Three In-Demand Career Paths that Don’t Require a College Degree

A four year college degree, although needed for many fields, is not required to have a good-paying career.   

Your educational path should be determined by what you want to do with that education. 

Want to work with your hands? Have a gift for persuasion? Do friends and family come to you with their tech problems?  

Here are three career paths to consider that don’t require a four-year degree.

Skilled tradespeople touch our lives every day, from the HVAC technician who’s fixing the air conditioner, to the plumber unclogging the drain, to the diesel mechanic getting a long haul trucker, also a skilled trade, back on the road.   

1. Skilled Trades

These trades are in demand, and yet, the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) reported that “despite rising salaries, the skilled-labor shortage is getting worse.” 

“According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are more than 7 million jobs available across the country, the majority of which don’t require a four-year degree,” states the website for the Mike Rowe Works Foundation. The foundation strives to communicate the importance of the skilled trades and has a yearly scholarship program for those pursuing specific trades. 

Construction and Extraction Occupations: Occupational Outlook Handbook: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (bls.gov)

Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations: Occupational Outlook Handbook: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (bls.gov)

Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers: Occupational Outlook Handbook: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (bls.gov)

2. Technology

We see technology rapidly increasing around us, so it makes sense that computer and technology-driven jobs are also growing rapidly.

Many tech jobs don’t require a four-year college degree. Some may need a two-year degree or high school completion, plus a specific certification program the employer may pay for as part of employment. 

One example is Computer Support Specialists. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Many computer support specialists advance to other information technology positions, such as information security analysts, network and computer systems administrators, and software developers.”

This is an example of a positive career trajectory, which is a vital component of financial stability and security. 

To learn more about how your career affects your financial future, see Your Career Is a Path to Financial Security.

Computer Support Specialists: Occupational Outlook Handbook: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (bls.gov). 

3. Sales 

If you’re naturally persuasive, outgoing, and enjoy talking to people, a career in sales might be for you.

Sales positions are often commission-based, so the more you sell, the more you make. The base or guaranteed rate may be low because the true earnings come through commissions. Make sure you understand the pay structure and the products you’re selling before you commit.

This is also an area prone to scams, so beware of anyone who asks you to purchase merchandise or make an upfront payment for a job.

Wholesale and Manufacturing Sales Representatives: Occupational Outlook Handbook: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (bls.gov) 

One final tip is to check into Apprenticeships, which allow you to get paid for work experience in a field. Check out Career Seekers | Apprenticeship.gov.