Think six figures are out of reach without a degree? Think again.
Many believe that earning over $200K/year necessitates a costly degree or massive investment.
This article unveils 15 legitimate jobs—available in 2025—that pay well above $200K and require no degree or starting capital, plus proof, resources, and steps to get started.
1. Sales Engineer / Technical Sales
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You might lie awake wondering how to earn big without a degree. Sales Engineer or Technical Sales could be the answer. You use what you know about a product and match it to what a customer needs. You don’t need a degree. You bring skills and learn on the job.
Here’s why that matters. At top companies like Google, AWS, and Microsoft, some Sales Engineers earn well over $200,000 a year when base pay and commission add up. That’s data straight from Glassdoor listings showing top total pay ranges that high. And even just a Senior Sales Engineer—no degree needed—can average around $224,000 annually in total pay.
Getting there often starts with vendor training programs or industry certifications instead of a degree. You don’t have to invest money—just time. Cisco hires people who show they can learn tech fast, degree or not. You can shape solutions, talk to people, and earn a six-figure income. This is one of the clearest paths to a high-pay job no degree required.
2. Air Traffic Controller
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Might worry about how to earn big money without a degree. Here’s one option for you. Air traffic controllers keep planes safe and on track. You tell pilots when to take off, land, and fly in the right paths.
This job can pay really well. The median pay was about $144,580 in May 2024. Some of the most experienced controllers earn over $210,410 a year. That makes it one of the best real jobs that pay over $200K without a degree. The FAA says that three years after finishing the Academy, the average certified controller earns over $160,000 a year.
You don’t need a college degree. You need to pass a test and go through training at the FAA Academy. This can take one to three years. You also get strong benefits like health care and early retirement. But be honest, the job is stressful. You stay sharp all the time and push through long shifts. You can earn a six-figure career without college.
3. Tech Entrepreneur – Micro SaaS or Online Course Creator
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If you want a high-pay job no degree required, building a micro SaaS or creating an online course is one of the fastest ways to get there. You make a small software tool or a simple course that solves one clear problem.
It costs you time, not money, to start. Many people have turned this into six-figure careers without college. On Indie Hackers, there are income reports from solo founders making over $200,000 a year. One creator used no-code tools to build a subscription service and now earns about $250,000 a year. The steps are simple but take work.
You find a niche pain point, make a basic version of your idea, and test it. Then you automate tasks so you can focus on growth. You can promote your product on YouTube, Reddit, or small online communities.
Tools like Bubble.io let you build apps without coding, Teachable lets you run courses, and Gumroad helps you sell digital products. It’s not instant, but it’s a proven way to build real income with no degree and no big investment.
4. Real Estate Associate / Broker
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Job where your income depends on your effort, being a real estate associate or broker could be a strong choice. You help people buy and sell homes. The better you are at closing deals, the more money you make.
In places with high-priced homes like Los Angeles, top agents can make over $222,000 a year. That’s because your pay comes from commissions, which are a percentage of each sale. You don’t need a college degree, but you do need to get licensed in your state. That usually means taking a course, passing an exam, and working with a broker to start.
It can take a few months before you see your first paycheck, and your income might be low at the start. But if you learn how to market yourself, build trust with clients, and stay consistent, the potential is huge. It’s a high-pay job no degree required, but it rewards people who can work hard, be patient, and keep building their client list.
5. Voice‑Over Artist
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Having a clear speaking voice and can read with emotion, working as a voice-over artist could be a real way to earn a high income without a degree. You record voices for things like TV and radio ads, audiobooks, video games, and online videos.
Some of the best voice-over professionals make more than $234,000 a year, especially if they land steady commercial or audiobook work. You don’t need a fancy studio to start. Many people use a simple microphone at home and free or low-cost recording software. What matters most is your sound quality, timing, and ability to bring words to life.
You can build your skills by practicing scripts, listening to professionals, and creating a demo reel. Work often comes from online platforms, talent agencies, or direct contact with production companies. It can take time to get your first big job, but if you treat it like a business and keep improving, it’s one of those high-pay jobs no degree required that can grow into a six-figure career.
6. Oil Rig Worker / Petroleum Technician
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Working as an oil rig worker or petroleum technician can pay very well, especially after you gain a few years of experience. These jobs involve helping with the extraction and processing of oil, often in offshore or remote locations. The work can be tough and sometimes dangerous, but that’s one reason the pay is high.
Many people in this field make well over six figures, and overtime can push earnings even higher. You don’t need a college degree to get started, but you will need safety training and sometimes specific certifications, which employers often provide.
You’ll be working long shifts, sometimes 12 hours or more, and you might spend weeks away from home at a time. This isn’t for everyone, but if you can handle physical work and want a high-pay job no degree required, it’s a proven path. You also get to build skills that can lead to other roles in the energy industry, which means more options and higher pay over time.
7. Detective / Criminal Investigator
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Being a detective or criminal investigator can be a strong career choice if you want meaningful work that can also pay well without a college degree. You start in law enforcement, usually as a police officer, and move into detective work after gaining experience and passing internal exams.
Detectives gather evidence, interview witnesses, and solve cases ranging from theft to serious crimes. The pay varies by location, but experienced investigators in certain areas can make solid six-figure incomes, especially with overtime. You also get benefits like health coverage, retirement plans, and paid time off. The work can be stressful, and you may deal with difficult or emotional situations, so it’s not for everyone.
But if you have strong problem-solving skills and can work under pressure, this can be one of those high-pay jobs no degree required. Over time, your experience can lead to promotions or specialized units that pay even more.
8. Underground Mining Contractor via Networking
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High-pay job no degree required and you’re not afraid of hard work, underground mining could be an option. These jobs involve working deep below the surface to extract minerals, often in remote areas.
Some roles pay over $200K a year, especially if you secure a good contract. In Australia, one worker landed such a position through a personal connection without any formal qualifications, according to reports from Moneyzine and other career sites. The entry process usually starts with basic safety training, like the Standard 11 course, which many companies provide once you’re hired.
No major upfront cost, but you must be ready for physical labor, long shifts, and weeks away from home. The work can be dangerous and is closely monitored due to environmental rules, so it’s not for everyone. But if you can handle the demands, it’s one of those real jobs that pay over $200K without a degree, and it can set you up financially in just a few years.
9. Window cleaners using rope access
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Want steady work with decent pay and you don’t mind heights, rope access window cleaning could be worth a look. In Australia, some workers earn about $50 AUD an hour after just one week of training.
That means you can start earning quickly without years of study or big costs. The job involves cleaning windows on tall buildings using ropes and harnesses, often under the IRATA safety system.
It’s physical work and you’ll be outdoors in all kinds of weather. You also need to follow strict safety rules to protect yourself and others. While it won’t get you $200K a month, it can be a solid income for entry-level manual work, especially if you take extra shifts or move into higher-risk projects that pay more. If you like working with your hands, being active, and seeing the results of your effort right away, this is a real option that doesn’t require a degree.
10. Niche Podcast Host for Top Shows
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If you can talk about a topic in a way that keeps people listening, hosting a niche podcast can be one of those no-degree jobs $200k per year. Some podcast hosts make six-figure incomes through sponsorships, ad deals, or paid contracts with big shows. You don’t need to cover broad news or compete with celebrity hosts.
Picking a niche—like rare hobbies, local history, or a specific industry—can help you build a loyal audience faster. The startup cost is low. A basic microphone, free editing software, and a hosting plan are enough to get going. You can learn the ropes from YouTube creators who share tips on growing shows and finding sponsors. There are also marketplaces that connect podcasters with brands looking for ad spots.
Reddit threads and news sites have listed podcast hosting among surprisingly high-paying careers without a degree. It takes time to grow, but if you enjoy talking, connecting with people, and staying consistent, it can turn into a six-figure career without college.
11. Hot-tap master welders
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Hot-tap master welders work on live pipelines, fixing them while they are still under pressure. That means the system doesn’t shut down, which saves companies huge money but puts you in a risky position.
Some workers have shared on Reddit and in industry news that this role can pay over $300K a year when you have the right skills and contracts. You don’t need a college degree, but you do need to know how to weld with precision and keep calm in high-pressure situations—literally.
Most people start through trade training programs or apprenticeships, learning on the job until they’re qualified for live pipeline work. The upside is the pay and demand, especially in oil, gas, and water infrastructure. The trade-offs are serious: you’ll face extreme heat, tight spaces, and the need to focus for hours without mistakes. If you’re the kind of person who can stay steady under stress, this can be one of the highest-pay jobs no degree required and a real job that pays over $200K without a degree.
12. Remote sales executives
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Remote sales executives focus on selling high-ticket products or services from anywhere with a good internet connection. Some Indeed listings show earnings of $200K+ a year when commissions are strong.
You don’t need a degree to get started, but you do need excellent communication skills and the ability to build trust quickly over calls, video chats, or email. Many companies provide product training, so you can learn what you need while you work. The upside is obvious—flexibility, high earning potential, and no need to relocate. The trade-offs are that your income can change from month to month, and there’s constant pressure to hit sales targets.
If you can stay motivated, manage rejection well, and keep learning new ways to connect with customers, this is one of the high-pay jobs no degree required that’s proven to be a real job paying over $200K without a degree.
13. High-ticket affiliate marketing and drop-shipping
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High-ticket affiliate marketing and drop-shipping focus on selling expensive products like luxury watches, designer furniture, or high-end tech. The idea is simple: each sale earns you a commission, and when the price tag is high, the payout can be hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
You don’t need a degree, and you can start with little to no upfront cost if you work with existing affiliate programs or suppliers. The key is finding products that people want but can’t easily get from a local store, then driving targeted traffic through social media, YouTube, or email marketing. The upside is clear—just a few sales a week can add up to serious money.
The trade-off is that it takes time to build trust and attract the right audience, and competition can be tough. But if you’re consistent, learn how to market well, and focus on the right niche, this can be one of those high-pay jobs no degree required that’s a real path to earning over $200K a year.
14. B2B Appointment Setter for High-Ticket Services
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Companies pay generously for people who can get them in front of the right decision-makers. As an appointment setter, you don’t sell the product—you just secure meetings for sales teams selling high-ticket items like commercial software, consulting, or real estate developments.
Many remote setters make $100–$300 per meeting booked, and top performers can easily pass $200K a year without handling a single closing call. You just need good communication skills, persistence, and the ability to handle rejection. The entry path is often through cold outreach via LinkedIn, email, or phone, and some companies provide scripts and full training.
15. Freight Broker for Niche Shipping Routes
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Freight brokers connect companies that need goods shipped with carriers who can move them. When you specialize in high-value or urgent loads—like medical equipment or luxury vehicles—the commissions can add up fast.
You don’t need a degree, and many start from home with a phone, a laptop, and broker training (often a few hundred dollars or even free from some carriers). The key is building a reliable network of shippers and drivers.
The upside is huge because every booked load can bring in hundreds to thousands in commission. The trade-off is that it’s competitive, and you have to be ready to handle calls at odd hours to land big deals.
