A college degree is not a requirement for career success.
A study has identified the 10 highest-paying jobs that don’t require a college degree, and the list might surprise you. As education costs continue to skyrocket, savvy job seekers are looking for ways to maximize their time and income in the job market. Consider how college costs have exploded: after adjusting for inflation. According to The Education Data Initiaitve, college tuition has increased 197.4% since 1963, and doubled since 2000. Is the investment really worth it?
Famous-name companies, from Walmart to Amazon, including Apple, GM, Bank of America, Uber, Nike, Delta Air Lines and Target, are saying the college investment is not necessary. But is it? “Unfortunately, what we found is for the most part, employers are still hiring the same people they were before,” said Matt Sigelman, president of the Burning Glass Institute, which provides data-driven research on work-related topics. New data suggests that choosing the right career, not just the right company, is the fast track to a higher salary.
When over 60% of U.S. workers don’t have any college degree, but 100% of workers are trying to maximize their income, these careers are worth a look. Of the high-paying non-college-degree job listings analyzed by Glassdoor, just over a third (36.18%) were found to require a degree of some kind.
- Commercial Pilots: In first place are commercial pilots, who can be expected to earn an average yearly salary of $176,000. The role of commercial pilot doesn’t require a degree – but many commercial pilots have gone to college, or served in the military, or both. The average commercial airline pilot can expect to receive almost 200% more than the average U.S. salary of $59,835 per year. Want to become a pilot? The costs associated with obtaining a commercial pilot’s license can vary from $55,000 to $100,000, according to Indeed.
- Dental hygienists take the second spot on the list, with an average yearly salary of $169,000. Dental hygienists earn nearly three times the average American’s yearly salary, and an Associate’s Degree is required.
- Ship mates rank third, with an average yearly salary of $158,000. However, this work is dangerous. If you fall overboard you can’t collect your pay.
- Diagnostic medical sonographers, who make an average of $146,000 annually. On average, a diagnostic medical sonographer makes 144.01% more than the average American’s yearly salary.
- Radiation therapists are fifth on the list, with an average annual income of $125,000. Note that three of the top five jobs are in healthcare, a market where 1 in 5 Gen Z workers are considering leaving the industry.
- Massage Therapists earn $119,000 per year and less than 5% of the job listings in this category require any degree at all (the lowest of any of the top 10)
- Hearing Aid Specialists average $113,000 per year in salary.
- Physical Therapy Assistants earn $109,000 per year.
- Aircraft Mechanics are in the number nine spot, at $89K in earnings.
- Avionics Technicians also make $89,000 per year, and this profession rounds out the top 10.
Wage disparity is a challenge, across generations, genders and educational levels. In California, Governor Gavin Newsom has announced initiatives to create better job opportunities for those without traditional four-year degrees. For one of the most expensive states in the nation, in terms of cost of living, bridging the economic divide in employment could bring relief to those who don’t have the time, money or inclination to invest in a four-year university.
Michael Guan, CEO of Final Round AI commented on the Glassdoor findings by focusing on something that wasn’t on the list: the role of high tech in the future of work. “The findings highlight how technology, particularly AI, is transforming the job market by opening up alternative avenues for career success.” AI may help individuals tap into high-paying jobs without the need for a degree, but for now: choose wisely. There’s not a “one-size-fits-all” solution – and AI is not always the solution. But it is always a tool, and one that you can leverage in whatever career you choose.
A college degree is not a measure of intelligence or career success. But being resourceful (and choosing wisely in your career) always is.
