In certain industries, relevant work experience, internships, training and certifications are just as important, if not more important, than graduating with a four-year degree.
Job applications usually have a minimum educational requirement — some college, an associate degree or a bachelor’s or master’s degree. But with student loan debt topping $1.77 trillion (an increase of 66% over the past ten years), according to the Federal Reserve, you may ask if a four-year college degree is worth it.
The answer will likely depend on your career choice. Some professions — medical and healthcare providers, lawyers, teachers, nuclear engineers — all require a degree (or degrees). However, some underrepresented career fields welcome applicants who never attended college or didn’t graduate with a four-year degree, and some of these careers pay very well.
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There are plenty of in-demand careers with a salary higher than $56,420 (the median US annual salary), according to 20 Highest Paying Jobs Without a Degree, a report from the leading career resource platform, Resume Genius. The list spotlights well-paying jobs and their accompanying educational requirements, based on data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Here are the top 10 highest-paying jobs that don't require a degree.
1. Airline and commercial pilot
- Median annual salary: $148,900
- Number of jobs: 142,600
- Estimated job growth (2022–2032): 4%
- Educational requirements: Vocational training or Associate’s degree
- Work experience: None, but FAA certifications and flight hours are required
- Median annual salary: $112,000
- Number of jobs: 168,900
- Estimated job growth (2022–2032): 32%
- Educational requirements: High school diploma or vocational training
- Work experience: None, but relevant certifications are beneficial
3. Elevator and escalator installer and repairer
- Median annual salary: $99,999
- Number of jobs: 25,100
- Estimated job growth (2022–2032): 1%
- Educational requirements: High school diploma or GED
- Work experience: Apprenticeship
4. Special effects artist and animator
- Median annual salary: $98,950
- Number of jobs: 89,300
- Estimated job growth (2022–2032): 8%
- Educational requirements: High school diploma or vocational training
- Work experience: Portfolio of work. Certifications can be beneficial
5. Transportation, storage, and distribution manager
- Median annual salary: $98,560
- Number of jobs: 14,600
- Estimated job growth (2022–2032): 8%
- Educational requirements: High school diploma or equivalent; certification programs beneficial
- Work experience: Five years in a related field
6. First-line supervisors of police and detective
- Median annual salary: $96,290
- Number of jobs: 4,300
- Estimated job growth (2022–2032): 3%
- Educational requirements: High school diploma, police academy training
- Work experience: Several years in the police force
7. Radiation therapist
- Median annual salary: $89,530
- Number of jobs: 15,900
- Estimated job growth (2022–2032): 2%
- Educational requirements: Associate’s degree
- Work experience: Clinical experience/certification
8. Subway and streetcar operator
- Median annual salary: $88,260
- Number of jobs: 300
- Estimated job growth (2022–2032): 4%
- Educational requirements: High school diploma
- Work experience: On-the-job training
9. Electrical power-line installer and repairer
- Median annual salary: $82,340 per year
- Number of jobs: 122,400
- Estimated job growth (2022–2032): 3%
- Educational requirements: High school diploma. Technical training preferred
- Work experience: Apprenticeship
10. Dental hygienist
- Median annual salary: $81,400
- Number of jobs: 219,400
- Estimated job growth (2022–2032): 7%
- Educational requirements: Associate’s degree in dental hygiene
- Work experience: Licensing (varies by state)
Along with these ten career fields that offer high wages but do not require a four-year degree, the Resume Genius report also highlighted these ten jobs.
- Web developer
- Medical sonographer
- Police and/or detective
- Flight attendant
- Lodging manager
- Property, real estate, and community association manager
- Electrician
- Telecommunications technician
- Industrial machinery mechanic
- Computer support specialist
Skills-based hiring
Given the soaring cost of college and an explosion in online learning and certificate courses, it's no wonder that students and employers are both looking for non-traditional ways to join the labor force. “A college degree doesn’t mean quite what it used to, and we're witnessing a significant shift towards skills-based hiring," explains Eva Chan, Career Expert at Resume Genius. "This change is creating more accessible opportunities, including a range of lesser-known yet well-paying roles."
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