Wow, I didn’t even know anyone could get a job paying this much cash WITHOUT a college degree! Well tickle my balls and toss my salad (if you have no idea what this means, brush up on your sexual trash talk…lol). Jobs are a dime a dozen…anyone can find a job. According to the majority of Americans, the “Mexicans” are coming over the border a taking all the “good jobs” meant for us hard-working American folk. Back the f*ck off you Uncle Sam “mini-mes”. They are mainly taking the jobs Americans wouldn’t be caught dead doing. It’s that little thing in the back of most of our heads that we hide and only bring out when it’s convenient. It’s called pride.
High Paying Gigs Without A College Degree
Without further or due, here are the prestigious honorees for the night. Start your training now in one of these fields if you find that you are not one for life-crippling debt and fake college statistics.[ I found most of this info via MoneyCrashers.com and there are several other sites to suggest a few more high-paying, no-college-degree-needed jobs.]
1. Real Estate Broker
Although being a real estate agent (realtor, broker) requires us to slave for a license, all that’s needed is a high school diploma to apply. Brokers are always on call, often work nights, weekends, and holidays, and may experience long stretches of time without a check!
The estimated annual salary of a real estate broker ranges from $30,144 to $180,434. During the real estate and housing bubble leading up to 2008, many people became licensed real estate agents, making the field highly competitive. If we are willing to stick with it and continually seek out new clients, we can make a good living selling real estate.
2. Air Traffic Controller
Air traffic controllers have to take multiple tests, participate in pre-employment medical screenings, submit to background examinations, and take classes.
Air traffic controllers command large salaries, up to $158,966 on average. The position is stressful, nevertheless,the rewarding part is an air traffic controller is responsible for maintaining our sky-bound safety.
3. Small Business Owner
This job requires an entrepreneurial backbone. If you don’t have it, move on to the next job on this list. The perky tits of this operation are we can set our own hours, create our own dress code, and write off some of our expenses (i.e.tax deductions for small business owners) when we own our own business.
Having said that, it can take years for our new brick and mortar business to pay off. Web-based ventures, however, can start making us money TODAY! If we have the time, effort, and energy, and if we offer a viable product or service, our risks can pay off with some nice-sized profits. We don’t have a salary range for small business owners, but revenues are usually approaching 7 figures in a viable, start-up business. Thus, we receive a salary from the business (usually 6 figures or more) and if there are profits generated from our new endeavor, we get those to!
4. Fire Chief
Most firefighters have at least a high school diploma, and if they stay with a division or battalion long enough, working through the ranks, they can step into a leadership role with the department. I must warn you, this will take time.
Fire chiefs have rewarding careers that also include a life-threatening commitment, and increased time away from home. Salaries for fire chiefs range from $42,096 to $119,250.
5. Construction Manager
If we have worked in construction for several years, we may be ready to step up to the role of construction manager. Managers must be on call most of the time due to emergencies or delays.
Construction companies often promote from within, because managers must have a strong knowledge of the company’s core procedures and policies. Salaries for construction managers range from $41,562 to $130,845.
6. Plumber
Plumbers, more commonly known as the “butt-crack pipe jockeys”, make an excellent income without having a college degree. Plumbers learn the trade through technical schools or apprenticeships (working for your uncle in the summer). Plumbers are always in high demand, and they are paid well because of that demand.
Plumbers’ salaries can soar as high as $103,731 and beyond, depending on specialties and training.
7. Network/IT Manager
Someone has to keep computers and related equipment working flawlessly, and corporations pay well for experienced IT (information technology) people. If we decide to chase this field, we have to keep up with current technology, and have a desire to keep learning as technology changes.
Network managers and IT managers employed by companies have stable 9 to 5 jobs (I just threw up a little in my mouth) with good salaries, benefits, and retirement accounts. Salaries for IT managers range between $53,477 and $125,101.
8. Hotel Executive Chef
Sought-after executive chefs can easily make over $100,000 per year. Don’t gloss over that sh*t, it said sought-after chefs. So don’t think you are going to attend Le Cordon Bleu School For The Culinary Arts (tuition: $50,000) and believe you’ll pay the loan back in a year. Executive chefs work long hours, spend a lot of time away from home, and may have high stress levels. However, for someone who loves to cook, working in a hotel kitchen every day can be rewarding personally, but recognition is minimal.
9. Radiation Therapist
Radiation therapists must have a two-year associate’s degree, or a certificate in radiation therapy (take and pass a test), but they don’t need a four-year college degree. These therapists use radiation to target cancer cells in patients, and are paid in accordance with the importance and detail-oriented nature of their work. Radiation therapists can earn as much as $116,000 a year.
10. Court Reporter
It may not be glamorous or exciting, but if you can transcribe 250 words per minute, and have impeccable attention to detail, there may be a courtroom willing to pay you handsomely for your services.
We may need to take classes in transcription, and pass a background check in order to qualify for a job as a court reporter. Depending upon the city of residence, court reporters can earn between $29,995 and $104,000.
11. Pilot
If we do need glamour or excitement on the job, working as a pilot might be the right choice. Pilots have many options, including working for commercial airlines, cargo airlines, and corporations. The average annual salary for a pilot is $110,000, but many experienced pilots make twice that amount. Salaries vary based on ratings, experience, and type of license (e.g. sport pilot license vs commercial or airline transport)
Good luck!
Professor X