If you’re ready to start earning without spending years in school, there are many careers out there for you! Many high school students believe that you have to have a college degree to be successful, but that doesn’t have to be the case. So if you don’t want to deal with student loans or just don’t think college is the right fit, here are six jobs that pay well and prove that you can have success without a degree.
- Real Estate Agent/Broker – a licensed professional who helps clients buy, sell, and rent properties
Real estate brokers typically have a median annual wage of $72,280 as of May 2024. You can earn commissions, meet new people, and enjoy flexible hours. You don’t need a college degree; just a license and the right skills. Khloe Kardashian hasn’t attended college for real estate, yet invests in realty.
- Commercial Pilot – airline and commercial pilots fly and navigate airplanes, helicopters, and other aircraft
Commercial pilots have a median annual salary of $122,670 as of May 2024. To become a commercial pilot, you need flight training, and you have to meet FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) requirements. John Travolta is a licensed pilot and has incorporated his skills in aviation in various films.
- Software Developer – software developers design computer applications or programs
The median annual wage for software developers in May of 2024 was $133,080. They often work in teams alongside other software developers or quality assurance analysts. Mark Zuckerberg dropped out of Harvard to create Facebook, which is now a trillion-dollar company.
- Politician – a person who works in government or runs for public office to represent the people and make decisions that affect their community
Members of the U.S. Congress have an average salary of $174,000 per year. As a politician, you can make a difference in your community, earn a good salary, and develop leadership skills that matter more than a degree. Harry S. Truman became President of the United States without a college degree.
- Actor/Screenwriter – actors express ideas and portray characters in theater, film, television, and other performing arts media
The average annual salary for actors in 2023 was approximately $65,000. This career gives you creative freedom, a chance at fame, and if you are talented in this career, you can make a living doing something you love. College isn’t required because networking and skills matter more in this field. Jennifer Lawrence is a famous Hollywood actress who is successful without completing college.
- Author – writers and authors publish books and other written content for different types of media
In 2023, the average annual salary for authors was $63,000. J.K. Rowling wrote the Harry Potter series, which is renowned worldwide, without a writing degree. With this career, you can work from anywhere, tell your own stories, and earn a lot of money if you’re successful with it. You can be an author with no degree and just practice and persistence.
To wrap it up, having a college degree isn’t the only way to be successful. As seen by these job examples, if you work hard and follow your passions, you can make good money and have a career you love to do. Ultimately, success isn’t about a diploma but rather the drive and passion you put into life.
Salary estimates are based on data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (www.bls.gov), 2024.
