Not every individual makes it through college, acquires a professional degree successfully, and becomes a part of the professional market. The level of a person’s education does not determine his right to benefit from the opportunities that the world has to offer.

In life, quite a few scenarios can become the cause of a person’s inability to acquire a proper education or the necessary certificate to pursue a profession. In such a case, however, the world still offers plenty of opportunities for successful careers, a few of which are being discussed below.

People who do not have degrees can also contribute greatly to their lives as well of others simply by following their passion. It is all about acquiring a skill set and making an effort! There are several fields that do not require degrees; and one such field is computer programming. If sitting for hours in a classroom, listening to long and boring lectures is not your cup of tea, then you can definitely make a living without the thousands of dollars accumulating in student loans. After all, Bill Gates was a Harvard drop out and he did fine, didn’t he?

If you have the skills or talent to prove yourself, you can earn a decent income and enjoy life without the stress of repayment of student loans.

The Changing Market Dimensions

The world, as we know, has changed a lot since the days when the majority of people got employed as a manual labor. With the growing trends of outsourcing business and introducing automation in procedures increasingly penetrating the industry, there are lesser and lesser chances of getting a decent-paying job even with a college degree. While everyone is trying to learn something extra over and above their college education, it is justified for an average person, with no educational background on his resume, to fear the saturation of market opportunities.

However, rest assured, you should not lose all hope even if you are walking around in search of a job without a college degree because even a degree does not guarantee you a job. Therefore, you may just end up in the unemployment pool for months, even years, depending on the job market.

10 Good Paying Jobs without a College Diploma in Your Backpack

Subway and Streetcar Operator (Over $60,000 annually)

This job requires minimal training and is easy to understand. As mass transit can be easily termed as the lifeblood of many cities and suburbs, there is always the need for streetcar and subway operators. Job responsibilities include operating the train, opening and closing doors, making announcements and making sure of safety of the subway system.

Requirements:

• Nothing / High School Diploma or Equivalent
• No Experience
• Less than 6 months of training (Local Transit Program)
• Not hesitant with too many controls
• Active Listening
• Monitoring
• Speaking
• Stress Tolerance
• Self Control

Advantages:

• Suitable for individuals who are comfortable with hands-on and practical work
• Perfect for outdoor lovers
• Growing demand, therefore better opportunities

Disadvantages:

• Long working hours (over 40 hours a week)
• Long sitting hours

Locksmith ($25/hour or over $55,000 annually)

A locksmith has the primary job of working with locks, keys and modern security systems. With increasing population and an ever-increasing crime rate, you can never be too safe. Therefore, locksmithing is in demand.

Requirements:

• Independence
• Common Sense
• Solving Puzzles
• Basic tool knowledge

Advantages:

• Charge double for late hours / bad weather
• On-the-job training opportunities
• A useful skill that is increasingly in demand.

Disadvantages:

• Not all people like going to work on a bad weather or work after midnight.
• Interacting with distressed customers
• Below average job growth

Electrician ($34/hour or $60,000 - 80,000 annually)

The typical responsibilities include design, installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of electrical wiring systems. The occupation is not seasonal, neither is it an occasional need, therefore this skill can come handy. Moreover, the 14% above-average growth rate is attractive in terms of building a career.

Requirements:

• Nothing / High School Diploma or Equivalent
• Any previous apprenticeship experience
• Ability to work methodically and safely
• Problem-solving skills
• Ability to follow drawings and plans

Advantages:

• You get to see new things every day
• It is interesting if you are love technical work
• You can charge extra for complex work, and more than average for a simple job.

Disadvantages:

• The fieldwork can be intense at an older age.
• Not being careful or taking extra precautions can turn out to be deadly.

Plumber ($33/hour or $29,000 – 75,000 annually) 

Gas fitter ($35/hour or $25,000 – 85,000 annually)

Both job descriptions generally include dealing with sewerage systems, assembly, installation and maintenance of pipe systems, and other heating and cooling systems on a residential and industrial platform.

Requirements:

• Nothing / High School Diploma or Equivalent
• Can be an Apprentice
• Ability to follow drawings and plans

Advantages:

• You get to work outdoors and indoors, if that is what you love.
• It is interesting if you are love mechanical work
• You can charge extra for complex work, and more than average for a simple job.
• On-the-job Training
• Career advancement to installers, operation managers etc.

Disadvantages:

• The fieldwork can be complex
• The fieldwork can be intense at an older age.
• Not being careful or taking extra precautions can turn out to be harmful and even result in more work for you.

Window Cleaner ($20/hour or $20,000 – 45,000 annually)

The daily tasks may include carrying ladders, using water-fed poles, cleaning windows on high-rise buildings, mixing detergents and keeping track of expenses, and income.

Requirements:

• A high school diploma or no education required
• A driving license may be helpful
• Any previous apprenticeship experience
• Ability to work on heights
• Some technical knowledge of life operation present

Advantages:

• Flexible hours of work, if you are self-employed.
• Fascinating if you are a fan of scenic views.

Disadvantages:

• If employed by a contractor, long hours of work (over 40 hours a week)
• Working in bad weather conditions
• You may be hanging from a skyscraper

Power Plant and other Machinery Operator ($40/hour or $40,000 – 90,000 annually)

The daily tasks may include controlling power-generating equipment, operating meters and gauges, and also regulating as well as monitoring electricity, and power flows.

Requirements:

• Some sort of vocational training
• Can be an apprentice
• Obtain licenses
• Handy with tools and machinery
• Operation monitoring
• Attention to detail

Advantages:

• If you are not pro-change, you will like the work repetition.
• Often lower level employees are also offered work benefits.

Disadvantages:

• Long hours of work
• Repetition of work
• Hot and humid atmosphere
• Stressful

Electric Power-Line Installer and Repairer ($45,000 – 70,000 annually)

The daily tasks may include controlling power-generating equipment, operating meters and gauges, and also regulating as well as monitoring electricity, and power flows.

Requirements:

• High school diploma / equivalent OR no education
• Basic knowledge of algebra may be helpful
• Technical knowledge and interest in electronics and electricity will prove to be helpful

Advantages:

• If you like thrilling jobs, then you will like the rush that comes with this occupation.
• Less work but high pay

Disadvantages:

• The work is complex and dangerous
• If you are not physically active, you will feel the burden.
• Demanding job
• Have to work in severe weather (extremely hot or extremely cold)

Deckhand on Tugboat ($20,000 – 60,000 annually)

Deckhands normally refer to sailors of low rank who mostly are employed on private ships. Very few work on private ships. The daily tasks may include lubricating pumps, cleaning and operating centrifuge and oil filtration equipment, adjusting pressure and water levels in steam burning boilers etc.

Requirements:

• High school diploma / equivalent OR no education
• A Merchant Mariner Certificate
• Handy with mechanical work
• Physically active
• Dependable

Advantages:

• If you like the sea, you might just find yourself sailing the ocean often.
• A variety of work so getting bored is not an option.
• You may get promoted to captain with pay increasing to about $150,000 annually.

Disadvantages:

• Physically challenging at times
• You may get seasick spending all the time at sea.
• Bad weather conditions at times may put your life at risk.

Casino Dealer ($20,000 – 60,000 annually)

The gaming industry may be strictly regulated but the profession enjoys a slow and steady growth, with revenues translating into even bigger incomes for managers. Well, you will have to start with a casino dealer but the opportunity of being promoted quickly is way high than other profession.

Requirements:

• High school diploma / equivalent OR no education
• A relevant certificate
• Gaming experience will be a plus
• Presentable and lively personality
• People skills

Advantages:

• On-the-job training
• Exciting, if you are into gaming
• Lively atmosphere
• Heavy tips, even if you are a casino dealer

Disadvantages:

• Long hours of work
• Have to deal with all sorts of people
• Becomes tiring if it is not your passion

Apart from the ones mentioned above, there are plenty of jobs available in the market for web developers, dental hygienists, insurance agents and others that do not require a college diploma, and only require training for a period of less than a year.

What Should I Do Now?

Well, if you are interested in one of the occupations mentioned above, upload your resume now and get an early start in your career.