The most important thing about a job is that it pays well. The next most important thing is that it’s fun and challenging. But if a position doesn’t pay well, there’s not much point to any of those other things. If you are looking for a job that pays well and doesn’t require a degree, try one of these jobs that pay $40 an hour.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median hourly wage for a data entry clerk is $14.46 in the United States.
With the increase in automation, it is becoming harder for people with degrees to find a job. However, there are still some jobs that pay well and require minimal skillset or education.
16 Jobs That Pay $40 an Hour With and Without a Degree
So, in this article we’ll be looking at jobs that pay $40 per hour or more—even if you don’t have a degree!
1. Website Developer
You’ll be in charge of creating websites for your company and its clients. The job demands both creativity and technical expertise, so a college degree is highly recommended. You’ll also need to be comfortable with a variety of computer languages, including HTML5 and CSS3.
If you’ve got the right skills and education, you can expect to earn between $40-$60 per hour as a website developer working at home or in an office environment that allows flexible schedules. Your coworkers may include other developers or designers who work remotely from around the globe–a perk for those who enjoy international collaboration!
Virginia based web development company WebDev Solutions offers several benefits to their employees: paid time off for vacation or sick leave; medical/dental insurance; 401K retirement plan with matching contributions; training opportunities; employee referral program where they pay up to $500 when someone they referred is hired on board as well (and if they stay on board after 6 months).
2. Corporate Trainer
If you have a bachelor’s degree in a related field and at least five years of experience, you can make a decent hourly wage as a corporate trainer. The job description for this position is simple: You’re responsible for teaching employees new skills, which can be anything from how to use software programs or processes, to how to navigate office politics.
Corporate trainers usually work in office environments and are paid well because of their expertise on whatever subject they’re teaching (and because no one wants their employees’ productivity hindered by lack of knowledge).
3. Web Content Manager
As a web content manager, you are responsible for the day-to-day management of all written content on your organization’s website. This includes writing blog posts, creating newsletters and marketing materials. In addition to writing copy, you also work with other departments such as design or marketing to make sure that everything is visually appealing and consistent from page to page.
The qualifications for this position include good writing skills (you’ll be expected to write well), an understanding of SEO best practices and some knowledge about UX design principles like user flows and wireframes.. You should also have strong organizational skills as well as experience working in a fast-paced environment where deadlines are paramount.
Some companies ask for additional certifications such as Adobe certification or training courses like HubSpot Academy’s Inbound Marketing Certification Course which focuses on how businesses can use inbound marketing strategies like content creation and social media advertising tactics in order to drive traffic back towards their website through organic search results rather than paid ads on search engines like Google AdWords or Bing Ads (which cost money!).
To land one of these jobs, start by looking at job listings online using sites like Indeed or Glassdoor which allow users who have worked there before review their experience working at each company so that potential candidates know what they’re getting themselves into before applying!
4. Software Engineer
A software engineer is a person who designs, builds and tests software. If you have a passion for solving problems and are good at logical thinking, then this could be the job for you. A lot of companies like Apple and Google hire software engineers because they need someone to make their products work. This can be something as simple as making an app run faster or it could be more complicated like building the next Facebook.
Software engineers need to know how all parts of the computer work including hardware (like processors) and software (the operating system).
5. Information Technology Manager
An IT manager is the head of a department that oversees and manages a company’s computer infrastructure. In most cases, this includes servers, storage devices, and software applications.
This job typically requires at least a bachelor’s degree in computer science or information technology. If you’re interested in pursuing this profession without getting your degree first, some companies may still consider you—especially if you have prior work experience with computers or other tech-related fields.
The average salary for an IT manager ranges from $86,000 to $116,000 per year depending on the company where they work and their level within their organization (i.e., junior vs senior).
6. Computer Graphics Designer
Computer graphics designers are in demand, so if you’re looking for a job that pays $40 per hour without any post-secondary education, this is it. The median salary for these professionals is $64,950 annually.
While some computer graphics designers work in the film and gaming industries, others work with Photoshop and Illustrator to create the images and animations used in advertising materials or websites. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), they may also be responsible for “creating promotional materials such as brochures and advertisements.”
7. Real Estate Appraiser
Real estate appraisers are responsible for determining the value of properties by examining their physical attributes and comparing them to similar properties that have sold in the area. Appraisers must be able to identify issues that could negatively affect a property’s value, such as an outdated kitchen or mold on the walls, and determine what repairs would be necessary to correct them.
Real estate appraisers typically need a bachelor’s degree in real estate appraisal, although some states allow individuals who have experience as an inspector or surveyor to become licensed without having earned a degree.
Depending on where you live and which type of appraisal license you earn (general residential appraiser or specialized commercial/industrial), there might be additional requirements such as passing an exam or completing all necessary courses within a specific time period after graduating from college.
In 2018, real estate appraisers working in all 50 states made an average hourly wage of $33 per hour according to data provided by Payscale—but this number varies widely depending on location because it depends on how much demand there is for their services in different areas. For example: In Los Angeles County residents can expect an average salary of $39 per hour while those living elsewhere may make less than half that amount!
8. Accountant
Accountants are in high demand. Accountants help businesses manage their finances by analyzing financial data and preparing financial reports, such as income statements and balance sheets. Accountants also develop tax strategies, prepare payroll figures and manage other accounting tasks. The average annual salary for accountants is $68,690 (as of May 2017), according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
A bachelor’s degree in accounting is typically required for this position; however, there are many opportunities for those with a high school diploma or associate’s degree to enter the field as well. If you have an associate’s degree but not much experience working as an accountant yet, you can look into internships to gain some experience with real clients first before moving on to full-time employment.
Accounting technicians typically earn more than $40 per hour due to greater demand from employers who need help managing the ever-growing complexities of business finances today.”
9. Commercial Pilot
As a commercial pilot, you’ll be responsible for transporting passengers and cargo on flights. It may sound like an easy job, but it requires years of experience to get paid well.
The average annual salary for commercial pilots is $56,000—but that number can vary significantly depending on which airline you work for and how long you’ve been flying. If you have your own plane or helicopter and want to work independently as a freelance pilot, the pay will likely be much higher than those who fly for major airlines like Delta or United Airlines.
Although it doesn’t require a college degree or previous experience in aviation (unlike other jobs mentioned above), being able to pass a physical exam is required before starting this career path. You must also be at least 21 years old in order to become a licensed commercial pilot; however, some airlines may require slightly older applicants due to their stricter hiring standards.
10. Insurance Sales Agent
Insurance sales agents sell insurance policies to individuals, businesses, and other organizations. They can sell life insurance, health insurance, disability insurance, property insurance and auto insurance.
Insurance sales agents are typically employed by independent insurance agencies or directly by the company that underwrites the policy they are selling. Insurance companies work with thousands of independent agencies across the country so there is no shortage of jobs available for prospective employees.
11. Sales Representatives: Wholesale and Manufacturing (Technical and Scientific Products)
Sales representatives: wholesale and manufacturing (technical and scientific products)
- Median hourly wage: $21.15
- Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
The median annual wage for sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing was $60,580 in May 2017.
For those with a high school diploma, this can be an excellent career choice because the industry is growing quickly and has a relatively low barrier to entry.
12. Actuary Analyst
If you’re interested in math, statistics and computer science, an actuary analyst could be a great fit for you. Actuary analysts help insurance companies understand risks associated with their policies. They evaluate risk factors by studying patterns of past events (like deaths or illnesses) and determining what factors led to those outcomes. Then they use that information to determine future risks and create mathematical models that can predict how much people will pay for insurance over time.
An actuary analyst needs at least a bachelor’s degree in mathematics, statistics or finance from an accredited university—and some employers will require applicants to have experience working as actuaries before they hire them on as analysts. In addition to their degrees, most employers also want potential employees who have taken courses on computer programming languages like Python or C++, which are commonly used by data scientists in the industry today.”
13. Advertising Sales Manager
Advertising sales manager is a job that involves selling advertising space in publications and online. It also includes selling time on radio or television. You’ll be responsible for building relationships with potential customers, developing marketing strategies and generating leads for advertising opportunities.
The average salary is $43 per hour, though you can earn more depending on where you work and what kind of degree you have. If you’re good at this job, there’s plenty of opportunity—the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that employment will rise 4% by 2026 (compared to 11% for all occupations). To find out if this career path would be right for you, take a look at the requirements below:
- Bachelor’s degree in Marketing or Communications
- Strong communications skills
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Knowledge about digital media technologies such as internet search engines, social media platforms etc., which are used widely today
14. Dental Hygienist
Dental hygienists are trained to provide preventive and restorative dental care. They clean teeth, examine teeth and gums, and educate patients on oral care. Dental hygienists must have at least an associate’s degree or certificate in dental hygiene from an accredited program.
15. Security Administrator (Information)
If you want to work in security, but don’t have a degree, good news! There are still plenty of jobs available that pay $40 an hour. You’ll usually work in an office and won’t need any special training to get started.
You can get paid $40 an hour as a Security Administrator (Information) with just a high school diploma or GED—no college degree required! You’ll need to pass a background check before getting this job though.
Consider these jobs that pay well even if you don’t have a degree
Now you know some of the highest-paying jobs that don’t require a college degree, but what are the benefits? The biggest one is time. If you’re seeking a career change, and your current job isn’t as satisfying as it used to be, perhaps one of these fields would be a good fit for you.
- *You can get started immediately–without having to wait for acceptance into a university or training program.* *
- *Your resume won’t look bad on paper if it lacks formal education.* *
- *You’ll likely have more opportunities than someone with an associate’s degree or higher.* *
If any of these sound like something you’d like to try out, here are some tips:
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a high-paying job that doesn’t require a bachelor’s degree, these are some of your best options. Keep in mind that this list isn’t exhaustive— it’s just meant to get you started on the path toward better employment.