High-Paying Jobs Without a Degree

It is widely assumed that going to uni is essential if you want a stable career with a decent salary. But that is most certainly not the case.

For one thing, a university degree doesn't guarantee you a job offer (and hasn't for years). The modern job market is extremely competitive, and the value of an undergraduate degree simply isn't what it used to be.

Don't worry, though, because there are plenty of well-paying jobs that don't require a university degree at all.

If you don't feel like spending the next 3 – 4 years in a lecture hall (and racking up a whole lot of student debt in the process), here are five alternative career options that you can pursue without a university degree...

High-Paying Jobs That Don't Require a Degree

1. Plumber
2. Electrician
3. Gas Engineer
4. Carpenter
5. Plasterer

1) Plumber

Plumbing is definitely one of the highest-paying professions available to those with no degree. According to Full Fact:

"The average income for someone employed in the 'job group' that includes plumbers is between £15,000 and £40,000 a year according to government figures. Self employed plumbers earn on average around £60,000 a year. Some are reported to earn considerably more than this."

Just about anyone can learn to be a plumber, regardless of their background. If you want to maximise your earnings, your basic plumbing diploma can be supplemented with additional qualifications in unvented hot water storage systems and heat pump installation. The more jobs you're able to tackle, the more money you can make!

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2) Electrician

Electricians are always in high demand—not just because the world is full of electrical appliances that require regular maintenance, but also because of all the new buildings that need to be wired up. According to salary data from Reed.co.uk, the average UK electrician earns nearly £40K per year - all without a degree!

Once you've earned your electrical qualifications, you should have no problem finding an employer who will pay you very well for your skills. Alternatively, you could start your own business and become a self-employed electrician; this option is riskier, but it has the potential to be far more lucrative if you're ready to put the work in.

As with plumbing, there are lots of extra qualifications available to the ambitious electrician who wants to develop his or her skill set. For instance, you could offer portable appliance testing (PAT) or install electric vehicle chargers.

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3) Gas Engineer

Salary data from Indeed suggests that gas engineers can earn upwards of £40K per year, making it one of the best paying jobs you can get with no degree.

In order to start making that kind of money, you will need to pass your initial ACS gas assessment and join the Gas Safe Register. Once you're registered, you can legally carry out work on gas appliances (which remain widespread despite the rise of alternatives like heat pumps).

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4) Carpenter

Carpentry is another trade that's in constant demand, so if you're looking for the best paying jobs without a degree, you may want to consider training as a carpenter.

A carpenter in the UK can earn between £31K and £42K per year according to Glassdoor. The construction industry in particular has lots of well-paid opportunities for a skilled carpenter. For this reason, gaining your NVQ Level 2 Carpentry Certification is a must because this will enable you to carry out work on building sites.

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5) Plasterer

Plasterers often play an important role in construction projects, so there's a lot of money to be made there if you have the skills. As with carpentry, an NVQ Level 2 Certificate is what you need if you want to do work as an on-site plasterer. But there are always plastering jobs that need doing in people's homes as well.

The UK government's careers website gives us a rough idea of how much one can earn in the plastering game. £21K per year is the reported starting wage, but an annual salary of £38K is achievable once you're an experienced plasterer.

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There is a major skills gap in the UK's trade industry, and as a result, tradespeople have seen their wages skyrocket in recent years. All without a university degree!

If you want to learn a trade and take advantage of the current trade skills shortage, get in touch with Access Training today. With training facilities nationwide and courses led by highly experienced tutors, we can help you to get the career (and the salary!) of your dreams.

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Page updated 12th August 2024