High-Paying Jobs That Don't Require a College Degree

Occupations that require a college degree often receive significant attention due to their strong job outlook and wages. However, many fast-growing, well-paying careers can be pursued with a high school diploma or other nondegree options. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), approximately 60% of new jobs created between 2020 and 2030 will be in occupations that don't typically require an associate’s, bachelor’s, or graduate degree. This article highlights some of these occupations, focusing on those with projected employment growth exceeding the 7.7% average over the decade and median annual wages higher than the $45,760 median wage for all occupations in 2021.

The Shifting Landscape of Education and Employment

The traditional belief that a college degree is essential for success is being challenged. College isn't for everyone, but skipping out on a degree doesn't mean missing out on a high-paying job. The rising cost of tuition has led to concerns about the return on investment for a college education. As tuitions have soared, sometimes into the triple digits for one year of college, there is a sense that it might not be a sound value for everyone. A variety of alternative credentials are emerging that may be more flexible, affordable, and useful than a traditional college degree for many people. Alternative credentials not only help workers find fulfilling careers but also serve as powerful tools in bridging the skills gap in today’s workforce.

According to the 2020 Census, 70% of new jobs require a college degree, but less than half of American workers have one. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that between 2020-2030, approximately 60% of new jobs will be in roles that don’t typically require an associate’s degree or higher. Fortunately, alternative credentials are easier to acquire than ever. There are countless stories of how alternative credentials are transforming lives one individual at a time. For example, LaShana Lewis struggled for more than a decade to find a fulfilling job without a college degree. Then, she found a paid apprenticeship with LaunchCode, which led to a full-time job with Mastercard as a systems engineer.

High-Growth, High-Wage Occupations Without a Degree

BLS data indicates that more than two-thirds of jobs are in occupations that don’t typically require a college degree. Among these, several stand out for their fast projected growth and high wages. Note, however, that occupations with small employment may have relatively few openings each year despite projected fast growth over the decade.

Renewable Energy Sector

The renewable energy sector offers promising opportunities for those without a college degree.

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Wind Turbine Service Technicians: This occupation is projected to have among the fastest employment growth from 2020 to 2030. Wind turbine technicians typically learn the trade at a technical school, and they work outside repairing, maintaining and installing wind turbines.
Solar Photovoltaic Installers: Similar to wind turbine technicians, solar photovoltaic installers are also expected to experience rapid employment growth. Solar photovoltaic installers put together, implement and maintain solar panels on the rooftops of homes and other buildings.

Maintenance and Repair Occupations

Workers in maintenance and repair occupations keep equipment and vehicles running.

Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians: Among the occupations in table 2, aircraft mechanics and service technicians had the highest wage.
Industrial Machinery Mechanics: Industrial machinery mechanics is expected to have the fastest projected employment growth and the largest number of openings each year, on average, of occupations shown in table 2.

Transportation Sector

Transportation workers ensure that travelers and products get to their destinations.

Commercial Pilots: Of the occupations shown in table 3, commercial pilots had the highest wage and the largest number of openings each year, on average, for the group. The only education requirement is a high school diploma or equivalent, although all commercial pilots will need training and to earn their commercial pilot’s license before being able to start the job.
Airfield Operations Specialists: Airfield operations specialists is the occupation projected to have the fastest employment growth.

Other Growing Fields

Other nondegree occupations with fast projected growth and high wages come from a range of career fields, including entertainment and sports, healthcare, and protective services.

Athletes and Sports Competitors: Athletes and sports competitors had both the highest wage of occupations in table 4 and the fastest projected employment growth.
Massage Therapists: Massage therapists aren’t just responsible for helping people luxuriate or relieve stress. They also provide relief from painful medical conditions, heal injuries and improve circulation.

Alternative Credentials and Skills-Based Hiring

The emphasis on alternative credentials reflects a broader shift towards skills-based hiring. An increasing number of employers are moving past job requirements that traditionally included a college degree and instead looking at the competencies and abilities candidates bring to a job. However, even though companies may embrace skills-based hiring in theory and policy, research shows many still predominantly rely on college graduates. Fully embracing alternative credentials requires a change, not only in long-held cultural attitudes but also in hiring practices so that employers adequately assess and promote candidates’ competencies. Some states are leading the way by dropping degree requirements for thousands of public sector jobs and thus reducing the risk of skills-based hiring.

Alternative credentials allow people to demonstrate their unique talents and aptitudes through programs that provide workers with hands-on experience and learning to prepare them for the specific work they’ll be doing. Programs like Merit America, a Stand Together community partner, are fueling more and more examples, too. They prepare people for tech careers in fields such as IT support, Java development, data analytics, and UX design.

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Examples of Well-Paying Jobs Without a Degree

Career Institute compiled a list of 80 jobs that don’t require a degree and have an average annual median salary of more than $50,000. While some of the jobs listed may need a bit more education and require a postsecondary nondegree award, many of the jobs only require a high school diploma or equivalent. You will also discover that some of the best high-paying jobs on the list don’t require any formal education credential.

Farm Labor Contractors: The highest-paying job with the least amount of schooling was found to be farm labor contractors, who earn a median wage of $61,910 and require no formal education at all.

Other Noteworthy Occupations

Ophthalmic medical technicians often train on the job to perform the first part of a patient’s eye examination.
Home health aides are trained to assist individuals with diabetes, chronic illness or cognitive impairment with the daily activities many people take for granted.
Interpreters use spoken language, as well as hand gestures in the case of American Sign Language interpreters, while translators work by hand and computer.
Hearing aid specialists are involved with the major aspects of hearing aid selection and fitting. These specialists design and modify ear molds, select and fit hearing aids, and conduct and interpret hearing tests.
Pharmacy technicians assist pharmacists by measuring medication and providing doses to doctors and patients. Community colleges and vocational schools that offer pharmacy tech programs teach mathematics and familiarize students with medication names and correct dosages.
Electricians design, install, maintain and repair motors, equipment or electrical systems for businesses and residences.
Construction workers are the jack of all trades of construction personnel, assisting tradespeople with the labor required to get the job done at construction sites.

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