7 High Paying Jobs Without a Degree Near You Now (up to 6-Figures)

Are you looking for high-paying jobs without a degree near you?

Most high-paying career requires a college education, a bachelor’s degree or an associate’s degree. But there are also many well-paid jobs with good job growth that that don’t need a college degree to get started.

In today’s economy, there are many jobs that offers an opportunity for you to earn a high salary of more than 100k per year as long as you are willing to make the sacrifices and effort to pursue to acquire the skills required for the job.

Interested?

Here are some of the best highly-paid jobs you can get without a degree.

High-Paying Jobs Without A Degree

In today’s job market, there are many high-paying jobs that don’t require a degree, but instead, many of these will required you to be equip with in-demand skill to perform well in your job.

Depending on your career path, having the right training and experience are often more important than just a degree.

While a degree is always an asset, it’s not always necessary to find jobs and careers that pay well. There are many 5 to 6-figure high-paying jobs that can be acquired without having to earn a degree.

Here are some of the best jobs that a college degree isn’t a requirement, let’s discover the list of jobs that pay well.

1. Real Estate Agent

Real estate agents buy, sell or rent properties on behalf of their clients. These professionals represent either the buyer or the seller in a transaction. With the potential of earning 6 figures annually, this is one of the best highly-paid jobs in sales.

• The lower 10% of real estate agents earned less than $23,000
• The Upper 10% of real estate agents earned more than $110,000.

If you are looking to become a real estate agent, you will be meeting with your clients and understanding what they are looking for in a property.

To most people, buying their house is the largest purchase in their lifetime.

“It’s so much more than sales, as compared to selling stocks or insurance, there’s an emotional side to real estate that can be very rewarding.”

Josephine Munger

Duties of a Real Estate Agent:

• Generate lists of properties available for sale, in accordance with the property type, location, and price range.
• Help potential clients to buy, sell, and rent properties.
• Provide advice to clients on property-related information such as prices, mortgages, market conditions, etc.
• Aid promotion of properties through advertising and open houses.
• Help buyers or renters find their desired properties.
• Present purchase offers to sellers for consideration
• Mediate negotiations between buyer and seller.
• Prepare documents, contracts, purchase agreements, and deeds.
• Ensure all terms of purchase contracts are met.

Median Salary	Hourly Wage	No. of Jobs	Employment	Education Level
$50,730	$24.39	477,200	Self-Employed	High School

2. Sound Engineers

Sound engineers are audio professionals that set up and operate audio equipment during a performance or an event. There are also options to perform freelance projects as a sound engineer.

If you are looking for a professional career as a sound engineer, it can take you to a diversity of places, from sporting events/ concerts to TV or movie sets.

One of the best ways to find high paying jobs as a sound engineer is to work as a freelancer. We’ve handpicked the best freelancing sites where both new and experienced freelancer can make money.

• Top freelance sites to start a freelancing career.

“You’ll never know where your job can bring you next. I’ve start my career as a sound engineer when I was just 19. Reaching my 40’s next month, and I love every minute of it!”

Rox Tony

Duties of a Sound Engineer:

• Set up and operate audio, video, and lighting equipment, ensuring consistent quality.
• Record speech, music, and other sounds on recording equipment.
• Utilize complex software to perform sound edits.
• Synchronize sounds and dialogue with TV or movie productions.
• Perform routine repair and maintenance of all audio equipment.

Median Salary	Hourly Wage	No. of Jobs	Employment	Education Level
$45,510	$21.88	140,300	Part-Time/ Full-Time	High School

3. Executive Assistants / Secretaries

Executive assistant aka. secretary helps to manage the boss’s day-to-day tasks. As the boss’s right-hand man/woman, you’ll provide high-level administrative support for the company and its top executives.

Juggling multiple tasks, you will serve under the CEO, director, or general manager of the company. Your job can range from making the perfect cup of coffee to preparing an in-depth research report.

As an executive assistant, you must be prepared for anything.

“There are amazing possibilities in this profession. With options to work in any industry, you can make minimum wage or six figures. Equip with the right skill set and industry, it can be very lucrative.”

Stacy Rollin

Duties of an Executive Assistant:

• Be the point of contact (Executives, employees, clients, and other external partners).
• Manage information flow between parties.
• Manage executives’ calendars and arrange meetings.
• Make travel and accommodation arrangements.
• Prepare weekly, monthly, or quarterly expense reports.
• Prepare communication memos and presentation slides.
• Oversee the performance of other administrative staff
• Take minutes during meetings
• Screen and direct phone calls and distribute correspondence
• Organize and maintain the office filing system

Median Salary	Hourly Wage	No. of Jobs	Employment	Education Level
$39,850	$19.16	3,638,800	Full Time	High School

4. Insurance Sales Representative

Insurance sales representative sells insurance policy on behalf of the company they represent. These insurance agents grow their customer base by calling and meeting with potential clients.

By matching insurance policy that meets the needs of their clients, they help their clients to be protected from unpredictable future.

With the potential of getting a 6 figure annual income, it is one of the highest-paying jobs you can get without a degree.

• The lower 10% of insurance agents earned less than $27,500
• The Upper 10% of insurance agents earned more than $125,610.

If you are looking to become an insurance sales representative, you need to be customer-focused, high-energy, and have a strong desire to succeed in a sales-driven environment, 

“Insurance is so much more than sales, it is to protect your clients’ future.”

Angelina Hangs

Duties of an Insurance Sales Representative:

• Meet and call potential clients to expand your customer base.
• Introduce policies to new clients and explain both benefits and risks of the policy.
• Interview potential clients to obtain information about their health and financial goals.
• Customize insurance programs to meet clients’ needs.
• Build long-term relationships with current and future clients.
• Handle policy renewals of current clients.
• Maintain electronic and paper records.
• Keep updated on the industry and market trends and best practices.

Median Salary	Hourly Wage	No. of Jobs	Employment	Education Level
$50,940	$24.49	501,300	Self-Employed	High School

5. Sales Representative

Sales representatives are people who sell goods and services to companies, government agencies, and other organizations. Instead of B2C (Business to Customers), they are professionals in B2B (Business to Business) sales.

Wholesalers and Manufacturers rely on sales representatives to sell their products to other business entities or organizations.

If you are looking to become a sales representative, you can be selling anything from, pharmaceutical products, to packet snacks.

To succeed in this role, you’ll need to have an enthusiastic personality and a keen eye for details.

“Beside having an amazing product, a good sales representative is the key to the success of a company.”

Ayako Tomi.

Duties of a Sales Representative:

• Identify potential clients (Business directories, leads from current clients, and attending trade shows and conferences.)
• Contact new and existing clients to discuss their needs and explain how your products and services can meet their needs.
• Help clients to match specific products that meet clients’ product specifications, and regulations.
• Sell products’ benefits through features that will meet customers’ needs.
• Answer clients’ questions about product prices, availability, and uses.
• Negotiate terms of sales and service agreements.
• Prepare sales contracts and process orders.
• Provide after-sales service, by following up with clients to make sure that they are satisfied with their purchases.
• Resolves customer complaints and develops solutions.
• Prepare sales reports, and make recommendations to management.
• Conduct sales training for junior sales representatives.

Median Salary	Hourly Wage	No. of Jobs	Employment	Education Level
$63,000	$30.29	1,720,700	Full Time	High School

6. Police Officers

Police officers protect the lives and properties of the people in the community. 

Probably, not the first job that will come into your mind, when thinking about getting a highly-paid job. Police officers are not only paid well but are given a lot of different benefits you won’t find anywhere else.

Benefits:

• Leave (Vacation, medical, study, marriage, maternity/paternity, childcare, and parent-care leave)
• Medical (Subsidiary rate or Free)
• Dental (Subsidiary rate or Free)
• Insurance (Worldwide/local coverage against death, total and permanent disablement, and partial and permanent disablement)
• Long Service Award
• Civil Servant’s Clubs/Resort Memberships

A police offer’s day-to-day task involves writing reports and updating records.

When you are not behind your desk, you’ll be patrolling the neighborhood, ensuring law and order are enforced for the safety of the public.

If you are looking to become a police officer, you’ll be expected to protect and serve with pride and dedication. As a hero to the public, this profession can be very rewarding.

Duties of a Police Officer:

• Write detailed reports and update records.
• Patrol assigned areas.
• Respond to emergency calls.
• Respond to distress calls.
• Conduct search and arrest missions.
• Conduct traffic-related responsibilities.
• Obtain warrants and arrest suspects.
• Conduct criminal investigations.
• Collect evidence and secure crime scenes.
• Testify in Court. 

Median Salary	Hourly Wage	No. of Jobs	Employment	Education Level
$65,170	$31.33	813,500	Full Time	High School (min.)

7. Plumber

Plumbers are the professionals you will call when you are panicking about a clogged sink or a toilet with a faulty flushing system. Plumbers repair and install piping systems in homes, businesses, and factories.

Facilitating water supply from pipes to home utilities such as bathtubs, showers, sinks, and toilets. They clean drains, remove obstructions, and repair broken pipes and fixtures.

If you are looking for a high-paying career as a plumber, you need to be a master of customer service and a fantastic problem-solvers.

“The work is not always easy. But once the work is done, it is always rewarding to see the relieved smile of a troubled homeowner.”

Mike Woods

Duties of a Plumber:

• Assess and prepares cost estimates for clients.
• Read blueprints and drawings to understand the layout of piping in the building.
• Determine materials and equipment needed for a job.
• Install and repair pipes and fixtures.
• Install and maintain the water supply system.
• Test and inspect installed pipe systems.
• Troubleshoot pipe systems.
• Prepare inspection, installation, and repair reports.

Median Salary	Hourly Wage	No. of Jobs	Employment	Education Level
$55,160	$26.52	490,200	Self-Employed	High School

Do High Paying Jobs Always Require A Degree?

Many high-paying jobs emphasize skills over education and work experience. Job seekers can get the skills needed through vocational training, a certification program, an apprenticeship, or a two-year diploma program.

Job Title	Median Salary	Hourly Wages	No. of Jobs	Employment Type	Education Level Requirement
Real Estate Agent	$50,730	$24.39	477,200	Self-Employed	High School
Sound Engineers	$45,510	$21.88	140,300	Part-Time/ Full-Time	High School
Executive Assistant	$39,850	$19.16	3,638,800	Full Time	High School
Insurance Sales Representative	$50,940	$24.49	501,300	Self-Employed	High School
Sales Representative	$63,000	$30.29	1,720,700	Full Time	High School
Police Officers	$65,170	$31.33	813,500	Full Time	High School (min.)
Plumber	$55,160	$26.52	490,200	Self-Employed	High School

• You don’t always need a four-year degree to land a high-paying job. It is possible to get a high-paying job as a teen without a degree, or even from the comfort of your home if you are a stay home mom.
• Not all well-paid jobs required a degree or experience. Many of these only require particular soft skills, or you can undergo on-the-job training or learn an in-demand skill from online learning platforms such as LinkedIn Learning.
• Always research the occupation and understand what the career is about, before committing to the job.

Is It Possible For Anyone To Earn A Higher Pay?

Yes, it is possible for anyone to earn a higher pay even without a college degree. In fact, many of the highest paying jobs don’t even require a high school diploma or needs you to be a high school graduate.

U.S. Labor Statistics show that having a great salary that can make you feel happy and satisfied is possible even for those without a degree.

And with the average salary in the United States hitting an all-time high, if you are living in a state with a high income, it is almost impossible for you to be paid low even without a degree.

How much you earn depends on many factors, and education is only one of them.

Although many high paying jobs need a degree, there are also many careers that don’t require as well, simply look for those where an associate or bachelor’s degree is not an requirement and learn the skills required to be great at them.

This way, you will be quite sure, you will be fairly compensated for your abilities and experience.

So, what should you do next?

Does any of these highly-paid jobs interest you? Did we miss out on any high-paying jobs?

Let’s learn how to increase your chances of getting a high-paying job without a degree. 

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