What is a High-Paying, Low-Stress Job with No Degree Required?
Many people who are looking for work believe secondary education is a requirement to earn a good salary and relatively safe career. Fortunately, this is not necessarily a fact. While college and post-secondary education programmes are often an advantage in the job market, there are not approved jobs available for people without a required diploma, certification or degree.
These jobs often entail a lifestyle that is both high-paying, low-stress and rewarding. As many of them require hands-on experience to be successful, people can also develop more specialized skills by working in one of these positions.
High-Paying, Low-Stress Jobs Without a Degree
Below we list some of the top high-paying, low-stress jobs without a degree.
Home Health Care Aides
Home health care aides are in increasingly high demand as the baby boomer generation reaches retirement age. They provide home health care services to clients who need assistance managing everyday tasks such as bathing, dressing, light housekeeping, and meal preparation.
In addition to providing important personal support to clients, these aides can make decent money with no degree required. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, home health aides earned a median annual salary of $25,280 in 2019.
Flight Attendants
Flight attendants today have an array of responsibilities, from attending to passenger comforts, to upholding safety regulations on board, to solving customer issues and serving food and drinks. The job also offers varied hours and access to travel discounts, making this one of the more attractive professions to consider for those without a degree.
As for earning potential, flight attendants can make a median salary of $56,000 per year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Paralegal
Paralegals help attorneys conduct research and prepare legal documents. Because many law firms serve specific niches, such as tax, family or criminal law, it is likely that firms throughout the country are looking for experienced paralegals with excellent communication and research skills. To be successful in this position, you must have excellent writing, communication and organizational skills.
Because Paralegals don’t need a degree, they can often make good money. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for Paralegals in 2019 was $50,940.
Real Estate Agents
Real estate agents are a very important part of the property market, having a major impact on the purchase, sale and rental of homes in the country. Those who work as real estate agents have to have a deep knowledge of their local markets, an understanding of regulations and must be excellent negotiators.
Fortunately, no degree is necessary for this job, and excellent earning potential can be achieved–the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that the median annual salary for a real estate agent in 2019 was $50,300.
Freelance Writing
Freelance writing is becoming an increasingly popular profession for people with excellent writing skills. This could include blog posts, website content, copywriting and more.
As a freelancer, you may be responsible for researching topics, writing appealing materials and marketing them to potential clients. Freelance writing typically requires excellent writing and research skills, determination and effort.
The upside of freelancing is that no degree is necessary and pay can be very good depending upon the individual’s experience and demand for the particular specialty. According to PayScale, the median pay for freelance writers in the United States in 2020 was $27.50 per hour.
Web Developer
Web developers create and maintain websites, software applications and database systems. Although some employers may require a degree, most don’t. Job requirements could involve creating interfaces, database design and other programming-related tasks.
If you have an eye for detail and strong problem-solving skills, you may want to consider a career as a web developer. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, web developers earned a median salary of $69,430 in 2019.
Graphic Designers
Graphic designers create visual layouts for websites, magazines, product packaging, signage, ads and more. Graphic designers must have good communication skills, a knack for problem-solving and creativity.
No degree is typically required, but good experience combined with a solid portfolio of your artwork is essential. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that graphic designers in the US earned a median annual salary of $52,110 in 2019.
Interior Designers
Interior designers help clients design and decorate both residential and commercial spaces. They must have an eye for aesthetics, as well as a knack for problem-solving and communication. In some cases, a degree may be necessary, but depending on the job and the firm, no degree is required.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for interior designers in the US was $56,040 in 2019.
Ultimately, a wide range of high-paying, low-stress jobs exist that don’t require a degree – from freelance writing to web developing to home health care aides. With some determination and hard work, you can identify career opportunities that suit your skills jointly with your lifestyle goals. Good luck in your search!
