Top 10 Common Jobs for People without College Degrees in 2021

Many people think that a college degree is the only way to find a job. However, there are plenty of jobs out there for people without a college degree. In fact, 34% of all American jobs don't require a college degree.

The important question now becomes, so what are they and how much can you earn? Well, that’s why we have done the research for you and we will not be talking about common jobs like serving in a restaurant because jobs for people without a college degree are plentiful and varied. From the research we've done, it seems like a lot of these jobs don't require the same type of education or training that a traditional job would.

However, many jobs will require at least a high school diploma or equivalent credential and some may even accept GEDs (Graduate Equivalency Degree). Other jobs may not require a high school diploma, but if that is the case the employer may ask for some extensive experience in the field and you will have to perform well at your job interview.

1. Dental Assistant

The dental assistant provides administrative and clinical support to the dentist and dental hygienist in order to help them with their job. The assistant prepares patients for treatment, sterilizes equipment, responds to patient emergencies, answers the phone, organizes the office and helps schedule appointments. They also observe the patient during treatment to provide additional safety and to ensure that the dentist's instructions are followed. Dental assistants provide training in proper oral hygiene instruction, plaque control, and basic principles of nutrition.

The career of a dental assistant is very diverse – there are many different tasks that this person can be assigned to. This means that their salary can also vary depending on what they specialize in. The average salary for dental assistants in the United States is between $32,000-$40,000 annually. However, more experienced assistants can make up to $57k annually.

To become a dental assistant you need at least a high school diploma and an accredited dental assistant program consisting of one year of training or 1,600 hours of study.

2. Electrician

Electricians are responsible for installing, maintaining, and repairing electrical wiring for all types of buildings. They also install and maintain lighting fixtures, ceiling fans, and other electrical equipment. Electricians can work in different areas of the building industry, such as construction or manufacturing.

The primary responsibility of an electrician is to keep the flow of electricity going to a building or facility. This process can include managing wiring systems and responding when something goes wrong with an electric system. Electricians may be required to install new wiring or repair old wiring during their routine inspections. A traditional electrician must be knowledgeable about how electricity flows through wires and might need to replace a damaged wire as well as reroute circuits in the event that a circuit breaker malfunctions due to faulty wiring.

The median salary for an electrician is $52,600 per year with the median hourly wage at $27.44 per hour. It’s estimated that there will be 553,700 openings for electrician jobs by 2024 with job prospects expected to grow by 7%.

3. Heavy Equipment Operators

The job is as straightforward as it gets. Heavy equipment operators are responsible for the safe operation of heavy equipment in a variety of settings. They may operate bulldozers, dump trucks, caterpillar tractors, or other heavy machinery to excavate earth and rock for road and building construction. Some heavy equipment operators are responsible for maintaining construction and mining machinery and operate stationary machines that cut or bore holes in the earth or to extract underground resources such as coal, oil, and natural gas.

Heavy equipment operators typically need at least a high school diploma plus additional training through a vocational school or apprenticeship program to be fully qualified and earn higher wages.

As for the average salary, the number can vary wildly so we highly recommend that you do some of your own additional research.

4. Commercial Truck Drivers

Commercial truck drivers are the backbone of the American economy. They drive the trucks that transport goods to stores, factories, and offices. A driver’s responsibilities include loading and unloading trucks, assessing cargo, and ensuring that the cargo is delivered on time and in good condition. Drivers also manage freight bills and maintain logs of their deliveries. Truck drivers account for three out of every ten workers in our country.

The average salary for a commercial truck driver is $40,000 per year and they typically work a 40-hour week. Commercial truck drivers will usually be paid per mile that they drive and they are expected to drive a certain number of miles each day or week. The more experience you have, the higher your pay rate might be. Commercial truckers can also work for a company that pays them by the hour, or a company that pays them with commissions on what they manage to sell while driving.

In order to become a commercial truck driver, there are no formal requirements to enroll in a training program or obtain certification. However, there are some requirements for obtaining an endorsement on your CDL license that will allow you to drive specific kinds of trucks like tanker trailers, refuse vehicles, or flatbeds with certain attachments.

5. Pharmacy Technician

Pharmacy technicians, also known as a pharmacologist assistant, may work in a variety of settings, including retail pharmacies, hospitals, nursing homes, and doctors' offices. Pharmacy technicians are responsible for ensuring that prescriptions are filled accurately and quickly so patients can get the medication they need.

A pharmacy technician's salary can vary depending on where they work. They can earn an average of $14-$26 per hour, or up to $32-38 per hour. On a yearly basis, the average salary for the position of pharmacy technician is $38,000 per year.

In terms of requirements, it kind of becomes tricky because in some states they are required to have an associate’s degree from an accredited college or university while in other states they are not required to have any formal training. In general, however, pharmacy technician jobs typically require at least a high school diploma or GED equivalent. Programs at community colleges, vocational schools, and online schools can also prepare students for these jobs. Pharmacy technicians typically enter the field with little to no professional experience and learn through on-the-job training.

6. Web Developer

Web developers are a crucial part of the internet because developers are the people who create websites and web applications. They work closely with website designers, SEO specialists, content writers, graphic designers and more. Web developers need to have an understanding of HTML coding and how different aspects of a website work together.

The average salary for a web developer is $90,000 per year but can go up to $120,000 per year for those with additional skillsets like management or marketing experience.

There are a number of requirements for becoming a web developer starting with 3+ years of experience to be considered for the position. Other qualifications that may be required are proficiency in one or more programming languages such as JavaScript, HTML5, CSS3, etc., proficiency with SQL queries and familiarity with the Linux operating system. These skills will allow web developers who have completed a college degree to find positions at companies such as Google, Amazon Web Services, Microsoft and IBM.

7. Graphic Designer/Photographer

Graphic designers or photographers are professionals who use images, text, and other visual elements to create a visual representation of an idea or message. They are the backbone of design for digital and print media. Graphic designers often work with marketing teams to help develop logos, advertisements, packaging designs, brochures, and web pages. Graphic Designers also need knowledge of typography and computer graphics programs like Adobe Photoshop or Adobe Illustrator. A graphic designer is responsible for putting together images and words into a coherent design in order to convey a message to their audience. Graphic designers work with a variety of digital tools like Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop in order to create the final product.

The average salary range for graphic designers is $36k-$70k annually depending on experience level.

Graphic designers should have strong communications skills because they communicate with clients and other team members in order to deliver their vision successfully.

8. Financial Analyst/Planner

Financial analysts are in charge of analyzing a firm’s financial data, to monitor and predict the company’s performance. They must be well versed with a number of finance related topics, such as accounting and taxation. They're also responsible for analyzing the company's cash flow and forecasting how their stocks will perform in the market.

The average salary for this profession is $62,000 annually, while the highest paid analysts can earn up to $100,000 per year. Generally speaking, a bachelor's degree from any major is enough to get into this profession; however there are some employers who require an MBA or additional courses in finance or accounting. But don’t let this discourage you. There are certifications that are available, such as the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) or the Certified Public Account (CPA), or the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) which you can acquire to become a worker in the financial sector.

9. Copywriter

A copywriter is a person who writes advertising copy for use in magazines, newspapers, and for TV and radio. In most cases, this is done by writing slogans or short jingles. The term also applies to the work of an advertising agency or other company that writes content for their clients. They can also be responsible for the content of the ads, brochures, and other promotional material. They must be able to write in a persuasive way that engages their audience in order to increase sales.

The average salary for a copywriter is $53,000 per year. There are no specific requirements to become one but they must have the skill set necessary to perform the duties of this job.

10. Office Manager

In a modern office, the office manager is the person who oversees all facets of a company or perhaps the day-to-day operations of a company. They keep track of the employees and schedule them to ensure that they are able to work in a productive environment. The office manager also keeps an eye on equipment, supplies and inventory.

The average salary ranges from $18 to $55 per hour. On an annual basis, the average salary for an office manager is around $45,000.

In general, there are no formal education requirements for this position but employers usually require at least two years of relevant experience in the same or similar field. To become an office manager, one needs experience in project management or business management as well as knowledge of computer programs like Microsoft Office Suite. In addition, an office manager must have an eye for detail, be able to multitask, be a team player and have excellent communication skills. A bachelor’s degree in business administration is usually needed to become an office manager.