, you don't need a college degree to manage computer networks and provide tech support to organizations and individuals. As with other specializations that don't require a college degree, you'll receive on-job-training. You'll learn to train end-users, monitor software system performance, and ensure system security.

#5: Web Designer - $50-90k

This is a great opportunity to combine your artistic and tech skills. There is a huge variety of courses on Coursera and Udemy to acquire web development skills. Most of them are free or ask for a tiny fee. As a web developer, you'll work on the layout of new sites. You'll also update the old ones with pictures, sound elements, and videos. However, your software knowledge and communication skills are the things that matter the most. All because you'll cooperate with clients, ensuring their 'digital' needs are met.

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#6: Executive Assistant - $55-75k

An executive assistant is a fancy name for the good old secretary with extended job responsibilities. As an executive assistant, you'll have to organize meetings for the company's leaders and manage their schedules. Filing documents, preparing reports, and accepting calls will also be a part of your job responsibilities. Sometimes, your supervisors will ask you to travel with them and assist at international conferences.

Which skills to focus on?

1. Attention to detail;
2. Documentation skills;
3. Communication skills;
4. Interpersonal skills;
5. Organization skills.

#7: Carpenter - $50-70k

Not the most popular job among Millenials and GenZs who have been advised only tech positions. Sure, carpentry pays less than jobs in the IT industry. However, consider carpentry courses if your passion is creating objects with your hands while operating with tools. Your main job responsibilities will be working with wood to make furniture and other household items. Some projects will include furniture installation, while others will imply working from scratch.

Final Thoughts

The best thing about the world getting digital is that modern workplaces ask for a college education more rarely. This means more job opportunities are open for you without a need to dive deep into student loans. To start a career, you can go for online courses or get an associate's degree, which is much cheaper than a college education. Oh, and don't forget on-job-training - the quickest form of education ever.

We hope the article was helpful to you. Good luck!

Isabella Humphrey

Update 13 December 2022