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The Best Careers Without Degree Requirements

by Dr. Ethan Levi 4 years ago in career

Not everyone goes to college, but everyone needs a job. Don't get discouraged! You can still have a fulfilling, lucrative career. Check out the best careers without degree requirements.

Chances are your parents used to tell you you wouldn't be able to get a good job without a college degree. In previous decades, this may have been truer than it is today. Why? Because even people with college degrees have a hard time finding employment these days. So don't get down on yourself. You can make your way with the best careers without degree requirements.

Real Estate Broker

The real estate market may have its mood swings, but being a real estate broker can still be a great career path. People move around; it's what we do. Someone somewhere will always need help buying and/or selling a house.

As you work your way up and gain more experience in the industry, you will have more choices about which market you'd like to be in. If you're working on estates that are worth millions of dollars, for example, you'll have a pleasant pay day.


To become a bartender, you will need to take a written test and a pour test—but that's pretty much it. Of course, becoming a versatile and highly skilled bartender takes time and experience, but you can start making good money as a novice if you work at a well-visited bar.

Like with many other positions in the food and drink service industry, you won't be making much hourly, but you will make a lot of tips. If your bar is packed you can bring home a few hundred bucks per night. Last but not least, this job allows you to be social and have fun! For the extrovert, this is definitely one of the best careers without degree requirements you can get.


Becoming a mechanic doesn't require a college degree, but you will likely have to attend some kind of trade school. Whenever you're looking to specialize in a certain skill, you need to work hard to be better at your craft. Cars might be your favorite toys to tinker with, but people also depend on them for safety, so you need to be knowledgeable.

Aside from doing something you love, another plus side to this job is that you'll never run out of work to do. As long as there are cars, there will be car troubles and a need for people to fix them. This is one of the best careers without degree requirements because it is a steady business.


If you've ever had to call an electrician, you'll know how pricey their services can be. Well, if you are an electrician, that works out in your favor. You would likely have to attend a technical school, just as a mechanic would need to study their trade, but it doesn't require a college degree.

Keep in mind, though, that no matter how experienced of an electrician you become, there is always the possibility of you getting shocked. People might also call upon you at odd hours, so you would have to be willing to be flexible.

Games Manager

If you live near a casino, you might just want to take up a job as a games manager. As long as you have a high school diploma, you can spend your nights amidst dazzling lights and good laughs. Deal cards or work your way up the ladder to work more heavily with general operations.

Like bartending, managing gambling facilities is one of the best careers without degree requirements because it puts you in an exciting, social atmosphere. However, you also need to keep your eyes peeled for any funny business!

Farmers and Ranchers

This probably won't be a viable career for anyone in a metropolitan city, like NYC, but if you live in or are willing to relocate to a more rural area, you can make a career out of farming and ranching.

This would be a wonderful career choice for someone who adores horses, for example. You might need to pick up some training courses and light education along the way, but you'd ultimately be spending your time with animals and teaching kids how to ride. It's a rewarding and enjoyable path.

Tattoo Artist

Aside from artistic talent, all you need to become a tattoo artist is a successfully completed apprenticeship. Much like aspiring masons, those who wish to become a full-fledged tattooer must apprentice with a master of the craft for a number of years.

Once your teacher gives you the green light, you can choose to become a tattooer in their shop, find employment at a new shop, or even open your own! Accomplished tattoo artists can make a lot of money, as the best quality pieces come with a hefty price tag. This is one of the best careers without degree requirements you can have because it allows you to make money off of your passion and creativity.

Test Pilot

If you've always wanted to learn to fly planes, you probably have also always wanted a career as a pilot. While piloting large, occupied commercial airplanes requires a college degree, test piloting does not.

If you take a job as a test pilot, you'll still be able to fly and enjoy your career. Needless to say, you can't just hop into a plane and fly away, though. You would need to take special training courses—or have experience in the air force—for a career in aviation.

Criminal Investigator

If you've always been captivated by mystery and possess a strong sense of justice, you can become a detective or a criminal/private investigator without a college degree. However, these jobs do require special training and certifications, so you'll still have to work hard.

Keep in mind, people would depend on you to do the right thing and to get answers. As a criminal investigator, you would be able to solve cases, bring people closure and peace of mind, and satisfy your curiosity. There are a lot of factors that go into making this one of the best careers without degree requirements.

Veterinary Technician

Love puppies? Kitties? Fluffy things in general? Then go become a vet tech! You don't need anything higher than a high school diploma for it, just someone who is willing to give you a shot at real life experience.

Helping animals will surely make you feel like you're doing something meaningful with your life. Plus, you get to spend the day meeting new dogs, cats, rabbits, etc., which makes it one of the best careers without degree requirements any way you slice it.

The only aspect of this job that might deter you is the highly emotional atmosphere that surrounds the injury, illness, or death of a beloved pet. But if you have the mental fortitude to take the good with the bad, then this could be the perfect job for you.


Dr. Ethan Levi

He is a published writer with a doctorate in philosophy who challenges literally everything and everyone. Dr. Levi strongly identifies with punk music and despises elitism. He has an affinity for flannel.

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