Smart job seekers are discovering careers where non-degree workers are out-earning peers with college degrees. Almost one in five workers without degrees out-earn the median college graduate median wage of $70,000 per year. According to research data, over 2 million non-degree workers are bringing in six-figure salaries. Within a recent study by the American Student Assistance (ASA) and the Burning Glass Institute, numerous non-degree pathways lead to stable, lucrative jobs that offer economic mobility and job satisfaction.
A report from ECMC, a foundation dedicated to eliminating equity gaps in education, says that only 45% of students from low-income, first-generation or minority backgrounds believe that education after high school is even necessary. And a lot of employers (and opportunities) are saying that they are right. For savvy seekers, there are unexpected careers that pay top dollar – and you don’t need a college degree to get there. Employers are backing that point of view, as 1 in 3 companies no longer list educational requirements on their salaried job postings. Degrees are not a requirement for famous-name companies like Google, Tesla, Bank of America and Accenture (just to name a few).
High-Earning Careers: College Not Required
The ASA report highlights several fields where non-degree professionals thrive. Jobs in trades, such as elevator and escalator installers, wind turbine technicians, and power plant operators offer six-figure salaries and growth potential. These roles often provide robust training through apprenticeships or certifications that are quicker and more cost-effective than traditional college programs. For instance, elevator installers earn a median salary of approximately $102,420, according to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics – and no college degree is needed for that role.
Additionally, fields like IT support can offer workers access to roles with competitive salaries and advancement opportunities. Short-term boot camps offer certifications and enable rapid advancement for those who excel. These programs are particularly appealing to Gen Z applicants seeking affordability, flexibility, and rapid entry into the workforce.
Dangerous Yet Lucrative Jobs: The Deskless Workforce
Some of the highest-paying roles for non-degree holders are in hazardous industries. In Washington state, commercial divers net $132K per year on average – working underwater to install, repair or maintain submerged energy equipment. Elsewhere, top salaries are available for oilfield workers and wind turbine repair technicians. While college is not required in these roles, courage might be. These roles require physical resilience, technical skills, and a willingness to take on significant risks.
The deskless workforce (folks who are not assigned a permanent workstation and who work hands-on, outside of a traditional office setting) represents 80% of the jobs in America, according to Boston Consulting Group. One such example: nurses, with a two-year ADN degree, can earn an average salary of almost $75,000 per year. But is nursing a dangerous job? Ask someone who’s ever had to wrestle with a punchy patient (or a patient’s family member) in a hospital room. Risk and reward go hand-in-hand for front-line healthcare workers.
Broadening Career Perspectives Beyond College
Workers who pursue more direct career paths, versus an educational detour through a four-year traditional college degree, often report high satisfaction due to the practical skills and financial independence they gain. Programs tailored to adult learners are accelerating access, for those who want to earn while they learn.
Consider more traditional white-collar jobs, highlighted by Indeed, for high-paying non-degree opportunities: Product Manager (average salary $105K), Senior Engagement Manager (average salary of $97K) or Senior Real Estate Manager ($133K per year, on average). Opportunities are out there; the key is being prepared to find them.
In a tough job market, developing interpersonal skills is the key to elevating your talents beyond your education. That value equation starts with your story. After all, the value of any degree or experience is seen in action: what you learn is important, but what you do with that knowledge is what determines its value. Turns out, the more you learn the more you earn – but only if you’ve learned how to create the connections that matter for your skillset.
Inside mixed messages in the job market, one fact remains: finding the role that’s right for you starts with your story. Whether that story has college as a chapter may or may not matter today. When 40% of the roughly 7 million people who were out of work in October had been looking for work for more than three months, and nearly half of them had been searching for about six months, the slowdown in the job market is offering more questions than answers. If you’re seeking a high-paying job, college may not be a requirement. But tenacity certainly is.