College degrees are very expensive and can take a minimum of two to four years to complete. Many hardworking people don’t have the time or money to meet these education goals, barring them from many careers that can earn them more money to support themselves or their families.
Not all lucrative careers require a formal degree, contrary to popular belief. You can even earn six-digit salaries without any college degree at all! If you want to boost your earnings with a career change, the best approach is to understand all of your options.
1. Electricians
Electricians are some of the more technical types of skilled trades, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible to enter the field. They are responsible for installing, managing, or repairing electrical wiring and systems. You don’t need a formal degree to become an electrician, though.
You can learn through an apprenticeship or with trade school classes—both can be beneficial. You’ll start with an apprenticeship, where you can then become a journeyman and, lastly, a master electrician. You won’t be able to own an electrical business or oversee employees until you receive a license, and most states require one.
You will need proof of experience and to pass an exam for licensing, but specific state requirements can vary. On average, electricians can earn around $60,000, but you can earn a lot more with your own business or master electrician roles.
2. Plumbers
If you don’t mind a bit of labor and dirty work (literally), plumbing is an excellent field to go into with a ton of upward mobility and demand, similar to other trades like electrical. Plumbing is slightly less technical than electrical work, but you’ll still need to undergo some training before handling major jobs. Plumbers install and manage sewage and plumbing systems in homes and businesses.
Like all trade work, however, you can learn on the job or through trade school (or both), making it attractive for all learning styles and walks of life. Plumbers also climb the career ladder from apprentice to master. On average, you can expect to earn around $55,000 to $65,000.
Plumbing business owners can expect to earn more than this, and high-end plumbers can even earn six-digit salaries! Master plumbers and business owners need to obtain a license by passing an exam in most states. Test prep from RocketCert and gathering all your necessary files beforehand can help make licensing a breeze.
3. HVAC Technicians
With temperatures growing more extreme everywhere, many residential and commercial buildings are looking to install heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems to live more comfortably. HVAC technicians are responsible for installing or managing these systems. On average, the salary for these trade workers sits in between plumbers and electricians, at around $58,000.
Like any other role, you can expect to earn more when you own a business or are in management positions. Licensing requirements will vary by state and your job level. You don’t need a formal degree for this, just like other trade work. Trade schools are very affordable and take far less time if you’d prefer schooling, however.
4. Truck Driving
If trade jobs aren’t to your liking, you’re not out of options. The only education truck drivers typically need is a commercial driving license (CDL), but many trucking companies will help you train on the job to receive this licensing. You can take truck driving classes at trade schools or local community colleges as well.
As the name implies, truck drivers will transport a wide variety of cargo trucks over distances for deliveries. Some truck drivers will handle local drives, while others will drive cross-country. The hours can be long and tiring, but the pay is decent to make up for it.
You can expect to make around $50,000 to $80,000, but if you own or operate a trucking or delivery business, you can easily make six-digit figures. Many operators start as truck driver employees and move upward through their careers.
5. Software Development
If you’d rather work from home or in a comfortable office, you can consider software development. You can’t get a job without any prior knowledge, but many software developers or IT professionals learn through self-teaching or coding workshops.
There are plenty of online courses that cater to learning software development, and they can help anyone get a job in the field with some hard work and studying. Studying pays off, though, as software developers can earn, even on average, around $120,000 to $130,000! You may earn more money with a degree, however. Some employers will look for at least a bachelor’s degree in computer science, but it’s not a hard requirement.
Conclusion
Most high-paying careers are considered to provide salaries of over $50,000. Many roles require a formal degree, and it can be difficult to be hired without one. Trade jobs like electricians and plumbers make it easier for those who don’t have the time or money for a formal degree to climb the career ladder and earn more.
Other careers, like truck driving, provide an opportunity to earn money if you have a lot of time to dedicate to the job. Software developers can enjoy work-from-home opportunities without sacrificing salary.
This is not an exhaustive list by any means; many trade jobs, like construction, can also provide lucrative career opportunities. Consult with a job coach or career counselor to learn about all the fields available to you to make the most educated choice.
