Jobs That Pay 75k a Year Without a Degree (With Added Tips)

Earning a decent income without any formal education has proven to be a bit challenging, especially when most employers prefer those with a college degree. That said, there are various jobs that can pay 75k a year without a college degree. Knowing the professions that provide a good and stable income without a degree and tips to get these jobs further your chances at getting and excelling in them. In this article, we explore 16 jobs that pay $75k that you can get without a degree and offer tips for pursuing these jobs.

16 jobs that pay 75k a year without a degree

The following are jobs that pay 75k a year without a degree:

1. Registered nurse

National average salary: $78,905 per year

Primary duties: Registered nurses monitor and record patient vital signs and progress. They create care plans for patients, administer medications and treatments and administer and monitor IV medications. Nurses can help draw blood and collect lab work and perform wound and skin care. They also assist with procedures and educate patients and answer their questions.

Related: Your Guide to Registered Nursing Programs

2. Senior consultant

National average salary: $91,805 per year

Primary duties: Senior consultants work with department managers to implement new improved processes and operations. They predict and communicate project risks, find solutions, and recommend new business operations, systems, and policies. Consultants also analyze business data, observe each department's operations, and interview employees to determine necessary changes. They conduct periodic department reviews, suggest areas of improvement and create written reports to make recommendations to the managers.

3. Risk manager

National average salary: $88,879 per year

Primary duties: Risk managers determine current and potential risks that can affect the profitability of the company. They train staff in risk awareness and avoidance and ensure that the company follows all relevant safety regulations and laws. They create and present a risk-management budget, manage insurance policies and claims and review third-party contracts and proposals to determine possible risk.

4. Development director

National average salary: $81,155 per year

Primary duties: Development directors collaborate with marketing, development and communication teams and build and maintain relationships with sponsors. They create an effective fundraising plan in collaboration with the board of directors to organize and host fundraising activities and special events. They also identify opportunities for strategic partnerships and follow emerging trends and new markets.

5. IT manager

National average salary: $85,414 per year

Primary duties: IT managers help organizations by updating on constantly evolving technology and are watchful of potential security breaches. They deliver a company's long-term and short-term technology goals and needs and plan upgrades for existing hardware and software. They negotiate with vendors for the service of current vendors and coordinate technology-related matters with top executives. They also install and upgrade a company's computer system.

6. Professional athlete

National average salary: $78,604 per year

Primary duties: Professional athletes develop and improve their athletic skills by training, exercising and maintaining physical and mental stamina. They assess their individual and team performances to distinguish their strengths and weaknesses. They also assess the performance of their opponents. They train throughout the year to maintain form and improve game techniques. They can also compete in sporting events.

7. Detective

National average salary: $83,852 per year

Primary duties: Detectives gather facts and collect evidence for criminal cases and determine which people of pieces of information are credible. They conduct interviews, examine records, analyze physical evidence and write detailed reports on their findings to build a case for prosecutors to take before a jury. They observe suspects and participate in raids and arrests. They also testify in court.

8. Senior web developer

National average salary: $98,897 per year

Primary duties: Senior web developers supervise junior web developers, analyze areas of weakness and schedule training sessions. They establish strong professional relationships with clients, communicate effectively with clients and teams, interpret client specifications, and identify website user requirements. They liaise with mobile developers, debug websites and ensure regularly updated software documentation. They build a network of freelance designers and content writers and create timeframes and work schedules to meet deadlines. They also conduct research, update records, write reports, and update new social media marketing trends.

Related: How to Create a Web Developer Resume (with Web Developer Resume Template and Sample)

9. Sales director

National average salary: $88,052 per year

Primary duties: Sales directors manage a team of sales managers, develop sales training programs for new employees and develop sales plans and strategies. They identify market trends and emerging markets, forecast future sales and prepare and present sales reports. They also identify and secure major clients and develop working relationships with major industry buyers.

10. Senior engagement manager

National average salary: $100,305 per year

Primary duties: Senior management managers improve the client engagement of a company by assisting with projects and helping solve problems. They forge strong business-to-business relationships between the company and its clients by facilitating communication and resolving conflicts between the two parties. They also promote their companies using marketing activities, including social media.

11. Network architect

National average salary: $128,062 per year

Primary duties: Network architects design, build and maintain a variety of data communication networks, including expansive cloud infrastructures and smaller intranets. They work with the chief information officer to present reasons for the need for networks to their companies. They consider information security while designing a network and decide the required routers, adaptors or network drivers. They also research new technology for the company's anticipated needs and determine the layout of its hardware.

Related: How to Become a System Architect

12. Director of operations

National average salary: $85,352 per year

Primary duties: Directors of operations play a dominant role in compiling company budgets, growth and development plans, and they execute plans to maximize its growth and asset development. They cooperate with the company's heads to build an environment of joint obligation and accountability, drive employees and obtain leading performance reviews to ensure a committed and proficient workforce. They also create operational strategies to challenge theft and stock losses and practice initiatives to manage and significantly reduce company costs.

13. Product manager

National average salary: $95,534 per year

Primary duties: Product managers interpret internal and external data collected to advise the company on the economic viability of the potential products. They conduct market research to understand customer needs and assess competitors' products and customer attraction. They also listen to customers' and critics' feedback.

They include and address, with the help of the engineering team, needed specifications and technical flaws. They communicate the business value of the potential product to the products team, the needs it meets, how it achieves company goals, develop plans for finished products relating to the date of completion, production and launch processes, oversee activities needed before delivery of the products.

14. Data warehouse architect

National average salary: $124,659 per year

Primary duties: Data warehouse architects develop, analyze and administer data, data systems, computer systems and anti-hacking software for companies. They collect data using sophisticated design and development skills and translate it into computer applications and systems. They also create and manage data creatively and innovatively.

Related: What Is a Data Architect?

15. Technical program manager

National average salary: $117,570 per year

Primary duties: Technical program managers develop new features, products or software and track their performance after launch. They attend meetings with top executives to discuss goals, and they manage technical tools, including budgets, deadlines and software. They collaborate with customer operations and anticipate and troubleshoot issues. They also maintain standard project management deliverables.

16. Executive director

National average salary: $81,452 per year

Primary duties: Executive directors perform as the managers of the company. They work with the board of directors, organize operations and programs to fulfill the company's mission. They perform strategic planning, resource, budget development, community outreach and campaign planning.

Tips for pursuing jobs without a degree

The following tips help put you in a better position to get these jobs:

Adapt your resume to the job descriptions

A resume is meant to show that you are capable of the job you are applying for. For example, if you are applying for a marketing job, include only relevant skills you have in marketing. Make sure to highlight your skills and work experience to show your qualification for the job and grasp of practical/on-the-job skills.

Consider taking further classes

Without earning a degree in the field you want to go into, it naturally proves a bit tougher than the applicants with formal college degrees. To increase your chances, consider taking certificate courses or community college classes. You get to gain more specific knowledge and skill while also showing your qualification to your future employer.

Gain experience

More employers are looking for candidates with work experience as it shows the candidate understands the practical skill involved. Look out for volunteer opportunities that do not require a college degree or internships and gain the necessary experience and skills.

Network with fellow professionals

During your classes, internships and volunteer opportunities, you may meet other professionals in your field. These networks can help connect you to classes, conferences and job opportunities available to you. They also help with references when needed by employers.