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Best Companies that Hire Without a Degree
DoorDash
Earn $25 per hour plus keep 100% of your tips (4000 cities in USA)
You can use any mode of transportation: your car, bicycle or motorcycle
You have the freedom to pick and choose which orders you want to accept
Grubhub
Make around $12 per hour + tips and create your own flexible schedule
No resume, interview or delivery experience required, and no dress code
Cash your earnings out up to $500 a day (free for Chase Bank customers)
11 Jobs Without a Degree
Driver
(Earn up to $25 per hour driving with DoorDash)
DoorDash Summary
- Choose your own flexible working hours
- Earn $25 per hour during peaks
- Get $150 when you refer a friend to join
- You get to keep 100% of all tips
You can make money by driving your car for different reasons. For starters, you can drive passengers through a ridesharing app like Uber or Lyft. These two only take on cars that are newer models have four doors and pass certain state parameters.
If your car can’t meet these strict requirements, you can try out food delivery services like Doordash. The door-to-door delivery company only requires you to be above 18, and with a clean driving record.
Other ways you can make money as a driver today include renting your car out with apps like Turo and Getaround. You can also drive senior citizens and young people under companies like ElderCare.com or help people change houses with Dolly.
Most drivers for companies like these usually do it when they want. There are no restrictions on what time you need to show up for work. All you have to do is alert the app that you are available, and you’ll start receiving driver requests. Drivers need to have a driver’s license and the ability to navigate places off-head or using GPS systems.
How much can you earn as a driver?
Passenger drivers typically earn on average $15 per hour while delivery drivers and couriers earn $20 per hour.
Driver pros
- Quick and regular payments (up to daily payments for some platforms)
- Flexible work schedule
- Easy to start
Driver cons
- Some days have slow business
- Long working hours can make you sedentary
Business Owner
(Earn $55,559 per year on average as a business owner)
Most business owners will agree that running a business is no walk in the park. It requires a strong work ethic, resilience, and tolerance to ambiguity. Nonetheless, the rewards are worth the effort, making it one of the best jobs you can have without a degree.
Being a business owner is one of the most glamorous things in any economy. It gives you a better shot at financial freedom. On top of that, most people find it fulfilling to have the authority to make business decisions yourself.
You can be profitable whether your business is large or small. From sole professionals that offer consultancy services to large restaurants employing hundreds of people, the possibilities are limitless. The most important thing is to identify a gap in the market and serve their needs as best as you can.
How much can you earn as a business owner?
Your average earnings as a business owner will depend on the type and size of your business. In the US, the average annual income of business owners is around $55,559 per year.
Business owner pros
- Offers creative freedom
- You decide your work-life balance
- Opportunity to get higher rewards from taking higher risks
Business owner cons
- Uncertainty of business growth
- Long working hours, especially in the beginning
Computer Programmer
Computer programmers develop, design, and test computer software. The popularity of computer programming has sky-rocketed in the last decade.
Large corporations, including Google, have invested millions of dollars in pushing free knowledge to those that want to code. In addition, open-source code has de-mystified some computing concepts meaning anyone can be a computer programmer.
If you don’t have a degree you can still earn money as a computer programmer. You need to have proficiency in at least one computing language as well as the ability to develop plans for writing and modifying code.
Many companies are outsourcing programming talent that can build custom apps and proprietary software. If you have a rich portfolio behind you, you can kick-start your career as a freelance computer programmer on sites like Upwork and Fiverr.
How much can you earn as a computer programmer?
In the US, the median salary for computer programmers is $86,550 per year. Entry-level freelance programmers make about $58,000 a year.
Computer programmer pros
- Wide range of job prospects
- Doesn’t require heavy investment to get started
- Relatively high pay
Computer programmer cons
- Some programming jobs are increasingly being outsourced to low-income countries
- Long working hours on a computer screen can lead to health problems in the long term
Electrician
(Take home an average salary of around $59,000)
Electricians are one of those people that society can’t do without. To become an electrician, you only need knowledge in electrical wiring of things like buildings, transmission lines, and other equipment. If this interests you, start by applying for an apprenticeship.
Many of the apprenticeships require 144 hours of classwork and 2000 hours of hands-on training for one to become a licensed electrician. You will then need to study and apply for the state electrician test.
How much can you earn as a electrician?
Although earnings vary by state, the average annual income of an electrician in the United States is around $59,000.
Electrician pros
- Pay is higher than the average annual salary of other jobs that you can do without a degree
- Earn while you learn
- Opportunities for self-employment
Electrician cons
- Apprenticeships take long
- Many occupational hazards and health risks involved
Medical Assistant
(Earn around $36,920 per year)
Medical assistants help doctors, physicians, and surgeons to perform administrative and clinical tasks. They may prepare examination rooms to maintain patient records and even help with some minor medical procedures.
You don’t need a strong medical background to become a medical assistant, although some clinical knowledge is required. Good medical assistants are empathetic, have good interpersonal skills, and can multitask.
How much can you earn as a medical assistant?
Wages of medical assistants vary according to industry. But on average, medical assistants earn about $36,920 a year.
Medical assistant pros
• An excellent way to jump-start a professional medical career
• Takes a short time to gain expertise
• Variety of skills that you can learn from the job
Medical assistant cons
- Relatively low salary
- Uncertain work schedule due to shift work nature of the job
Flight Attendant
(Average annual salary of $78,693)
Flight attendants cater to the hospitality needs of passengers on a plane. They demonstrate emergency procedures, serve food and beverages, and do safety checks before take-off and landing.
To be an effective flight attendant, you need to pay attention to detail, manage your emotional state of mind, and have great communication skills and physical stamina.
How much can you earn as a flight attendant?
Flight attendants earn an average of $78,693 per year, making it one of the best-paying jobs that you can get without a degree.
Flight attendant pros
- Exposure to different countries and cultures
- Ever-changing routine
- Paid hotel stays
Flight attendant cons
- Always have to be on stand-by call
- Starting salary is usually very low
- Always away from home
Physical Therapist Aide
Physical therapy aides help physical therapists in their day-to-day duties. These tasks range from moving patients into treatment areas, preparing equipment, and clerical tasks like managing customer appointments.
Since they deal with patients, physical therapist aides need to have empathy, self-motivation, and the ability to follow instructions with minimal supervision.
How much can you earn as a physical therapist aide?
Physical therapist aides earn an average annual salary of $27,000.
Physical therapist aide pros
- Few barriers of entry
- Sense of fulfillment from helping others
- Opportunity for job growth
Physical therapist aide cons
- Relatively low-paying
- Long working hours
Aesthetician and Skincare Specialist
(Earn an average annual salary of around $34,090)
An aesthetician or skin care specialist is a non-medical worker that carries out cosmetic treatment of the skin. From waxing, body scrubbing, facial treatment to makeup, these specialists focus on procedures that beautify the skin.
Aestheticians usually need to undergo a short aesthetician or cosmetology program to grasp the basic skills of the job. To thrive at the job, you need good interpersonal skills, patience, attention to detail, and physical stamina since you’ll spend plenty of time on your feet.
How much can you earn as an aesthetician or skin care specialist?
Aestheticians and skincare specialists earn around $34,090 a year.
Aesthetician or skin care specialist pros
- Easy to find a job
- Short training period
- Flexible schedules
- Satisfying to see happy clients
Aesthetician or skin care specialist cons
- Low salary
- Economic downturns make business extremely slow as people avoid luxury services
Massage Therapist
(Earn up to $69,000 per year as an experienced massage therapist)
A massage therapist is a specialist that treats people by using touch on the body. Therapy works by relieving muscle pain, increasing blood circulation, reducing stress, and healing injuries on the body.
Massage therapists may be trained on the job or take a certified course in massage therapy. Effective massage therapists are sensitive, good listeners who can work well with their hands.
How much can you earn as a massage therapist?
Massage therapists take home an average annual salary of $53,315, with top earners making close to $69,000 a year.
Massage therapist pros
- Flexible working hours
- Convenient work environment if you are mobile
- Easy to get started
Massage therapist cons
- The physical toll on your hands and body
- Can sometimes be emotionally demanding
Plumber
(Earn around $55,160 per year on average)
Plumbers install, fix and maintain pipes and supply channels for water, gas, and sanitation systems. Plumbing is a specialized practice that takes quite some time to master.
Plumbers must be good with mechanical tools and knowledgeable about modern new plumbing trends such as digital leak-monitoring systems and greywater recycling systems.
How much can you earn as a plumber?
In the United States, plumbers earn an average of $55,160 a year.
Plumber pros
- Different plumbing systems bring job variety
- High demand for skilled plumbers
- Job security as plumbing will not get outdated any time soon
- Ability to be self-employed
Plumber cons
- Physically demanding job
- Apprenticeships take years
- Workplace occupational risks like asbestos, lead, biohazard chemicals
Construction Manager
A construction manager oversees the building process of a project from start to finish. Construction managers are responsible for sourcing the right subcontractor, drawing up work schedules, developing project budgets, and supervise and ensure safety at the construction site.
Some of the skills required include excellent communication, good planning, problem-solving, and adequate construction knowledge.
How much can you earn as a construction manager?
The average annual wage for construction managers is $95,260, although top earners can earn up to and over $126,040 per year.
Construction manager pros
- Attractive salary
- Job variety
- Job security
Construction manager cons
- Long working hours
- High-stress work environment
How Can I Make $100,000 A Year Without A Degree?
Many jobs in America can rake in $100,000 without a degree. The best plan is to follow the steps of a professional, specialist, or entrepreneur that is already making 6 figures a year.
This can be done under an apprenticeship or mentorship relationship with such a person. That being said, some of the jobs that bring in $100,000 a year or more include construction managers, small business owners, and computer programmers.
It is also important to note that your salary will tend to increase over time as you gain more experience in a particular field. Thus, look for a job with good career progression and stick with it. Eventually, if you are good at your job, you can easily earn more than $100,000 per year.
What Job Makes the Most Money with the Least Education?
As far as this list goes, computer programmers make the most money with the least education. This job has few barriers to entry. However, it requires you to invest hours into learning programming languages and working on volunteer projects to build an attractive portfolio.
