10 jobs and professions that pay very well and don't require a degree or qualification

Choose your path and simply work hard. 

The majority of people have the idea that one has to opt for a degree and higher education soon after high school or college. Many believe and convince others that it is the only viable option to consider. However, this is not the case. No rule states that one has to acquire a degree to earn and have a stable future. One can also opt for a different path as per what's best for them and still succeed. u/Milly-0607 posted asking individuals who haven't got a degree to suggest job titles and career options and the responses provided an assurance that even without a degree, one can excel. Here are 10 creative and unusually surprising jobs that pay well and don't require a degree.

1. Delivery person 

I deliver bread to grocery stores and I made $120k last year working 6-8 hours per day. Healthcare, pension, paid vacation and union representation. It's great work if you can find it. u/ Hot_Frosty0807 I do the same job lmao. Most people don’t know about this. u/NicotineHater69 Local unionized delivery drivers can make sneaky good money. My good (young) childhood friend's dad was a sole provider and was able to provide for a 4 bed/2 bath split level with 4 kids and a stay-at-home mom. u/DemiseofReality

2. Business Analyst 

Business Analyst, make a little over $100k after bonus. The base salary is $85k. Started at a financial company, learned the ropes and moved up. I have lots of opportunities available as well. I’m 37. I’m paid for my opinion for the most part, because I know the process and systems and lots of niche info, I just tried to learn as much as possible to be as valuable as possible to overcome imposter syndrome. u/air-hug-me

3. Oil Field 

Oil field. u/Cool1Mach I second this. I just got back from hauling sand out in the basin best year ever would still be out there if it wasn't for the reduction in force. u/Substantial-cost-702 My husband works 6 months a year and makes over 120k. He said his job is stupidly easy, plus he’s home unless he gets called out. u/FearlessBell1603 The good thing is that the majority of jobs require 0 experience/ no degree and they will train you. u/Cool1Mach

4. Design and Arts 

I am a lighting design manager for art fairs. I run a crew of guys who put up truss systems and lights for big events. I also own a YouTube channel that pays another $10k a year or so! And a T-shirt print shop on the side. I make about $80k between the three. u/SpaceDesignWarehouse

5. Real Estate 

Real estate. Spent my last dime on my license. Last year I did over 120k and I am in my 4th year of RE. Best decision I ever made. u/17laxbro Me and my family's social circle is very blue-collar and little money. I was solo when I started. I first did Resi and killed it. Sold close to 30m in my first two years. Made a lot of money in Resi but commercial RE takes about 2 years before you start seeing the real money. u/17laxbro

6. University administration and related jobs 

An administrative assistant for a Canadian university makes $51 but classification caps out at 61k. u/B2EMO_ _ University/colleges can also be a good option if one wants to pursue additional education as many offer some kind of tuition discount. u/Proof-Emergency-5441 I work in medical education and my director is BIG on continuing professional development. She’s gone over some options that she thinks will be beneficial for my career trajectory and that they’ll be able to find money in the budget to pay for it. u/B2EMO_ _

7. IT sector 

IT senior level $100k+. Never graduated. Learned everything on the job. u/meh2280 I literally just learned everything on the job. Once I have a few years under my belt, I apply for a higher position at another company. Never stayed long enough to get a promotion. It’s the fastest way to get an increase in salary. u/meh2280 The bottom of almost any field is going to pay ass but in tech, you can get up real fast. You just need to have the knowledge and confidence. I went from $15/hr to $100k in 3 years in, the same field. u/pulsefirepikachu

8. Safety official

My older son has been making well over that for several years in public transit as a safety official/accident investigator. He is 33 and started on this particular career track from being a city bus driver about 7 years ago. No college, but he has many certifications that were all paid for by the organizations he has worked for. He is scheduled for another 4-day class soon. All expenses paid, paid time off to attend, and a good per diem for food. u/surfaholic

9. Public sector jobs

One of our neighbors works in waste management, has no college degree and makes about what my son does working with our county at the landfills. He worked up from driving a garbage truck. Our water treatment plant neighbor does as well, no degree. He runs the testing department for the water utility. And given we are in an LCOL area, it is excellent money. He worked into that from working in sewage treatment in maintenance IIRC. u/surfaholic

10. Utility work

Utility work. I’m at a $67,000 base and have grossed $82000 a year to date with OT as a trainee. Company trained, Union position. I’m finishing the last few weeks at my current level and then jump up to about $76,000 base for a few months before I jump up to $80,000 base. If you don’t mind getting dirty and being outside, utility work is where it’s at. u/BlackRobin112