The key to finding jobs that make a lot of money but don’t carry the burden of student loan debt is looking at growing industries with high demand. These roles may require some technical certifications or on-the-job apprenticeships. Still, they offer competitive pay, coming close to or exceeding the annual expected salary for someone with a bachelor’s degree.
Don’t miss this roundup of even more high-paying jobs that don’t require college.
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Pros and Cons of Easy Jobs Without a Degree
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There are benefits and drawbacks to some jobs that make a lot of money without a college education.
Benefits of Easy Jobs Without a Degree
- Beginning a career with little or no student debt
- Entering the workforce earlier in life, with the potential to start saving sooner
- Job security for roles that are in high demand
- Less work-related stress
Drawbacks of Easy Jobs Without a Degree
- Joining a high-paying trade or industry can be more physically demanding
- Some roles require an apprenticeship or years of experience before you can earn a high salary. Entry-level salaries may be modest.
- Lack of degree may stunt your earnings over your entire career in certain jobs
- Jobs may be paid hourly, not salaried, which can impact earning potential
- Less likely to accommodate work-at-home situations
Image Credit: PeopleImages/istockphoto.
Who Are Easy Jobs Without a Degree For?
High earning jobs that don’t require a degree can be a good fit for many individuals, including those who:
- Don’t traditionally excel in an academic environment
- Don’t want to take on student debt
- Are eager to enter the workforce
- Have interest in a trade or technical job
Image Credit: Ridofranz/istockphoto.
25 Easy Jobs That Make a Lot of Money With Little Work Without College
Many jobs that don’t require a degree are minimum wage or low paying. However, there is a sweet spot where high-paying jobs and those that don’t expect a degree overlap. While some of the following call for certification or training, it’s unlikely to cost as much as a traditional four-year degree.
Salary figures represent the national median, and the job growth outlook is for 2021 to 2031.
Image Credit: Drs Producoes/istockphoto.
1. Power Plant Operator, Distributor, and Dispatcher
Description: Control and manage the electrical power systems of a plant.
Salary: $94,790
Job Growth: -15%
Requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
Image Credit: dusanpetkovic/istockphoto.
2. Commercial Pilot
Description: Fly commercial airplanes and other aircraft.
Salary: $134,630
Job Growth: 6%
Requirements: Flight school
Image Credit: Hispanolistic/istockphoto.
3. Elevator Installer and Repairer
Description: Install, repair, and maintain elevators and escalators.
Salary: $97,860
Job Growth: 3%
Requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
Image Credit: welcomia/istockphoto.
4. Makeup Artist, Theatrical and Performance
Description: Onset makeup application in the entertainment industry.
Salary: $124,380
Job Growth: 6%
Requirements: On-the-job training or beauty school certifications
Image Credit: MesquitaFMS/istockphoto.
5. Fire Inspector and Supervisor
Description: Inspect buildings to ensure they meet local, state, and federal standards.
Salary: $63,080
Job Growth: 6%
Requirements: Experience as a firefighter; high school diploma or equivalent
Image Credit: 10255185_880/istockphoto.
6. Aircraft Mechanic
Description: Work on plane equipment, including maintenance and repair. While pilots tend to be extroverted high achievers, aircraft mechanic is a solid job for introverts.
Salary: $65,550 per year
Job Growth: 6%
Requirements: On-the-job military training or certification from an FAA-approved technician’s school
Image Credit: RgStudio/istockphoto.
7. HVAC Technician
Description: Install, repair, and maintain HVAC systems in residential and commercial properties.
Salary: $48,630
Job Growth: 5%
Requirements: Technical school and/or an apprenticeship
Image Credit: fstop123/istockphoto.
8. Plumber
Description: Install and repair plumbing systems in homes, factories, or businesses. Plumber roles may include on-call emergency hours.
Salary: $59,880
Job Growth: 2%
Requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
Image Credit: Kunakorn Rassadornyindee/istockphoto.
9. Drafter
Description: Digitize and convert architecture and engineering drawings using software.
Salary: $60,290
Job Growth: -3%
Requirements: Associate’s degree or technical certification
Image Credit: sabthai/istockphoto.
10. Sales Rep, Wholesale and Manufacturing
Description: Sell goods, at wholesale, to businesses and organizations.
Salary: $62,890
Job Growth: 4%
Requirements: Depends on the industry. Technical sales roles may require certification beyond a high school diploma.
Image Credit: Portra/istockphoto.
11. Physical Therapist Assistant
Description: PT assistants work alongside physical therapists in a medical setting to help patients regain mobility.
Salary: $49,180
Job Growth: 24%
Requirements: Associate’s degree, licensing, or certification
Image Credit: Halfpoint/istockphoto.
12. Radiation Therapist
Description: Administer radiation to patients in a hospital setting.
Salary: $82,790
Job Growth: 6%
Requirements: Associate’s degree
Image Credit: Povozniuk/istockphoto.
13. MRI Technician
Job Description: Operate the MRI machine to examine patients, and interpret scans.
Salary: $61,980
Job Growth: 6%
Requirements: Associate’s degree
Image Credit: Valerii Apetroaiei/istockphoto.
14. Programmer
Description: Write and test code for a variety of programs and software across industries and verticals. Programming is considered a popular job choice for antisocial people
Salary: $93,000
Job Growth: -10%
Requirements: Historically, roles have required a Bachelor’s degree. Recently, employers are considering candidates with certifications or bootcamp training.
Image Credit: dima_sidelnikov/istockphoto.
15. Postal Service Workers
Description: Process, collect, and deliver mail to homes and businesses.
Salary: $51,730
Job Growth: -6%
Requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
Image Credit: boggy22/istockphoto.
16. Claims Adjuster, Appraiser, Examiner, and Investigator
Description: Examine and appraise insurance claims, from automotive to residential or commercial building damage.
Salary: $64,710
Job Growth: -6%
Requirements: For most entry-level roles, a high school diploma or equivalent is required. In some industries, such as auto damage appraisal, a certification may be required.
Image Credit: monkeybusinessimages/istockphoto.
17. Construction and Building Inspector
Description: Inspect residential and commercial buildings to ensure they adhere to local codes and specifications.
Salary: $61,640
Job Growth: -4%
Requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
Image Credit: PeopleImages/istockphoto.
18. Court Reporter and Simultaneous Captioner
Description: Create exact transcripts of exchanges, including courtroom proceedings, or live captioning on television.
Salary: $60,380
Job Growth: 1%
Requirements: Training or certification
Image Credit: ijeab/istockphoto.
19. Sound Engineering Technician
Description: Maintain sound systems for live performances, broadcasts, and other programming.
Salary: $48,790
Job Growth: 10%
Requirements: Varies but often includes technical certification
Image Credit: monkeybusinessimages/istockphoto.
20. Police Detective
Description: Gather facts and investigate crimes. Some police departments are currently offering generous signing bonuses.
Salary: $66,020
Job Growth: 3%
Requirements: Police Academy completion and on-the-job training
Image Credit: KatarzynaBialasiewicz/istockphoto.
21. Electrician
Description: Repair, install, and maintain electrical systems.
Salary: $60,040
Job Growth: 7%
Requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
Image Credit: andresr/istockphoto.
22. Brick Mason
Description: Use concrete, stone, or brick to build structures.
Salary: $48,040
Job Growth: -2%
Requirements: Trade school or apprenticeship
Image Credit: Bogdanhoda/istockphoto.
23. Insurance Sales Agent
Description: Sell insurance, including home, life, and automotive. This is an excellent work-from-home job for retirees.
Salary: $49,840
Job Growth: 6%
Requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
Image Credit: LaylaBird/istockphoto.
24. Medical Sonographer
Job Description: Operate sonography or other specialty equipment in a medical setting to create digital imaging of patients.
Salary: $75,380
Job Growth: 10%
Requirements: Associate’s degree
Image Credit: Halfpoint/istockphoto.
25. Information Security Analyst
Description: Create and maintain security for a business’s computer networking systems.
Salary: $102,600
Job Growth: 35%
Requirements: Some employers may require a Bachelor’s degree, but other roles call for on-the-job training or IT certifications instead.
Image Credit: SARINYAPINNGAM/istockphoto.
The Takeaway
There’s a potential to earn a high salary in many jobs that don’t require a college degree. However, it may require some research and certifications beyond a high school diploma. Some jobs that pay well, don’t require a degree, and may even be enjoyable range from the medical field and construction to computers and insurance. If you know someone who’s a brick mason or a sonographer, take them out for coffee to get the inside scoop. You might even offer to shadow them at work to find out what their industry is really like.
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