High-Paying Jobs That Don’t Require a College Degree

In recent years, college attendance rates have steadily been dropping. The possibility to become successful without a college degree is seemingly infinite as people are turning away from tradition in favor of entrepreneurship, content creation, and other industries that don’t require years of sitting in a classroom in order to thrive. While perhaps your grandpa thinks it’s an awful idea to not apply to college this fall, not having a ton of debt for a degree is also looking pretty nice. It is perfectly viable to build a stable and happy life without a degree, but it does take some planning and sometimes a certification of some kind. We’ve broken down a few high-paying jobs that don’t require a degree below.

Massage Therapist

If you have a love for wellness and relieving pain, this may just be your calling. Massage therapy for most states does not require a license, but there are opportunities for certification. Professional certification is a voluntary process by which a non-governmental professional organization grants recognition to an individual who has met certain qualifications. If you are looking for a career that is hands-on and helps people, this is your role. You can enroll in a massage therapist program to really get into the skills and knowledge you need to excel. The average salary of a massage therapist is $47,000, and there are many routes within this job, as you can open your own private practice, join a massage clinic, or work within hotels or resorts for guaranteed work.

Professional Truck Driver

If you’re searching for a life of sights and freedoms, this is the career for you. You don’t need a college education, but you will need a commercial driver’s license. The transport industry is an extremely lucrative place that tends to always thrive no matter what the economy is like. No textbooks are needed to take on the open road for new drivers, just a license from a CDL program and a love for new places. The average salary for a truck driver is a lovely $74,000, which sure looks better than paying that back intuition and dealing with FAFSA, doesn’t it? This occupation does require a criminal background check and a 10-year driving history to be employed.

Commercial Airline Pilot

Currently, there is a massive shortage of qualified commercial airline pilots. As the demand for worldwide travel increases, the demand for pilots increases along with it. However, not enough pilots are being trained and employed to keep up with the demand. This is where you come in to save the day and fly travelers to their destinations all while bringing home the dough for yourself. Commercial airline pilots on average make a salary of $141,000, not to mention the amazing perks that go with being a pilot, plus how cool is that to say on a first date? Here is an in-depth breakdown of the required steps to become an airline pilot. Happy flying!

These are just a few of the most in-demand occupations that don’t require a degree. In modern times, there are so many opportunities available in order to become successful, and they don’t have to be attached to a college degree. The top priority in your life should be to be happy and not the constant stress of potentially crippling debt and years of sitting in a classroom. Now that you’ve learned the important information about what roles may be best for you, it’s time to do a little soul searching in discovering what your true calling is. Whether that’s in health care, the open road, or the open skies, the opportunities are plentiful!