You’ve probably
been told all of your life that if you want to make it big in the world, you
need a college degree.
While that’s
true most of the time, it turns out that some of the most high-paying jobs
actually don’t require a degree, and this is especially true for jobs in the
technology industry.
According to
the Bureau of Labor Statistics, those in the technology field can make anywhere
from $60,000 to $200,000 a year at an average of $118,000 a year. Though it’s
not millionaire status, that kind of income makes for a pretty comfortable
lifestyle. Perhaps that’s why when you think of jobs in the tech industry, you
likely think of Ivy League grads that seemed born to work hard and make it big.
However, that’s
not always the case, and the number of those who don’t have a college degree
and land a job, though rare, is rising all the time.
1. Internet Marketing
As a largely
needed career in today’s marketing world, internet marketers are known for
making great money, even without a bachelor’s degree. In this field, a degree
can provide an excellent boost in understanding the needs and wants of an
audience, but those skills can also be learned elsewhere, particularly for
those looking to capitalize on SEO techniques.
By gaining a
reputable clientele and showing consistent results through skills gained from
life experiences, anyone with a knack for web development and marketing can
make an average of $115,000 a year.
2. Computer Software
Engineer
Anyone you talk
to in a formal setting will most likely tell you that you need a bachelor’s
degree to make $100,000 a year as a computer programmer, but the truth is, many
jobs only require an associate’s degree or a certificate from a technical
training school.
With a growth
rate of 22%, these jobs are often unfilled, and employers will often wave your
educational qualifications if you know what you’re doing.
3. Computer System
Analyst
To put it
simply, a computer system analyst studies data and computer systems to help
them operate more efficiently. Though it can certainly help to have completed a
four-year program, a degree in computer system analysis isn’t always required.
The annual wage is about $80,000 a year and you can jump right in with little
to no work experience.
Anyone with a
thorough understanding of how computer systems operate has a chance of getting
this high profile position, just like Edward Snowden, a former CIA and NSA
analyst did with just a GED.
Related
Article: Who is the Next Bill Gates or Steve Jobs?
4. Entertainment Manager
Michael
Palance: Producers, directors, and entertainment managers average a salary of
$70,000 a year, with a small percentage making nearly $200,000 a year. You can
get a degree before entering this occupation of sound and visual production,
but many of the most successful people have never received any formal education
higher than high school.
For example, Michael
Palance, actor and producer of the talent show My Hollywood, began his
professional career as a teen actor in New York. Without any formal education,
he has risen to become a very successful entertainment manager.
5. Web Development
If you have a
knack for coding and recognizing what kinds of websites audiences like, you
could easily land a job in web development. According to EMSI, a career
building company, just about half of all web developers do not hold a degree.
This market is so hungry for new, energetic workers that it can’t fill all of
the positions with web development graduates.
Instead, they
often offer short certification courses and on-the-job training for those who
show a high proficiency in computer programming and graphic design. Web
developers today make an average of $62,500 a year.
6. Telecommunications
Though it’s not
the highest paying job, you could still live a comfortable life as a
telecommunication equipment installer and repairer, and it’s one of the highest
paying jobs for anyone without a college degree. At a median salary of $54,000
a year, many could skip the college debt experience and jump straight to leading
an established lifestyle.
7. Computer Support
Specialist
With no need for formal education, those
with a knack for computer software and equipment can find themselves making
$50,000 a year. With a 17 percent growth rate, which is particularly high for
the communication and electronics industry, the need and demand for computer
support specialists is rising all the time. It’s a pretty comfortable job as
well. Many specialists can work from home and choose their own hours.
The tech industry is an incredibly
lucrative market, no matter the level of your education. Though these examples
show that you don’t always need a college degree to make your way in the world,
it’s important to recognize that these are the exceptions to the rule. In
reality, a college education is the surest way to a comfortable life, even with
the excess debt and the poor economy.
