The Best Paying Jobs You Can Get Without A College Degree

Earning your bachelor’s degree takes time, money, and commitment that not everyone has, so how can you make a decent living in a career you enjoy without a college degree? Although many careers require on-the-job training or some education like the certificates offered through Washington Technical Institute, here are ten of the best paying jobs you can get without a college degree. 

Web Developers and Digital Designers

  • Median Salary: $77,200

Web developers and digital designers are in high demand, so this career path can provide a lot of opportunity for people with the right experience and some training like a specialized IT certificate. Job security and high pay can provide motivated individuals with a secure future working with technology.

Private Security & Patrol

  • Median Salary: $67,290

A career in law enforcement may require a college degree to advance into higher leadership positions, but there are many other positions such as private security and patrol officers which can be hired after completing a Criminal Justice Certificate in addition to on-the-job training. 

Flight Attendant

  • Median Salary: $59,050

Although the airline industry has faced some cuts due to the pandemic, a career as a flight attendant can provide great opportunities to travel as well as a career straight out of high school with on-the-job training and certification from the Federal Aviation Administration.

Business Management

  • Food Service, Lodging, and Property Managers – Median Salary: $56,590-$59,660

If you’re already working in a career related to food service, lodging, or property management, advancement and salary increases can be earned through some additional training like one of the Business Certificates from Washington Technical Institute. In a few short months, you can apply for that promotion or move on to a higher paying career.

Computer Support Specialists

  • Median Salary: $55,510

A career as a computer support specialists is a secure position that might require a bachelor’s degree, but some postsecondary classes like those offered by Washington Tech could be sufficient to secure a job for some positions. Specialized certificates are a great way to start a new career path in a growing technical field such as this.

Paralegal

  • Median Salary: $52,920

Working as a paralegal is a great job for someone who has a certificate in paralegal studies, with opportunities to work in a variety of settings. Major companies need paralegals for their corporate legal department, government agencies use paralegals to complete legal paperwork, and law offices rely on them to do research and provide background information and paperwork for cases. With a growth rate that’s higher than average, earning a paralegal certificate in a matter of months is a great step toward a fast-paced career.

Firefighter

  • Median Salary: $52,500

Firefighting is an essential position, responding to emergencies in communities around the country. With training from a fire academy, you can start a career that’s exciting and provides safety and security for your community. Helpful additional training as an EMT can be helpful in security a position as a firefighter, but this requirement varies by your career search location.

Licensed Practical & Vocational Nurse

  • Median Salary: $48,820

Licensed Practical Nurses have a lot of opportunities to work in a variety of settings, so it’s generally a great pathway to a career in the medical field. If you’re interested in eventually becoming a Registered Nurse, this career is the perfect first step toward that goal. Usually, LPNs have to complete an educational program approved by the state, but those credits can act as the baseline for your eventual nursing degree; it’s a move worth making. 

Community Health Worker

  • Median Salary: $48,140

Community health workers usually receive on-the-job training and work to teach individuals and groups about making healthy choices. With a far higher than average growth rate, community health workers more easily obtain positions with some education like a specialized healthcare certificate through WTI.

Medical Billing & Coding

  • Median Salary: $45,240

Medical billing and coding professionals work with medical records and insurance companies either in an office setting, but remote jobs are also available for this field, making it a desirable position. You can earn a Medical Billing & Coding certificate from Washington Tech within a year or less, qualifying you for most certification tests. The more schooling you earn for this field, the higher your starting rate of pay will be.

There are many career paths that don’t require college. Learning new skills, additional certification, or further on-the-job training can go a long way towards getting you into the career of your dreams. In fact, some of the best paying jobs that don’t require a degree can be found right here at Washington Technical Institute.

Start on your new career today! Our faculty and staff are highly qualified, and our graduates are employed at top law firms, government agencies, and corporations throughout the country. For more information about our certificate programs, call us at 800-371-5581 or text us at 952-465-3702.

***Salary Information was obtained from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics at https://www.bls.gov/***

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Washington Technical Institute is Regionally accredited by the Middle States Association CESS, and licensed by the Minnesota Office of Higher Education as an institution of higher learning.