According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, the average beginning wage for students graduating in 2019 was $53,889 dollars. Continue reading to learn which jobs pay the most and how much you may earn.
If you are looking for a high paying entry level job without a college degree, this is the book for you. It outlines the 20 most in demand jobs that pay well without a college degree and includes specific tips on how to land these coveted positions. This can be especially helpful if you are looking to get started in your career but want to avoid taking on debt by going to college.
High pay entry level jobs no degree
In this article, you will find out about some of the top paying careers for recent graduates, according to NACE.
Important Facts About These Fields
| PETROLEUM ENGINEERS | COMPUTER ENGINEERS | CHEMICAL ENGINEERS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Required Education | Bachelor’s degree | Bachelor’s degree | Bachelor’s degree |
| Key Skills | Creativity, analytical, problem-solving, and math skills | Problem-solving, speaking, and critical-thinking skills | Ingenuity, problem-solving, and math skills |
| Similar Occupations | Geoscientist, materials engineer | Computer programmer, software developer | Biomedical engineer, nuclear engineer |
| Work Schedule | Full-time, sometimes overtime and irregular hours when out at drilling sites | Full-time, though overtime is common | Full-time, sometimes with extra hours to troubleshoot problems |
Petroleum Engineering
A petroleum engineer’s job is to recover oil and gas from sites all over the world. After finding a site, he or she works with teams of specialists to determine its geological makeup, choose the best drilling methods and oversee the drilling process. A principal responsibility is designing appropriate, site-specific drilling equipment to maximize the amount of oil or gas recovered and limit associated costs. Between 2019 and 2029, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) expected employment for these workers to increase by 3%.
- Average Salary: $154,330
Computer Engineering
Computer hardware engineers design and develop new computer systems and their components. These workers will face tough competition for work in the next decade, with only 2% growth predicted during the 2019-2029 decade, the BLS noted.
- Average Salary: $126,140
Chemical Engineering
Chemical engineers work in the production of chemicals and biochemicals. A major component of their job is designing equipment to manufacture chemicals, test methods of manufacture, determine how to treat byproducts of chemical production and supervise the production process. Chemical engineers often find work in the food, energy, electronics, paper and clothing industries, according to the BLS. In addition to chemistry, a chemical engineer must have a basic understanding of mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, math and physics to interface with these disciplines. Over the 2019-2029 decade, employment opportunities for chemical engineers are expected to increase by 4%, the BLS reports.
- Average Salary: $114,820
Computer Science
Computer scientists focus their research on finding new uses for existing technology, and they also work to design and create new computer technologies. The tools these workers design could be used for robotics, programming or data mining. Most computer scientists earn a doctoral degree in the field. They could see employment grow by 15% from 2019 to 2029.
- Average Salary: $130,890
Aerospace/Aeronautical/Astronautical Engineering
Aeronautical engineers are tasked with creating and manufacturing aircraft while their colleagues in astronautical engineering work with spacecraft technology and components. Since these workers might be involved in projects contracted by government agencies, employers may require U.S. citizenship from applicants. Growth in this field was expected to be 3% from 2019 to 2029.
- Average Salary: $121,110
CONCLUSION
Overall, the jobs that pay the most tend to be in industries that also typically require a minimum amount of education and training before someone can start working. If you want to work for a large company or earn a lot of money, go here and apply for a job. None of these entry level jobs require you to have a degree, but they may require you to have some specialized training or certifications depending on the industry. Since the salaries for these jobs are usually much higher than the average, this is definitely where to start if money is your primary concern and you are not interested in getting formal education or training.
