<\/p>\n
Well, you\u2019re not alone.<\/p>\n
Data shows<\/a> that only 21.4% of Americans aged 24 to 64 have a bachelor\u2019s degree, 9.2% have an associate degree, and just 12.6% have a graduate or professional degree.<\/p>\n This leaves about 56% of the population who don\u2019t have a degree.<\/p>\n And I\u2019m one of them.<\/p>\n I don\u2019t have a college degree.<\/p>\n I didn\u2019t really want to go to college in the first place but attended because I was told that\u2019s what you do once you finish high school.<\/p>\n After just a couple of months, I found that college really wasn\u2019t for me, so I dropped out.<\/p>\n Does my lack of degree mean that I am stuck doing boring jobs?<\/p>\n Heck, no!<\/p>\n There are plenty of fun jobs that pay well without a degree (including cash paying under the table jobs<\/a>!). And I should know; I do one of them. I\u2019ll cover that, along with plenty of others, below.<\/p>\n What\u2019s great about these jobs is that they\u2019re not only fun, but many of them pay well too. Plus, you can do many of them online<\/a> and from home.<\/p>\n There are jobs available in a range of fields too, so you\u2019re sure to find something to suit you.<\/p>\n (Note: <\/strong>The salary figures below were obtained from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics<\/a>. The only exceptions are the numbers reported in the careers Freelance Writer and ESL Teacher, which were obtained from Glassdoor and PayScale, respectively. Figures were current at the time of writing but may change.)<\/p>\n Here are some of the best fun jobs that pay well without a degree\u2026<\/p>\n Travel agents sell transportation, accommodation and entertainment activities to people. This gig is awesome because you get to help people to plan something super fun \u2013 their vacation!<\/p>\n Most travel agents work for travel agencies.<\/p>\n While travel agents usually work from offices, they can also work remotely, as long as they have a phone and a computer. So this is a gig you could do from home too.<\/p>\n Working as a dental assistant allows you to help people to improve their smile and oral health, and you get to meet lots of new people as well.<\/p>\n Dental assistants provide care to patients, take x-rays, keep records, and schedule appointments.<\/p>\n You\u2019ll be on your feet a lot with this gig. And you\u2019ll work in a dentist\u2019s office. Most dental assistants work fulltime.<\/p>\n There are many ways to become a dental assistant. The requirements vary from state to state. Some states will require you to graduate from an accredited program and pass an exam.<\/p>\n There are no formal education requirements in other states though, and dental assistants learn through on-the-job training. Either way, you don\u2019t need a degree \u2013 just a certification in some states.<\/p>\n What\u2019s more exciting than saving people from fires?<\/p>\n That\u2019s why being a firefighter is such an interesting job. Of course, it\u2019s dangerous, but you get to help people, making this not only an interesting career, but a fulfilling one too.<\/p>\n You won\u2019t need a degree for this one. But firefighters typically need a high school diploma and training in emergency medical services.<\/p>\n Most of the time, you\u2019ll get your training at a fire academy and you\u2019ll have to pass written and physical tests, complete a series of interviews, and hold an EMT certification.<\/p>\n As a firefighter, you\u2019ll control and put out fires. You respond when there\u2019s an emergency where life, property or the environment is at risk.<\/p>\n When you\u2019re at the scene of a fire or other emergency, this job can be dangerous. When you\u2019re not at the scene, you remain on call at the fire station. There you sleep, eat, and do other duties during shifts that often last 24 hours. Often, firefighters work more than 40 hours a week.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re fit, strong, and enjoy teamwork, this could be the job for you.<\/p>\n My husband, who also does not hold a degree works as an artist. This is one of those jobs where you have a lot of freedom and can work from pretty much anywhere.<\/p>\n Some artists work out of a studio in their home, others work in art studios located in office buildings, warehouses, or lofts.<\/p>\n Working as an artist is incredibly varied and you get to set your own income.<\/p>\n Most of the time, a bachelor\u2019s degree isn\u2019t required and many artists just work on their craft through practice and repetition.<\/p>\n Artists can sell<\/a> their work online and in stores or exhibit their work in galleries.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re the creative type, this job could be a perfect fit for you.<\/p>\n If you love to fix things and enjoy mechanics, then working as a stationary engineer could be your perfect job.<\/p>\n Stationary engineers control stationary engines, boilers, and other mechanical equipment.<\/p>\n Most stationary engineers work in manufacturing, hospitals, educational services, and government. If you work in a facility that operates 24 hours a day, you\u2019ll likely work evenings and weekends. It\u2019s common to work shifts as well.<\/p>\n If you enjoy hands-on work, this could be the job for you.<\/p>\n Police offers work to protect people in their community. They often respond to emergency calls, patrol neighborhoods or work in an office. Sometimes police officers visit schools and community events to share public safety information.<\/p>\n It\u2019s part of a police officer\u2019s job to arrest criminals and prevent crime.<\/p>\n This job isn\u2019t for the faint-hearted. Police work can be physically demanding, stressful, and in many cases, dangerous. And working around the clock in shifts is common.<\/p>\n If you have a passion for helping others, keeping communities safe, and for establishing law and order, then being a police officer might be the job for you.<\/p>\n Most police officers have to graduate from their agency\u2019s training academy before completing a period of on-the-job training. You\u2019ll need to be a U.S. citizen, be at least 21 years old and be able to meet the rigorous physical and personal qualifications required to become a police officer.<\/p>\n Okay, so this is the job that I do. Freelance writing is something that anyone get started with.<\/p>\n Sure, some gigs will require you to have a bachelor\u2019s degree. Plenty don\u2019t though. In fact, many writing jobs<\/a> just require you to have some samples that show you can write.<\/p>\n You can easily get these by writing content for your own blog or just by putting together a PDF or Word Document containing some articles that you\u2019ve written.<\/p>\n I have worked on a number of freelance gigs and have never needed a degree for them.<\/p>\n Computer support specialists offer help and advice to computer users and organizations.<\/p>\n Most jobs are fulltime. Some positions are not your typical 9 to 5 gig.<\/p>\n Since computer support is important for businesses, your support services may need to be available 24 hours a day. This means that some support specialists have to work nights or weekends. Many work regular hours though.<\/p>\n Like with freelance writing, some computer support specialist jobs will require a degree, but many don\u2019t.<\/p>\n This is one of the highest paid jobs that doesn\u2019t require a degree.<\/p>\n First-line supervisors of police and detectives directly supervise and coordinate activities of members of the police force.<\/p>\n They also make sure that all procedures are carried out in accordance with laws and regulations.<\/p>\n You don\u2019t need a bachelor\u2019s degree. You\u2019ll just need a high school diploma. Sometimes, you may need to have related on-the-job experience, or have undergone training in a vocational school, but often you just need to complete on-the-job-training.<\/p>\n Power Plant Operators, Distributors and Dispatchers earn a good income. So if you\u2019re looking for a high paying job without a degree<\/a>, this could be the career for you.<\/p>\n In this job, you control and monitor power-generating equipment, and systems. You usually work shifts.<\/p>\n While you don\u2019t need a degree, you will need extensive on-the-job training and have to underdo a background check.<\/p>\n As a security guard, you can work anywhere from the airport to the mall.<\/p>\n Security guards are responsible for guarding, monitoring and patrolling premises. They work in a variety of places, like office buildings, retail stores, and public buildings.<\/p>\n It\u2019s your job to prevent theft and violence and to make sure that all the rules are being followed.<\/p>\n You\u2019ll need to have a clean record and pass a drug test. Some places might require you to get a firearms license too.<\/p>\n Often you\u2019ll need a high school diploma or equivalent, but some jobs may not have any education requirements at all.<\/p>\n The amount of training you\u2019ll receive varies. Most security guards learn their job in a few weeks. Many states recommend that security guards get 8 hours of pre-assignment training, 8 to 16 hours of on-the-job training, and 8 hours of annual training.<\/p>\n Armed guards must complete more rigorous training because they require weapons training, and they may be tested periodically in the use of firearms.<\/p>\n Elevator installers and repairers repair and maintain elevators, as well as moving walkways, escalators, and other lifts.<\/p>\n In terms of education, you only need a high school diploma. You will need to complete an apprenticeship too. Currently, 35 states need workers to be licensed.<\/p>\n You can\u2019t be claustrophobic for this one, as elevator installers and repairers often work in cramped quarters inside crawl spaces and machine rooms. They may be exposed to heights too in elevator shafts. Some repairers are on call 24 hours a day and are required to work overtime when essential equipment needs repair.<\/p>\n Gas plant operators oversee and operate gas processing equipment. They work with utility companies. It\u2019s your job to control systems and make sure that everything is functioning properly.<\/p>\n While you don\u2019t need a degree to become a gas plant operator, you will need to complete long-term on-the-job training.<\/p>\n Barbers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists offer haircutting, hairstyling, and a variety of other beauty services.<\/p>\n This is a great option for creative types!<\/p>\n While you won\u2019t need a degree, all states require barbers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists to be licensed. And to qualify for a license, you need to graduate from a state-approved barber or cosmetology program and then pass a state exam for licensure.<\/p>\n You\u2019ll be on your feet a lot in this type of industry. Work can be part-time or fulltime.<\/p>\n Teaching English<\/a> as a second language can be an incredibly rewarding job. Sure, all jobs are stressful in their won way, but if you could get low stress job that pays well, this could be one of them.<\/p>\n And you can easily do this job online as well.<\/p>\n Many positions don\u2019t require you to have a degree. Most of the time, you\u2019ll just need a TEFL certification, but some jobs may not even require you to have that.<\/p>\nFun High Paying Jobs without a Degree<\/h2>\n
1. Travel agent<\/h3>\n
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2. Dental assistant<\/h3>\n
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3. Firefighter<\/h3>\n
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4. Artist<\/h3>\n
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5. Stationary Engineer<\/h3>\n
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6. Police officer<\/h3>\n
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7. Freelance writer<\/h3>\n
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8. Computer support specialist<\/h3>\n
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9. First-line supervisors of police and detectives<\/h3>\n
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10. Power Plant Operators, Distributors and Dispatchers<\/h3>\n
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11. Security Guard<\/h3>\n
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12. Elevator installers and repairers<\/h3>\n
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13. Gas plant operator<\/h3>\n
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14. Barbers, hairstylists and cosmetologists<\/h3>\n
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15. English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher<\/h3>\n
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