There are several reasons why you might desire to obtain a high-paying career without a university degree, whether you decide to change jobs later in life or just discover that the standard academic road is not for you.
It's shocking how many high-paying positions are available without a degree. Others have formed alternate methods such as vocational training, while certain professions emphasize experience and a demonstrated track record above diplomas on paper.
A bachelor's degree isn't required for some of the highest-paying occupations.
There are many high-paying careers that need transferrable talents from one field to another.
It doesn't matter if you're just getting started on the professional ladder or want to change things up to make more money; these high-paying careers don't require a costly and extensive degree.
Here are some of the highest-paying careers that don't need a degree, along with their typical salary.
1. Risk Manager
The average income for a risk manager is £57,105.
A Risk Manager provides advice to their boss on one or more dangers to the company, such as safety, security, and economic risks.
Depending on the location and amount of responsibility, senior positions might potentially pay more than £70,000.
A degree is not required for this position; however, it may assist boost your application. Work your way up through the administrative ranks to become a Risk Assistant before becoming a Risk Manager in your own right.
2. £27,000 for a prison officer
You will monitor the welfare of convicts in prisons, detention centers, or juvenile offenders' institutions as a prison officer.
£22,000 as a starting wage
Salary at the top: £38,000
What you'll require
You do not need to go to university, but you must have a basic education.
The position is best suited to someone who can work under pressure and remain calm in tense situations.
You can't have gotten yourself into any serious trouble since they have to run a comprehensive criminal background check on you before they can hire you. You must also be physically fit and pass a medical examination.
The procedure for submitting an application
You'll need to take a Prison Office Selection Test to ensure you have the talents they're searching for.
Written tests, numeracy, and judgment skills will be completed, as well as physical ability will be tested.
3. Strategy Manager Salary: £64,108 on average
A Strategy Manager's job is similar to that of a Risk Manager, only instead of detecting hazards, you identify your company's strengths, weaknesses, and growth possibilities.
An MBA is the most common academic path in this field. However, you may also get there through on-the-job training.
Job closely with CEOs and other members of the board of directors (for example, as a personal assistant) to obtain a better understanding of the work they undertake. Accept difficulties and gain experience, and you'll be on your path to becoming a strategist.
4. £30,000 for a digital marketer
With online and digital marketing, you may be promoting a business on social media one minute, generating SEO content for a website the next, and working to design a service for an app the next.
Many people have marketing degrees, but they aren't essential.
£18,000 as a starting wage
Salary at the top: £45,000 Plus
What you'll require
You'll need a creative flare as well as a will to keep learning as you go Because things are always changing. You'll also need to be extremely computer savvy.
The procedure for submitting an application
If you want to work for an agency, show off your abilities in a unique way to stand out from the crowd.
Apprenticeships are also worth considering since they allow you to earn as you study.
5. Programme Manager
Average compensation for a Programme Manager is £61,003.
You may work your way up the management ladder to attain the position of Programme Manager, which pays well over £60,000 on average.
If you wish to go in this direction, make sure you grasp typical project management methodologies such as Agile and PRINCE2.
Specialist training courses are also available from organizations such as the Project Management Institute and the Association for Project Management, which may help you further your career.
6. £30,250 for a police officer
As a police officer, you will assist in maintaining law and order, crime prevention, and criminal investigation.
£19,000 as a starting wage
Salary for experience: £41,500
What you'll require
You'll need to be able to work under pressure and in stressful conditions, and you'll need to be resilient.
You'll need to be sensitive as well as possess strong communication and leadership abilities.
Complete background checks will be required for some roles.
The procedure for submitting an application
If you don't have a degree, the Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA), a three-year work-based program, is one of the finest options.
You can apply for the program with your preferred police force (which earns you a degree-level qualification).
7. £31,500 for a firefighter
You'll be part of the community, but it won't only be to put out flames in an emergency.
A fireman assists in the prevention and education of fires. They can also assist other emergency services in situations such as automobile accidents, floods, and even bomb scares.
I'm not sure how many cats they assist in descending from trees.
£23,800 as a starting salary
Salary for experience: £39,300
What you'll require
You'd have to work in shifts, and you'd be able to work evenings, weekends, and holidays. You must also pass medical and background checks and have a valid driver's license.
Having a basic education with GCSE Math’s and English passes, but no further credentials are required.
The procedure for submitting an application
You'll have to pass an online test, as well as mathematical and reading tests, to determine your ability to make decisions in the workplace.
You must also demonstrate that you are physically and mentally healthy. As a result, you must ensure that you have completed enough training prior to beginning the application or selection process.
8. Commercial Manager
The average income for a commercial manager is £51,345 per year.
In general, a Commercial Manager's job is to assist in the development of commercial policies inside an organization, ensuring that external business ties are lucrative, low-risk, and compliant.
There are certain particular applications for this job title, such as in construction, where a Commercial Manager is in charge of preparing project bids and negotiating the contracts that ensue. Experience, particularly a track record of successful negotiating, can be a viable alternative for a degree in this field.
9. Strategy Consultant
Average compensation for a strategy consultant is £51,564.
A Strategy Consultant performs identical functions to a Strategy Manager, but as an independent consultant rather than a permanent employee of the client company.
When seeking for consultant job, having a track record is usually advantageous, therefore to work as a Strategy Consultant without a degree, you may need to have achieved a level of strategic relevance during your past career.
A degree is not required if you have demonstrated great prior performance on your CV, since potential clients are more likely to recognize the important contribution, you can make to their organization based on your recent accomplishments.
10. £40,000 for air traffic controllers
You must guarantee that flights take off and land safely, as well as the seamless operation of the airport. Working as an air traffic controller does not require a degree since you may learn on the job through an apprenticeship or trainee plan. The job is demanding and difficult, which is why it pays so well.
Starting salary: £17,000 – £23,000, with training costs
Depending on where you work and shift allowances, the highest income is £100,000 per year.
What you'll require
You must have a minimum of five GCSEs (grades A–C or 1–5 in the new grading system). Because the position requires a lot of arithmetic, you'll need to be extremely numerate.
They aren't searching for specific experience, but rather transferable qualities such as making rapid judgments, functioning well under pressure, and communicating well.
The procedure for submitting an application
You can apply directly to the National Air Traffic Services (NATS), or you can go through a smaller company.
To begin the application process for a trainee air traffic controller, you must first complete a three-year training program to obtain your air traffic control license. It begins with 12–18 months of college-based instruction, followed by on-the-job training.
11. Security Consultant
Average compensation for a security consultant is £41,851.
In the sense that it prevents prospective losses due to the hostile activities of others, Security Consultancy is a kind of Risk Management. As a result, top positions in this field might command a high salary. You must be able to think like a criminal in order to discover security concerns and prevent criminal acts against an organization. You can obtain experience by working for a security business. As you get a better grasp of the security issues that major organizations face, you can advance into more responsible roles and eventually start your own Security Consultancy firm or join an existing firm of Security Consultants.
12. £37,000 per year: Computer Game Tester
You won't be playing games for leisure, but rather, you'll be testing computer games for bugs, typos, accessibility concerns, and other issues, and then reporting them back to the developers.
Salary for new employees: $24,000
UK experience: £50,000 per year
What you're looking for is here.
A thorough knowledge of several gaming systems is required. It does not require any formal schooling.
Having a good recall, critical thinking, and a keen eye for detail are essential.
Process of Making an App
Make direct contact with games firms, maybe searching for part-time or short-term job.
Additionally, you may get experience by testing early release versions of games and participating in industry forums.
13. Scum Master
Average pay for Scrum Master: £54,306
Scrum is a project management paradigm that was originally created for software development. It divides tasks into short ‘sprints' that may be assigned to members of small teams.
It's called after a rugby configuration and emphasizes non-linear communication and nimble teamwork. A Scrum Master is used in this framework to protect the team from outside distractions.
It is not necessary to have a college diploma. You should be well suited to the post of Scrum Master if you can demonstrate that you are an agile thinker with the ability to communicate clearly and quickly to new difficulties.
14. Drivers of trains and trams – £44,500
You'll be in charge of trains that transport people and freight around the country.
It's possible that the employment will be with one of the major overground rail networks, subway trains, trams, or even Eurostar.
£24,000 (closer to £49,500 for the London Underground) as a starting salary
Salary for experience: £65,000
What you'll require
Before you can acquire the job, you'll have to pass background and medical checks, and you'll have to reside within an hour of the railway station.
In terms of abilities, you'll need a lot of patience, the ability to keep calm under pressure, and the ability to operate heavy machinery.
The procedure for submitting an application
You must have passed your GCSEs in English and Math’s.
Directly apply to the train operator and begin as a trainee driver.
Training can last up to 24 months in most cases.
15. £46,000 for a Sales Manager
You guide a team toward sales targets and KPIs as a Sales Manager. You'll also organize and train your squad in order to help them meet their goals.
Salaries frequently include a commission component, with the possibility to earn significantly more.
£22,000 as a starting wage
£70,00 + (including commissions)
What you'll require
You'll need to be self-motivated and work effectively under pressure.
You'll need to be a natural leader with outstanding communication abilities.
The procedure for submitting an application
You may develop your talents as a salesperson by starting as a Sales Representative (which still pays well). You'll need a deep understanding of the market for the product or service you're selling, as well as a track record of successful sales.