Obtaining a college degree can be essential for certain top end careers. However, not all well-paid and respectable jobs require a degree. Instead, it may be possible to get your foot in the door through other forms of training or by working your way up from an entry level job. Below are just some of the most surprising jobs that you do not need a college degree to break into.

Web developer

Many tech jobs require a degree to get into. However, you can become a web developer without any formal training.

As a web developer, you will build and maintain websites for a living. This could include focusing on the front-end design or the back-end code. This is a great job for someone with an interest in digital design or programming. You can usually do this job remotely and your salary will typically be over $70k per year (with the potential to earn over $100k by focusing on more complex websites and apps).

Some people work freelance as a web developer, while others are able to get a job at a company or agency. In all cases, you don’t need a college degree. In fact, many web developers self-teach themselves how to design and code a website. There are many resources out there including free online coding classes, Youtube tutorials, blog posts and books that can teach you what you need to know. Once you’ve nailed all this, you can start producing your own websites as personal projects. You can then use these websites as evidence of your skill level when applying to web development jobs.

Paramedic

Thought it was impossible to get a medical job without a degree? Think again. You can become a paramedic or emergency medical technician without going to college.

Paramedics are the first responders when it comes to medical emergencies. As a paramedic, you’ll attend to a variety of cases and be in charge of making potentially life-saving decisions. Paramedics do need to be trained in how to resuscitate people and deal with serious wounds. However, in some cases the job may just involve doing tests and reassuring people.

You will need to take a course and obtain certain qualifications to become a paramedic, and going to college is one route. However, there are non-accredited EMT courses you can take too – these are typically 170 hours in length. Other courses can also teach you skills like hands on CPR. Using qualifications gained within these courses you can work as an emergency medical technician for a couple years and then take an extra non-accredited course to become a qualified paramedic. It is a long route, but you won’t have to pay any expensive college fees.

Commercial pilot

There are few jobs more prestigious than being a commercial pilot. And yet you do not need a college degree to get this job. This could be good news if you’ve always loved the idea of flying a plane but don’t want to go to college. 

Commercial pilots are in charge of flying passengers and cargo on short and long-haul journeys. You’ll get to travel all across the world and will earn over $100k per year. 

To become a pilot, you’ll need to take an FAA approved pilot training course. First you’ll need to obtain a PPL (Private Pilot License), which requires ground training and roughly 60 hours of flying experience. From here, you can work towards your CPL (commercial pilot license), which will allow you to fly an airline. This requires 1,500 flying hours – so you’ll need to be patient.

Journalist

While there are college courses that you can take in journalism, taking one of these courses is not always necessary. Having good writing/communication skills, knowing the right people and knowing where to look for a good story may be all you need to break into the field.

As a journalist, you’ll track down stories and write articles on them. This could be for a newspaper, a magazine or an online publication. Alternatively, you could try breaking into TV or radio as a broadcast journalist. 

There are several non-college based journalism courses that you can take – some of which are provided by news publications, allowing you to immediately get a job at these publications. Another route could be to work your way up from smaller publications and blogs. By building a name for yourself, you can land bigger jobs and earn more money. 

Nuclear technician

Don’t be put off by the word ‘nuclear’. You do not need a complex degree in nuclear physics to become a nuclear technician. In fact, you don’t need a degree at all.

What exactly is a nuclear technician? These technicians are in charge of the day-to-day running of a nuclear power station. This could include installing and testing new equipment, monitoring radiation levels, fixing problems with equipment or helping with the removal of equipment from decommissioned nuclear power stations. Salaries typically sit between $67,500 and $107,000.

To land a job as a nuclear technician without a degree, consider looking into apprenticeships. These can allow you to develop a knowledge of nuclear technology while getting on-the-job training at a nuclear power plant. 

Mortgage advisor

Many jobs related to finance require a degree. However, this is not the case when becoming a mortgage advisor. If you have a fairly good knowledge of finance but don’t want to go to college, this could be a potential career worth looking into.

Mortgage advisors help property buyers explore a range of different mortgages on the market to help them get the best deal. They have a thorough understanding of the mortgage application process and may help guide first-time buyers through this process.

What credentials do you need to become a mortgage advisor? Usually the minimum qualification you need is pre-licensing training through the National Mortgage Licensing System (NMLS). This takes the form of a 20 hour class where you’ll learn about federal and state laws regarding mortgages. 

Police detective

You may already be aware that you don’t need a degree to become a police officer. But did you know that you also don’t need a degree to become a detective? While a degree in criminal justice is a common entry route, there are other non-college-related routes. 

Detectives have the role of investigating crimes – which includes collecting evidence and talking to witnesses or suspects. Most detectives will specialize in a certain area of crime which could be anything from cybercrime to drugs. Such a job is typically well paid and could have you working on a variety of cases.

You can become a police detective by working your way up from a police officer. This first involves passing police training, and then proving yourself as a valuable member of the force. You can then apply for the role of police detective and take a police detective test to get certified. 

Firefighter

While firefighters do need a high school diploma, a degree is usually not needed to enter this field. This could be an exciting career in which you can potentially save lives while earning a good salary.

As a firefighter, you’ll need to be prepared to do more than put out fires. Other incidents that are firefighters are commonly called out to include car accidents, broken elevators, hazardous material disasters and incidents where people may be trapped at heights (which could include cats stuck up trees). 

Just how do you become a firefighter? By attending a fire academy in which you will go through training to deal with a variety of incidents. EMT training is typically required too and you will need to pass a written exam. You can then begin work as a licensed firefighter.  

Marketing executive

There are many degrees that you can take in marketing. But you do not need a degree to work in this industry. In fact, you can even become a marketing executive without a degree. 

Marketing executives typically manage marketing companies or departments for large businesses. You will be in charge of the direction of marketing campaigns. This could be a specialist type of marketing such as SEO, events, social media or print marketing. Alternatively, it could be a mixture of different marketing methods. You could also choose to focus on marketing for a certain industry or a range of industries. 

To land a marketing job without a degree, consider internships and boot camps. These can help you to get your foot in the door without needing a degree. From here, it may be possible to work your way up the ladder to an executive role.

Air traffic controller

Air traffic controllers also do not need a degree. This could be another high-flying job within aviation to consider if you don’t want to go to college. 

An air traffic controller manages the flow of aircraft in and out of an airport. They also monitor the journeys of aircraft in their flight space and help pilots react to problems. Air traffic controller wages can be quite high – especially for those who are more experienced.

To become an air traffic controller, you must complete a course at the FAA academy that takes several months. Air traffic controller entry requirements can be quite strict – you must be under 30 and have 3 years of work experience.