It is no secret that the job market is always tough, due to so much competition for the best jobs available. Usually, you need to have a college degree and sometimes even experience to be considered for a top job.
So, what jobs pay the most without a college degree? First, let’s look at what it takes to get a job with only a high school diploma or GED.
Getting a Job Without a College Degree
There are people who don’t have a bachelor’s degree and still manage to find great success in their careers. This is partially due to their diligence in finding the right careers for them, from the beginning.
There are many ways for people without a college degree to get into the workforce. One of the most popular methods is through entry-level positions.
Entry-level positions are ideal for job applicants without college degrees. Companies will hire people who show they have life skills and are motivated to learn while on the job.
How to Find Enjoyable Jobs Without a Degree
The last thing you want to do is to find a great-paying job that you actually hate! So, the first thing you should be looking at is NOT how much it pays, rather the fact that:
- The job pays well enough for your needs
- You believe you will enjoy the job
- There is room for growth and prosperity for you
When you think you have found a job that is a good match for you, one of the first things to consider is the company culture. If it’s not a good match for you, then you may want to rethink your career and find another company.
There are many ways to find an enjoyable job without a degree that suits your interests and skills. Some methods include:
- Networking events
- Job boards
- Online forums
- Social media sites such as Linkedin
There are a lot of jobs out there that you can find without a degree. When looking for a job, try to think of it as a long-term career, unless you need a job as a temporary source of income.
This way, you will become invested in your future and the company you are applying to.
To begin finding a good job without a degree, you can break down the process into 3 simple steps:
- Find the right industry
- Discover the right company
- Find your future niche within that company
What Jobs Pay the Most Without a College Degree?
Here is a list of not only what jobs make the most money without a degree, but ones that only require a high school diploma or its equivalent.
#1—Police First-Line Supervisor
As a police sergeant, lieutenant, captain, commander, or major, you are responsible for maintaining order, enforcing laws, and ensuring that your officers are doing their job correctly.
You would also be responsible for coordinating with other supervisors to ensure that they have enough manpower to cover all of their areas.
Most police departments don’t require anything but a high school diploma or GED to start out as a police officer and work your way up to a front-line supervisory position. Keep in mind, while some police departments do not require a college education to become a high-level supervisor such as a captain or major, some do require at least a bachelor’s degree.
Here are typical salaries for each position:
- Sergeant ($62,000 to $95,000 + a year)
- Lieutenant ($69,000 to $102,000 + a year)
- Commander ($83,000 to 97,000 + a year
- Captain ( $96,000 to $115,000 + a year)
- Major ($99,000 to 122,000 + a year)
Some police departments also offer hefty pensions upon completing a set amount of years, making this a top choice for people without a degree.
#2—Distribution Center Managers
The distribution center manager is another one of the no degree required careers. In this job, you are responsible for the overall distribution center operations including inventory, receiving, warehouse operations, transportation of goods to customers, and customer service.
These are warehouse positions for companies such as retail giants like Target, Best Buy, and many others.
The distribution center managers also:
- Maintain company policies for safety and security
- Ensure compliance with all applicable government regulations
- Manage the daily activities and performance of the distribution center team
- Develop and implement policies and procedures to ensure the smooth operation of the distribution center
- Identify and manage inventory issues, including cost control and space utilization
- Implement company policies on quality, safety, and environmental compliance
- Ensure that all products are available to meet customer demand in a timely manner
- Maintain accurate records of inventory levels, orders, shipments, and returns at all times
- Manage relationships with suppliers to ensure product availability
The typical salaries for these positions average between $76,000 to $115,000 a year. There are usually no educational requirements, and many of these supervisors learn on the job and move up the ladder of success to these positions.
#3—Retail Store Managers
The retail store manager is responsible for overseeing the store’s inventory, staff, customers, and other operational areas as well as ensuring that the store is meeting its sales goals. This worker is also responsible for managing the customer experience at the store and maximizing customer satisfaction.
Other responsibilities include:
- Hiring new employees and training them to meet company standards
- Providing feedback to upper management on store operations, staffing levels, and customer experience
- Developing a plan for increasing sales through marketing activities
- Ensuring that all stores are meeting company standards such as product quality, cleanliness, etc.
- Maintaining a high level of customer service in all stores
- Developing a marketing strategy to drive increased sales
Many retail store managers start out as entry-level associates. They perform well, are dependable employees, and they let management know they are interested in being promoted.
Their education doesn’t have to come from a college degree; it’s earned, many times, through on-the-job experience and becoming proficient at their jobs, every step of the way.
They learn the company inside out and are eventually ready for the challenge of becoming supervisors.
Store managers can make an average of between $85,000 to $135,000 a year and beyond!
#4—Firefighter Supervisors
Another two of the top no degree jobs are fire lieutenants and captains. They earn high salaries due to the inherent dangers of having a job in a fire department.
A fire department lieutenant is typically responsible for the day-to-day operations of a fire station and its personnel. This includes managing the station’s equipment, personnel, and budget, as well as providing or facilitating ongoing training to firefighters.
Captains in a fire department are responsible for overseeing their fire station and ensuring compliance with all local, state, and federal regulations. This includes managing the staffing, budgets, policies, and procedures.
These are positions you can work your way up to by being an exceptional employee and taking the required testing to get promoted.
Typically, a fire lieutenant can earn between $82,500 to $93,000 a year and more. A fire captain can earn well into a six-figure salary.
#5—Police Officers
This job is, surprisingly, is one of the potentially top 100k jobs without a degree you will find. You start out at the bottom of the pay scale, usually somewhere in the $55,000 a year range.
However, many police departments get yearly raises and in 10 years, you may find yourself making a $72,000 a year base salary plus opportunities to make a lot of extra money working overtime. It isn’t uncommon for a police officer with a base salary of $72,000 a year to make over $100,000 a year due to overtime work and incentives worked into their union contracts.
