Jobs That Pay $35 an Hour Without a Degree: Most of the jobs that pay a lot of money don’t always require you to go to college, except for jobs in the medical field. You can get well-paying jobs in various areas like fashion design or computing without having a degree. So, you don’t always need to go to college to land a high-paying job
I made this list of jobs that pay $35 per hour without needing a degree by looking at three main things: how many of these jobs don’t require a degree, what qualifications you need for the work, and how much you can earn per hour on average.
I got all the salary information from trustworthy sources like PayScale, wage.com, and the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. To find out how many job offers don’t require a degree, I used LinkedIn and special search methods.
Keep in mind that the pay for these jobs can change a lot depending on your experience, where you live, and other things. The numbers I’m giving you are just the average amounts for these jobs in the United States.
Also read: 25 Jobs That Pay $50 an Hour Without a Degree
Is It Possible to Get a Job Without a Degree?
You can get a job without a degree, but it might be tougher for certain positions. If a job listing says you need a specific degree, you’ll have to show the employer that you’re still the right person for the job. You can talk about your skills and work experience to make up for not having a degree. It’s important to highlight these things in your cover letter, resume, or during the interview.
These are Jobs That Pay $35 an Hour Without a Degree:
- Managing power distributors And dispatchers
- operating lighting systems.
- Cyber security analyst
- Stockbroker
- Data scientist
- Product manager
- Software engineer
- Accountant
- Technical writer
- Business operations manager
- Business consultant
- Fashion designer
- Film director
- Web developer/Web designer
- Data analyst
- Flight attendant
- Business analyst
1. Managing power distributors And dispatchers
Average pay: $35.00 per hour
Job responsibilities: Dispatchers and power distributors take care of the machines that provide energy to people. They work not only in power plants but also in different industries like government, railroads, and transportation.
To keep linemen safe during emergencies or maintenance, distributors, and dispatchers redirect electricity. They also switch on extra power generators when there’s a high energy demand.
Qualifications for the job: To join the training program to become power distributors or dispatchers, employers look for high school graduates who are good at math and technical stuff. Those with associate’s or vocational degrees might have better chances for advancement.
For operators of nuclear power plants, they need to pass a licensure exam and undergo more extensive training.
2. operating lighting systems.
Average pay: $35.80 per hour
Job responsibilities: Lighting experts handle the setup of lights and equipment for events like plays, concerts, cruise ships, TV shows, and churches. The job often involves dealing with large, heavy equipment placed at heights and moving it around. During events, these specialists also operate lightboards and are responsible for setting up, taking down, and transporting the equipment.
Many lighting technician roles are temporary, and the availability of work depends on the team and location. Most of the work happens during nights and weekends. Usually, when you take on a job, your expenses like food and accommodation are covered. [17 Jobs That Pay $35 an Hour Without a Degree]
Qualifications for the job: To learn what a lighting technician does, you can take classes in technical theater or shop. Volunteering at your local community playhouse is a great way to begin.
Starting out, newbies in the lighting field can work as stagehands, production assistants, or assistant lighting technicians to gain experience.
3. Cyber security analyst
Average pay: $35.00 per hour
Job responsibilities: Cybersecurity analysts have an important job. They watch over and protect computer networks and systems from theft, unauthorized use, and access. Sometimes, they investigate and figure out why there was a security problem. They also work on getting back any lost information.
Qualifications for the job: To be a cybersecurity analyst, you need special certifications. Some examples are CompTIA Security+, CISA, and CEH. Even though many cybersecurity experts have a college degree, most employers (65.1%) don’t insist on it.
4. Stockbroker
Average pay: $35.00 per hour
Job responsibilities: Stockbrokers help individuals and businesses buy and sell stocks and other investments. They look at their clients’ money goals and the options for investing, then give advice on what to invest in. Being good with finances and having good people skills and communication are important for this job.
Qualifications for the job: To become a stockbroker, you have to take tests like the Series 7 and Series 63 exams to get a license. Even though a few jobs might ask for a degree, most don’t need one for stockbrokers. Depending on the kind of job you want, you might also need to take other tests like Series 6, Series 3, or Series 65. [17 Jobs That Pay $35 an Hour Without a Degree]
5. Data scientist
Average pay: $35.00 per hour
Job responsibilities: Data scientists are the ones who create new ways to collect and understand information. They work with data analysts to organize and make sense of data for business decisions. In this job, it’s really important to be good at statistics, math, and dealing with numbers.
Qualifications for the job: Usually, you need a master’s or bachelor’s degree to be a data scientist, but there are other ways to begin without one. Focus on getting hands-on experience, putting together a collection of finished projects, and getting a data science certification from places like IBM’s Data Science Professional Certificate.
Also read: How to become a Counselor Without a College Degree? (6 Secret Steps)
6. Product manager
Average pay: $35.00 per hour
Job responsibilities: Product managers are the ones who make sure new products are created and launched successfully. They work with different teams to figure out what the product needs, create plans to introduce it, and understand what customers want. After the product is out, they keep an eye on how well it’s doing and make sure it’s adding value to the company.
Qualifications for the job: If you don’t have a degree, you can still become a certified product manager. The Association of International Product Marketing & Management (AIPMM) has two important exams for this: the Certified Product Manager (CPM) exam and the Certified Product Marketing Manager (CPMM) exam. [17 Jobs That Pay $35 an Hour Without a Degree]
7. Software engineer
Average pay: $35.00 per hour
Job responsibilities: Software developers are the ones who make, test, and design computer programs. They work with teams to create new applications or add new features to existing ones. To do this job, you need to be good at analytics and solving problems.
Qualifications for the job: You don’t usually need a college degree or certifications to become a software engineer. But, employers like it when you have a portfolio of finished projects and actual experience. So, focus on improving your skills by taking part in coding competitions, hackathons, and making small apps.
8. Accountant
Average pay: $35.00 per hour
Job responsibilities: Accountants are the ones who keep track of and organize financial transactions. Sometimes, they also have to check things carefully, like doing financial audits, making sure everything follows the money rules, and giving tax advice to people and businesses.
Qualifications for the job: To be a regular accountant, you don’t usually need an accounting degree. But, if you want to be a certified public accountant (CPA), you must pass the CPA exam and have an accounting bachelor’s degree. So, if you don’t have an accounting degree, you might have fewer job options. Still, around half of the accounting jobs don’t need a degree.
9. Technical writer
Average pay: $35.00 per hour
Job responsibilities: Technical writers are the ones who write, edit, and check technical documents. These documents can be things like instructions for setting up, plans for how something should be made, or guides for users. They need to work with experts to get the right information and know how to explain complicated technical stuff in a way that’s easy to understand. [17 Jobs That Pay $35 an Hour Without a Degree]
Qualifications for the job: Technical writers write about lots of different things, and for some jobs, you might need experience in technical areas like engineering or development. While some technical writing jobs need degrees, they only make up a small part of all the jobs available.
10. Business operations manager
Average pay: $35.00 per hour
Job responsibilities: Business operations managers are in charge of making sure a company runs well. They come up with plans to save money and make things work better, handle budgets, and oversee everyday activities.
Qualifications for the job: Every business operations manager needs to handle people, communicate well, and know about how businesses work. Many companies prefer to hire people who have worked in a similar job before, but you don’t usually need a degree for this role.
11. Business consultant
Average pay: $35.00 per hour
Job responsibilities: Business consultants help companies with different things like marketing, operations, and finance. They work with clients to figure out and solve problems, make improvements, and increase profits. Sometimes, they are also responsible for creating and implementing new systems or ways of doing business.
Qualifications for the job: Business consultants need to know a lot about how businesses and management work. Many companies like to hire consultants who have a few years of experience in a similar role, even though having a degree is not a must. There are also some certification tests available, like the Small Business Consultant Certification and the Certified Business Consultant (CBC). [17 Jobs That Pay $35 an Hour Without a Degree]
12. Fashion designer
Average pay: $35.00 per hour
Job responsibilities: Fashion designers pick fabrics, colors, and materials for their clothing lines and oversee the making process. They often work with manufacturers to bring their ideas to the market, and they need to create designs that are not only stylish but also practical.
Qualifications for the job: The key to being a successful fashion designer is having an amazing collection of your past designs. While some fashion designers go to school, many successful ones haven’t, and lots of them teach themselves. It’s also helpful to be good at talking with people, marketing your work, and understanding how business works.
13. Film director
Average pay: $35.00 per hour
Job responsibilities: Film directors are like the captains of a movie. They decide how the movie should look and work, taking charge of everything from the beginning idea to working with writers, producers, and the rest of the team during the actual filming.
Qualifications for the job: When it comes to becoming a film director, your portfolio is the key. Even though there are degrees in filmmaking, many successful directors haven’t gone that route. What really matters is having a strong collection of your past work, including short films or other videos that you can show to people who might hire you. [17 Jobs That Pay $35 an Hour Without a Degree]
14. Web developer/Web designer
Average pay: $35.00 per hour
Job responsibilities: Website development and design fall under the purview of web developers. Front-end web developers are in charge of the appearance, feel, and usability of websites, whereas back-end developers are in charge of their functionality.
Qualifications for the job: To get a job as a web developer, companies usually want people who have actual hands-on experience with building web applications and using development frameworks. While having a degree in computer science or something similar can give you the theoretical knowledge, what really matters to most employers are your skills. That’s why only a very few web developer jobs require applicants to have a degree.
15. Data analyst
Average pay: $35.00 per hour
Job responsibilities: Data analysts look at information and use what they find to make things work better. They might handle reporting, analyze statistics, and dig into data to find valuable insights. Depending on the job, they might also help others understand the results of projects that use data or create visual representations of data.
Qualifications for the job: Usually, companies prefer people with a degree, but if you’re really good at working with data and have a lot of experience, they might hire you even without one. To get the best-paying jobs, you might need several years of experience as a data analyst or a lot of skill using a specific data analysis tool or program.
16. Flight attendant
Average pay: $35.00 per hour
Job responsibilities: Flight attendants take care of passengers on airplanes, making sure they are comfortable and safe. They welcome passengers, provide flight details, and sell food and drinks. Their job can involve long hours, including weekends and overnight shifts. They need to stay calm and effective, especially in challenging situations. [17 Jobs That Pay $35 an Hour Without a Degree]
Qualifications for the job: You don’t usually need a degree to be a flight attendant, but you should finish high school or have an equivalent qualification. Most airlines require you to go through security and medical checks, have a valid passport, and be at least eighteen years old. Since many airlines have flights to different countries, it’s important to be good at languages too.
17. Business analyst
Average pay: $35.00 per hour
Job responsibilities: A business analyst is someone who helps make businesses work better. They do this by coming up with and putting into action new ways of doing things or by improving the ones already in place. Business analysts need to know a lot about how businesses operate and be good at explaining complex ideas to the people involved.
Qualifications for the job: Usually, you need a degree in business administration, engineering, or something similar to be a business analyst. But if you have enough experience and know-how, many companies are willing to hire you even without a degree. To do well in this field, focus on getting better at what you do as a business analyst.
Conclusion
In summary, you don’t always need a college degree for many high-paying jobs, except for jobs in medicine. This list shows different jobs, like fashion designers and cybersecurity analysts, where you can earn $35 per hour without a degree. I collected information from reliable sources like PayScale, wage.com, and the US Bureau of Labor Statistics to create this list. [17 Jobs That Pay $35 an Hour Without a Degree]
If you want to be a flight attendant, business analyst, or power distribution manager, you can go for these opportunities without a regular college degree. Keep in mind that your pay can be influenced by things like the industry you’re in, where you work, and how much experience you have. The main purpose of this information is to give you ideas about different paths to get well-paying jobs without a degree.
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