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College is necessary for a number of career paths. For others, it’s not.
In the midst of a global pandemic (and what’s to come after), folks are learning what they want from a career and don’t want to go into thousands of dollars’ worth of student loan debt to get there.
Earning a master’s degree, a college degree or an associate’s degree hasn’t always been a ubiquitous goal, either, despite society’s grip on the notion. Not everyone has the means nor the desire to go to college. High school diplomas, however, are still a must-have in most roles. Additionally, some career paths do require additional education and training like a technical school or a bootcamp (hey, that’s us!) but they cost significantly less in some cases and take less time.
For those without a college degree, there are still a number of high-paying jobs available and the list continues to grow. Here are just 38 of the many you can start working your way into, plus their national median salary (which, keep in mind that compensation varies widely depending on location and work experience).
The best jobs without a college degree if you like tech, computers, gaming, and problem solving:
Software engineer.
Average salary: $111,340
This is our bread and butter, but when over one million software engineering roles go unfilled every year, demand is high, and companies are looking for sheer talent, traditional education falls to the wayside in favor of applicable training. Plus, openings will continue to grow (many of them remote) as more industries need engineers to build custom experiences on desktop and mobile devices.
Web developer.
Average salary: $70,863
Like a software engineer, but different. Software engineers tend to have a more thorough computer science background, while web developers focus on building websites, mobile apps, and other web-based experiences that we use every single day.
UX/UI designer
Average salary: $115,743
Where software engineers and web developers build the web- and mobile-based applications, a UX designer is on the front end of things creating the design and the flows through which a user goes through the app. If you’re design-forward and a good problem solver, UX is a great option.
Data analyst.
Average salary: $65,786
If you like numbers and working with a ton of data, consider data analysis. There are endless use cases in which a data analyst can be useful, and nearly every industry needs someone to sift through and interpret large amounts of data. Your options are plentiful.
Tech support specialist.
Average salary: $61,966
There are countless different titles for tech support specialists, including IT support and computer technical support, though each has a slightly nuanced job description. At any rate, support specialists are the ultimate problem solvers and work directly with clients to resolve issues. Not only are these pros tech-savvy, they’re good with people, too.
The best jobs without a college degree if you like working outdoors or with animals:
Farmer or agriculture manager.
Average salary: $69,300
Without agriculture and farming managers, our farm system would collapse. They manage the day-to-day operations of farms, ranches, greenhouses, and any other farming establishments that create a large majority of our food sources.
Pet groomer.
Average salary: $35,424
Salary for pet groomers varies widely by area, but those with established clientele and good reviews can make a sizable living. Understanding the unique grooming needs of different breeds is a crucial part of this role.
Fishing or forestry supervisor.
Average salary: $65,052
In addition to a love of the outdoors, forestry supervisors often have managerial budgeting experience to monitor activities within national and state forests. They provide additional guidance about the land plans and budget allocation.
The best jobs without a college degree if you like planes, trains, and automobiles:
Aerospace technician.
Average salary: $41,595
According to a free career test site, Aerospace engineer technicians record data from assemblies
