You Don't Need a College Degree for These 10 In-Demand Jobs That Can Pay More Than 6 Figures Americans are rethinking the traditional college route as major companies like Apple and IBM drop degree requirements.
By Amanda Breen Edited by Jessica Thomas
Key Takeaways
- The average college graduate starting salary is under $60,000 — less than that of many roles that don't require degrees.
- Workamajig's new report compiled 10 lucrative roles that don't require college diplomas for success.
Increasingly, Americans are considering alternative paths that don't involve a college education. Four million fewer students were enrolled in college in 2022 compared to the decade before, NBC News reported.
As of 2023, borrowers had an average of $37,338 in federal student loan debt, USA Today reported — and the typical college graduate's starting salary is roughly $58,862, per Bankrate.
More than four in 10 bachelor's degree holders under 45 don't believe that the benefits of their education exceed the costs, according to a survey by the Federal Reserve.
It's clear that college isn't a prerequisite for success, and as enrollment continues to fall, private employers including Apple, Google, IBM and Accenture are doing away with four-year college requirements, per U.S. News & World Report.
Nowadays, many job opportunities are available to those who forgo college degrees.
Project management software company Workamajig's new report, which examined data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and occupational information program O*NET, found that creative roles, especially those in marketing, are some of the most in-demand — and potentially lucrative.
Here are the top 10 most in-demand marketing jobs least likely to require college degrees, according to the report:
1. Writer
Average salary: $69,510
Best city to work in: Los Angeles
2. Animator
Average salary: $78,790
Best city to work in: San Francisco
3. Illustrator
Average salary: $49,960
Best city to work in: New York City
4. Producers and directors
Average salary: $70,000
Best city to work in: Los Angeles
5. Photographer
Average salary: $38,950
Best city to work in: Seattle
6. Public relations specialist
Average salary: $62,800
Best city to work in: Hartford
7. Art director
Average salary: $100,890
Best city to work in: San Francisco
8. Technical writer
Average salary: $78,060
Best city to work in: Hartford
9. Graphic designer
Average salary: $50,710
Best city to work in: San Francisco
10. Editor
Average salary: $63,350
Best city to work in: New York City
