You don’t need a degree for these 5 high-paying jobs

Everyone wants to earn the big bucks in a high-paying job — and you can’t blame them.

With seemingly everything getting more expensive, we all want a good job that pays well.

High-paying jobs shouldn’t be limited to just those with college degrees. Sometimes, the rest of us can’t afford to go to college or uni — or don’t want to.

Fortunately, there are high-paying jobs for those of us with just high school degrees.

Top 5 high-paying jobs that don’t require a degree

1. Real estate agent

This industry is a lucrative one, especially if you get to work and move within the upper-class circles, selling property to them.

The average salary depends on how many homes an agent sells, with the commission given to the brokerage and the split between brokers and agents.

According to employment site Indeed, the average salary of an agent in the US ranges between US$45,163 and US$196,207. Take note though, it is a job that requires effort and time.

You have to continuously build your client base and get referrals from them in order to grow your potential lists.

You’d need to be able to speak well too. Knowing a secondary language is a bonus, and you need to be a trustworthy and genuine person to flourish in the business.

2. Personal trainer

Despite many online workout videos, people still feel the need to train with a personal trainer because it gives them extra motivation. Watching and maintaining your fitness goals is also something a trainer will do with you and push you towards.

According to the US career advice website, Zippia, California has the highest salary for personal trainers, at US$49,724.

To become a personal trainer, many start by training their own friends, then asking for referrals and the business grows from there.

If you take a short course on nutrition and food, you can combine this with training and charge more.

Personal trainers can charge by the hour. Source: Javier Soriano/AFP

3. Construction site worker

Young people who have an interest in building and construction actually have a good chance of sticking it through and climbing their way up the ladder.

Typically, a construction worker for example in Australia can earn up to 50.76 Australian dollars hourly and A$98,983 annually, according to Talent.com.

The hourly rate is much higher than any other part-time gig you can have.

Plus, there are always opportunities to learn on the job, which doesn’t require you to sit in a classroom.

Of course, there are options to eventually build your career path and move to site managers, developers or project managers in the future.

Once you’re part of management, however, a business or management programme will come in handy.

4. Web developer

Web developers create and maintain websites, this includes the layout, design and content.

You do not need a university degree for this but do need to have some basic coding skills, like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript — all of which you can learn on your own.

According to Talent.com, the average salary is US$91,692 annually, while experienced developers can earn up to US$130,000.

Web developing has become a popular industry. Source: Jean-Francois Monier/AFP

5. Aged care support workers

An aged care worker helps the elderly with daily activities. You’d also be looking at recreational activities like group excursions or shopping.

According to KPMG’s Aged Care Market Analysis 2022, Australia’s changing demographics have significantly influenced the demand for and provision of aged care services.

“People are living longer than ever before, however with greater frailty. The number of Australians aged 85 years and over will increase from 515,700 in 2018 to 2019, to more than 1.5 million by 2058,” the report says.

All you need are good communication skills, physical fitness and an ability to multitask — and you could be earning an average salary of AU$123,686 annually according to Indeed.