No College Degree? These States and Washington, D.C. Pay the Most for 16 Jobs That Don’t Require Higher Education
A college degree is now one of the most expensive things you can buy in America. The average college tuition and fees at undergraduate four-year schools in 2020-2021 was $19,020, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) cited by Best Colleges. Between the rising costs of an education and the intensifying force of student loan debt, many people are considering not going to college.
If you’re not going to college or don’t have a degree for whatever reason, you’ll probably still need a job. Check out these states with the highest-paying jobs that don’t require a college education.
Massachusetts
- Job: Maintenance and repair workers
- Average salary: $47,130
In Massachusetts, there are 1,485,990 maintenance and repair workers. Higher education is not necessary for this job. This salary of $47,230 is a bit lean for Massachusetts, however, where the cost of living is 49% higher than the national average.
District of Columbia
- Job: First-line supervisors of office and administrative support workers
- Average salary: $65,510
Over in D.C, there are 1,495,440 first line supervisors of office and administrative support workers. These professionals usually require no more than a high school diploma to get started in the field.
California
- Job: Software developer
- Average salary: $132,930
The national demand for software developers is high, so it’s no surprise that these professionals make the most on this list, raking in $132,930 a year on average. In California, there are 1,534,790 software developers. It’s a good thing they make so much money, because the cost of living in California is around 39% higher than the national average.
District of Columbia
- Job: Secretaries and administrative assistants, except legal, medical and executive
- Average salary: $43,410
A college degree typically isn’t required to become a secretary or administrative assistant — and there are 1,826,710 of them in D.C. They don’t make much though, considering their location. Cost of living in D.C. is 52% higher than the national average.
Nebraska
- Job: Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers
- Average salary: $53,090
In Nebraska, there are 1,984,180 heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers. These professionals don’t need a high school degree to get their jobs, and they make around $53,090, which isn’t bad for a place where the cost of living is 8% lower than the national average.
District of Columbia
- Job: Waiters and waitresses
- Average salary: $33,020
In D.C., there are 2,122,210 waiters and waitresses. This is a career with a very low bar to entry, and often you’ll see high schoolers in the field. Even though the pay is better here than other states, it’s still far from adequate considering the area. In D.C, the cost of living is 52% higher than the national average.
Washington
- Job: Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners
- Average salary: $33,960
No degree of any kind is needed to become a janitor or cleaner. In Washington state, there are 2,148,350 people in this profession. This is the sort of salary that, given the high expense of the state, could require another job. The cost of living in Washington is 15% higher than the national average.
District of Columbia
- Job: Office clerk, general
- Average salary: $41,140
In D.C., there are 2,517,350 general officer clerks. These professionals need a high-school diploma or the equivalent for the role. They make $41,140 on average a year, which is perhaps too meager a salary for D.C. with its high cost of living.
Washington
- Job: Stockers and order fillers
- Average salary: $35,550
Washington seems to be a popular place for stockers and order fillers. There are 2,842,060 of them there. Again, this job doesn’t require a college degree, but it does require aggressive savings tactics, as $35,550 won’t get you too far in the state.
District of Columbia
- Job: Customer service representative
- Average salary: $41,190
There are 2,879,840 customer service reps in D.C. Though it may not sound romantic, customer service representatives have the potential to move swiftly up the ladder into better-paying jobs.
Alaska
- Job: Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand
- Average salary: $37,510
There are 2,934,050 laborers and freight, stock and material hand movers in Alaska, a state where the cost of living is 29% higher than the national average. In light of that fact, $37,510 may not get you very far.
Washington
- Job: Cashier
- Average salary: $28,730
In Washington, where, as noted, the cost of living is 15% higher than the national average, there are 3,296,040 cashiers. This is another job where it’s not uncommon to see high-school aged kids, so definitely no higher education is required.
District of Columbia
- Job: Fast food and counter workers
- Average salary: $28,130
D.C. makes the list yet again, this time for its incredible number of fast food and counter workers (3,296,040). Still, $28,130 is decidedly low for this expensive area.
New Jersey
- Job: General and operations managers
- Average salary: $122,860
Over in New Jersey, there are 3,325,050 general and operations managers. This is a pretty great gig to land, and you don’t need a college degree to get it. The salary is $122,860, which is good for this pricey state. The cost of living in New Jersey is 12% higher than the national average.
Washington
- Job: Home health and personal care aides
- Average salary: $30,930
There are 3,504,230 home health and personal care aides in Washington. But are they making enough to get by in such an expensive state?
New York
- Job: Retail salesperson
- Average salary: $34,730
In New York, there are 3,640,040 retail salespersons. This job does not require a college degree, but in this state, where the cost of living is 128% higher than the national average, it will likely require a second job.
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Note: Cost of living figures via RentCafe.
