Can anyone really earn big without a University degree? The truth is school is not for everybody. And its perfectly fine! The most important thing is that, many of the high paying jobs in 2025 will not require any school degree. You heard that right! You can have a very successful career and make a lot of money without having to invest four or more years in college and go deep into student debt.
Therefore, if anybody happens to come across such a question in his or her life, “Can I really earn a good amount without having a degree?”, the loud answer would always be YES! Success Mantra- Learning of something worth, experience, and good opportunities are needed.
Come with us while we dive into this post, and uncover the 8 highly paid jobs that does not require any degree to get started, lets also talk about how you can get started, and cover some tips for actually landing them. In this article we will also answer some of those questions that feels like burden to you. Are you ready!!! Lets dive in ASAP!!
Table of contents
Top 8 High Paying Jobs That Does Not Requires Any Degree
1. Software Developer Average Salary
Are you surprise? I don’t think you should be. You need to understand that most of the software developer you see out there today are self taught, some of them gained the knowledge through boot camps. Giants websites like Google and Apple have dropped their degree requirements for tech positions. If you can code, you can get a job.
Salary Estimation for Software Developer: $100,000+ Per Annum
Places You can learn Software developer Skills for free
1. FreeCodeCamp ( Best for Complete Beginners)
2. Harvard CS50 (edX) ( Best for Theoretical Learning)
3. The Odin Project ( Great for Web Development)
4. W3Schools ( Best for Quick Learning)
5. Khan Academy (Best for Absolute Beginners)
How To Start
- Learn languages like Python, JavaScript, and C++
- Online Classes: Udemy, Coursera, and Codecademy
- Build projects – showcase your projects on GitHub.
- Freelance or apply as an intern
Why It Pays Higher: Software developers create software solutions; everything from apps to websites. Most of the great developers are either self-taught or go to coding boot camp.
2. Construction Manager
Did you know you can become a construction Manager without any college degree? Yes you can, although most people often assume that you need a university degree to get into thigh high-paying career, but the truth is what matters most is the level of your experience and skills.
Average Salary: $ 95,000 annually
Place You Can Learn How to be a Construction Manager for Free
1. Alison – Free Construction Management Courses
2. MIT OpenCourseWare – Construction Management Lectures
3. Coursera– Free Construction Courses (Audit Mode)
Steps on Becoming Construction Worker and Manager
Start working as a construction worker to gather experience
Learn how to manage projects and deal with budgets
Work your way up the chain to manager position
Why It Pays Well: This is because construction requires managers with depth of experience rather than a higher education to successfully run operations and manage budgets, along with keeping workers productive at the site.
3. Radiation Therapist
I know you might be worried of how you can become a radiation therapist because of the cost of education. Although most times formal degree is often required, but the good news is there are free learning resources that can help you gain background knowledge and prepare you for certifications programs.
Average Salary: $85,000 a year
Places You Can Learn Radiation Therapist For Free
MIT OpenCourseWare – Free University Courses
Open University (UK) – Free Health Courses
Coursera – Free Radiation Therapy Courses (Audit Mode)
edX – Free Courses from Harvard & Other Universities
How to Start
Enroll in 1-2yr radiation therapy program
Get licensed in your state
Why It Pays Well: Radiation therapists treat cancer patients. You need only a certification or associate’s degree.
You Can Also Read: How to Use ChatGPT for Resume Writing and Interview Prep
4. Commercial Pilot (Private & Charter)
A lot of people biggest dream is becoming a commercial pilot, because it offers high salaries, unlimited travel opportunities, and adventure. While full pilot trainings often requires paid certification, you can also start by learning with free online resources, aviation schools, and government programs.
Estimated Salary: $130,000 yearly
Places You Can Learn Commercial Pilot For Free
1. YouTube – Free Pilot Training Videos
2. Pilot Institute – Free Private Pilot Courses
3. AOPA – Free Flight Training Resources
4. MIT OpenCourseWare – Free Aviation & Aerospace Courses
How to Start: Get a commercial pilot license CPL Build flight hours Apply for private airline or cargo pilot jobs
Why It Pays Well: Private pilots and charter pilots transport goods and people. You need a license, but you do not have to get a degree.
5. Cybersecurity Analyst
Do you know that is one of the highest-paying tech jobs that doesn’t require any degree? Yes, in 2025, cybersecurity professionals is going to be very high demand, and many companies are willing to pay top salaries to protect their company data from hackers.
Salary Estimation: $90,000 per year
Places You Can Learn Cybersecurity For Free
1. TryHackMe – Free Cybersecurity Training for Beginners
2. Cybrary – Free Cybersecurity Courses
3. Coursera – Free Cybersecurity Courses (Audit Mode)
Why It Pays Well: Because of the rise of rise of cybercrime incidents, experts are constantly needed in this field for protecting information in businesses. Plenty of cybersecurity experts are self-deducted.
To start:
Take online classes in cybersecurity Become certified: CompTIA Security+, CEH, CISSP
Do freelance ethical hacking or security projects in
6. Elevator Technician
You want a high paying career without any school degree right? Then I think the best option for you is becoming an elevator technician. In 2025 elevator technicians still remains high in demand, earning a competitive salaries while working in the construction, maintenance and repair field.
What Does an Elevator Technician Do?
1. Installs, repairs, and maintains elevators, escalators, and lifts
2. Ensures safety compliance and troubleshooting malfunctions
3. Reads blueprints and technical diagrams
Average Salary: $88,000/yr
Places You can learn Elevator Technician for free
The International Union of Elevator Constructors (IUEC) – Free Apprenticeship Programs
MIT OpenCourseWare – Free Electrical Engineering Basics
Electrical 101 – Free Online Electrical Training
Alison – Free Elevator Technician & Electrical Courses
Why It Pays Well: Elevator technicians are into elevator installation and repair, which pays quite a bit in companies as it is a technical job.
How to Get Started
Apply for apprenticeship
Get licensed/certified
7. Professional Makeup Artists & Bridal
If your dreams is becoming a professional makeup artist but you are finding it difficult to because you don’t have thousands to spend on a makeup school. Then don’t panic anymore you don’t need a degree to become a successful makeup artists all you need is skills, creativity and practice.
Estimated Salary: $80,000 yearly
Top Places you can learn makeup for free
1. YouTube – Best for Hands-on Tutorials
2. Alison – Free Online Makeup Courses
3. Skillshare – Free 1-Month Trial for Professional Makeup Lessons
4. Makeup Artist Essentials – Free eBook & PDF Guides
Why It Pays Well: Top artists in the entertainment and wedding industry pull six figures.
How to Get Started:
Attend a professional makeup course or learn from YouTube tutorials
Create a standout portfolio and showcase you work on social media
Get employed in a beauty salon or freelance.
8. Social Media Manager
Business social media managers will always be in demand because businesses are striving to have an online presence. You do not have to have a degree to manage company social media; all you need to have is to be creative and strategic.
Average Salary: $50,000 – $90,000 annually.
How to Get Started: Build a portfolio by either managing your own social media accounts or by offering services to small businesses. Learn about the newest tools and most recent social media strategies.
Place You Can Learn Social media Management for free
Meta (Facebook) Blueprint – Best for Facebook & Instagram Marketing
HubSpot Academy – Best for Social Media Strategy
Google Digital Garage – Best for Overall Digital Marketing
Why Its Important: Many companies are looking for people who can handle their online presence. Making it a high demand skill.
Most Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Must I have a degree to be paid highly?
A1: No! Most high-paid jobs need no degree. As a matter of fact, in many cases, skills and certifications often lead to better paying jobs, rather than degrees.
Q2: How long does it take to start working in a well-paying job that doesn’t require a degree?
A2: Some take a few months, depending on the field, while others take two years to be fully trained and ready to work.
Q3: What is the best career for someone who does not want to go to college?
A3: Well, that depends on your interests! Just a few of the high-paying jobs available are web development, digital marketing, and truck driving. Find something that excites you!
Q4: Without a degree, how do I get experience?
A4: The best experiences to build up are through internships, apprenticeships, and freelancing. Most of the time, hands-on experience will be more respectable than formal educations by most employers.
Final Thoughts
Success does not always have to be routed with a degree. If you put in the effort to learn and accumulate experience, then you can very well land a high-paying job even without the conventional college education. Which one do you find most interesting? Let me know in the comments!
References
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) – Pilot and Air Traffic Controller Training Requirements
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) – Occupational Outlook Handbook
Codecademy, Udemy, Coursera – Online Learning Platforms for Tech Careers
National Association of Realtors (NAR) – Real Estate Licensing and Earnings
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