For a lot of people college has been an expected path in their lives since they were young. They plan on going to college, getting a degree, working till they are 65, and happily retiring with a multitude of grandkids to spend their time with. Unfortunately that sometimes doesn’t work out. Life often throws us for a loop, and for many people college is out of the picture and immediate funds are a necessity. For those people, here are five career paths that don’t require a college degree and can still provide decent pay.
Sales
If you have the sales gene in you then sales is a great place to start without a degree. Most salespeople are paid on commission, which essentially means that the sky is the limit to how much they can make. Many alarm and pest control salesmen will pay their way through school with a summer sales job, making $50 thousand or more a year in just four months. According to Salary Expert, the average pest control salesman makes just under $60 thousand a year, which is incredible considering how many of them are just out of high school, and are only working four or five months out of the year. Sales isn’t for everyone, but if you think you have what it takes, it can be a great option.
Barber
If knocking on doors all summer and talking to people that may not want to talk to you sounds too scary, then a barber may be a good second choice. Barbers are required to get some training, but once you get the hang of it then the job itself is pretty simple. You can see the average price a barber is able to charge here. As you can see, they can make upwards of $40 an hour as long as they stay busy. If this route interests you it is often a good idea to start at a hair school, and then start doing your own private clients. You can make a lot more once you have a list of people that trust you and you don’t have to split your earnings with a salon owner.
Dental hygienist
Many people have no clue that their dental hygienist doesn’t have a college degree. So if putting your hands into people’s mouths all day doesn’t bother you, then this is a great route. The average dental hygienist makes just under $70 thousand a year, and for the most part they get on-the-job training. There will always be a need for dentists, so this is a great career if you are looking for something to stay in long-term.
Entrepreneur
If you need cash instantly, this may not be the best option for you. However, many entrepreneurs do not have college degrees, and instead have a lot of passion and desire. An entrepreneur is a great career path for anybody with a passion for something that can be monetized, and who doesn’t enjoy working a 9-5 schedule. The best part of being an entrepreneur is that there are nearly endless possibilities. Some entrepreneurs find something they are good at and go into consulting. Others learn a skill such as web design or online marketing and build a list of clients who they can help.
If you have a little time before you need immediate funds, and you have a skill set that you think businesses could use, then try being an entrepreneur. There are plenty of online resources and people who are willing to mentor those trying to go off on their own. This is a path that most people don’t consider, but they probably should.
