Top Jobs for People Without a College Degree

This year, college graduates left school with high hopes, promising futures, and an average of $29,000 in student loan debt. That’s not a small burden to bear, pressuring many high school grads to seek alternatives to a four-year education. For those who can’t afford college, fear not – there are plenty of great jobs available right now that require no more than a high-school diploma or equivalent degree.

We looked at the requirements for jobs posted on our site to determine the necessary education level for a variety of career paths, and found the top entry level roles in every industry and MSA that are open to candidates with a high school education. We’ve also included the top cities for each industry listed, and compensation numbers from payscale.com. Some of these positions require technical skills, such as automotive knowledge or some further education for jobs in the medical field, and many of them are excellent stepping stones for furthering your career in each industry.

Are you a high school grad searching for work? Click any title to find out where you can apply for one these jobs right now!

1. Retail Sales Associate

Typical Annual Income: $16,409 – $36,401

1. New York-Northern New Jersey-Long Island, NY-NJ-PA

2. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Santa Ana, CA

3. Chicago-Naperville-Joliet, IL-IN-WI

4. Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX

5. Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD

2. Customer Service Representative

Typical Annual Income: $20,429 – $42,585

1. New York-Northern New Jersey-Long Island, NY-NJ-PA

2. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Santa Ana, CA

3. Chicago-Naperville-Joliet, IL-IN-WI

4. Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX

5. Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD

3. Life Insurance Agent

Typical Annual Income: $21,417 – $96,207

1. Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

2. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Santa Ana, CA

3. Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach, FL

4. Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Marietta, GA

5. New York-Northern New Jersey-Long Island, NY-NJ-PA

4. Administrative Assistant

Typical Annual Income: $23,721 – $48,598

1. New York-Northern New Jersey-Long Island, NY-NJ-PA

2. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Santa Ana, CA

3. Chicago-Naperville-Joliet, IL-IN-WI

4. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA

5. Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

5. Medical Assistant

Typical Annual Income: $21,268 – $38,037

1. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Santa Ana, CA

2. New York-Northern New Jersey-Long Island, NY-NJ-PA

3. Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX

4. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA

5. Chicago-Naperville-Joliet, IL-IN-WI

6. Restaurant Manager

Typical Annual Income: $24,242 – $55,772

1. Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX

2. New York-Northern New Jersey-Long Island, NY-NJ-PA

3. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Santa Ana, CA

4. Chicago-Naperville-Joliet, IL-IN-WI

5. Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Marietta, GA

7. Automotive Repair Technician

Typical Annual Income: $21,544 – $59,779

1. Detroit-Warren-Livonia, MI

2. Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Marietta, GA

3. New York-Northern New Jersey-Long Island, NY-NJ-PA

4. Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX

5. Chicago-Naperville-Joliet, IL-IN-WI

8. Brand Ambassador

Typical Annual Income: $20,327 – $60,060

1. New York-Northern New Jersey-Long Island, NY-NJ-PA

2. Chicago-Naperville-Joliet, IL-IN-WI

3. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Santa Ana, CA

4. Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD

5. Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX

9. Phlebotomist

Typical Annual Income: $21,140 – $38,387

1. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Santa Ana, CA

2. New York-Northern New Jersey-Long Island, NY-NJ-PA

3. Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX

4. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA

5. Chicago-Naperville-Joliet, IL-IN-WI

10. Shuttle Driver

Typical Annual Income: $20,781 – $45,824

1. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Santa Ana, CA

2. Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

3. Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX

4. Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown, TX

5. Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Marietta, GA