8 Non-Trade Jobs That Pay Well Without a Degree
A college degree isn’t a guarantee of a high-paying job, but it can certainly help, as can the skills to get you started in a field like plumbing or electrician. But what can you do if you have a college (or equivalent) education and no specific skills, experience, or certifications? How can you make a decent living without putting your life on hold and borrowing tons of money to go back to school or get a lot of unpaid experience?
You have options – here are eight decent paying jobs you can get today with just a high school diploma.
Administrative Assistant
If you have basic clerical and computer skills, you can find a job as an administrative assistant that pays over $62,000 a year on average, but be aware that some employers require a college degree for such a position, especially for more high level. pay scales. The main qualification for these jobs is high organization and attention to detail. It takes a lot of typing, registering, planning and organizing trips and you will need to feel comfortable talking to people on the phone and in person.
Sales
Selling isn’t for everyone, and in many ways it’s not an easy job. But it can be a lucrative job, depending on your personality and the field you work in. The median income for a US sales representative is about $60,710 . If you have no experience in sales, you can target sales jobs with no experience , which may not initially be at the top of the income range. But these sales jobs will allow you to gain experience and hone your skills, leading to better opportunities in the future, and many of them don’t require a degree.
Real estate agent
Your average real estate agent earns an average of $50,000 to almost $100,000 a year. Each state has its own requirements to become a licensed real estate agent, so you will have to do some research, but in general, all you need is a high school diploma or GED, and the ability to take pre-licensing courses and pass an exam. . . This comes at a cost: courses typically cost a few hundred dollars and can take anywhere from 60 to over 100 hours, the exam will also cost a few hundred dollars, and activating your license costs a few hundred more. But if you have the time and money, this career is open to you. (Another question is whether now is the right time to become a real estate agent .)
flight attendant
Many flight attendant jobs only require a high school diploma (some airlines require a college degree, but not all) and an average salary of just over $60,000 . You can apply for a flight attendant position without having the relevant experience or certifications, but after you become a candidate, you will be required to complete basic training . There are dedicated flight attendant training programs you can attend and you will need to be certified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), although this is sometimes baked into your airline training period.
Firefighter
It’s a wildly dangerous job , but it pays pretty well, with an average salary of just over $50,000 . While some fire departments require a college degree, many still only require a high school diploma or equivalent. The main requirement for the job is physical fitness – most medical exams for firefighters are quite difficult. You may also need to obtain an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification. You definitely need to get a Firefighter 1 certification , which you can do by attending a fire academy or by finding a local program like a local college.
Bus driver
There is a shortage of bus drivers in the country, which means many companies offer nice bonuses on top of the average salary of around $50,000 a year . All you need is a high school diploma or GED, a clean driving record, and a Class C commercial driver’s license (CDL). A training course is required to obtain a CDL, but some companies are so desperate for drivers that they include CDL training in your job , usually requiring you to commit to working with them for a set period of time (usually one year) as a compromise.
Police officer
Another potentially dangerous job, and certainly not for everyone, but not only do cops get fairly good salaries (the median salary is over $64,000 ), but they also tend to enjoy significant benefits, including hefty retirement packages. Although there is ongoing controversy surrounding the education requirements for police officers, many police departments require only a high school education. If you have that, maybe you can take the law enforcement entrance exam and get into your local police academy. Upon graduation, you will be able to start a new career.
postman
The United States Post Office employs over half a million people , and the average salary is just over $50,000 (although many postal positions start much lower and only get that high after you’ve been in the job for a few years). They also offer a pretty good social package. Jobs range from clerks working with clients; postmen who carry mail; for sorters, machine operators and administrative positions. Many of these jobs require you to complete high school and pass an exam .