10 high-paying jobs that don't require a degree

[splat]

http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2010/08/11/skip-college-make-money-fast-10-high-paying-jobs-that-dont-re/


Payscale.com has a list of well-paying jobs you can skip college for, based on statistics based on compiled by and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, but we've added a few of our own. By the way: Bounty hunters can earn up to $138,000 a year, tree trimmers average $32,090, makeup artists can average $45,000, and truck drivers can make $66,000. College is great, but isn't for everyone. Plus, even $32K is pretty darn good when exactly none of that money has to be sacrificed for student loan debt!

1. Nuclear Power Reactor Operator: $79,100

This job requires highly-specialized skills such as understanding aspects of engineering, physics and troubleshooting. So if you are disciplined and capable enough to learn math and science outside the classroom, $79K a year certainly makes this worth looking into. The title is enough to impress even the most thoughtful of highbrow linguists. Of course, the world's best-know holder of that title is Homer Simpson.

2. Landscape Architect: $65, 910

Although in 49 states a landscape architect is required to have a license, you don't need to go to a four-year college to become one. Another lucrative option in this field involves freelance architecture. Either way, you get to drop mad knowledge about horticulture and exercise your artistic muscles while you get messy in the garden and make some good, hard cash.

3. Director of Security: $62,400

This role is often referred to as the Chief Security Officer (CSO), and it means exactly what it sounds like: the CSO is responsible for an organization's entire security posture, both the physical aspect and operating the digital system. You get there by first being an assistant and then working your way up to Director of Security. Much better than being a bouncer, eh?

4. Air Traffic Controller : $60,200

Even though you don't need a degree to work as an Air Traffic Controller, it's a highly competitive field. Air Traffic Controllers coordinate the movement of aircraft in the air and at airports to prevent accidents and minimize delays, using radar and visual observation. Applicants must pass rigorous physical examinations, background checks, drug screening, and some may also be required to take aptitude tests. Stress levels are high, but so is the pay.

5. Elevator Mechanic: $61, 500

I've had some scary elevator situations in my life, but I've never been in an elevator that broke (knock wood). By my experience, most of elevator mechanics must be doing a pretty good job. It doesn't require a degree, but you do need to obtain a license. Successful elevator mechanics generally understand complex mechanical systems and follow safety standards. Elevator mechanics may also need to work odd hours, for example, to fix a broken elevator before the morning rush at an office building.

6. Private Detective or Investigator: $50,600

Critical-thinking, an understanding of the law and psychology are useful for anyone wanting to become a private detective. While watching endless episodes of "Law & Order" might not be enough preparation, social situations where you listen and read body language do give you good experience. Other responsibilities may include analyzing data, researching databases, questioning suspects or taking the stand at a hearing.

7. Freelance Photographer: $47,800

As any freelancer knows, being successfully self-employed requires discipline and a critical understanding of business practices. It also helps to be a skilled photographer, so don't go thinking just anyone can start their own photography company. I also know a variety of people who make a living with freelance video production. Think about all the possibilities you can start out with-- weddings, bat and bar mitzvahs, music videos, live performances -- you name it.

8. Fishing Supervisor: $43,720

Fishing boats, canaries, factory trawlers, floating processors -- these may be a dangerous jobs, but you can walk away with a boat load of money, and you likely only have to work one season on the year. To become a supervisor, you're likely to work as an assistant or crew member first, before being promoted.

9. Personal Trainer: $37,500

Many personal trainers have degrees or specialized certification in the field, although not necessarily a four year degree. It is, however, important to have an understanding of anatomy, nutrition, and first aid for safety reasons and to keep your clients well-informed. Similar to any entrepreneur, time-management and customer service skills are useful in this field. Physical stamina and a healthy lifestyle are also highly recommended.

10. Bus Driver: $35, 990

Inner-city bus drivers or train operators make a good amount of dough, and they are just required to get a license to do it. School bus drivers, on average, make a little less, but cash in at an annual mean of $28,050. Bus drivers have an important job, as they are responsible for safely transporting passenger to and from their destination. That means, to be a bus driver, you have to be alert at all times and have a keen eye for traffic and weather conditions.

See full article from WalletPop: http://srph.it/bSdhYZ

[doughboyshredder]

Got to add one.

Licensed Automatic Gate technician.

40-50k a year. Depending on the state this may or may not require certain low voltage electrical licenses. Pay is higher in states that do require a 2 year license.

Starting pay sucks at about 10 an hour, but experienced techs make between 25 and 30 an hour.

don't even need a high school diploma for that one.

[samthaman]

the freelance photographer salary makes me question the whole article...

[Sam]

I call BS on #4. I don't know if they have to have a "degree", but I guarantee they pay to go to ATC school. It's not like you can just go get some on the job training and then start directing airplanes around, there's alot to it...

Interesting list though.

[DJSapp]

The market sucks right now, but union journeyman carpenters and ironworkers make $40+/hour. If you can stay employed year round, you're looking at 80k +OT a year. Great bennies too.

[skiballs]

The market sucks right now, but union journeyman carpenters and ironworkers make $40+/hour. If you can stay employed year round, you're looking at 80k +OT a year. Great bennies too.

If you live in cali or nyc area.
80g doesn't go to far in those places.
I hear hookers and coke dealer make good coin, no degree required.

[gonehuckin]

pornstars

[OSECS]

pornstars

Don't quit yer day job.

[leroy jenkins]

#3,6 are really only available if you've already been a cop for 20 years.

[DJSapp]

If you live in cali or nyc area.
80g doesn't go to far in those places.
I hear hookers and coke dealer make good coin, no degree required.

NYC, maybe. Cali, 80k can go plenty far. Especially if you're 20 years old and living in an apartment with a roomie.

[farmer]

diamond driller. those guys can make >$1000 in a day with their footage bonus. Buddy met one who figured he had a grade 10 education because he failed grade 5 twice.

[skiballs]

NYC, maybe. Cali, 80k can go plenty far. Especially if you're 20 years old and living in an apartment with a roomie.

It takes 4-5 years to become a journeyman.

[dumpy]

That article attempts to make it sound like you can get these jobs with no education or experience which is 100& pure fallacy. Some of these jobs may require either education or apprenticeship, both of which take close to (if not longer) than the standard cheap beer and hot girls college experience. Except without cheap beer and hot girls. Some may cost as much too.


1. Nuclear Power Reactor Operator: $79,100

A high level of understanding of physics and math? Hmm where does one learn that?

2. Landscape Architect: $65, 910

A knowledge of horticulture? Again, unless this a big time hobby of yours, how do you learn it?

3. Director of Security: $62,400

As previously stated, ex cops with lots of experience. Or a criminal justice degree and some experience. A friend's brother was doing something similar to this, but AFAIK hasn't made it to the top yet. He has a 4 year criminal justice degree from a very well respected school in that field.

4. Air Traffic Controller : $60,200

I thought ATCs had to have training similar to a pilot's? That costs as much as a college degree and takes a long time, again sans college party experience.

5. Elevator Mechanic: $61, 500

I know a guy that does this, no college degree and he makes really good money. His dad also does this and the guy I know started working with him/being an apprentice while in his teens. It took a while before he made the real money, never would've been able to do this without his dad's help.

6. Private Detective or Investigator: $50,600

See #3

7. Freelance Photographer: $47,800

I'm cringing even writing a response to this. Most freelancers don't make close to that, I think a few big ones are throwing off the curve. It's an incredibly competitive field and most pro photogs went to school for it.

I know several people who are incredibly skilled photographers with degrees who work other jobs to make ends meet and shoot on the side just for beer money.

8. Fishing Supervisor: $43,720

Not really sure on this one. A friend from growing up works a hatchery, but he went to school for this (bachelor's degree) and had to move halfway across the country (although that may have just been to live in a cooler place), but there may be others that do this work with no degree.

9. Personal Trainer: $37,500

The author even said that many have degrees. At least you get to nail bored cougars.


10. Bus Driver: $35, 990

I'll admit this one may hit the mark, but $35k isn't exactly great money.


FWIW I work in a job (AV technician) that AFAIK no accredited academic institution offers a directly applicable degree for. That doesn't mean you don't need an education/a good amount of experience to do the job. I come from a broadcasting background both in education and 8 years working experience before I changed fields. I wouldn't have been able to do this job with just my degree. Other people I've met who do similar jobs have IT or electrical engineering degrees (the latter seems like a waste to me) combined with some type of experience. No one teaches it, but that doesn't mean there are a ton or even a few jobs available without a degree or some experience. How does one gain experience without the degree?

[ICEHOCEY77]

I call BS on #4. I don't know if they have to have a "degree", but I guarantee they pay to go to ATC school. It's not like you can just go get some on the job training and then start directing airplanes around, there's alot to it...

Interesting list though.

air force ftw. But you are right in that it now pretty much requires a degree, although not necessarily in air traffic controlling.



A little thing called PATCO that Ronny Reagan broke up in 81 lead to a surge in hiring, but ATCers can only work until 56 and/or are eligible for full retirement after 25 years of service.

So the FAA is becoming more and more desperate for controllers and the feeder programs from colleges aren't enough to fill the demand. So they are taking people 'off the street' quoting wikipedia:


Prior experience or training in air traffic control is not required. However, candidates must have three years of progressively responsible work experience, have completed a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor’s degree, or possess an equivalent combination of work experience and college credits. In combining education and experience, 1 year of undergraduate study (30 semester or 45 quarter hours) is equivalent to 9 months of general experience. Certain kinds of aviation experience may be substituted for these requirements.

But once you are hired by the FAA you then head to the FAA Academy (earning roughly $18,000) until you check out 2 months later. You'll probably be making that $60,000 quoted in the article 2-3 years after completing the academy. Bonus is around 5 years you'll be making six figures.

[XtrPickels]

air force ftw. But you are right in that it now pretty much requires a degree, although not necessarily in air traffic controlling.



A little thing called PATCO that Ronny Reagan broke up in 81 lead to a surge in hiring, but ATCers can only work until 56 and/or are eligible for full retirement after 25 years of service.

So the FAA is becoming more and more desperate for controllers and the feeder programs from colleges aren't enough to fill the demand. So they are taking people 'off the street' quoting wikipedia:



But once you are hired by the FAA you then head to the FAA Academy (earning roughly $18,000) until you check out 2 months later. You'll probably be making that $60,000 quoted in the article 2-3 years after completing the academy. Bonus is around 5 years you'll be making six figures.

Jumperbones is workin his first position out of the academy. Definitely significant training required.

[huckster989]

10. Bus Driver: $35, 990[/B]

I'll admit this one may hit the mark, but $35k isn't exactly great money.




You can actually make a deal more than that, but good luck finding a bus driving job I have been looking in the LA / Orange county area for 3 months and have found nothing! and I do have experience driving a bus

[OSECS]

I've driven the porcelain bus more than a few times, does that count ?

[skiballs]

I've driven the porcelain bus more than a few times, does that count ?

Yes, but you must change your name to Ralph B Chunkstien.

[ilikecandy]

#3,6 are really only available if you've already been a cop for 20 years.

none of the three directors of security ive worked with had been cops(one was actually just a manager). this was all in hospitality

LE/military helps get you in the door in security, but is not necessary. once youre in, its just waiting for those above you to die/retire

[adam]

This guy didn't have a college degree
http://pabloescobargaviria.info/fotos/data/media/4/pablo_escobar_fotos.jpg

[Summit]

1. Nuclear Power Reactor Operator: $79,100

A high level of understanding of physics and math? Hmm where does one learn that?
The amount of studying and training required to certify and test out is very high. There is an incredible amount of rote memorization. You may as well be earning a 2 year degree. In addition, intelligence is required. This job isn't just for the hard worker. It's for the hard worker that could have easily gone to college and done well anyway. And a lot of them have degrees, just not in nuclear engineering.

I went through RO training at a research reactor while in school studying Nuclear Engineering major.


7. Freelance Photographer: $47,800

I'm cringing even writing a response to this. Most freelancers don't make close to that, I think a few big ones are throwing off the curve. It's an incredibly competitive field and most pro photogs went to school for it.

I know several people who are incredibly skilled photographers with degrees who work other jobs to make ends meet and shoot on the side just for beer money.
Yep. Most of the people who went to school for it are not making any money for it even! This field is dwindling versus what it was ten or fifteen years ago.

[Mongo]

Add pretty much any oil and gas industry job. Whether you work the rigs, haul water/proppant, work for a service company, or run a crane pretty much a HS diploma or GED and a CDL is the only thing required. A lot of the places will finance your truck driver training for you with a work term guarantee. I know a bunch of CO people working 14 on 14 off schedule out of Williston, ND and most making over 60K for working half the year. They are pulling 110 - 130 hour a week when they are on though.

[booner]

Why is contractor (general/electrical/landscape, etc...) not on there? Pretty much the best way to make a good living without a degree as far as I know. I'd say the avg salary for a decent self-employed contractor is 70,000+. Most make at least 50K and some make upwards of 200K. Requires experience working under someone else, but that's about it.

[wicked_sick]

To me high paying is a lot more than 40-60k/year. I'd be happy with 60k

[doughboyshredder]

Why is contractor (general/electrical/landscape, etc...) not on there? Pretty much the best way to make a good living without a degree as far as I know. I'd say the avg salary for a decent self-employed contractor is 70,000+. Most make at least 50K and some make upwards of 200K. Requires experience working under someone else, but that's about it.

Self employed does not equal a job.

But, yes you are right. I can't think of anything else I could do with my lack of schooling to make anywhere close to what I do. But, I work a hell of a lot more than 40 hours a week. (at least when there's work)

[booner]

Self employed does not equal a job.

But, yes you are right. I can't think of anything else I could do with my lack of schooling to make anywhere close to what I do. But, I work a hell of a lot more than 40 hours a week. (at least when there's work)

Yeah I guess I wasn't really paying attention. Construction foreman would fit in there then. Senior foreman make 40-60K, but like others have said...that ain't high pay, it's just isn't poverty.

[doughboyshredder]

High pay sure doesn't mean what it used to, that's for damn sure.

[lobstahmeatwad]

80K is the threshold for a somewhat high paying job. IMO.

[doughboyshredder]

Even then, its really all relative. I know people that make 30k a year but have a much higher expendable income than other people that make 90k a year. IMO a lot of people concentrate too much on income and not enough on keeping expenses low.

[Ripzalot]

Licensed Automatic Gate technician.

in a similar field - home security installation. economic downturn = more poor people = more crime = more people feeling unsecure = $$$ for security sales

i have a friend who has been killing it for the last 10 years and the economic downturn actually improved it for him. although with the recent massive layoffs at NASA this is sure to change.

[raymonster]

2. Landscape Architect: $65, 910

Although in 49 states a landscape architect is required to have a license, you don't need to go to a four-year college to become one. Another lucrative option in this field involves freelance architecture. Either way, you get to drop mad knowledge about horticulture and exercise your artistic muscles while you get messy in the garden and make some good, hard cash.


BS. I'm a LICENSED Landscape Architect with 8 years of experience who has been unemployed for 22 months now. If you aren't licensed, it's illegal to call yourself a Landscape Architect. Just like Architect, you have to pass a set of exams, have a degree and years of professional experience. If you don't have a degree (5 years not 4) you have to have even more professional experience before you can even sit for the exams.

In this economy, good luck getting a job if you don't have a master's and all sorts of other certifications, experience and super powers. Oh, and after 8 years, and being employed by an international multi-disciplinary firm in Manhattan, I was making much less than 65K.

And for the record I was only in the NYC office for 5.5 months before getting laid of and did NOT miss a ski season. Spent the next six months studying the landscape of Alta.

[MrDirt]

UPS Delivery driver is one of the more well known ones. Around 70k/yr and very good benefits. Expect some fierce competition just to get your foot in the door for the entry level part time graveyard shift package handler job and work toward seniority to move into a full time or driver position. Seniority time in big cities is outrageous. I had an interview with them last week at the SLC hub and found out it was 3-4 years to go full time and 5-7 years to become a driver. No thanks!

[Skidog]

UPS Delivery driver is one of the more well known ones. Around 70k/yr and very good benefits. Expect some fierce competition just to get your foot in the door for the entry level part time graveyard shift package handler job and work toward seniority to move into a full time or driver position. Seniority time in big cities is outrageous. I had an interview with them last week at the SLC hub and found out it was 3-4 years to go full time and 5-7 years to become a driver. No thanks!


Father in law retired from this job...dont know when he started driving but it started with a regular daily route and he then started driving the big rigs for them...night shift in NYC area. Great pay, GREAT bennies, Pension, etc....

good job if you can get it.

[umby]

UPS Delivery driver is one of the more well known ones. Around 70k/yr and very good benefits. Expect some fierce competition just to get your foot in the door for the entry level part time graveyard shift package handler job and work toward seniority to move into a full time or driver position. Seniority time in big cities is outrageous. I had an interview with them last week at the SLC hub and found out it was 3-4 years to go full time and 5-7 years to become a driver. No thanks!

I was wondering how well those UPS drivers do. A week ago the UPS guy was dropping off some Dukes I had ordered and referred to me by my high school nick name. I didn't recognize him at first but he was an acquittance from my home town and was now working for UPS in South Boston... not sure if he has a consistent route or what though. He is around my age (26) and has a 4 year degree from decent school... but south boston is a fairly unionized/good ol' boy area so he probably has a ways to go before he gets a good consistent route.

I also recall a kid who briefly lived in my home town after moving from Montana had parents who both worked for UPS. They lived in a basically brand new massive house... I think they were in desk job positions, but started at the bottom and worked their way up.

[doughboyshredder]

One of my ultra-rich customers worked their way up from part time warehouse guy at ups when he was in his teens to one of their international VP's. From poverty in NY city to seriously loaded. Only took about 30 years of very hard work.

[MrDirt]

UPS is definitely one of the best companies to work for, but you have to be very committed to them to make it. Their average employee retention is 16 years! I only wanted the job as a means to and end to pay my way through flight school, but for the time it would take to get a driver job in SLC it isn't worth it to me. A few things I learned for those interested in the unionized package handler and driver jobs:

- Seniority is based only on time spent with the company and has nothing to do with your quality of work
- Seniority does not transfer from one hub to another. If you spend a few years at one center and want to move somewhere else, you have to work your way up from the bottom.
- You can move from unionized jobs to the non-unionized professional jobs fairly quickly, but you can never move back.
- For the package handler job, they wanted a 1yr contract. If you quit before 1yr without some extreme circumstances, you would be blacklisted by UPS and any company they are affiliated with.

[splat]

For comparison's sake, here's the 10 most dangerous jobs, according to CNN:


http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2010/pf/1008/gallery.most_dangerous_jobs/index.html

[XXX-er]

An old highschool buddy who dropped pout of uni after the 1st yr to be a lumber broker is now a millionare and retired at 50, it doesnt require a degree just the ability to talk on the phone and make the deal

my older kid is in a GOOD trade winding electric motors ,he is just finishing up his last 2 month session of school,the company paid for the school but didnt pay him during school , at this point he makes as much as his younger brother who just finished a 5 yr degree in mech engineering

he will be at 36$ an hr and all the OT he can handle by age 25

I am betting tradesman sons lifetime earning will be higher than the professional son who did the 5yrs of uni for free but didn't make any money during those yrs

but he is pretty beat when he comes home and doesnt want to do much

[mitch_cumstein]

2. Landscape Architect: $65, 910

Although in 49 states a landscape architect is required to have a license, you don't need to go to a four-year college to become one. Another lucrative option in this field involves freelance architecture. Either way, you get to drop mad knowledge about horticulture and exercise your artistic muscles while you get messy in the garden and make some good, hard cash.


BS. I'm a LICENSED Landscape Architect with 8 years of experience who has been unemployed for 22 months now. If you aren't licensed, it's illegal to call yourself a Landscape Architect. Just like Architect, you have to pass a set of exams, have a degree and years of professional experience. If you don't have a degree (5 years not 4) you have to have even more professional experience before you can even sit for the exams.

In this economy, good luck getting a job if you don't have a master's and all sorts of other certifications, experience and super powers. Oh, and after 8 years, and being employed by an international multi-disciplinary firm in Manhattan, I was making much less than 65K.

And for the record I was only in the NYC office for 5.5 months before getting laid of and did NOT miss a ski season. Spent the next six months studying the landscape of Alta.

I was waiting for someone to chime in on this.

Landscape Architects have a 'Practice' and 'Title Act' in most states. That means you can't call yourself an LA by law until you've passed the LARE. In CO, it's a 4 or 5 year degree from an accredited university plus three years working under a licensed LA before you can sit for the exam, which has been said to have a lower passing rate than the BAR FWIW.

And it requires knowledge of a lot more than plants.

[JoeStrummer]

Even then, its really all relative. I know people that make 30k a year but have a much higher expendable income than other people that make 90k a year. IMO a lot of people concentrate too much on income and not enough on keeping expenses low.

Agreed. Relative income is a much more useful figure to understand than absolute income. I know lots of guys making $150k a year living paycheck to paycheck.

[splat]

Agreed. Relative income is a much more useful figure to understand than absolute income. I know lots of guys making $150k a year living paycheck to paycheck.

Agreed. At 100K a year, that was my story. I also met a lumber broker and was floored when he told me what he made.

[XXX-er]

Agreed ,its not how much you made its how much you didnt spend

yes they CAN make huge coin with zero education ,the lumber broker business is 2 phones and a rolodex

[commonlaw]

1. Nuclear Power Reactor Operator: $79,100

http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn307/cheetah_059/homer_simpson.jpg

2. Landscape Architect: $65, 910

http://possumblog.mu.nu/images/carl%20spackler.jpg

3. Director of Security: $62,400

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/damby/garycoleman.jpg

4. Air Traffic Controller : $60,200

http://newsone.com/files/2009/12/osama-bin-laden.jpg

5. Elevator Mechanic: $61, 500

http://www.parentpreviews.com/legacy-pics/live_free_or_die_hard.jpg

6. Private Detective or Investigator: $50,600

http://knol.google.com/k/-/-/2btetwad2hs37/zg6z2l/dafino.jpg

7. Freelance Photographer: $47,800

http://brobomb.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/bum.jpg

8. Fishing Supervisor: $43,720

http://img242.imageshack.us/img242/3369/fishermansworf1.jpg

9. Personal Trainer: $37,500

http://www.brightlightsfilm.com/53/53_images/young_rocky6.jpg


10. Bus Driver: $35, 990

http://www.iwatchstuff.com/2008/12/03/speed-keanu-bullock.jpg

[Stikki]

...

Not bad at all. Only substitution I'd go with:

8. Fishing Supervisor: $43,720

http://sealionseelinecline.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/jaws_robert_shaw_roy_scheider_richard_dreyfuss.jpg ?w=500&h=324

[commonlaw]

Not bad at all. Only substitution I'd go with:

8. Fishing Supervisor: $43,720

http://sealionseelinecline.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/jaws_robert_shaw_roy_scheider_richard_dreyfuss.jpg ?w=500&h=324

I tend to agree but when I found a picture of the Reading Rainbow guy with his shades on in an admiral's uniform barking orders at an alien, I just couldn't turn it down.

[Mazderati]

UPS is definitely one of the best companies to work for, but you have to be very committed to them to make it. Their average employee retention is 16 years! I only wanted the job as a means to and end to pay my way through flight school, but for the time it would take to get a driver job in SLC it isn't worth it to me. A few things I learned for those interested in the unionized package handler and driver jobs:

- Seniority is based only on time spent with the company and has nothing to do with your quality of work
- Seniority does not transfer from one hub to another. If you spend a few years at one center and want to move somewhere else, you have to work your way up from the bottom.
- You can move from unionized jobs to the non-unionized professional jobs fairly quickly, but you can never move back.
- For the package handler job, they wanted a 1yr contract. If you quit before 1yr without some extreme circumstances, you would be blacklisted by UPS and any company they are affiliated with.

The transfer of seniority isn't quite black and white. If moving to a different locale, package handlers on the inside of the company may have to take a less desirable job if the same job isn't available at the new location. However, as soon as the old, more desirable job is posted and available, the person with the most seniority gets it no matter how long he/she has been in that particular location.

Company employees are allowed to move from management (non-unionized) to unionized if going from part-time to full-time work.

The one year contract thing is local or regional and not nationwide.

Package drivers can make over $70k per year, but that includes overtime and busting serious ass on a daily basis.