Are you looking for a new career that you can start quickly without a college degree? Maybe something interesting that pays well, is in high demand, and offers growth potential?
You might be surprised to find that there are several jobs with high income potential that don't require an expensive degree, a trade school diploma, or a drawn-out apprenticeship, that also isn't just sporadic gig-economy work.
Let's take a closer look at five jobs you can get without a degree (plus a few honorable mentions).
5 jobs that don't require a degree
Based on factors like income potential, training required, and growth potential, here are five easy-to-start careers.
1. Sales representative
Sales skills are always in demand because companies need people to sell their products and services. Sales representatives (reps) can sell products from one business to another (business-to-business orB2B) or directly to customers (business-to-customer or B2C). The product line can be nearly anything: software, cars, building materials, phones, subscription services, etc.
Sales reps are often paid a base salary along with performance-based bonuses or commissions on sales.
Depending on the product being sold, sales reps might be hired without any formal credentials or training. Creating a positive impression in the job interview can be enough to land the position, as hiring managers may be looking for likable personalities who can connect with customers and learn on the job.
With so many products and services to sell, there are always new paths to explore within this career, offering endless growth potential.
- Training time: A few months on the job.
- Certification/license required: None.
- Average pay: $90K-$164K per year.
- Best for: Outgoing people who like fast-paced environments and results-based rewards.
2. Insurance agent
Insurance agents are licensed professionals who sell insurance policies to individuals, families, and businesses. There are several "lines of authority" you can specialize in, including life, health, property, and casualty. Many agents are licensed in multiple lines to provide comprehensive coverage for their customers.
Insurance agents can be either captive,working for one insurance provider, or independent, representing multiple providers. Captive agents may have more job stability and steady income, while independent agents tend to have more flexibility and anonymity.
Income tends to grow over time as you build a client base and generate more policy renewals and referrals.
Over time, you can expand into different lines of authority or even open your own office and hire other agents to work for you.
- Training time: Varies by state but typically 2-3 months, including licensing.
- Certification/license required: State-issued insurance producer license.
- Average pay: $110K-$201K per year.
- Best for: People who like educating others and can build trust quickly.
3. Real estate agent
Real estate agents help people buy and sell properties. You could focus on residential real estate, such as homes and small rental properties, or commercial real estate, including retail storefronts, industrial buildings, or apartment communities. Agents represent sellers by marketing the property for sale. They represent buyers by helping them find properties. In both cases, they also draft contracts, guide negotiations, and coordinate the transaction.
Real estate agents are typically paid on commission, meaning you only get paid when you close a deal. The pay can be good, but you have to keep selling properties to keep money flowing in.
To become a licensed agent, you need to complete state-specific real estate courses and pass a real estate exam. Then, you can find a managing broker to oversee your work and show you the ropes. You can also earn your managing broker's license to have other agents work for you.
- Training time: Varies by state but typically 2-6 months, including licensing.
- Certification/license required: State-issued real estate license.
- Average pay: $141K-$258K per year.
- Best for: Self-starters with a people-first mindset and hustle.
4. Medical coder
Medical coders translate clinical documentation, like doctors' notes, test results, and treatment records, into standardized codes used for billing and insurance.
These professionals are hired by healthcare providers, insurance companies, public health agencies, and even third-party billing and coding companies.
Medical coders can work from clinics and hospitals but may also work from home, earning hourly wages or annual salaries.
For growth opportunities, you can specialize in higher-paying practices like radiology, cardiology, and orthopedics. You could even move into auditing and compliance or training other medical coders.
- Training time: Varies by certification program, but typically 4-6 months.
- Certification/license required: Certificates such as CPC (Certified Professional Coder), CCA (Certified Coding Associate), and CCS (Certified Coding Specialist) are strongly preferred and may be required by employers.
- Average pay: $48K-$76K per year.
- Best for: People who want stable, remote-possible work with minimal patient interaction.
5. Dispatcher
Dispatchers coordinate the movement of goods, vehicles, service providers, or emergency response teams to make sure everything and everyone is where they need to be at all times. For example, 911 dispatchers take incoming calls from people experiencing an emergency, find a response team that can help, and relay the relevant information to that team while helping them reach the site of the emergency as quickly as possible.
Whether you specialize in logistics, emergency, or transportation, you need to be able to problem-solve in real-time and communicate clearly and effectively.
Dispatchers are typically salaried or paid hourly with the potential for overtime and shift differentials.
Dispatchers may grow into larger coordinator roles and operations management positions over time.
- Training time: A few months on the job.
- Certification/license required: None.
- Average pay: $48K-$73K per year.
- Best for: Quick thinkers who enjoy multitasking under pressure.
More degree-free job options
If none of the top five careers on this list feel like the right fit for you, consider these additional high-paying jobs — no degree required.
Executive assistant
Executive assistants provide administrative support to high-level professionals. They typically handle tasks like scheduling, correspondence, generating reports, filing documentation, and data entry. Some also oversee office management, including ordering supplies, directing phone calls, and greeting visitors.
Executive assistants often support C-suite business professionals (CEOs, CFOs, CTOs, etc.), attorneys, accountants, producers, and celebrities.
These versatile positions can be in-office or remote, salaried or hourly, full-time or part-time, employee or freelance.
- Training time: A few months on the job.
- Certification/license required: None.
- Average pay: $69K-$109K per year.
- Best for: Organized, detail-oriented multitaskers.
Social media manager
Social media managers run social media accounts for businesses or individuals. Most businesses today maintain a social media presence, as do celebrities, influencers, and other personalities. While some businesses may prioritize candidates with college degrees in marketing, many social media managers have launched their careers without college degrees, often starting as freelancers.
Social media managers may be salaried, paid hourly, or earn per post.
- Training time: Typically, 1-3 months of being self-taught or taking online courses.
- Certification/license required: None.
- Average pay: $53K-$96K per year.
- Best for: Creative people with a knack for trends and communication.
Delivery driver
Delivery drivers handle local or regional deliveries for companies like FedEx, Amazon, and UPS. These jobs are in high demand, and employers often hire quickly to fill vacancies as soon as possible.
For many delivery driver positions, you just need a standard driver's license. However, to operate larger delivery vehicles, you could need a Commercial Driver's License (CDL). A full-time CDL program might take only a month or two, while a part-time program could take up to six months. Some employers will even sponsor your CDL training, covering the cost and guaranteeing you a job once you're licensed.
- Training time: Non-CDL jobs may just require a few weeks of on-the-job training, while CDL programs can take 2-6 months.
- Certification/license required: Some jobs don't require any certificate or license, but some may require a CDL.
- Average pay: $42K-$63K per year.
- Best for: People who prefer independent work and being on the move.
Whether it's a rebate from a store purchase or the first paycheck from a new job, a paper check can throw a wrench into things for those without a bank account. Fortunately, consumers have several options for turning the check into cash.
To decide which option works best for your situation, consider the following:
- How much in fees do you want to pay?
- How convenient is the closest retail or check cashing location?
- How large is the check you want to be cashed?
- Do you trust another person to cash the check for you?
Tips for breaking into skills-based careers without a degree
Here are a few quick tips to help you land your new job:
- Optimize your resume for each job posting. Tailor your resume every time you submit it to a new job, taking care to include specific words mentioned in the job posting. This can increase your chances of getting an interview.
- Leverage your transferrable skills. Many of the skills you already have can make you a good candidate for these positions. Whether you learned organizational skills from school or coordination skills from managing your household, apply your existing skill sets to your new career.
- Start now and learn as you go. You don't have to know everything to get started. Learning on the job can keep the new career interesting.
- Take courses online. If you need to take courses for licensure or certification, or you just want to take courses to build a foundation, taking them online is typically more affordable than taking them through community college or other in-person environments. Plus, if the course is self-paced, you may be able to finish faster than if you enrolled in a semester-long college course.
- Network with professionals in your chosen field. Attend networking events or follow professionals online to learn from them and share industry insights.
