How much money can you make without a college degree

how much money can you make without a college degree

However, though a bachelor’s degree greatly increases an individual’s earnings potential, there are still many high-paying jobs that do not require higher education but instead value experience, training, and skill. Some jobs that do not require a college education, however, pay well more than the median across all education levels. Some of these jobs are in management roles and higher-ranking positions, accessible to those who worked their way up from low-level positions at jobs that do not require a degree, such as law enforcement or sales. Many of these jobs require years of on-the-job experience or training, and some require specific credentials or licenses. The median income of 10 jobs on this list is more than double the national median. More: What are the worst companies to work for? New report analyzes employee reviews. More: Are these the worst cities to live in? Study looks at quality of life across the U. More: Which countries are the richest? A look at the Top 25 based on average income.

Salary and Qualifications

College is often touted as the pathway to a brighter financial future. But this is not always the case. The cost of tuition, books, lodgingand more can be expensive, and it drives many into tens of thousands of dollars in debt. While college grads certainly earn higher wages on average, some make relatively little. These are the college majors that pay off the least. On the other hand, there are jobs that require little to no secondary education yet pay very well. There are a handful of jobs that require only a high school diploma or an equivalent education that pay more than double that. Bureau of Labor Statistics to determine the highest paying jobs you can get without a college degree.

Regional Salaries

While salary is always a major factor when choosing a job or career field, there are other considerations that need to be taken into account — like whether the job will still be in demand in the future. Some low-skill jobs are already being phased out by automation, but by , employment is projected to decline for only three of the 20 highest paying jobs you can get without a college degree, according to the BLS. Only two of the 20 jobs listed here, however, are projected to have employment growth beyond the projected overall U. There are many jobs that keep society running — by providing power, security, transportation, and many other valuable services. Such jobs can command higher pay without requiring a degree and account for many of the jobs on this list. Though these jobs pay well, they certainly have drawbacks. Many of the careers on this list are in the transportation sector, which often requires employees to work long and irregular hours. Other jobs on this list can be dangerous, particularly those in law enforcement. These are the most dangerous jobs in America. Online gambling: Now available around the clock in this state. This often means taking the train. Everyone who regularly travels by rail knows that tracks and switches malfunction often.

how much money can you make without a college degree

Detectives and criminal investigators

In light of the soaring cost of four-year college, leaders in education and business suggest Americans rethink the need for universities to find a good job. But at least for now, data suggests having a college degree pays more in the long run. Earlier this year, Tim Cook made headlines for stating that you don’t need a degree to be successful. Cook put his money where his mouth is: the CEO revealed about half of Apple’s new hires in did not have a four-year degree. Cook isn’t the only one encouraging people to think beyond a bachelor’s degree to find a good job. Trade schools have touted the high wages blue-collar work can yield , including six-figures for heavy-equipment technicians. Read more: Apple, Google, and Netflix don’t require employees to have 4-year degrees, and this could soon become an industry norm. College is more expensive than ever — and students are going into record debt to pay it off. While skipping college may seem like a cheaper option, data suggests earnings for college graduates far exceed wages for those with less than a bachelor’s degree. A Business Insider analysis of US Census data finds that in every US state, earnings for college graduates exceed the earnings for those with less than a bachelor’s degree. Using individual-level survey responses from that data set, we found estimates for median total annual personal earned income for people with at least a bachelor’s degree and people without a bachelor’s degree in each state.

Hottest Questions. While most computer programmers have bachelor’s degrees in computer science or related majors, according to the U. By the same token though, demand for particular career paths and the salaries that employers are willing to pay may vary significantly depending on where you live. Note: Depending on which text editor you’re pasting into, you might have to add the italics to the site name.

Invest in real estate

People with associate degrees in computer science may qualify for computer programmer jobs, one of the highest-paying careers they can get with that degree. Asked in Colleges and Universities Do college degree is required in selling what does its role? Job Outlook The BLS forecasts a 12 percent increase in jobs for computer programmers from towhich is about average compared to the 14 percent national average for all occupations. You will make more money the higher the degree. Continue Reading. Asked in Veterinary Medicine Do you have to go to college to become a vet tech? Work — Chron. Asked in Music, Educators How do you be a musician teacher? Can you work in a hospital without schooling? Differences in Industry Pay Computer programmers with associate degrees in computer science may earn more in certain industries, especially those in which all computer programmers earn. Asked in College Degrees What is a doctorate degree in teaching? Accessed 18 January

9 Highest Paying Jobs Without A College Degree (2019)


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Reports Correlating Income and Education Levels

Bank, and Barclaycard, among. Meanwhile, student debt interferes with the personal and financial milestones many Americans are taught to take for granted. Still, countless young Americans willingly enroll in four-year degree programs each year, assuming that the financial benefits of these degrees outweigh the downsides of five- or six-figure debt. Many require only a high school diploma or equivalent; others require post-secondary certification or two-year associate degrees. Physical therapist assistants work directly under physical therapists, usually in hospital or outpatient office settings. Specific duties typically include:. No matter where you plan to work, you must complete a two-year degree program and obtain a state license to become a physical therapist assistant. Occupational therapy assistants work under occupational therapists, usually at hospitals or outpatient offices. If you derive satisfaction from helping others, this profession could be a great fit for you. Respiratory therapists provide a range of respiratory treatments and therapies to patients in hospitals and long-term care facilities. Because most respiratory therapists serve inpatient populations with round-the-clock needs, not all work normal business hours. Most respiratory therapists work with patients experiencing chronic breathing difficulties due to a range of conditions, from premature birth and cystic fibrosis to chronic ailments such as COPD and heart failure. Some work in the emergency department, triaging patients with acute breathing difficulties due to heart attacks or trauma. Although the prerequisites to become a respiratory therapist take at least two years, the payoff is pretty safe, thanks to rapid job growth and reliably high pay. They include:. The downside is that a three-year associate degree is all but required for entry into the guild.

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