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What are some jobs that don't require a college degree, hire quickly and pay well?

I want to drop out of college due to high tuition/unsure what to major in. I'm not 21 yet but I have experience in retail/customer service.

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James Constantine’s Answer

Hello J,

Jobs That Don’t Require a College Degree, Hire Quickly, and Pay Well

If you’re considering dropping out of college due to high tuition costs or uncertainty about your major, it’s important to know that there are several job opportunities available that do not require a college degree, can be filled quickly, and offer competitive pay. Below is a comprehensive overview of such jobs, categorized by industry.

1. Skilled Trades

Skilled trades often provide lucrative opportunities without the need for a four-year degree. Many positions in this sector require vocational training or apprenticeships but can lead to high-paying jobs.

Electricians: Electricians typically undergo an apprenticeship program which can last 4-5 years. Once certified, they can earn between $50,000 and $80,000 annually.

Plumbers: Similar to electricians, plumbers usually complete an apprenticeship. They can earn upwards of $55,000 per year and often have the potential for overtime pay.

HVAC Technicians: Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) technicians can start with vocational training programs that take less than a year to complete. Their annual salaries range from $40,000 to over $70,000 depending on experience.

2. Technology Sector

The tech industry is known for its rapid hiring processes and offers many roles that do not require formal degrees but rather skills and certifications.

Web Developers: Many web developers are self-taught or have completed coding boot camps. Entry-level positions can start at around $50,000 annually with potential growth as skills improve.

IT Support Specialists: These roles often require certifications like CompTIA A+ or Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA). Salaries typically start around $40,000 but can increase significantly with experience.

Data Entry Clerks: While entry-level data entry positions may not pay as well initially (around $30,000), they often hire quickly and provide pathways into higher-paying administrative roles.

3. Sales Positions

Sales roles frequently prioritize experience over education and can offer substantial commissions on top of base salaries.

Real Estate Agents: After completing a short licensing course and passing an exam, you can start working in real estate. Earnings vary widely based on sales but successful agents can make six figures annually.

Insurance Sales Agents: Similar to real estate agents, insurance agents must obtain licenses but do not need a degree. They often earn commissions on sales which can lead to significant income potential.

Retail Management: With your background in retail/customer service, moving into management could be a natural progression. Retail managers typically earn between $40,000 and $70,000 depending on the store size and location.

4. Healthcare Support Roles

The healthcare sector has numerous support roles that do not require extensive education yet offer good pay.

Medical Assistants: Training programs for medical assistants usually take about one year to complete. They earn between $30,000 and $45,000 annually while gaining valuable experience in the healthcare field.

Pharmacy Technicians: Certification programs are available that allow you to work in pharmacies without needing a degree. Salaries typically range from $30,000 to $50,000 per year.

5. Transportation & Logistics

This sector has seen growth due to increased demand for delivery services and logistics management.

Truck Drivers: Obtaining a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) allows you to drive trucks professionally; salaries range from $45,000 to over $80,000 depending on the type of driving (local vs long-haul).

Warehouse Workers/Managers: Entry-level warehouse positions may start at around minimum wage but managerial roles can exceed $60,000 annually as you gain experience in logistics operations.

Conclusion

In summary, there are numerous job opportunities available that do not require a college degree but still offer quick hiring processes and competitive salaries across various industries including skilled trades, technology sectors, sales positions, healthcare support roles, and transportation/logistics fields. It’s advisable to consider your interests and strengths when exploring these options further as many of them also provide pathways for career advancement through additional training or certifications.

Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

This source provides comprehensive data on employment statistics across various industries including salary ranges and job outlooks.

Indeed Career Guide

Indeed offers insights into job trends along with information about required qualifications for various careers.

Glassdoor

Glassdoor provides salary information based on employee reviews which helps gauge earning potential across different job titles without requiring degrees.

God Bless You!
JC.
Thank you comment icon I appreciate this, thank you for the advice. j
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Doc’s Answer

J earning a degree is a personal choice. While it’s advisable for several reasons, including higher salaries, it isn’t always possible. Some prospective students may face extenuating circumstances that make it impossible to earn their degree. Even with the option of online college, some students still choose not to earn a degree and enter the job market straight after high school. When deciding between a college degree verses no college degree, there are a variety of factors to consider. Depending on your career aspirations, you may or may not need to earn a college degree. By evaluating the potential benefits and job opportunities of each option and weighing them against potential disadvantages, this can enable you to make an importance decision about your education going forward.



POLICE OFFICER: $60,000
Police officers are responsible for ensuring that individuals in their community follow the law and defending the community against crime. Their duties include patrolling designated areas and watching for suspicious activity, issuing traffic citations, interviewing criminal suspects and victims of crime and filling out incident reports. Police officers respond to calls in emergencies and provide immediate assistance to people who require assistance from law enforcement during a dispute.

FLIGHT ATTENDANT: $62,000
Becoming a flight attendant is a great customer-oriented job option with additional perks for people who love to travel. For a job that does not require post-secondary education, flight attendants make a considerable salary. Flight attendants are an essential part of commercial flight crews as they monitor the safety of the aircraft cabin, provide services to airline passengers, explain safety information, respond to emergency incidents and provide food and beverage services to guests.

WEB DEVELOPER: $78,000
Web developers design websites and write code for both the function and appearance of the site. They create the visual interface for website pages, incorporate graphics and banners, develop features and applications to integrate into the site, update website content and troubleshoot user issues. Web developers also gather data about user traffic, load times and other metrics from the website and make adjustments to improve the user experience.

DENTAL HYGIENISTS $87,500
While cleaning teeth may not be for everyone, dental hygienists get a chance to impact their patients’ lives by taking care of their oral health. They screen patients, take X-rays, remove plaque from teeth, and counsel patients about good hygiene and nutrition habits. Most programs take three years to complete, and you must pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Exam in order to practice.

REAL ESTATE AGENT: $96,000
Real estate agents are responsible for facilitating the purchase and sale of homes and commercial properties. They advise on the best price for a home, list homes for sale, provide advice to clients about how to get a higher value for their home, give tours of properties and host open houses. Real estate agents also guide clients through the process of closing on a sale and processing the necessary paperwork to make a final purchase.
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Garima’s Answer

Hi J,

It's great that you're considering all your options before making a big decision like leaving college. There are definitely jobs out there that don’t require a degree, hire quickly, and can offer good pay. Here are some to consider:

1. Sales Representative: Many companies hire sales reps with just a high school diploma, and commissions can lead to high earnings.

2. Customer Service Specialist: With your experience in retail/customer service, you can find roles that offer remote work and decent pay.

3. Trade Jobs (e.g., Electrician, Plumber, HVAC Technician): These skilled trades are in high demand, offer apprenticeships, and can lead to well-paying careers.

4. Freelance Work (e.g., Writing, Graphic Design, Web Development):
If you have skills in these areas, you can start building a client base without a degree.

5. Tech Support/IT Help Desk:
Entry-level tech jobs often provide on-the-job training and can lead to more advanced IT roles.

You can be a Virtual Assistant (VA). Being a virtual assistant is similar to a customer service representative job in some ways, but it's more versatile. A virtual assistant can handle a broader range of tasks, such as:

1. Administrative Work:
Managing emails, scheduling meetings, and organizing files.

2. Social Media Management:
Creating posts, responding to comments, and analyzing social media performance.

3. Customer Service:
Handling customer inquiries, but this is just one part of the role.

4. Content Creation:
Writing blog posts, newsletters, or website content.

5. Bookkeeping:
Managing invoices and tracking expenses for small businesses.

LinkedIn is very helpful if you are looking for this kind of job.

Remember, your experience in customer service is very valuable, and there are plenty of paths you can take that don’t require a college degree. Whatever you decide, focus on building skills and gaining experience, as those will open doors for you in the future.

I hope this helps.
Best of Luck!
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William’s Answer

These trades and more, does not require college degree, depending on personal choices of individuals. These are skills that one can learn to start a trade.

Construction Trades
Food Preparation
Beauty Arts
Fashion Craft
Laundry Services
Gardening
Farming Trade
Home Cleaning
Fashion Trading
Grocery
E-commerce
Website Design
Welding
Event Planning
Interior Decoration
Painting
Fine Arts
Electrical Trade
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Chinyere’s Answer

Hello J,

Great question! If you're considering leaving college and want a job that hires quickly, pays well, and doesn't require a degree, there are several options that align with your experience in retail and customer service. Here are a few fields to consider:

1. Skilled Trades (e.g., Electrician, Plumber, HVAC Technician)
- Why: These roles often pay well, offer job stability, and require certifications or apprenticeships rather than a degree.
- Pay: $40,000–$75,000+ annually
- Training Time: A few months to 2 years for certification/apprenticeship

2. Real Estate Agent
- Why: With training and licensure, you can enter the field relatively quickly. Income potential is high, especially in active markets.
- Pay: $50,000–$100,000+ depending on commission
- Training Time: Several months for licensure

3. Sales Representative
- Why: Your customer service experience would transfer well to sales roles, especially in industries like insurance, tech, or real estate.
- Pay: $40,000–$80,000+ with commissions
- Training Time: Varies by company (usually a few weeks)

4. Truck Driver
- Why: The transportation industry has a high demand for drivers, and you can earn a good living once you obtain a commercial driver’s license (CDL).
- Pay: $45,000–$70,000 annually
- Training Time: 3–6 months for CDL

5. Medical/Pharmacy Technician
- Why: These roles are essential and often require short certification programs.
- Pay: $35,000–$50,000 annually
- Training Time: Several months for certification

6. Freelance/Contract Work (e.g., Virtual Assistant, Graphic Designer)
- Why: If you're tech-savvy or willing to learn, freelancing can offer flexibility and solid income.
- Pay: $20–$50+ per hour depending on expertise
- Training Time: Self-paced, depends on skills

7. Warehouse/Logistics Supervisor
- Why: Entry-level warehouse roles with leadership potential often hire quickly, and promotions can come with experience.
- Pay: $40,000–$70,000+ annually
- Training Time: On-the-job experience

Each of these paths can be entered with relatively low upfront costs and offer opportunities to earn a good living while you decide whether college is right for you in the future.

Best wishes!
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Michelle’s Answer

Hi, J !

Good question, especially when you are considering making a transition between college and work. Although there are jobs that you can get without a college degree, there are some considerations about ending your college path. If you do decide to stop college, always remember to indicate on applications that you have "some college" and on a resume list the college and what you've studied under education. But all is not lost, there may be a way for you to continue attending college classes and obtain your Bachelors Degree which will be a boost in future job searching.

You didn't mention which college you are attending, but I know that living and going to school in New York City can be a struggle financially. If the ONLY reason you want to quit is due to financial reasons, maybe you have a choice and I will explain about some things that you might do to enable the continuation of your academic experience leading to a degree.

There are many forms of financial assistance that can help you stay in college. First, maybe consider transferring to a less expensive college if that can be done. You will need to know that you can apply for assistance at any college you're attending in New York City. I am leaving the link to the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation that has information about State Funded Financial Aid Programs and resources that can help you. You can also learn about Student Grants at the link below for the College Scholarships website. It also depends on which college you are attending, for instance, SUNY colleges offer Pell Grants. If you apply for Federal Financial Aid you can obtain a job on campus through the Work Study Program offered as an option through financial aid. It's easy to quit college because it's too expensive, so this is why you will need to know all of your options now to continue as opposed to later in the future when things are more expensive and harder to return to college.

You may have heard of Scholarships and there are a lot of them out there. They are based on different categories that qualify a person to apply for them. Some are categorized and for various ethnic groups, genders, college major. Some are from city, state and local sources and some from corporations and organizations. Many are found through a search online. Your college also offers their own scholarships to current students.

You can quit college and obtain a full time job and save money, take a gap year or even two and even take one or two courses at a time while you work full time. Once you become able to manage paying for school and return full time, you will obtain a college degree that will help you be competitive in the job market as well as gain skills and personal development. There is a way to do this if you really like college and the only thing that's in the way is the cost.

Think about your major and your career goal that you had when you started college or how college can help you discover a major. Is it worth stopping that ? Do you really like the jobs that do not require any college education ? I have seen people try to return to college in their 30's and 40's and it is very hard compared to doing it after high school. But you have a choice, you deserve the best foundation, however, so I urge you to consider your options. You don't have to quit.

If you have any more questions focused on college financing, definitely ask more questions here. If you just do not like college and that's why you want to quit, many jobs you can explore have been listed here by the other advisors, so the choice is up to you. This is just something to consider and I wish you all the best in your decision which will affect your life now and in the future !

I almost forgot to mention that companies DO NOT hire quickly and being hired is not guaranteed. It's just a matter of applying and hearing back for an interview and then hearing or not hearing back again if you got the job or not.

Michelle recommends the following next steps:

NEW YORK STATE HIGHER EDUCATION SERVICES CORPORATION https://hesc.ny.gov/home/
NEW YORK STUDENT GRANTS FOR COLLEGE https://www.collegescholarships.org/grants/states/new-york.htm
FIND AID YOU NEED https://www.hesc.ny.gov/find-aid-you-need/
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Griselda’s Answer

Consider going into military service. It offers a vast amount of great benefits (medical, dental, education, bonus packages) and training. Some of those benefits carry on even after services. You'll have an immediate roof over your head, respectable paycheck and meals covered as a part of your benefit. It can give you a trade to use in the civilian sector so choose the ones you think best fit what you think you'd like to use a career. Medical and IT training prove quite useful. You are able to take college courses and have them paid for while you're in service as well as have college funding after service.

There are other training venues and opportunities out there if military service isn't what you're looking for. Here's a big plug in for you. Learn to utilize AI sources such as chatgpt or perplexity AI. You'll get instant responses, to additional inquiries. You'll find this avenue of approach most useful.
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