If you consider the figures, they show a trend of slowly increasing college tuition costs. What’s alarming is that this trend is not slowing down. According to Forbes, the average costs of tuition, fees, and accommodation increased by a whopping 169%.
Given all this, it makes sense to consider career options that don’t require college degrees but have the potential to pay handsomely. If you’re wondering, ‘what are good paying jobs that don’t require college?’ the good news is there’s a plethora of options to choose from. Knowing that you don’t need a college degree to have a great career is a refreshing perspective. To provide you with more insight, this article considers what are good paying jobs that don’t require college.
Freelance Writing
Today, there’s a saying that’s common in the world of freelance writing, which goes, ‘Content is king.’ This refers to the fact that most businesses that want to establish a solid online presence and improve their rankings in search engine results need to invest in high-quality content. Therefore, freelance writers with the required skills and niche knowledge are more in demand than ever. If you want to know what are good paying jobs that don’t require college, then it will be worth your while to consider freelance writing. This career choice offers so many opportunities for making money. For instance, you can start a blog, publish and sell an e-book, write comic books, create written content, and more to generate more revenue.
People that are looking for freelance writers are generally not concerned about whether you have a college degree, except in instances where specialized knowledge is required, such as in the medical or legal field. The main requirements for becoming a freelance writer include native English speaking abilities, solid research skills, experience writing in a particular niche, and a good grasp of grammar. The quickest way to start meaning good money is to market your services and pitch to as many people as possible. It’s also a good idea to create an engaging portfolio that showcases your writing skills and style.
Electrical Contractor
When considering what are good paying jobs that don’t require college, don’t overlook electrical contracting. It’s possible to earn good money as an electrician, depending on your experience level, location, skills, and other factors. As an electrical contractor, you’ll be responsible for most jobs that involve electrical hardware, equipment, and systems. The first step to becoming an electrical contractor is to apply to train by participating in instructional programs offered by accredited trade schools or colleges. These academic programs provide you with practical training. You can also choose to become an apprentice by participating in a suitable apprenticeship program.
The next step is to start offering various services to gain experience, as this is necessary to obtain a license and perform independent contract work. Once you become certified and licensed, you can choose to open your own contracting business and operate as an independent contractor. Starting your own contracting business is the key to higher pay and job flexibility. Keep in mind that licensing requirements vary from state to state.
Roofing Contractor
According to Zippia, career prospects for roofing contractors are expected to increase between 2018 and 2028, meaning there will be more job opportunities for roofers than ever. Even though you may find some roofing contractors with a college degree, you can still become a roofer as long as you have a high school diploma or GED. In order to become a professional that offers roofing services, you need to acquire a set of specific skills to accomplish many responsibilities, such as roof installation, repairs, inspections, and preventive maintenance. You also need customer service skills, if you want to attract more clients and grow your business.
Most importantly, your knowledge of safety procedures must be top-notch because your job will require you to climb onto roofs, which can be dangerous work. You also need to get as many years of experience as possible under your belt. Other important skills to acquire as a roofer include knowing how to deal with insurance companies and knowing the protocol for working on various job sites and construction projects.
To launch your career as a roofing contractor, you can apply for work with a roofing contractor or company where you start off doing entry-level jobs. The experience you gain will then allow you to meet the certification requirements based on the state you live in. You can study for the contractor’s exam to get your contractor’s license.
HVAC Contractor
One of the best answers to what are good paying jobs that don’t require college is to become an HVAC contractor. According to Grandview Research, the market size for HVAC systems is set to experience a growth rate with a CAGR of 5.6% between 2022 and 2030. Given this data, it’s likely the demand for HVAC contractors will increase. It’s not hard to see why. Based on data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, almost 90% of homes in America have air conditioning. This only means that HVAC contractors can enjoy a wider customer base. It also helps that HVAC contractors are trained to provide a wide range of services, most of which are in demand.
These services include air conditioner and furnace repair plus a range of heating and ventilation solutions. If you choose to start a career as a HVAC contractor, then you’ll need a high school diploma or GED. From there, you must complete certification and seek an apprenticeship for on-the-job training. Once you’re fully qualified for the job, you can explore several options for making more money. Successful HVAC contractors make more money by delivering exceptional customer service, which gives them more leeway to raise rates. They also market their business extensively to attract more customers.
Plumbing Contractor
If you’re interested in knowing what are good paying jobs that don’t require college degrees, then becoming a plumber might be up your alley. As a plumbing contractor, you’ll be responsible for handling any jobs or work that involves water, gas, and drainage pipes, as well as plumbing fixtures in residential and commercial buildings. Today, virtually every building relies on a well-functioning plumbing system, meaning that innovative plumbers can easily find more opportunities to make money from this work. As a plumber, you can earn more money by having a solid online presence, gaining more experience, offering specialized services, and networking more.
Keep in mind that you won’t automatically start at the top. Your career will start off as an apprentice once you earn your high school diploma or GED. You can find a suitable apprenticeship program that will provide you with the technical education and on-the-job training you need. Once you complete your apprenticeship program, the next step involves getting your master plumber license, which allows you to become a licensed journeyman. At this stage, you no longer require supervision while handling plumbing jobs. After this, you may need to pay fees and pass an exam to obtain your contractor’s license, though this depends on your state.
Landscape Contractor
Given that a degree is not required to become a landscape contractor, you can add this career option to the list of answers for what are good paying jobs that don’t require college. That said, keep in mind there’s a huge difference between being a landscape designer architect and being a landscaper contractor.
You’ll need to have a degree to become a landscape designer, and your job will entail specifying and designing projects. If you choose to become a landscape contractor (which doesn’t require a degree), then you’ll be responsible for installing the projects that a designer has worked on. As a landscaper, you’ll focus on various outdoor projects, such as tree planting, installing hardscapes, and other outdoor improvements that add beauty to clients’ landscapes.
This is physically demanding work, and you’ll have to be comfortable working under all sorts of weather conditions. Still, you can make good money with the right strategies, such as operating in the wealthiest areas of your city to get more high price jobs and gaining specialized skills, such as the installation of water features and other hardscaping elements.
As mentioned, you don’t need any post-secondary education to be a landscape contractor. You’ll need to receive some training to meet the licensing requirements, which can vary from state to state. So after receiving your training and becoming licensed, you might also want to consider obtaining certification from accredited professional organizations. This helps differentiate you so you can advance more quickly in your career and attract more clients.
Jeweler
You don’t need a college degree to be a jeweler. As a professional jeweler, your job will be to design, create, and repair all types of jewelry, such as diamond earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and other similar wearable accessories. You’re more likely to earn higher pay if you become a master craftsman of unique jewelry pieces. To become a jeweler, you’ll first need to complete high school and get a high school diploma or GED. From there, look around for suitable jewelry-making programs where you can learn the skills you need. You’ll also need to join as an apprentice to learn more practical aspects involved with being a jeweler. After completing your education, you’re ready to start building your portfolio and applying for work.
Driver
You may also be pleased to know that you don’t need a college degree to become a driver. The basic education requirement for this career is to have a high school diploma or equivalent. It also goes without saying that you’ll need to obtain a valid driver’s license to drive certain vehicles like trucks. Your driving record needs to be clean, and experience on the road is a crucial requirement for most employers. To earn more pay, you’ll need specialized skills, such as delivery driver experience, computer skills, and experience using a forklift. In turn, you can seek employment from a wide range of businesses, including supermarkets, restaurants, funeral homes, truck companies, and more.
Maintenance and Repair Worker
The U.S. The Bureau of Labor Statistics provides a lot of valuable information for those who are interested in a career as a general maintenance and repair worker. This career choice could be the right fit for you if you want to know what are good paying jobs that don’t require college. The typical entry-level education required for this career is a high school diploma or equivalent. When you’re a general maintenance and repair worker, you’ll be catering to a wide range of customers and performing many different tasks each day. The work usually includes doing things like fixing and maintaining machines or solving any problems related to mechanical equipment and buildings.
If you want to be successful in this line of work, then the key is to focus on refining your skills on the job as much as possible. That’s because when customers are looking for your services, the top factor they prioritize is your experience level. When you hone and sharpen your skills, you can offer more specialized services instead of performing simple tasks that may not pay as much. The good news is that data from The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that the job outlook for this career option is positive since employment is projected to increase by 8% over the 10 years between 2020 and 2030.
Now that you know some of the answers to what are good paying jobs that don’t require college, you’re free to start exploring your career options without having to worry about whether you can afford expensive college fees. You might have heard that job searching without a college degree but it all depends on your strategy.
If you want the best chance at getting a job without a degree, then consider taking initiatives like earning certifications, getting on-the-job training, capitalizing on internships and volunteer opportunities, finding a mentor, networking, and taking online courses. Doing this will help you stand apart even when you’re competing against other job candidates that have a college degree. You should also do as much research as possible if you still need more answers to your question of what are good paying jobs that don’t require college.
