You Don’t Need a College Degree for These 10 In-Demand Jobs That Can Pay More Than 6 Figures
Americans are rethinking the traditional college route as major companies like Apple and IBM drop degree requirements.
Key Takeaways
- The average college graduate starting salary is under $60,000 — less than that of many roles that don’t require degrees.
- Workamajig’s new report compiled 10 lucrative roles that don’t require college diplomas for success.
Increasingly, Americans are considering alternative paths that don’t involve a college education. Four million fewer students were enrolled in college in 2022 compared to the decade before, reported.
As of 2023, borrowers had an average of $37,338 in federal student loan debt, reported — and the typical college graduate’s starting salary is roughly $58,862, per .
More than four in 10 bachelor’s degree holders under 45 don’t believe that the benefits of their education exceed the costs, according to a by the Federal Reserve.
It’s clear that college isn’t a prerequisite for success, and as enrollment continues to fall, private employers including Apple, Google, IBM and Accenture are doing away with four-year college requirements, per .
Nowadays, many job opportunities are available to those who forgo college degrees.
Project management software company , which examined data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and occupational information program O*NET, found that creative roles, especially those in marketing, are some of the most in-demand — and potentially lucrative.
Here are the top 10 most in-demand marketing jobs least likely to require college degrees, according to the report:
1. Writer
Average salary: $69,510
Best city to work in: Los Angeles
2. Animator
Average salary: $78,790
Best city to work in: San Francisco
3. Illustrator
Average salary: $49,960
Best city to work in: New York City
4. Producers and directors
Average salary: $70,000
Best city to work in: Los Angeles
5. Photographer
Average salary: $38,950
Best city to work in: Seattle
6. Public relations specialist
Average salary: $62,800
Best city to work in: Hartford
7. Art director
Average salary: $100,890
Best city to work in: San Francisco
8. Technical writer
Average salary: $78,060
Best city to work in: Hartford
9. Graphic designer
Average salary: $50,710
Best city to work in: San Francisco
10. Editor
Average salary: $63,350
Best city to work in: New York City
Key Takeaways
- The average college graduate starting salary is under $60,000 — less than that of many roles that don’t require degrees.
- Workamajig’s new report compiled 10 lucrative roles that don’t require college diplomas for success.
Increasingly, Americans are considering alternative paths that don’t involve a college education. Four million fewer students were enrolled in college in 2022 compared to the decade before, reported.
As of 2023, borrowers had an average of $37,338 in federal student loan debt, reported — and the typical college graduate’s starting salary is roughly $58,862, per .
More than four in 10 bachelor’s degree holders under 45 don’t believe that the benefits of their education exceed the costs, according to a by the Federal Reserve.
