As a consultant who assists entrepreneurs in starting and growing their businesses, I‘m always looking for ways clients can build strong teams without breaking the bank. One strategy I recommend is hiring for specialized skills rather than focusing on formal education requirements.
With the right credentials and experience, many well-paying careers are within reach even without a 4-year college degree. In this guide, I‘ll explore 27 jobs that prove earning a great living is possible regardless of your educational background.
Lucrative Roles in Healthcare
The healthcare sector offers some of the most in-demand and highest paying jobs accessible without a bachelor‘s degree. Here are three excellent options for small business owners to consider:
Dental Hygienist
- Average Hourly Wage: $37.45 per hour [$75,500 median annual salary]
- Typical Education: Associate‘s degree or certificate program
- Job Description: Clean patients‘ teeth, examine oral health, educate patients on proper dental hygiene
- Growth Prospects: 11% increase in positions by 2028
With the aging population needing ongoing dental care, dental hygienists are extremely valuable members of any dental practice. The specialized training dental hygienists receive in oral health and patient education commands salaries nearly double that of dental assistants. Their expertise and one-on-one time with patients makes them well worth the higher wages for busy dental offices.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
- Average Hourly Wage: $35.76 per hour [$72,510 median annual salary]
- Typical Education: Associate‘s degree or certificate program
- Job Description: Use ultrasound equipment to capture diagnostic images and videos for physicians
- Growth Prospects: 12% increase in positions by 2028
Sonographers play a vital clinical role in healthcare with their skills operating specialized imaging equipment. Their expertise produces the medical images doctors need for diagnosing conditions and injuries. Sonographers earn a median salary nearly $10,000 higher than the average wage of radiologic technicians. With thousands of annual openings, medical sonography offers small healthcare employers a smart recruitment option.
Respiratory Therapist
- Average Hourly Wage: $30.40 per hour [$61,330 median annual salary]
- Typical Education: Associate‘s degree
- Job Description: Assess lung health, provide oxygen therapy and other treatments to support breathing
- Growth Prospects: 19% increase in positions by 2028
The substantial growth projected in respiratory therapist roles makes this career a prime opportunity for small medical practices and long-term care facilities looking to add skilled staff to support critical rehabilitation and life support needs. Their specialized skills in managing ventilation, medication dosages, and lung exercises generate excellent wages.
Skilled Trades Jobs That Pay Well
For small contractors, manufacturers, and other industrial employers, the skilled trades provide a wealth of recruiting options that deliver superb value:
Elevator Installer and Repairer
- Average Hourly Wage: $43.12 per hour [$86,990 median annual salary]
- Typical Education: Apprenticeship program
- Job Description: Install, maintain, and repair elevators, escalators, chairlifts
- Growth Prospects: 7% increase in positions by 2028
With new buildings and infrastructure projects always underway, skilled elevator installers and repair technicians are in high demand. These roles offer wages substantially higher than many bachelor‘s degree-level jobs. Workers who complete apprenticeship programs can access this high-paying career early in their working lives.
Electrical Powerline Installer and Repairer
- Average Hourly Wage: $36.61 per hour [$74,260 median annual salary]
- Typical Education: Apprenticeship program
- Job Description: Install and maintain electrical powerlines and cables
- Growth Prospects: 5% increase in positions by 2028
Keeping communities connected and powered requires skilled powerline installers and repairers. With utilities and construction firms continually upgrading infrastructure, the earning potential for these workers is tremendous without the burdensome debt of college loans. Apprenticeships provide the ideal on-the-job training.
Plumber
- Average Hourly Wage: $27.01 per hour [$54,990 median annual salary]
- Typical Education: Apprenticeship or technical training
- Job Description: Install, repair and maintain water systems, pipes, fixtures
- Growth Prospects: 5% increase in positions by 2028
Business owners in construction and facilities management know first-hand the importance of capable, qualified plumbers. The specialized skills and licensure plumbers gain through apprenticeship programs equips them to resolve complex plumbing issues. Their essential expertise warrants excellent wages.
Lucrative Hospitality Jobs
In restaurants, hotels, and entertainment venues, certain front-of-house roles offer the opportunity to earn substantial tips and wages:
Gaming Supervisor
- Average Hourly Wage: $22.24 per hour plus $30/hour average tips [$64,840 median annual salary]
- Typical Education: High school diploma
- Job Description: Monitor casino gaming operations for regulation compliance and security. May also train new dealers.
- Growth Prospects: 33% increase in positions by 2028
With commercial casinos expanding operations across America, additional gaming supervisors are needed to manage operations, surveillance, and dealer staff. These roles come with considerable responsibility yet provide rewarding wages when combining base pay and tips.
Bartender
- Average Hourly Wage: $11.31 per hour plus $8-$12/hour average tips [$24,990 median annual salary]
- Typical Education: Short-term on-the-job training
- Job Description: Prepare and serve alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks to patrons at bars, restaurants, events
- Growth Prospects: Much faster than average – 10% or more by 2028
Bartending allows workers to leverage their customer service skills into substantial income through tips. While mainly short-term on-site training is needed, bars favor candidates with restaurant server experience. Cocktail and bartending classes can help build up beverage knowledge.
Restaurant Manager
- Average Hourly Wage: $23.08 per hour [$46,990 median annual salary]
- Typical Education: High school diploma plus hands-on experience
- Job Description: Oversee restaurant operations, staff, and budgets
- Growth Prospects: 8% increase in positions by 2028
With the right experience managing high-volume restaurant operations, motivated workers can progress quickly from server roles into restaurant management. The long hours come with lucrative median pay nearing $50,000 a year. Possessing business savvy and leadership skills are essential prerequisites.
Artistic and Creative Opportunities
Small creative firms and production houses should consider candidates skilled in these artistic crafts that generate substantial incomes:
Makeup Artist
- Average Hourly Wage: $25.86 per hour [$52,060 median annual salary]
- Typical Education: Postsecondary training from cosmetology schools
- Job Description: Apply makeup to prepare models and performers for photography sessions, theatre, film, TV, etc.
- Growth Prospects: 19% increase in positions by 2028
With demand growing rapidly for makeup artists in the film/TV, fashion, and bridal sectors, artistic individuals can parlay their cosmetology skills into lucrative freelance or full-time roles. Building a portfolio and specializing helps freelancers command top hourly rates.
Commercial Photographer
- Average Hourly Wage: $18.77 per hour [$37,530 median annual salary]
- Typical Education: Professional photography education/training
- Job Description: Photograph products, people, buildings, artwork for advertising, promotions, websites
- Growth Prospects: 8% increase in positions by 2028
Small marketing firms and publishers benefit enormously from engaging capable photographers to illustrate their content. Photographers invest significantly in equipment and education, making their specialized skills valuable for producing quality images for commercial clients.
Interior Designer
- Average Hourly Wage: $27.19 per hour [$55,080 median annual salary]
- Typical Education: Associate‘s or bachelor‘s degree
- Job Description: Design interior spaces that are functional, safe, and aesthetically pleasing
- Growth Prospects: 8% increase in positions by 2028
Interior designers possess artistic talents combined with specialized knowledge of building codes, accessibility standards, ergonomics, and materials selections. Their skills in spatial planning, color use, choosing finishes and furnishings make professional interior designers a sound investment for small architecture firms.
Sales and Marketing Occupations
Sales-oriented individuals can find abundant opportunities to utilize their interpersonal talents earning commissions and performance bonuses:
Insurance Sales Agent
- Average Hourly Wage: $24.34 per hour [$49,940 median annual salary]
- Typical Education: High school diploma
- Job Description: Sell various insurance policies – health, home, auto, life
- Growth Prospects: 8% increase in positions by 2028
Insurance carriers offer well-paying sales positions with room to advance into management roles. While most provide extensive product training, previous sales experience helps prepare for the demands of the job. Specializing in high-value lines like commercial policies increases earning potential.
Real Estate Broker
- Average Hourly Wage: $29.19 per hour [$59,770 median annual salary]
- Typical Education: HS diploma plus real estate licensing
- Job Description: Facilitate real estate deals, oversee realtor agents, manage brokerage office
- Growth Prospects: 7% increase in positions by 2028
With sufficient sales experience and drive, real estate agents can build the industry connections and business acumen to advance into brokerage positions. Brokers earn the top commissions in real estate guiding their firm‘s property transactions and marketing.
Sales Manager
- Average Hourly Wage: $52.32 per hour [$106,700 median annual salary]
- Typical Education: Bachelor‘s degree preferred
- Job Description: Direct and oversee sales activities and staff to meet sales quotas
- Growth Prospects: 5% increase in positions by 2028
While sales manager roles often desire candidates with a bachelor‘s degree and extensive sales expertise, those with a proven sales record can position themselves for promotion opportunities. The potential six-figure income rewards workers taking on sales leadership responsibilities.
Opportunities in Technical Services
Small firms in manufacturing, construction, and other technical sectors should recruit candidates with these skillsets:
Wind Turbine Technician
- Average Hourly Wage: $24.57 per hour [$49,800 median annual salary]
- Typical Education: Associate‘s degree or technical training
- Job Description: Install, inspect, maintain, and repair wind turbines
- Growth Prospects: 57% increase in positions by 2028
With exponential growth projected in wind turbine technician jobs over the next decade, renewable energy firms can capitalize on these roles to recruit specialized talent. Technicians proficient in working at heights and with electronics and hydraulics can build a career keeping turbines operating.
Avionics Technician
- Average Hourly Wage: $27.96 per hour [$56,910 median annual salary]
- Typical Education: Associate‘s degree or technical training
- Job Description: Install, troubleshoot and repair electronic systems in aircrafts
- Growth Prospects: 5% increase in positions by 2028
For firms providing maintenance, repair and retrofitting services for aircraft, avionics technicians are essential for managing delicate electronic systems. Technicians adept at navigation, radar, and testing systems help ensure every flight is safe and smooth for pilots and passengers.
Electrical Engineering Technologist
- Average Hourly Wage: $34.01 per hour [$69,100 median annual salary]
- Typical Education: Associate‘s degree in electrical/electronics engineering
- Job Description: Build, test, troubleshoot, and modify electrical equipment and systems
- Growth Prospects: 2% increase in positions by 2028
Electrical engineering technologists bridge the gap between engineers and electricians with their specialized mix of theoretical knowledge and hands-on expertise. Technology and engineering firms benefit from their skills designing, testing, and improving electrical systems and equipment.
Conclusion: Skilled Workers Deserve Livelihoods, Not Just Jobs
The 27 occupations highlighted in this guide demonstrate that high wages are attainable for motivated individuals regardless of educational pedigree. Small business owners would do well to widen their talent pools by focusing on specialized skills training and hands-on experience rather than rigid degree requirements.
At its core, this is about recognizing the humanity and dignity of skilled workers. They deserve not just jobs, but livelihoods that provide fulfilling work with fair compensation to support themselves and their families. By valuing essential expertise over pieces of paper, small businesses can build flourishing enterprises and communities.
