Gen Z can pursue lucrative careers without a four-year college degree, with top jobs like elevator and escalator installers earning over $100,000 annually, highlighting diverse opportunities beyond traditional college paths.
A new report highlights 15 high-paying jobs that do not require a four-year college degree, emphasizing roles in trades, management, and sales, with strong growth prospects and specific skill or certification requirements.
The article highlights high-paying jobs projected to experience significant growth from 2024 to 2034, including roles like software developers, sales managers, and healthcare professionals, with many requiring a bachelor's or higher degree and median salaries often exceeding $75,000.
The article highlights five low-stress, high-paying jobs in the sustainability sector, each offering a median annual salary over $100,000. These roles include remote sensing scientist, environmental economist, water resource specialist, solar energy systems engineer, and environmental engineer. These positions are in demand due to the growing focus on eco-friendly solutions and technological advancements in green technology, providing both stability and opportunities for growth.
Graduates facing student debt can consider high-paying entry-level remote jobs such as software developer, technical product manager, and digital marketing manager. These roles offer lucrative salaries starting from $85,000 to over $100,000, and can be accessed through degrees or relevant certifications and training.
High-paying remote and hybrid jobs are rapidly declining, with only 4% of $250,000+ jobs now fully remote, down from 10% last year. Companies are pushing for a return to office, citing reasons like innovation and supervision, despite employees' preference for work-from-home flexibility. High-paying roles also demand significant credentials and experience, particularly in the medical field.
The number of freelancers in the U.S. has reached an all-time high, with a surge in demand for independent workers and high-paying freelance opportunities. Freelancer.com has identified five in-demand freelance jobs that can be done from home, all paying over $100 per hour: programming, eCommerce development and management, graphic design, transcription, and creative writing. The demand for e-commerce contractors has surged, driven by the growth of the global e-commerce market. Freelancers can set themselves apart by understanding job timelines, compensation, and creating a digital portfolio.
Reddit users shared a variety of high-paying jobs, including mineral exploration geologist, doorman, safety coordinator, office manager, financial advisor, astronomer, flight attendant, product operations in tech, donut shop owner, information security professional, cancer scientist, paramedic, supply chain director, physical therapist, heavy equipment operator, travel agency owner, civil engineer, tech and consulting company owner, luxury wedding planner, IT architect, aircraft mechanic, factory process analyst, litigation attorney, technical support manager, digital media specialist, plant controller, airline pilot, commercial diesel mechanic, enlisted military, lead software engineer, special effects professional, camera operator for TV shows, industrial maintenance technician, and hospital pharmacist, with salaries ranging from $100K to $220K annually.
Finding a remote job, especially a high-earning one, has become increasingly challenging due to heightened competition and a decrease in remote and hybrid job postings. Experts attribute this trend to companies prioritizing in-person collaboration for higher-paying roles. Despite the dip in remote job availability, demand for remote work is on the rise as more companies enforce return-to-office policies. Job seekers are advised to focus on specific remote roles, stay persistent, and set up job alerts to stay updated on new opportunities.
The demand for cybersecurity experts is rapidly increasing as cyberattacks continue to rise, with the FBI reporting a 300% increase in reported cybercrimes since the start of the pandemic. There are currently nearly 600,000 unfilled cybersecurity jobs in the U.S. and about 3.5 million globally. Despite the misconception that it's a difficult field to break into, a bachelor's degree is not required for high-paying cybersecurity jobs. Google's skilling initiative, Grow with Google, offers an online program that provides lessons and certifications for in-demand skills like cybersecurity. The average pay for cybersecurity jobs exceeds $100,000, with some remote positions paying upwards of $200,000.
Americans are increasingly searching for jobs that don't require a college degree but offer high salaries, flexibility, and travel opportunities. The top three most Googled jobs in the US are real estate agent, notary, and travel agent. While these roles typically require a high school diploma or GED, there are no formal education requirements beyond that. Certification or licensing is necessary, and the average salaries for these jobs range from $39,955 for travel agents to $129,717 for notaries, with top earners making over $100,000 and $200,000, respectively.
Tech and healthcare industries are currently hiring for the most six-figure jobs, with roles such as software engineer, project manager, and clinical psychologist in high demand. While some of these positions may require advanced degrees or experience, there are opportunities for recent computer science graduates to start with a $100,000 salary. Companies may be raising wages or facing understaffing, leading to more high-paying job openings. Certain roles offer remote or hybrid work options. Demonstrating enthusiasm for learning new skills during interviews can help applicants stand out. Adaptability is a crucial soft skill sought by employers in these industries.
US companies, including Netflix and Amazon, are offering high-paying jobs in the field of artificial intelligence (AI), with salaries ranging from $300,000 to $900,000 per year. These positions require expertise in machine learning and AI technologies, and candidates can work remotely or report to offices in California. The demand for AI professionals has increased as the technology has advanced, leading to the replacement of certain jobs. Other companies such as Walmart, Google, Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan Chase, Ernst & Young, Hinge, and Upwork are also seeking AI talent, offering competitive salaries. However, not all companies are willing to pay such high salaries and are instead focusing on training existing employees in AI-related projects.
Reddit users have shared 17 surprisingly accessible, low-effort jobs that pay well, including owning a parking lot, IT manager at a university, massage model, business intelligence/data analyst, international pilot, front of house staff for corporate firms, ICU nurse trainer, basic admin work for a city government, project manager for a US-based Fortune 200 Company, selling granite and quartz countertops, power station monitor, architectural 3D modeler and render guy, call center management, government admin work, driving dump trucks for mines, senior full-stack developer, and security project manager for a global tech company.
BuzzFeed Community members shared their well-paying jobs that are often underrated, including personal chef, surgical neurophysiologist, senior technical writer, union organizer, and travel nurse. Other jobs mentioned include grooming cats, intellectual property paralegal, utility locator, traveling CNC programmer/engineer, underwater welding, tour guiding, massage model, trucker, and temp nurse. These jobs offer high salaries and unique experiences, making them worth considering for those looking for a career change.