High paying careers with little college are on the rise. Yes, you read that correctly. Many occupations are now available without college education or experience in that field.
The best jobs that require little to no college are those that require a high school diploma. These jobs are usually found in the skilled trades, but there are also some entry-level positions that can be filled by people with no college experience.
When looking for high paying careers with little or no college education, you should consider becoming a plumber or electrician. These jobs can pay upwards of $100,000 per year and do not require any specific training beyond high school.
Another good option is becoming a construction worker or laborer. This type of work pays well, but it’s also very physically demanding—so you’ll have to be ready for hard labor if you want to get into these careers!
If you’re interested in pursuing an education after completing your GED, there are plenty of careers available with only an associate degree under your belt. For example: nurses, dental hygienists, physical therapists, occupational therapists and emergency medical technicians all require two years of training after high school graduation.
You can also consider going straight into the workforce as a police officer or firefighter without having earned any post-secondary education at all! This article also discusses easy careers that pay well, 6 month certificate programs that pay well.
High paying careers with little college
Health care jobs
As the baby boomer generation gets older, there will be a greater demand for healthcare jobs. These careers are expected to grow 15 percent by 2026, adding 2.3 million new jobs.
Nurses, phlebotomists and medical assistants are among the highest paying fields with little college education because they’re in high demand and typically do not require a bachelor’s degree or higher. Nurses earn an average of $68,550 per year while phlebotomists make up to $34,370 annually and medical assistants make up to $31,640 per year (Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Transportation and warehousing jobs
If you’re looking for a career that involves driving, this is an excellent option. The majority of positions in this field require a commercial driver’s license (CDL), which takes about six weeks to obtain and requires that you pass a written test as well as a driving test. However, if you already have a CDL license from another state, you can apply for work with no training required.
Average pay for truck drivers is $41,340 per year or $19 per hour. Job growth over the next decade is expected to be strong at 13%.
Sales
If you’re good at making sales, there are plenty of jobs that don’t require a college degree. Sales agents for financial services, like insurance and real estate, are in high demand. Retail sales can also be lucrative—especially if you have a knack for helping customers find what they want and need. Other options include wholesale sales (selling to businesses), insurance sales, stock brokerages and other investment companies. Finally, if you’re looking to meet people even after hours, consider becoming a sales representative or manager of one of the above fields!
Manufacturing
A manufacturing career can be an excellent choice for someone who enjoys working with their hands, or a great option for someone who wants to make a living but doesn’t have access to higher education.
In fact, it’s one of the highest paying industries out there. If you’re ready to learn more about manufacturing careers and how you can get started earning good money in this field, keep reading!
Production jobs
- Production jobs require little education and pay well.
- Good production jobs are plentiful, but getting them depends on your ability to land a job with no prior experience.
- On-the-job training is important in most production fields, so it’s crucial to build your resume with internships or volunteer work before applying for paid positions.
Trade, extraction, agriculture and construction jobs
- Some of these positions do involve a risk of injury or death.
- You may need to travel to remote locations, and/or work long hours or night shifts.
- Some positions are seasonal and require overtime during certain times of the year (like construction).
Some careers pay well without requiring a degree.
The following jobs all require an associate’s degree or less, but pay over $50,000 per year:
- Personal financial advisor. The average personal financial advisor makes just under $55,000 a year.
- Web developer. The average web developer makes just under $56,000 a year.
- Sales and marketing manager. The average sales and marketing manager makes just over $74,000 a year.
easy careers that pay well
Below are 16 simple high-paying jobs you might explore. For the most up-to-date Indeed salaries, please click on the links below:
- Word processor
National average salary: $47,119 per year
Primary duties: Word processors are professionals that type, edit and print materials for their customers. They often use word processing tools to generate new documents, create mailing labels and format reports. These professionals can also perform administrative tasks, like filing and answering phones, or take notes for their customers during meetings or presentations.
- Notary Public
National average salary: $47,835 per year
Primary duties: Notary publics are legal professionals who validate that legal documents are valid. Often working with government agencies, they ensure that contract signers understand the agreements and guide them as they sign legal documents. They also might oversee photocopies to ensure the process complies with regulations.
- Purchasing agent
National average salary: $49,376 per year
Primary duties: Purchasing agents, or buyers, help organizations evaluate suppliers and products they might need for their businesses. They often research different suppliers and services and depending on price or value, order goods. This profession is common in retail as they schedule orders, review payments and verify deliveries.
- Groundskeeper
National average salary: $50,475 per year
Primary duties: Groundskeepers work for various facilities as they maintain their health, appearance and safety. They often mow lawns, clear garbage and fertilize or plant flowers and gardens. These professionals also commonly perform basic maintenance work including small repairs and inspections.
- Accounting clerk
National average salary: $51,352 per year
Primary duties: Accounting clerks work in offices, providing administrative and accounting support for their organization. They often maintain the financial records for an office, updating them as changes occur and reconciling any payments. These clerks might also perform basic audits to ensure the accuracy of all accounting records.
- Librarian
National average salary: $52,591 per year
Primary duties: Librarians oversee the books and other media in a library for their community. They often organize their catalogs, ensure resources are available and maintain a clean facility. Librarians might also organize community events or host special events at their facilities. Part of this job also includes managing the library budget.
- Appraiser
National average salary: $54,358 per year
Primary duties: Appraisers evaluate the overall value of properties and objects. These professionals can work in real estate where they inspect homes to tell sellers how much their house might be worth. They also work in insurance to appraise collision damage and in specialty areas, like fine jewelry, to estimate the price of damages or metals and gems.
- Garbage truck driver
National average salary: $55,318 per year
Primary duties: Garbage truck drivers operate several waste material vehicles to dispose of garbage in residential and commercial areas. They often have designated routes where they collect. Depending on the job requirements, they may need to lift garbage cans or other equipment for manual removal and ensure the vehicle operates properly.
- Massage therapist
National average salary: $58,944 per year
Primary duties: Massage therapists work with individuals to perform different massages based on their client needs. They often discuss potential discomfort or other symptoms with their clients to cater the massage to improve their well-being. These therapists can also make recommendations for patients based on their conditions and perform administrative tasks like managing customer lists and processing payments.
- Claims adjuster
National average salary: $59,188 per year
Primary duties: Claims adjusters are insurance professionals who evaluate submitted claims. Common in the automobile industry, they verify reports against damages, determine the cost of damages and determine settlements. They may also negotiate with companies or insurers to decide who will pay what amount in certain cases.
- Customer service representative
National average salary: $59,498 per year
Primary duties: Customer service representatives work in various industries to answer customer queries, process returns and take orders. Often working in retail or corporate offices, these professionals use various mediums, like phones and online chat, to interact with customers. They often are the first contact for people who have issues with products or services.
- Chauffeur
National average salary: $68,510 per year
Primary duties: Chauffeurs are driving professionals who transport people from one location to another. These might work for individuals and take them to places they need to go or organizations where they transport various guests. Often working in hospitality, they might also load and unload bags, ensure the vehicle stays in good conditions and provide a positive experience to their customers.
- Sales representative
National average salary: $69,837 per year
Primary duties: Sales representatives work in several industries to help companies generate revenue. They often manage a customer list, generate leads, follow up on potential sales and negotiate contracts. In this profession, sales representatives often have a daily quote indicating how much they have to sell to help the company meet their overall goals.
- Truck driver
National average salary: $74,224 per year
Primary duties: Truck drivers can have several responsibilities, though they mostly transport goods from one location to another. There are various truck sizes to handle different loads, depending on their clients. Truck drivers often drive long routes or have dedicated shorter routes, and might assist with verifying delivery, answering customer queries or unloading and loading their trucks.
- Dispatcher
National average salary: $111,529 per year
Primary duties: Dispatchers often work in central locations to coordinate drivers and vehicles for delivering goods or transporting people. Common in the taxi industry, they might plan routes, oversee fleet vehicle conditions and escalate any problems. They can track delivery status to ensure timely delivery and maintain logs of all dispatched vehicles.
- Loan Officer
National average salary: $213,785 per year
Primary duties: Loan officers are professionals who evaluate the approval of loans for their clients. These professionals often work for financial institutions and review credit, salary and other factors to approve people for home, automobile and miscellaneous loans. They submit loan applications, assist customers to discuss their loan options and manage customer records.
6 month certificate programs that pay well
- Flight Attendant
2020 Median Salary: $59,050
Quickest Program Length: 3 weeks
Career Outlook: Expected to increase by 17% – Much faster than average
If you are searching for a career with travel benefits, consider becoming a flight attendant. In this career, you will serve aircraft passengers food, drinks and provide assistance. You will travel all over the world. However, because travel happens at all hours of the day and night, you will have a varied schedule, which may include nights, weekends, and holidays. If you love to travel this is a good certification to have.
Certificate Opportunities:
Inflight Institute
The Travel Academy
- Electrician
2020 Median Salary: $56,900
Quickest Program Length: 4 months
Career Outlook: Expected to increase by 8% – Much faster than average
As an electrician, you will be responsible for installing, maintaining, and fixing electrical wiring in homes and/or buildings. In addition, you may be the person who installs monitoring systems, smart gadgets, cameras, and more. You will constantly be working in a different location or different job in this position. However, there are times when you will be working in extreme temperatures, in order to finish a job. This is a high-paying trade, which makes it a top certification to have.
Certificate Opportunities:
Ashworth College
- Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers
2020 Median Salary: $50,590
Quickest Program Length: 10 weeks (typically 6 months)
Career Outlook: Expected to increase by 4% – As fast as average
As an HVAC technician, you will be the person who installs and fixes major heating and air conditioning systems. HVACR technicians also work on ventilation and refrigeration systems. In this position you will work in homes, office buildings, hospitals, and more. Because these are public places, you may have to work some irregular hours in order to test and fix system problems. Before choosing this trade certificate, find out what type of training program your state requires.
Certificate Opportunities:
The Refrigeration School
Ashworth College
- Physical Therapy Assistant and Aide
2020 Median Salary: $49,970
Quickest Program Length: 4 months
Career Outlook: Expected to increase by 29% – Much faster than average
As a Physical Therapy Aide or Assistant, you will work with physical therapists to help patients recover from an illness or possible injury. You may be the person who is setting up equipment, moving patients as well as working on administrative tasks. In this position, you may be required to work a variety of shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays. This is a good career that offers quick schooling. Before choosing this career, be sure to check your local state’s licensing requirements. With expected job growth of 29% in the next ten years, there will plenty of opportunities in this field.
Certificate Opportunities:
U.S. Career Institute
- Carpenter
2020 Median Salary: $49,520
Quickest Program Length: 4 months
Career Outlook: Expected to increase 0% – Little or no change
If you enjoy working with your hands, choosing to be a carpenter might be the perfect career for you! You will be building homes, buildings and framework for other types of structures. Carpenters also do plenty of repairs. This trade school career requires a great deal of physical strength and stamina. You will also spend the majority of your time working outdoors, in the elements.
Certificate Opportunities:
Pensacola State College
6.Commercial Truck Driver
2020 Median Salary: $47,130
Quickest Program Length: 2 weeks
Career Outlook: Expected to increase 2% – Slower than average
Almost everything consumers purchase is taken to the store via truck. Truck driving may involve long-hauls, which involve at least one overnight stay; or maybe short-haul, which is a short driving distance. As a truck driver, you will spend most of your time sitting. However, this is also a great way to see many different places, while getting paid to work. Becoming a truck driver is one of the highest paying trade school careers that you’ll find.
Certificate Opportunities:
CDL Training
Best Truck Driving Schools
- Automotive Service Technician and Mechanic
2020 Median Salary: $44,050
Quickest Program Length: 6 months
Career Outlook: Expected to decrease -4% – Decline
Love cars? Consider a career as an automotive service tech or mechanic. In this trade school career, you will work on different makes and models of cars and light weight trucks. You will diagnose and repair issues, as well as handle routine maintenance. Some people choose to work in auto shops as employees, while others prefer to open their own shop.
Certificate Opportunities:
Universal Technical Institute
- Bookkeeper
2020 Median Salary: $42,410
Quickest Program Length: 5 months
Career Outlook: Expected to decrease -6% – Decline
As a bookkeeper, you will be responsible for keeping track of finances for a company. You will audit records, keep track of receipts and purchases. You will also make sure that payroll is completed timely and accurately. Addition duties may include journal entries, closing books, and keeping computerized notes of financial transactions. If you are money-minded, this is one of the best certifications to have.
Certificate Opportunities:
Penn Foster
U.S. Career Institute
- Travel Agent
2020 Median Salary: $42,350
Quickest Program Length: 4 months
Career Outlook: Expected to decrease -26% – Decline
A career as a travel agent could be an ideal choice if you love learning about other places and enjoy helping people. In this position, you will provide details and advice to travel seekers. You may plan the trips as well. It may also be your job to create an itinerary for the traveler. Most travel agents work for travel companies. However, there are several that work from home. This is one of the easier trade certifications you can attain.
Certificate Opportunities:
Ashworth College
The Travel Institute
- Dental Assistant
2020 Median Salary: $41,180
Quickest Program Length: 10 weeks
Career Outlook: Expected to increase 7% – Faster than average
As a dental assistant, your tasks may vary quite a bit. You may spend part of your day helping to check patients in, scheduling visits to taking x-rays of patients. This career is a good choice if you like to add variety to each day and you enjoy working with others. While this is one certification program that pays well, we advise you to check your state for licensing requirements.
Certificate Opportunities:
Stratford Career Institute
Center Creek Dental
- EMT and Paramedic
2020 Median Salary: $36,650
Quickest Program Length: 2 weeks
Career Outlook: Expected to increase 6% – Faster than average
Choosing to become an EMT or paramedic is one of the best trades to get into if you enjoy helping people and can handle a high-stress environment. A typical day in this trade may start out slow, with you stocking the ambulance, but in an instant, you could be saving a child from drowning or rushing a heart attack victim to the hospital. In this medical certification program, you will learn to stabilize patients, deliver babies, manage fractures, insert IV lines and more. You will also learn how to provide oxygen as well as deliver CPR. This fast-paced career provides a level of excitement that you rarely find in the workforce.
Certificate Opportunities:
EMT & Fire Training Incorporated
National Medical Education & Training Center
- Phlebotomy Technician
2020 Median Salary: $36,320
Quickest Program Length: 10 weeks
Career Outlook: Expected to increase 17% – Much faster than average
As a phlebotomy technician, you will spend your days drawing blood from people. You may be collecting the blood for individual testing, research or possibly for donations. You will have the opportunity to explain to the patient why and how you will be taking their blood. There are plenty of employment opportunities to consider for phlebotomists. You may work in labs, donor centers as well as doctor’s offices and hospitals. This is a quick certification that pays well.
