Jobs That Pay $50K a Year Without a Degree

You can find $50,000-per-year jobs with no degree needed in a range of fields. While some roles do have education requirements for certification or licensing, you'll finish in weeks or months, not years, in most cases, and receive training on the job. 

Learn more about jobs in the following fields and how to get them in this guide to earning $50,000 per year without a degree. 

• Skilled trades

• Transportation and Logistics

• Sales and finance

• Tech and skilled labor

• Public service

Key Takeaways

• Jobs that pay $50k without a degree exist across skilled trades, transportation, sales, tech and public service — and most require only an apprenticeship, a certification or on-the-job training to get started.

• Training timelines vary widely by role, from a few weeks for an insurance or real estate license to four to five years for an electrician apprenticeship, so matching your timeline expectations to the career path matters.

• Earning potential can far exceed $50k — software developers earn a median of $131,000 and warehouse managers a median of $99,000 — meaning no-degree careers can be financially competitive with degree-required roles.

• Certifications and licenses in fields like truck driving, real estate and insurance can be completed in months, making them one of the fastest paths to a $50K salary.

• To get started, identify a field that fits your skills and goals, research the required certification or apprenticeship program and apply for entry-level roles to begin building experience.

Summary generated by AI, verified by MoneyLion editors

16 Best Jobs That Pay $50K a Year Without a Degree

A high school diploma, on-the-job training, and perhaps a license or certification, are all you need to earn $50,000 at these jobs.

Unless otherwise indicated, salary information is from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and is rounded to the nearest $1,000.

Skilled Trades

Skilled tradespersons are in high demand, and apprentices can earn $50,000 per year while training. 

1. Electrician

Electrician apprentices spend four to five years learning how to install and maintain electrical systems in homes and businesses. Median wages range from $39,000 to the lowest-earning 10% to $106,000 per year for the highest earners.

2. Plumber

Plumbers plan, install and maintain the pipes, fittings and fixtures that carry water throughout residential and commercial buildings and receive training via four-to-five-year apprenticeships. Plumbers earn $38,000 to $103,000.

3. Construction Superintendent

Construction superintendents need several years of construction experience plus safety training to oversee construction and renovation projects. Annual earnings range from $52,000 to $127,000, per Indeed.

4. Pipe Welder

Pipe welders connect pipes and fittings for fuel and other materials. Vocational training is often required for apprentices, who earn $38,000 to $76,000 on the higher end.

Transportation and Logistics

Transportation and logistics workers are in high demand and enjoy a quick path to earning $50,000 per year.

5. Commercial Truck Driver

Commercial truck drivers transport goods locally or cross-country. Long-distance truckers need a commercial drivers license (CDL). Wages range from $39,000 to $79,000.

6.Warehouse Manager

A warehouse manager oversees a company’s shipping, receiving and storage facilities. A professional course in distribution and warehousing can speed your progression from an entry-level job to a management job paying $59,000 to $176,000.

Sales and Finance Careers

Sales reps usually work on commission, which gives them control over their earnings. Many are independent contractors.

7. Insurance Agent

Insurance agents help clients manage risk with home, auto, life, health, travel or other types of insurance. After completing the pre-licensing course and passing the state exam, you’ll learn on-the-job and potentially earn $36,000 to $136,000.

8. Loan Officer

Loan officers work for banks or independent lenders to guide people through the loan process. Mortgage loan officers must take pre-licensing classes and pass a licensing exam. Pay ranges from $38,000 to $146,000.

9. Solar Sales Rep

Solar sales reps sell solar energy systems for residential and commercial buildings. Solar companies typically train sales reps about the products, and they pay $38,000 to $134,000 per year.

10. Real Estate Agent

Real estate agents represent buyers and sellers in their real estate transactions. After passing pre-licensing courses and an exam, you could earn $32,000 to $125,000 per year.

Tech and Specialized Roles

These jobs require training, but no degree, to earn $50,000.

11. Software Developer

You can learn to design, develop and test software by enrolling in a coding bootcamp to gain proficiency in C++, Python or other languages. Software developers earn $71,000 to $198,000 annually.

12. Cable Installation Technician

This job entails installing, repairing and maintaining all things cable-related. After vocational training or an apprenticeship, you can earn $43,000 to 100,000 annually.

Service and Public Safety Jobs

Service and public safety jobs often provide structured career paths, stable job opportunities and excellent benefits.

13. Police Officer

As a police officer, you'll enforce laws and keep the public safe. After several months of training at a police academy, you can earn $48,000 to $120,000.

14. Firefighter EMT

Firefighter EMTs put out fires and perform emergency medical treatment before transferring patients to a hospital. Fire academy and EMT certification are common requirements. Salaries range from $34,000 to $101,000.

15. Flight Attendant

Flight attendants keep airplane passengers safe and comfortable. You’ll train at an airline academy and earn Federal Aviation Administration certification before starting work. The pay range is $34,000 to $138,000 annually.

16. Property Manager

Property managers oversee tenant relations, inspections, maintenance and improvements. Managers often need a real estate license and/or property management certification. Salaries range from $39,300 to $141,000.

Quick Comparison of $50K Jobs

Here's an at-a-glance comparison of training times, median salaries and fastest entry paths for 16 $50,000-per-year jobs.

How To Get a Job That Pays $50K Without a Degree

Use the following tips to land a $50,000-per-year job without a degree.

Focus on Certifications Instead of Degrees

A professional certification or license proves expertise in your chosen field. Good examples are the CDL for truck drivers, and licenses for real estate and insurance agents. All require you to take classes and pass licensing exams, but you could be on your way to earning $50,000 within a few months.

Start Entry-Level and Build Experience

If you’re willing to take an entry level position and work your way up, you can earn a promotion and a $50,000-plus salary within a few years, especially if you combine practical experience with education. Supervisory and management positions are especially well suited for this path. 

Use the Right Job Search Strategies

A strong search strategy is the best way to keep your resume from getting lost in the shuffle. Networking online, on platforms like LinkedIn, and at in-person industry events can put you in touch with hiring managers and peers who might refer you for open positions. Also sign up with trade-specific job boards and job platforms like Indeed, Glassdoor and ZipRecruiter. 

Learn Skills Quickly

Apprenticeships in skilled trades help you build skills quickly while earning good pay. And coding bootcamps and online certifications, such as the technical career certificates offered by Google, prepare you for high-paying tech jobs in a fraction of the time it takes to earn a degree.

Are Jobs That Pay $50K Without a Degree Worth It?

Whether or not a $50,000, no-degree job is worth it depends on your current financial situation and your future goals. Weigh the pros and cons carefully before settling on a career.

Pros:

• You can get the education and/or training you need with little or no student debt.

• Workforce entry is faster than the four years it takes to earn a degree.

• Earnings can be as high as with a position requiring a degree.

Cons:

• Skilled trade jobs can be physically demanding.

• Commission-based sales income can vary significantly from one year to the next, and independent contractor positions typically have no benefits.

• Certifications or licensing for service-related positions sometimes require significant financial and time commitments, including residential requirements.

FAQs

Learn more about earning $50,000 without a college degree.

What is the fastest job that pays $50K without a degree?

Commercial truck driving and flight attendant are two $50,000 jobs you can enter within a couple of months of training.

Can entry-level jobs really pay $50K?

Yes. But you’ll likely need related job experience, and perhaps specialized training, certification or licensing.

Which jobs have the best long-term growth?

Of the jobs in this roundup, software engineers earn the highest median incomes. Supervisory and management positions also offer high median earnings.

Are there remote jobs that pay $50K without a degree?

Yes. Some sales jobs are at least partially remote after a period of in-person training.

How long does it take to reach a $50K salary?

There's no specific timeline to earning a $50,000 salary. It truly depends on the role and the industry you work in, and your employer, qualifications and location.

Alison Kimberly contributed to the reporting for this article.