In today’s job market it can be discouraging to look through all the high paying jobs open only to college graduates. As someone who has gone through these searches without a degree I can personally relate. Fortunately there are tons of available jobs that are open to High School graduates, you just have to know where to look.
Here is a small sample of traditional jobs I was able to locate on various job boards that are open to High School graduates.
- Air Traffic Controller – Air traffic controllers are responsible for guiding aircraft safely from takeoff to landing. The job requires intense training, but no college degree is required and The median annual salary for air traffic controllers is around $124,540.
- Commercial Pilot – Commercial pilots fly aircraft for airlines, cargo companies, and other aviation businesses. A commercial pilot’s license is required in addition to flight training. The median annual salary for commercial pilots is around $86,080.
- Construction Manager – Construction managers oversee construction projects, including planning, budgeting, and supervising workers. Many construction managers start as laborers and work their way up to management positions. The median annual salary for construction managers is around $97,180.
- Elevator Installer and Repairer – Elevator installers and repairers install, maintain, and repair elevators, escalators, and other lifts. The job requires on-the-job training and a high school diploma or equivalent. The median annual salary for elevator installers and repairers is around $84,990.
- Nuclear Power Reactor Operator – Nuclear power reactor operators manage and control the operations of nuclear reactors. The job requires intensive training, but no college degree is required. The median annual salary for nuclear power reactor operators is around $100,350.
- Real Estate Broker – Real estate brokers help people buy and sell properties. They need to pass a licensing exam, but they do not need a college degree. The median annual salary for real estate brokers is around $60,370.
- Sales Representative – Sales representatives sell products and services to businesses and consumers. The job requires strong communication and sales skills, but no college degree is required. The median annual salary for sales representatives is around $63,420.
- CRM Administrator – CRM administration is a fast growing field with demand strongly outpacing supply. Additionally skills in almost any industry are transferable since almost everyone uses a CRM these days. Salaries average from $80,00 up.
- Developer – Web, Software, Apps, development is everywhere today as is the demand for skilled professionals to build and maintain these applications. There is definitely a learning curve to becoming a developer, but the time commitment is not anywhere near seeking a degree, and the skills pay well with annual salaries around $120,000 +.
This list is not meant to be exhaustive. There are 1,000s of these jobs available. Try filtering on Indeed and Linkedin during your searches to look for education. And remember just because a job says a degree is required, doesn’t mean it always is. Employers rarely ever ask for it other than in job ads so fill out that application!
Freelance Work
Freelance and contract work are also great opportunities to get higher paying work without the need to show off specific education related credentials. You can even leverage skills gained as a freelancer to work your way into a “College Role” at a company. For example at a company I used to work at, a college degree was required for all director and above level employees. This created an income/career ceiling for most of us. However, 1 new hire came on board as a contractor with a very specific, in-demand skill set that was in short supply in our geographical area. He was eventually hired on at a director level to keep him from leaving.
Freelance is also a great way to have flexibility with your schedule and work situation. There are tons of these freelance opportunities on sites like Fiverr and Upwork. Use them to your advantage. Experience is king, not education!
Also do not be afraid to network. Go to industry events, meetups, conferences etc. Get your name out there and let others know about you. I have had a ridiculous amount of success getting jobs and contracts from my network, and i really only started doing this a few years ago.
Bottom line, do not be discouraged if you don’t have a College degree. Almost all jobs these days value skills and experience more than that and will give you a chance. So throw your hat in the ring. Perfect your resume, and start your search in earnest.