For decades the message has been simple: Go to college, get a degree, and you’ll unlock better job opportunities. But today’s labor market is more nuanced. Many employers are trading credential-based hiring for a skills-first approach, prioritizing what candidates can actually do over where — or for how long — they studied.
So do most jobs require a college degree? The short answer: No, but many high-paying and specialized careers still do. The longer answer requires a deeper look at data, industries, and the trends shaping today’s workforce.
Table of Contents
Key Points
• Around 30% of jobs in the U.S. require a bachelor’s degree or higher, while the majority require less formal education.
• Specialized and high-paying professional careers in fields like management, finance, and engineering typically still require a college degree.
• Many employers are shifting toward skills-based hiring, prioritizing practical abilities and experience over traditional educational credentials.
• Middle-skill jobs that require an associate degree or certification are a fast-growing segment, offering a faster and more affordable route into the workforce.
• On average, workers with a bachelor’s degree earn 66% more per week than those with only a high school diploma, suggesting the degree still correlates with higher lifetime earnings.
Breakdown by Education Level
How many jobs in the U.S. require a college degree? According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), around 30% of jobs require a bachelor’s degree or higher. Roughly 35% of jobs require a high school diploma, while 11.5% call for an associate degree, post-secondary training, or some college. Nearly 24% of jobs require no formal education.
Jobs Requiring a Bachelor’s Degree
A bachelor’s degree is still the typical entry requirement for many professional careers, including management, business, and financial roles.
According to the BLS, which monitors the employment outlook for over 800 occupations, the following roles requiring at least a bachelor’s degree are projected to have the highest number of openings through 2033:
• General and operations managers
• Registered nurses
• Accountants and auditors
• Software developers
• Business operations specialists
• Managers
• Management analysts
• Elementary school teachers (excluding special education)
• Market research analysts and marketing specialists
• Human resources specialists
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Jobs Requiring an Associate Degree or Certification
The “middle-skill” category — jobs that require more than high school but less than a bachelor’s degree — is a fast-growing segment of the economy.
According to BLS projections, the fastest-growing jobs that require a postsecondary nondegree (such as a certificate, associate degree, or some college but no degree) include:
• Truck drivers
• Nursing assistants
• Teaching assistants
• Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks
• Medical assistants
• Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists
• Automotive service technicians and mechanics
• Preschool teachers (except special education)
• Licensed practical and vocational nurses
• Dental assistants
These careers can be attractive because they offer a faster, more affordable route into the workforce, require less time and student loan debt than a bachelor’s degree, and generally offer strong job security.
Jobs That Don’t Require a College Degree
A large portion of the job market requires no college education at all. According to BLS data, there are 326 occupations that typically require a high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED), nearly twice as many occupations as at any other level of education.
While some of these jobs pay lower wages, many skilled trades can earn strong salaries without a bachelor’s degree, especially for those who pursue some form of postsecondary education, such as an associate degree, trade school training, an apprenticeship, or certificate program.
Here’s a look at some high-paying jobs that may not require a college degree:
| Job | Median Salary |
| Wind turbine technician | $61,770 |
| Flight attendant | $68,370 |
| Hearing aid specialist | $58,670 |
| Plumber | $61,550 |
| Licensed practical or vocational nurse | $59,730 |
| Medical records technician | $48,780 |
| Exercise trainer | $46,480 |
Source: U.S News
How Educational Requirements Vary by Industry
The importance of a degree depends heavily on the industry you choose. Some fields depend on formal education, while others place more value on hands-on training and real-world experience.
Industries Where Degrees Are Most Common
Fields where bachelor’s degrees are often required include:
• Information technology
• Health care (nursing, physicians, therapists)
• Law and legal services
• Engineering and architecture
• Finance and accounting
• Education and academia
• Business management
• Human resources
• Communications (public relations specialists, editors, journalists, technical writers)
These careers typically require a bachelor’s degree or higher because they demand expansive forms of training, standardized credentials, and/or “soft skills” that are difficult to train on the job (such as critical thinking and effective written communication).
Industries Where Degrees Are Less Common
Fields that offer opportunities to candidates without college degrees include:
• Construction and skilled trades
• Manufacturing and production
• Warehousing and distribution
• Hospitality and tourism
• Retail management and sales
• Automotive services
• Security and protective services
• Transportation
• Energy and utilities support roles
• Creative and digital freelancing
In these sectors, employers often prioritize experience, apprenticeship, certificate programs, and on-the-job training. For example, construction and manufacturing employers frequently face worker shortages and are eager to hire candidates with hands-on skills rather than degrees.
Trends Shaping the Future of Degree Requirements
The future of degree requirements is being shaped by a number of factors. Here are some to keep in mind as you weigh the pros and cons of going to college.
Shift to Skill-Based Hiring
In recent years, skills-based hiring has gained momentum as employers look beyond traditional credentials to access a wider talent pool. This shift is particularly impactful given that 63% of U.S. adults do not hold a bachelor’s degree.
An analysis of job postings by the Indeed Hiring Lab highlights this trend:
• 52% of U.S. job listings on Indeed contained no formal education requirements in early 2024, up from 48% in 2019.
• The share of job postings explicitly requiring at least a college degree dropped from 20.4% in 2019 to 17.8% in 2024.
Underemployment Among Graduates
Approximately 52% of recent college graduates are underemployed, meaning they work in jobs that do not require a four-year degree, according to a 2024 study by the Burning Glass Institute and Strada Education Foundation. This trend often persists, with about 45% of graduates still in underemployed positions 10 years after graduation.
Changing Public Perception
Public attitudes toward higher education are undergoing a dramatic shift. A September 2025 Gallup poll revealed that only 35% of American adults now view a college education as “very important,” a sharp decline from 70% in 2013.
Rising tuition costs are a primary driver of this skepticism. According to a late 2025 NBC News poll, 63% of registered voters believe a four-year degree is no longer worth the cost. Respondents noted that graduates often lack practical job skills and enter the workforce burdened by debt.
College Still Counts
Although many companies have officially reduced or eliminated degree requirements, a joint study by Harvard Business School and the Burning Glass Institute reveals a significant gap between policy and practice: Many companies still default to hiring degree-holders, even if the job doesn’t formally require it.
At the same time, a report from Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce (CEW) indicates that the importance of postsecondary education is poised to grow. By 2031, an estimated 72% of U.S. jobs will require training beyond high school, and 66% of “good jobs” — defined as those paying at least $43,000 for workers aged 25–44 — will likely require a four-year degree.
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Do You Really Need a College Degree?
You don’t need a college degree to get a job. In skilled trades and many service industries, a degree often isn’t required — and may not offer strong financial returns compared to faster training options.
But earning a degree does have its benefits, including a broader range of jobs to choose from and the potential for higher lifetime earnings. BLS data show that, on average, workers with bachelor’s degrees earn 66% more per week than those with only a high school diploma. Additional education further widens the divide: Graduates with professional degrees make, on average, 53% more than those with bachelor’s degrees.
While cost is often a barrier to pursuing higher education, many students tap a variety of funding sources to pay for college, including savings, scholarships and grants, part-time jobs, work-study programs, and federal and private student loans.
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The Takeaway
While a four-year degree remains the gateway to many high-paying, specialized professional careers, the majority of jobs in the U.S. do not require one. A movement toward skills-based hiring, combined with the rising cost of tuition, is driving a shift in public perception and hiring practices.
Ultimately, you want to weigh the decision to pursue a degree against your specific career goals and financial situation. While a bachelor’s degree typically correlates with higher lifetime earnings, specialized certifications or associate degrees can provide a faster, more affordable route to a stable, good-paying job.
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FAQ
What percentage of jobs in the U.S. require a college degree?
Around 30% of jobs in the U.S. typically require a bachelor’s degree or higher, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Another 11.5% call for an associate degree, post-secondary training, or some college. The remaining 58.5% of jobs require a high school diploma or less, with nearly 24% requiring no formal education at all.
While the majority of jobs don’t require a four-year degree, many high-paying, specialized, and professional careers still do.
Which jobs don’t need a college degree but pay well?
Many well-paying jobs do not require a four-year college degree, particularly in skilled trades and technical fields. Roles like electrician, plumber, wind turbine technician, and licensed practical nurse offer median salaries over $55,000 annually. Other high-paying options include flight attendants and hearing aid specialists. These occupations often require specialized training, such as an associate degree, trade school, apprenticeship, or certification, rather than a bachelor’s degree.
Are employers moving away from requiring degrees?
Yes, many employers are moving away from requiring four-year degrees and shifting toward “skills-based hiring” to widen applicant pools. This is especially true for roles in manufacturing, technology, and state government. However, research indicates that the actual hiring of non-degree holders has been slow, with many firms still defaulting to degree preferences.
How can I get a good job without a degree?
One of the best ways to get a good job without a degree is to focus on acquiring in-demand skills and industry-recognized credentials. You might explore vocational schools, apprenticeships, or specialized certification programs in fields like skilled trades (such as an electrician or plumber), IT, or health care (e.g., medical assistant or licensed practical nurse).
Gaining practical experience through entry-level roles or on-the-job training is also important, as employers in many industries prioritize proven ability over formal education. Networking and building a professional portfolio can further increase your job prospects.
Which certifications are better than a college degree?
While a college degree generally enhances lifetime earnings, targeted certifications often provide greater value for career paths demanding immediate technical proficiency. In sectors such as IT, project management, specialized health care, and the skilled trades, industry-recognized credentials can offer a more efficient and affordable route to employment. By validating practical expertise that meets current market demands, these certifications can accelerate entry into good-paying jobs.
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