Are you searching for a lucrative career, but don’t want to pursue a bachelor’s or graduate degree? With the transformation into a digitally-centered world, having a four-year degree doesn’t always guarantee a career. Everything is just within your reach. You can always self-learn what you want to pursue as a profession. Many online learning platforms provide you with the opportunity to strengthen your skills and knowledge in your field of interest. That said, there is no need for you to invest in a hefty amount of money to complete an undergraduate or graduate degree before pursuing your dream job.
According to the American Action Forum, there is a possibility of skills shortages through 2029. This shortage gives high school diploma holders excellent chances of employment.
Is a college degree mandatory for pursuing a lucrative and rewarding profession? For some students, it isn’t. Post-secondary education isn’t for everyone. It also doesn’t mean you miss out on a higher-paying career because of the absence of a college degree. In fact, certain careers don’t require you to invest in a four-year college program, but the demand is high and they pay good wages!
In case you didn’t know, a new career trend focuses more on skill-based expertise than work experience and college degrees. Also called a middle-skill profession, new-collar jobs are professions that need specific hard skills. These professions don’t necessarily require extensive professional experiences and college degrees. In most cases, candidates obtain the expertise and skills they require for the job through two-year programs, apprenticeship, certificate programs, or vocational training.
Interested? Check out these page jumps to explore the 20 Best Careers You Can Have Without A College Degree:
Computer Programmer
Writer
Home Health Aide
Editor
Radiologic Technician
Personal Assistant
Plumber
Virtual Assistant
Dental Assistant
Translators
Medical Assistant
Interior Designer
Insurance Sales Agent
Database Administrator
Medical Records Technician
Massage Therapist
Personal Care Aide
Pharmacy Technician
Restaurant Chef
Electrician
Computer Programmer
Employment Outlook: 9% from 2019 to 2029
Minimum Educational Attainment: Associate Degree
Median Yearly Wage: $86,550
Computer Programmers or software developers create, test, and implement programming languages or code that enables software applications and computer programs to run. These professionals need to learn and understand various programming languages such as C++, Java, Python, and VB.Net. Regardless of industry, computer programmers are found everywhere, ranging from startup companies to bigger corporations. Since the work can be done remotely, many computer programmers can work anywhere for as long as there is a reliable internet connection.
While most computer programmers hold a bachelor’s degree, some require extensive programming/coding experience or a related associate degree. They can also become proficient in a specific programming language and become certified. Given that, they can pursue numerous career opportunities just by having a certification alone. Another alternative to becoming proficient is to earn and enhance your skills through enrolling in boot camps. You can get certified or self-learn some programming languages through numerous online learning platforms such as Udemy, Coursera, and Skillshare.
Writer
Employment Outlook: 2% from 2019 to 2029
Minimum Educational Attainment: High School Diploma
Median Yearly Wage: $63,200
Writers perform intensive research to create, conceptualize, and edit their articles, scripts, poems, manuscripts, and other written content. In performing their duties and responsibilities, writers can work in different industries and genres, from fiction to satire, poetry to non-fiction. These professionals are your feature and blog writers, technical writers, and copywriters in corporate settings.
Web content writers, novelists, journalists, and copywriters are just some of the writing-related professions. Writers are everywhere – in a diverse range of industries, ranging from entertainment to journalism, corporate to academia. For someone who loves writing as a career, it’s a fulfilling and unique profession. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, the majority of writers are freelancers or self-employed. Aside from imperative writing skills, writers perform a lot of research to accomplish their tasks. As a result, writers must also possess excellent research skills. They can also analyze data and create compelling content out of that data. To this end, writers must also understand different data and data sets.
While a bachelor’s degree is highly beneficial, most writing careers require a high school diploma. Aside from that, coursework in writing, reading, and English are equally important.
Home Health Aide
Employment Outlook: 34%
Minimum Educational Attainment: High School Diploma
Median Yearly Wage: $25,280
Home Health Aides perform other duties aside from washing their patient’s clothes and sweeping the floors. They mainly assume the roles of patients who are no longer able to perform the work themselves. In some cases, home health aides meticulously administer care services, ranging from bathing patients to cleaning cuts or wounds and dressing them. They are professionals that spend most of their time with their patients; hence, they are treated as a part of the family.
Since home care is generally more affordable than hospitals or nursing homes, most senior citizens prefer to stay or get treated at home. That said, home health aides are highly in-demand anywhere in the U.S.
The majority of home health aides are high school graduates; however, a diploma isn’t necessarily required to become a home health aide. Professionals at agencies that obtain funding from Medicaid or Medicare must have a minimum proficiency or training level. Aside from that, they must obtain state certification or pass a competency assessment. The criteria and set of requirements differ per state and generally involve formal training in a vocational school or community college. The National Association for Home Care & Hospice certifies home health aides who accomplish 75 hours of training and passing a written examination.
Editor
Employment Outlook: 7% from 2019 to 2029
Minimum Educational Attainment: Associate Degree
Median Yearly Wage: $61,370
Editors read different kinds of content and correct grammatical, punctuation, and spelling errors. These professionals plan, collaborate, review, and revise content for websites, periodicals, newspapers, and books. They also review content ideas and approve which materials will attract the most to readers. During the review, editors provide constructive feedback and comment to improve the writing and recommend headlines and titles. Editors are also publication assistants, managing editors, executive editors, copy editors, and assistant editors.
The majority of editors work in offices, whether in a corporate workplace or a remote location. Some of these professionals also work as freelancers, handling multiple clients with different projects. Editors generally use a desktop or laptop, scanners, printers, and other electronic equipment. Most of them work full-time, and their schedules are dependent on the production deadlines and type of editorial role. They often deal with pressures from publication deadlines and the associated stress in ensuring every written information is accurate and relevant. In some cases, editors work more hours than expected, especially when nearing the publication deadline.
While most employers prefer applicants with an undergraduate degree, candidates with a strong English background, writing, and communication can also pursue jobs as editors. Most editors have initial roles as reporters, writers, or editorial assistants. Individuals who are naturally passionate and talented in crafting a story, writing, and collaborating with writers can fulfill roles as editors.
Radiologic Technician
Employment Outlook: 7% from 2019 to 2029
Minimum Educational Attainment: Associate Degree
Median Yearly Wage: $62,280
Radiologic Technicians or Radiographers perform X-Rays and other imaging services as part of the patient’s diagnosis. These professionals work under the physician’s supervision, capturing images as requested by them. Radiologic technicians also help physicians in evaluating diagnostic images. They work in laboratories, doctor’s offices, healthcare facilities, and outpatient care services.
The majority of radiologic technicians have completed associate degrees in radiologic technology or MRI. These degrees generally take 18 to 24 months to accomplish. Other educational credentials for becoming a radiologic technician is through a certificate program, taking up one to two years for completion.
Personal Assistant
Employment Outlook: 9% from 2019 to 2029
Minimum Educational Attainment: High School Diploma
Median Yearly Wage: $39,850
Personal Assistants work for wealthy families, individuals, celebrities, executives, and managers. Unlike managers and administrators who look after a group, these professionals perform various administrative tasks, personal assistants generally managerial duties and tasks on behalf of an individual. The personal assistant’s role is to ease the executive’s workload—from administrative to organizing tasks—to maximize their schedule.
Aside from bigger corporations, personal assistants can also work for a celebrity or family. Given that, PAs also perform personal or home life administrative tasks, including hiring house cleaners or manage their schedules for shooting or meeting clients.
The title for this role depends on the employer. In some companies, the job titles “executive assistant” and “personal assistant” are interchangeable. For some, executive assistants are more senior than personal assistants and assume more responsibilities such as team organization and corporate governance.
No formal educational credentials are needed. However, some employers prefer applicants to have good academic standing while some prefer degrees. If a degree is needed, someone with a degree in business, technology, and communications has a higher advantage.
Some employers also require prior experience of personal assistant or administration work experience. Personal assistants can accomplish a diploma or secretarial course online or community college.
Plumber
Employment Outlook: 4% from 2019 to 2029
Minimum Educational Attainment: High School Diploma
Median Yearly Wage: $55,160
Plumbers develop blueprints to plan where fixtures and pipes have schemed in a structure. These professionals also install and connect the fixtures and piping. Plumbers either work with a team of pipefitters and apprentices or individually to perform their duties. They facilitate water supply from large fixtures and pipes, including toilets, sinks, showers, and bathtubs. Aside from that, they ensure that enough water supply reaches water heaters and dishwashers.
To start your plumbing career, it takes a two-way process, including study and practical training. In general, plumbers start a four to five years’ worth of apprenticeship program to complete technical education. They also accomplish the required hours of on-the-job training under the supervision of a licensed professional.
Apprenticeship programs are the most common path to start a plumbing career. Most businesses and unions require apprentices to have complete at least 246 hours of technical education in Chemistry, Applied Physics, and Mathematics. They also complete 2,000 hours of paid, on-the-job training working with a more experienced plumber.
Plumbers must have licenses so they can work independently. In general, the prerequisite for obtaining licensure is two to five years of professional experience as a plumber. They also must pass a comprehensive examination to assess their comprehension in plumbing codes and technical knowledge.
Virtual Assistant
Employment Outlook: 9% from 2019 to 2029
Minimum Educational Attainment: High School Diploma
Median Yearly Wage: $39,850
Virtual Assistants are also known as virtual professionals and perform remote administrative tasks. These workers generally work from home, performing duties and tasks that personal or administrative assistants normally perform. For instance, some virtual assistants perform database entry, send gratitude notes to clients, manage email, plan or book travel arrangements, make phone calls, and schedule meetings.
Some VAs perform more specific jobs according to their skill sets. For instance, a virtual assistant creates presentations using data, perform online research, and complete bookkeeping tasks. They are often considered independent contractors, working for themselves, and the company is their customer. Virtual assistants can handle multiple clients or companies all at once.
Undergraduate degrees aren’t mandatory to become a virtual assistant; however, it’s highly desirable if you have one. To jumpstart your career as a virtual assistant, you can take online learning courses that provide you with VA knowledge and skills. A few companies also offer certification programs for becoming virtual assistants.
Recommended Schools
Dental Assistant
Employment Outlook: 7% from 2019 to 2029
Minimum Educational Attainment: Post-Secondary Non-Degree
Median Yearly Wage: $76,220
Dental Assistants prepare patients for teeth cleanings and treatments, including sterilization of dental equipment. While dental hygienists and dentists are known in the dentist’s office, the dental assistants also perform essential duties in facilitating care and managing the office. These professionals often assist dentists during dental procedures by using a piece of suction equipment to clear liquid from a patient’s mouth. They also manage patient records and process oral X-rays. Depending on their certification or licensure, dental assistants help with polishing dentures and teeth and sealant and fluoride applications.
Dental assistants are one of the best careers you can have without a college degree. If you want to start your career as a dental assistant, check your respective state’s requirements to know the licensing, certification, and training. An accredited program related to becoming a dental assistant generally takes one to two years to complete. For certification requirements, dental assistants must pass the Certified Dental Assistant examination facilitated by the Dental Assisting National Board.
Translator
Employment Outlook: 20% from 2019 to 2029
Minimum Educational Attainment: Associate Degree
Median Yearly Wage: $51,830
Translators convert pieces of information, texts, or messages from one language into another dialect. Unlike interpreters, translators handle written language. An interpreter’s work is to allow people to hear or read the translation as if it were the original written content. Translators write in a method that retains or replicates the style and structure of the original content. These professionals must properly convey any cultural associations, including expressions and slangs that don’t translate literally. They must read and understand the original language fluently and eventually translate the content into their native language.
The majority of translation work is accomplished on a computer. They receive and submit most written assignments or projects digitally. Their translation works generally undergo numerous revisions before considered as final.
Although translators can have an undergraduate degree as part of the academic qualifications, the most crucial qualification is they should be fluent in at least two languages. Aside from the English language, translators must be fluent in another language, including their native one. With a high school diploma, you can jumpstart your career as a translator by completing a range of courses that primarily focuses on comprehension, English writing, and foreign languages.
Medical Assistant
Employment Outlook: 19% from 2019 to 2029
Minimum Educational Attainment: Post-Secondary Non-Degree
Median Yearly Wage: $34,800
Medical Assistants’ roles and tasks involve a combination of traditional office work and hands-on tasks. Some of the office work they perform includes filling out insurance forms of patients, answering phone calls, and managing the front desk. They also keep the patients’ medical records and preserve their accuracy. Moreover, they facilitate injections, draw blood samples, and prepare the samples for laboratory examinations. Some medical assistants perform more specific roles, such as helping patients insert, remove, and care for patients’ contact lenses and basic eye examinations within the optometrists’ or ophthalmologists’ clinics.
No formal education or training is necessary to start your career as a medical assistant. Medical assistants can join the workforce and become proficient in the job with just completing a high school diploma. If you want prior knowledge, you can take specialized certifications or associate degree programs. These programs help students learn about medical record-keeping, patient profiling, medical terminologies, clinical procedures, and laboratory techniques.
Interior Designer
Employment Outlook: 5% from 2019 to 2029
Minimum Educational Attainment: Associate Degree
Median Yearly Wage: $56,040
Interior Designers transform indoor spaces into beautiful, safe, and functional areas by evaluating space requirements and choosing decorative and essential items such as materials, lighting, and color themes. These professionals should know how to edit, draw, and read blueprints. Interior designers must also familiarize inspection regulations, building codes, and accessibility standards.
These workers work and collaborate closely with construction laborers, helpers, mechanical engineers, civil engineers, and architects. As part of their work, they evaluate how interior spaces will look, function, and be delivered. Some interior designers also take charge of drawing, planning, and designing the structure, readying it for installation and construction work. They also help secure building permits, design electrical layouts, and obtain demolition and construction requirements. Did you know that interior designers draft preliminary designs into documents, including attachments, construction schedules, and simple sketches?
Interior designers who have an associate degree can join the workforce. As part of their portfolio, interior designers can showcase their sketches and other works. Licensure credentials differ per state. In some states, licensed designers should be the only ones performing interior design work. For other states, both unlicensed and licensed interior designers can perform the role; however, the licensed ones can use the “interior designer” job title.
Optional certification programs in a related interior design study, such as environmental design, enables designers to showcase their expertise in a specific area of the role. Certification programs are generally available through trade and professional associations. They’re also independent of the National Council for Interior Design Qualification licensure examination.
Insurance Sales Agent
Employment Outlook: 5%
Minimum Educational Attainment: High School Diploma
Median Yearly Wage: $50,940
Insurance Sales Agents sell life, home, health, and car insurance. Commercial insurance agents also sell liability and property damage policies, product liability, and executive and employee coverage. Insurance is a profoundly regulated industry, and insurance agents must hold licensure in their respective states.
50% of the insurance agent population work in a brokerage or independent insurance agencies, and sell the goods or services of many insurance organizations. For 20% of the population, they are considered self-employed insurance sales agents. Some of them work for direct insurance companies. For most insurance agents, commissions are a crucial source of income. On the contrary, some of them have salaried positions.
High school diplomas are generally adequate for most insurance sales agent positions. For investment products, undergraduate degrees are highly preferred, considering they are specialized sales roles. A significant knowledge about the products and services offered is required. Insurance sales agents obtain continuing education credentials to maintain their state licensures and ensure they retain current knowledge and skills related to their fields.
Database Administrator
Employment Outlook: 10% from 2019 to 2029
Minimum Educational Attainment: Associate Degree
Median Yearly Wage: $93,750
Also known as a Database Manager, a Database Administrator is an individual who stores and organizes data using specialized applications. These professionals ensure that data is safe and secure and available to people who require access to them. Like computer programmers, database administrators can work in almost every industry. Although they can work anywhere, they generally work for software development companies.
While some database administrator careers require a four-year baccalaureate degree or a graduate degree, some employers or companies are in search of database administrators who have strong knowledge of database-related programming languages such as SQL, or also known as Structured Query Language.
Medical Records Technician
Employment Outlook: 8% from 2019 to 2029
Minimum Educational Attainment: Post-Secondary Non-Degree
Median Yearly Wage: $42,630
Medical Records Technicians are also known as coding representatives or coding specialists. They obtain pieces of information from medical records and assign the suitable procedures codes and diagnosis. Medical records technicians are crucial for coding for many different purposes, such as monitoring disease patterns, medical research, planning, and reimbursements.
These professionals should have strong attention to detail and be self-motivated, thriving their careers in the diversity and continuous changes within the medical industry. To become a medical records technician, you are expected to be flexible and open to changes. Given that, the migration of paper to automated systems or electronic health records have made this profession an ever-evolving role.
An associate degree or Post-secondary Certification in Health Information Technology kickstarts your career as a medical records technician! You can learn a diverse range of topics, including coding systems and classifications, healthcare reimbursement procedures, the human body’s anatomy, and medical terminologies. The majority of employers or companies prefer medical records technicians with a professional certificate. One of the highly sought-after certifications is the American Health Information Management Association’s Registered Health Information Technician certificate.
Massage Therapist
Employment Outlook: 21% from 2019 to 2029
Minimum Educational Attainment: Post-Secondary Non-Degree
Median Yearly Wage: $42,820
Massage Therapists make people feel better by unwinding bound-up muscles, reducing stress, and relieving bodily aches. They specialize in sports massage, orthopedic, reflexology, acupuncture, and deep-tissues. In most cases, they become proficient in diverse modalities and acquire techniques and skills specific to the job.
Massage therapists can work in different settings, including hospitals, spas, and resorts. Some of them prefer being self-employed and have small businesses. Regardless of the work environment, they should have a friendly and approachable attitude to attract consistent clients.
The standards and requirements for massage therapists differ significantly per state. The majority of states require them to accomplish formal training programs and pass comprehensive examinations to obtain a license. Certification programs at schools require at least 500 hours of training; however, some can go as high as 1000 hours. Some certification programs specialize in specific massage concentrations while some provide a general background of the industry and integrate classes in kinesiology, physiology, and anatomy.
Personal Care Aide
Employment Outlook: 34% from 2019 to 2029
Minimum Educational Attainment: High School Diploma
Median Yearly Wage: $25,280
Personal Care Aides help people with mental ailments, physical disabilities, and chronic diseases by assisting them in their daily routines, personal hygiene, and meal preparation. These workers are employed in different work environments, including elderly home care communities, group homes, small residential facilities, and patients’ homes. Unlike home health aides, they don’t handle medical-related duties and tasks. Their role starts during post-surgical stages, usually, after a patient has been mended, patched, or operated by a healthcare professional.
Personal care aides often learn while undergoing on-the-job training with nurses, while others learn from supervisors and other aides. Regardless of their training experience, they must follow safe patient handling and procedures and respond to emergencies. In some states, personal care aides must have standardized training. They are usually obtained through home healthcare facilities, elder care programs, vocational schools, and community colleges. For personal care aides who want to pursue advanced roles as registered nurses must also undergo formal training.
Pharmacy Technician
Employment Outlook: 4% from 2019 to 2029
Minimum Educational Attainment: High School Diploma
Median Yearly Wage: $33,950
Pharmacy Technicians help pharmacists with dispensing medicines to health professionals and customers. The majority of them work in drug stores and pharmacies; however, some are employed in private facilities or hospitals.
Since most pharmacy technicians become proficient through on-the-job training, a bachelor’s degree isn’t required. Several technical and vocational schools offer pharmacy technology-related programs. Students can also complete some of the certification programs within a year or less.
Restaurant Chef
Employment Outlook: 6% from 2019 to 2029
Minimum Educational Attainment: High School Diploma
Median Yearly Wage: $51,530
Restaurant Chefs or Cooks perform tasks such as grilling, garnishing, whisking, blanching, braising, and other food preparation. This occupation involves more than just braising and stewing; it’s about mastering other related skills!
Becoming an expert in different techniques, styles, and methods in food safety and food handling requires training and a significant amount of experience. It’s common to become proficient while on the job; however, enrolling in an accredited culinary program is highly recommended. Chefs can also self-learn and continue to improve their culinary skills through online training and certification programs.
Electrician
Employment Outlook: 8% from 2019 to 2029
Minimum Educational Attainment: High School Diploma
Median Yearly Wage: $56,180
Electricians are knowledgeable when it comes to the ins and outs of repairing electrical wiring, installing intercom systems and street lights, and designing lighting systems. These professionals ensure that their electrical work adheres to the safety code and guidelines. They undergo a minimum of four years of apprenticeship and licensure that adheres to their respective state. Most electricians specialize in installing, maintaining, and repairing electrical systems within homes, establishments, and vehicles.
Comprehensive and reliable training is required since the occupation is considered physically-demanding and high-risk. Some electricians prefer enrolling in a technical school before pursuing their apprenticeships. In some cases, these programs enroll applicants with at least 18 years of age and hold a high school diploma.
Indeed, not all professions require a college degree. It means that if you completed high school, you could start looking for career opportunities! On the contrary, the careers that need two-year degrees would somehow require admitting and accomplishing the required courses and training at an associate’s or community college.
Regardless, these career pathways require training and development. Skills and talent are crucial; however, you shouldn’t disregard hard work and the right mindset to thrive in your chosen profession!