25 surprisingly high-paid jobs you don’t need a degree for
lovemoney staff
07 March 2017
No degree? No problem
Are you looking for a career change that pays well and doesn’t require you to go back to school for years? The good news is there are a whole bunch of well-paid jobs with no degree required. We reveal the most surprising.
Air traffic controller
You don't need a degree, but you do need great communication skills, excellent attention to detail and the ability to multi-task. Air traffic controllers are responsible for managing landings and take-offs and ensuring pilots of safely guided to the runway. It'll come as no surprise that this job can earn the big bucks once you're trained. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual salary in 2015 was $122,950 (£100k) in the US. Not bad is it?
Professional snuggler
Everybody loves snuggles. Whether you'd admit it or not, cuddling is great. And there are people out there who get paid to do just that. Professional snugglers get paid around $60 (£49) an hour to cuddle up to strangers and help them relax after a long day. Ahhh.
Sommelier
The average salary for sommeliers is usually around $30,000 (£25k) but, through training, there is the possibility to become an advanced or master sommelier, with the scope to earn $78,000 (£64k) or $150,000 (£122k) respectively. Usually employed by fine dining restaurants, they’re passionate about vino and responsible for wine procurement, storage and offering advice to customers.
Mermaid
Being a professional mermaid is essentially like being a model; you just sit there and look exquisite all day. Well, sort of. You'll also need to learn how to swim with a tail, which is said to be challenging even for the strongest of swimmers. But the best part about it is that you can get paid around $250 (£200) an hour for a gig, depending on where you perform and for who.
Sewer inspector
If you’re OK with small spaces and taking on the occasional rat, then we might have just the job for you. Sewer inspectors are the people tasked with keeping our tunnels clear. They may have to wade through some questionable sludge while inspecting tunnels for cracks and clogs, but inspectors can make up to $60,000 (£49k) a year.
Psychic
According to a USA Today report, the economic downturn in 2009 caused a boom in the psychic business as more people looked for answers and reassurance about their financial future. And it hasn’t slowed down since. Feel like you have a calling? According to simplyhired.com, the average salary for a psychic medium sits at $57,000 (£47k).
Garbage collector
It might not be the most glamorous of jobs but hey, it earns the big bucks. In a recent CNN article, two New York City garbage collectors revealed they made up to $112,000 (£91k) last year, simply collecting the city’s rubbish on the graveyard shift between 7pm-3am.
Plumber
When the kitchen sink won’t drain or the washing machine has sprung a leak, who are you going to call? That’s right, plumbers are always in demand. And while you don’t need a degree to become one, you’ll need to complete an apprenticeship to get going. They’re usually two years long, paid and give you valuable onsite training. Once you’re trained up you can start earning the big money. For example, in the US, an experienced plumber bags an average salary of $55,100 (£45k).
Crime scene cleaner
You don’t need any experience for this one, just a really strong stomach. The job specs are pretty obvious; once police have cleared a crime scene they need cleaners on hand to sort out the mess, be it blood and guts or hazardous chemicals. As crime isn’t a 9-5 job, you’ll also need to be flexible with your work hours, but if you can handle that you could earn between $35,000 (£29k) and $80,000 (£65k) a year. You'll need to be dealing with hazardous chemicals to earn the big bucks though.
Hazardous waste manager
Alternatively, if you like living on the edge, just become a hazardous waste manager for $45,000 (£37,000) a year. Companies that are concerned with the environmental impact of their business often hire hazardous waste specialists to help manage harmful substances, which is where you would come in. You just need strong organizational skills and a fearless personality.
Fisherman
No we’re not talking about the guys that sit on a dock with a bucket of fish. These are the fishermen that head out into oceans and face incredibly dangerous weather conditions. Yes, it might seem intimidating, but the thrill seekers can make some good money doing it, around £42,000 (£34,000) to be exact, depending on experience and the particular field of fish you’re working with.
Voiceover artists
Are you good at accents or impressions? Then this could be the job for you. No qualifications are needed for this role, but you’ll need some raw talent to nab the big contracts. Voiceover artists can narrate anything from a 30-second commercial to a film and will earn accordingly. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, radio and television announcers make an average salary of $40,510 (£33,000), whereas actors make roughly $34 (£28) an hour depending on the gig.
Train driver
Sitting in the driver’s seat can rake in some serious cash, particularly in the UK, where a London Underground train driver’s pay starts at £61,000 (£50,000) a year! While you might have to work some anti-social hours, and the job could feel a little repetitive, you don’t need any qualifications, just on-the-job training. And for an income like that, we think we’d be able to handle those early morning starts.
Gaming managers
This role will require you to plan and co-ordinate gaming operations in the casino. You’ll also need to interact with customers, ensuring they’re having a good time and manage lower-level employees. While a degree in casino management helps, it’s not required with on-the-job training provided in most cases. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual wage is a cool $77,770 (£63k), but you will need strong communication skills and a lot of experience in the industry.
Call center worker
For this job the entry requirements are minimal: just good people skills and patience. You might be selling products or dealing with complaints. So as long as you’ve got good phone manners, you’ll be set. In Australia, the average pay sits at AUD47,000 ($36,000/£29,000).
Personal shopper
Shopaholics rejoice as you can actually get paid big bucks to shop – well, for someone else. The bigger paydays come with experience and a long client list, especially at more reputable stores. For example, personal shoppers at Saks Fifth Avenue earn an average of $42,601 (£35k), according to Indeed. For smaller shops, expect to walk home with around $10 (£8) an hour.
Lift installer/repairer
As the name suggests this role requires you to install, repair or maintain lifts. Most lift technicians become familiar with the job through an apprenticeship, as there is no actual course or training. In the UK, according to reed.co.uk, the average salary stands at $45,000 (£36,700).
Golf ball diver
Ever wondered what happens to all the golf balls that disappear into water? Well it’s somebody’s job to dive down and collect them. And that somebody gets paid $33,000 (£27k) just for retrieving said golf balls. On an average day, divers can reportedly collect around 4,000 balls. The good news is that you don't need a degree, but you do need proof of at least an open water certification and an active drivers insurance.
Equities trader
Surprisingly you don’t need a university education in this field, so long as you’re prepared to work from the bottom up. The job, which entails trading stocks and shares, has an average income of $67,000 (£55,000) per year. But according to reports, that would jump up to $212,000 (£173,000) with bonuses and profit sharing thrown in.
Private butler
While you don’t need a degree for this one, to get the big bucks it’s helpful to have gone to a butler institute or academy to fine tune your skills. The actual job will vary depending on the employer, but you could be tasked with anything from serving meals to answering the phone and running errands. But if you can do all of that with a smile on your face then, according to the International Butler Academy, you usually earn anywhere between $50,000 (£41k) and $150,000 (£122k) annually.
Nuclear energy worker
If you're in your element in dangerous situations, then this is the job for you. Working in a nuclear energy environment means performing a range of tasks, from operational to technical jobs, and the pay varies with the job roles. Workers can earn anywhere from $36,000 (£29k) to $107,000 (£87k), depending on experience and how high risk the job is.
Submarine cooks
Sure it’s a bit of a niche market, but if you can nab this job you can expect a very healthy salary. According to the Telegraph, in Australia a senior sub-sea chef with more than six years’ experience in the navy can earn up to AUD$187,000 ($142,000/£116,000) a year. The base pay stands at just under AUD$60,000 ($46,000/£38,000), but bonuses and seagoing allowance bring the salary up. The downsides? Working in a steel pressure tube deep under the sea means you’ll seldom see daylight.
Film critic
Are you a self-proclaimed movie buff? Then this is the career path you should take. Film critics critique and provide their own opinion on several movies throughout their working week. Although the pay varies depending on experience, established critics can earn an average salary of $82,000 (£66,000) and occasionally get the opportunity to attend exclusive Hollywood awards shows to interview movie stars. You won't need a degree, but you will need an exceptional knowledge of the movie industry.
Beer taster
While most jobs ban alcohol consumption during work hours, this job wouldn’t be able to be done without it. Beer tasters get to taste a huge variety of beers every day to ensure the quality of the brew and usually bank $45,000 (£37k) annually. You won't need a degree, just on-the-job training.
Fortune cookie writers
You've probably never really thought about how those profound little messages appear in your fortune cookies, but in case you were dying to know, there is actually somebody who gets paid to write them. And you could too, all for around $53,000 (£43,000) a year. The ones who make serious money usually are contract writers, but many are freelancers too, who can earn around $50 (£41) for a particular project.
Comments
Be the first to comment
Do you want to comment on this article? You need to be signed in for this feature