Attending a four-year university isn’t for everyone, for financial or personal reasons. That doesn’t mean a high-paying job should be out of reach. There are plenty of jobs that make a lot of money without a college degree. We’re not talking about brain surgery or rocket science — too hard. Just normal jobs that pay well and may even be fun or cool. Is that too much to ask?
Here’s your answer: 25 jobs that make a lot of money for regular people.
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Why It’s Difficult To Know About Easy Jobs Without a Degree
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
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
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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
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.
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
2. Commercial Pilot
Description: Fly commercial airplanes and other aircraft.
Salary: $134,630
Job Growth: 6%
Requirements: Flight school
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
4. Makeup Artist, Theatrical and Performance
Description: Onset makeup application in the entertainment industry.
Salary: $124,380
Job Growth: 6%
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Requirements: On-the-job training or beauty school certifications
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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
12. Radiation Therapist
Description: Administer radiation to patients in a hospital setting.
Salary: $82,790
Job Growth: 6%
Requirements: Associate’s degree
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
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.
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
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.
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
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
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
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
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21. Electrician
Description: Repair, install, and maintain electrical systems.
Salary: $60,040
Job Growth: 7%
Requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
22. Brick Mason
Description: Use concrete, stone, or brick to build structures.
Salary: $48,040
Job Growth: -2%
Requirements: Trade school or apprenticeship
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
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
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.
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.
No matter your salary, it’s important to pay attention to your spending and saving. SoFi’s budget tracker tool gathers all your finance info in a single money tracker app. Look at spending patterns, set financial goals, and monitor your credit score for free.
FAQ
What is the easiest job that pays the most?
One of the easiest jobs that pays the most is working as a makeup artist on film, television, and live theater. However, the role requires experience to reach the highest income levels.
What is the easiest job to get without a degree?
Depending on the industry, it can be relatively easy to get a job in sales with little to no prior experience. However, the role may include on-the-job training to get you up to speed.
What jobs pay a lot but are easy?
There are many jobs in the healthcare space that don’t require manual labor but pay well. This includes roles such as radiation or MRI technician.
Photo credit: iStock/damircudic
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