30 Jobs You Can Get Without a College Degree

People who want good jobs without a degree, career changers, recent school leavers, and parents or mentors helping someone pick a practical path.

Table of Content

1. How to Use This Guide
2. Research Snapshot (why this topic matters)
3. Skills-First Hiring: What Recruiters Look For
4. Construction & Clean Energy Careers
5. Healthcare Support Careers
6. Tech & Digital Careers
7. Transportation & Logistics Careers
8. Business, Sales & Office Careers
9. Creative, Food, and Protective Service Careers
10. Pay, Outlook, and Openings: What the Data Says
11. Apprenticeships & Short Credentials That Move the Needle
12. Salary Myths to Drop
13. Practical Steps to Get Hired (No Degree Needed)
14. Case Notes from Hiring Managers
15. Ethics & Equity
16. FAQs

How to Use This Guide

• Scan the job lists by field.

• Note entry routes (apprenticeship, certificate, on-the-job training).

• Save the first steps under each job and start this week.

Research Snapshot (why this topic matters)

Employers worldwide say skills matter. National labor data shows many solid careers that start with a high school diploma or certificate and build from apprenticeship or short training.

In the United States, skilled trades, transportation, protective services, healthcare support, and sales all include roles where hands-on training beats degrees. 

The U.S. Department of Labor promotes Registered Apprenticeships because they let you earn while you learn, and completions lead to higher wages and stable careers.

Global policy groups push lifelong learning and technical and vocational education (TVET) to help people move into decent work. Their research supports flexible learning pathways, industry certificates, and quality apprenticeships as reliable ways into the labor market for youth and adults.

Skills-First Hiring: What Recruiters Look For

• Proof you can do the work: portfolio, demo task, trial shift, skills test

• Industry cards or licenses (e.g., EPA 608 for handling refrigerants)

• Work ethic: punctuality, safety habits, teamwork

• Communication with clients or crew leaders

• Reliable references from teachers, foremen, or past clients

For HVAC techs who handle refrigerants, EPA Section 608 certification is required in the U.S.

Construction & Clean Energy Careers

1) Electrician

Typical path: Apprenticeship with a licensed contractor or union; classroom + paid on-site hours.

Outlook: steady demand tied to building, retrofits, EV chargers, and solar tie-ins.

First step: Apply to a local

Registered Apprenticeship program; bring a clean driving record and be ready for an aptitude test.

2) Plumber, Pipefitter, Steamfitter

Typical path: Apprenticeship; strong emphasis on codes and safety.

Why it’s solid: Water, gas, and heating lines need installation and service in every region.

Pay & outlook: See official occupation profiles for up-to-date figures and state charts.

First step: Ask local contractors about openings and pre-apprenticeship math refreshers.

3) HVAC/R Technician

Typical path: Trade school or entry-level helper → EPA 608 → field experience; many employers train.

Pay & outlook: Growth from building performance, heat pumps, and indoor air quality.

First step: Book the EPA 608 exam; prepare with practice quizzes.

4) Carpenter

Typical path: Entry as a helper; union or open-shop apprenticeship; cabinet, framing, or finish track.

Outlook: ~4% growth 2024–34.

First step: Build a simple portfolio—photos of projects, measurements, and joinery notes.

5) Welder

Typical path: Short welding course + AWS test; many employers train on their process.

First step: Practice flat, horizontal, vertical beads on scrap; schedule a plate test.

6) Industrial Machinery Mechanic (Maintenance Tech/Millwright)

Typical path: Plant helper → maintenance trainee → machinery diagnosis (hydraulics, pneumatics, PLC basics).

Outlook: ~13% growth 2024–34.

First step: Learn precision measuring, bearings, alignment, and preventive maintenance logs.

7) Elevator & Escalator Installer/Repairer

Typical path: Highly selective apprenticeship; strong electrical and mechanical skills.

Outlook: faster than average.

First step: Prepare for math and mechanical reasoning tests; keep a clean safety record.

8) Solar Photovoltaic Installer

Typical path: Roofer or electrician helper → solar mounting and wiring; NABCEP entry cert helps.

Why it’s growing: Residential and commercial installs, battery storage, and grid upgrades.

First step: Volunteer on a community solar day or join an entry crew.

9) Wind Turbine Technician

Typical path: Specialty certificate or military experience; comfortable with heights and travel.

Why it stands out: Fast growth in utility-scale wind.

First step: Physical conditioning and safety training for climbs; look for entry tech postings near wind farms.

Healthcare Support Careers

10) Medical Assistant

Typical path: Short program or on-the-job training; certification improves pay.

Pay & outlook: Growing with outpatient clinics and primary care teams.

First step: Shadow a clinic; ask about externships.

11) Dental Assistant

Typical path: Program or chairside training; radiography credential common.

Pay & outlook: Consistent demand in general and specialty practices.

First step: Contact local dental offices about trainee roles.

12) Phlebotomist

Typical path: Short certificate; lab or hospital setting.

Pay & outlook: Frequent openings across hospitals, blood centers, and diagnostics.

First step: Practice vein selection on training arms; book a certification exam.

13) EMT / Paramedic

Typical path: EMT-Basic course → field hours; Paramedic is longer and deeper.

Pay & outlook: Community need across urban and rural services.

First step: Enroll in an EMT course; maintain fitness for lifts and long shifts.

14) Pharmacy Technician

Typical path: Employer training plus exam; chain pharmacies hire entry workers.

Pay & outlook: Roles in retail, hospital, mail order.

First step: Prepare for PTCB; set up supervised practice with a local pharmacy.

15) Home Health & Personal Care Aide

Typical path: Short employer training; certifications vary by state.

Why it’s steady: Aging population and home-based care growth.

First step: Apply with reputable agencies; ask about paid training and client matching.

Tech & Digital Careers

16) Computer User Support Specialist (Help Desk)

Typical path: Self-study + A+/Network+ style certificates; strong people skills.

Why it works without a degree: Many employers test skills and hire from ticketing system or service desk experience.

First step: Build a home lab; contribute to open help forums; log fixes.

17) Network Support Specialist (Entry)

Typical path: Help Desk → junior network tech with CompTIA/CCNA level study.

Employer ask: Troubleshoot switches, Wi-Fi, and endpoint issues; write clear tickets.

First step: Practice subnetting and VLANs; document lab configs.

18) Web Developer / Digital Designer (Front-End)

Typical path: Portfolio from bootcamps or self-taught route; small freelance gigs lead to full-time.

Note: Some employers prefer degrees; strong portfolios still open doors.

First step: Ship three small sites with clean code and accessibility checks.

Transportation & Logistics Careers

19) Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver (CDL)

Typical path: CDL school or company training; drug test and medical card required.

Outlook: about as fast as average with large annual openings.

First step: Price local CDL schools; compare placement rates.

20) Delivery / Light Truck Driver

Typical path: Standard license; route work for parcel, food, or local freight.

First step: Start as a helper; learn scanning and route management.

21) Hand Laborer / Material Mover (Warehouse)

Typical path: Entry role with clear ladder to forklift or lead.

First step: Ask for PIT training (forklift); track pick rates safely.

22) Material Moving Machine Operator (Forklift/Crane)

Typical path: Employer certification; focus on safety and checks.

First step: Complete OSHA-style forklift training through your employer.

23) Postal Service Worker

Typical path: Apply to USPS; pass postal exam; union benefits and routes by seniority.

Outlook: shrinking headcount, still many openings from retirements.

First step: Create a USPS careers profile and set job alerts.

Business, Sales & Office Careers

24) Secretaries & Administrative Assistants

Typical path: Office junior → admin assistant → executive admin or coordinator.

First step: Practice calendar, travel, and expense tasks in Google Workspace or Microsoft 365.

25) Bookkeeping, Accounting & Auditing Clerks

Typical path: Some college courses help; many start as AP/AR clerks.

First step: Learn double-entry basics; build a sample ledger and reconciliation.

26) Sales Representative (Wholesale & Manufacturing, Non-Technical)

Typical path: Territory trainee → account executive; pay often mixes base + commission.

Why it works: Clear paths from retail or service into B2B roles with training.

First step: Build product knowledge; track calls and demos in a simple CRM.

27) Real Estate Sales Agent

Typical path: State pre-licensing course + exam; join a brokerage for field training.

What to expect: Licensing and pay structures vary by state and market.

First step: Attend an open house; ask a broker about mentorship programs.

Creative, Food, and Protective Service Careers

28) Chef / Head Cook

Typical path: Line cook → station lead → sous chef → head cook; culinary school helps but is not required.

What to know: Pay varies by setting; hotels and high-volume kitchens differ from small restaurants.

First step: Stage (trial shift) at a kitchen; learn knife skills and sanitation.

29) Baker

Typical path: Early-morning production; artisan or commercial bakery routes; employer training common.

What to know: Repetition builds consistency; early shifts are normal.

First step: Practice lean dough and enriched dough at home; document process.

30) Security Guard

Typical path: State guard card; employer-led site training; clear incident reporting.

2024 median pay: $38,370; casino surveillance roles pay more.

First step: Apply for the state license; practice radio logs and post orders.

Pay, Outlook, and Openings: What the Data Says

• Construction and extraction roles pay above the national median across all occupations. Skilled paths with apprenticeship culture offer clear ladders.

• Transportation and material moving shows steady growth with extensive annual openings from both growth and replacements.

• Protective service pay sits near the national median, with structured steps into supervision.

Apprenticeships & Short Credentials That Move the Needle

• Registered Apprenticeship = paid training, wage increases, national credential. Wage gains for completers are widely reported.

• EPA 608 for HVAC refrigerants.

• CDL for heavy trucks; many employers sponsor training.

• Healthcare support licenses for EMTs, phlebotomists, pharmacy techs vary by state; official profiles outline the steps.

• Web & IT: employer-recognized certificates and portfolios open doors for support and front-end roles.

Salary Myths to Drop

Myth: “No degree means low pay.”

• Reality: Trades like elevator repair and many industrial maintenance roles report median pay above national averages and clear overtime options.

Myth: “Warehousing has no growth.”

• Reality: Entry jobs can lead to machine operator roles, with higher pay after employer certification.

Practical Steps to Get Hired (No Degree Needed)

Build Real Proof

• Keep a skills log: projects, tools used, safety steps, and results.

• Share a portfolio: jobsite photos, wiring diagrams, cabinet installs, or a GitHub for tech.

• Ask supervisors for one-paragraph references after each project.

Target Employers Who Hire Skills-First

• Union halls and contractors for trades.

• Hospitals, clinics, and labs for healthcare support.

• Carriers and 3PLs for transport and warehouse roles.

• Local agencies and postal services for public roles.

• Small businesses for admin, bookkeeping, and sales.

Ace the Interview

• Bring a task sheet listing the equipment, software, or procedures you know.

• Tell one STAR story: situation, task, action, result—short and concrete.

• Plan a safety story for trades and transport.

• Ask for a paid trial day if the employer uses them.

Case Notes from Hiring Managers

• Trades: Applicants who show up on time with PPE, ask smart safety questions, and volunteer for cleanup get called back.

• Healthcare support: Reliability and calm bedside manner outweigh grades; managers watch how you speak to patients during clinicals.

• Help Desk: A small home lab and a simple write-up that explains a fix in plain English often beats a long resume.

Ethics & Equity

• Seek employers who post clear pay ranges and support training.

• Ask about apprentice wage steps and overtime rules.

• For shift work, talk through sleep, commuting, and family schedules before you accept.

FAQs

1) Can I move into management without a degree?

Yes. Many supervisors in trades, transport, and warehousing started as helpers or operators. Document results, take short leadership courses, and volunteer to train new hires.

2) Which certificates give the fastest bump in pay?

For trades: EPA 608 (HVAC), OSHA-style safety cards, and specific welding tests. For transport: CDL. For IT: A+/Network+ or an entry cloud certificate plus a portfolio.

3) Are there jobs that start at night or weekends if I’m studying in the day?

Yes. Bakeries, healthcare support, security, warehousing, and delivery all run off-hours shifts. Check official job profiles for schedules common to each role.

4) What if I want remote work?

Look at Help Desk, junior web work, bookkeeping, and some customer support roles. Employers often test skills first.

5) How do I know if an apprenticeship is legitimate?

Use your country’s official apprenticeship registry or labor office. Confirm the sponsor, wage steps, and classroom hours.