23 Best Jobs That Don’t Require a High-School Diploma

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, about 6.1% of working American adults don’t have a high school diploma or equivalent.

To understand what jobs are realistically possible without a diploma, we reviewed labor market data, hiring requirements, and real-world job listings to identify high-paying, in-demand jobs that do not require a high school education to get started.

What we found is that while some career paths are closed off, many remain wide open.

To make this guide easier to navigate, it’s broken into three distinct sections:

• High-paying jobs without a high school diploma. These are traditional roles, often with set schedules and clear expectations, where you can get started without a diploma and earn a reliable income.
• Skills worth developing without a diploma. These are skill-based paths that can lead to higher-paying traditional roles, freelance work, or even entrepreneurship. Many of these skills can be self-taught, allow you to start small, and give you the option to move into a job, freelancing, or running your own business over time.
• Gig economy jobs without a high school diploma. These options don’t require formal education and are best suited for earning quick or flexible income, often while you pursue other training, education, or job opportunities.

Highest-Paying Jobs You Can Get Without a High School Diploma

If you prefer a traditional job where you show up, clock in, and go home, there are legitimate options that do not typically require a high school diploma to get started.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) classifies occupations based on the typical education needed for entry, not what every employer requires.

Some employers may still prefer or require a diploma or GED, but the jobs listed below are ones that BLS identifies as requiring no formal educational credential. In practice, experience, reliability, and on-the-job training often matter more than formal schooling.

Each job below includes an accessibility tag showing how realistic it is to pursue without a high school diploma today. These tags reflect BLS guidance, state licensing rules, and real-world hiring practices

1. Continuous Mining Machine Operator

Median pay: About $61,000 per year, with top earners exceeding $80,000.

Accessibility: Immediately accessible without a high school diploma

Continuous mining machine operators run large, self-propelled equipment that extracts coal, metal, and nonmetal ores in underground mines. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, this occupation does not typically require a formal educational credential, and workers are trained on the job.

Pay is highest in coal and metal ore mining, with strong wages in states like Wyoming, Nevada, and West Virginia.

The work is physically demanding and safety-critical, often involving shift schedules, but compensation reflects the risk and skill involved.

Employers prioritize reliability, mechanical aptitude, and safety awareness over formal education, making this a viable high-pay option without a diploma.

2. Rotary Drill Operator (Oil and Gas)

Median pay: About $62,000 per year, with top earners approaching $90,000.

Accessibility: Immediately accessible without a high school diploma

Rotary drill operators set up and operate drilling equipment used to extract oil and gas or collect core samples during exploration. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, this role does not typically require a formal educational credential, with most workers learning through on-the-job training.

Employment is concentrated in energy-producing states like Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Alaska, where pay is often higher.

Many operators start in entry-level rig roles and advance with experience. The work is physically demanding and often involves long shifts, but compensation reflects the skill, risk, and responsibility involved.

3. Drywall Taper

Median pay: About $59,000 per year, with experienced tapers earning more.

Accessibility: Immediately accessible without a high school diploma

Drywall tapers finish wallboard joints to prepare surfaces for painting, making this a hands-on construction role that does not typically require a formal educational credential, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Most workers learn through moderate-term, on-the-job training.

The work is physically demanding and detail-oriented, but demand remains steady as new buildings are constructed and renovated.

With experience, many tapers increase their earnings or move into self-employment, where owning a small drywall or finishing business can significantly raise income over time.

4. Service Unit Operator (Oil and Gas)

Median pay: About $51,000 per year.

Accessibility: Immediately accessible without a high school diploma

Service unit operators work on active oil and gas wells, operating equipment to restore or increase production by removing obstructions or maintaining well components.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, this role does not typically require a formal educational credential, with most workers learning through on-the-job training.

Employment is concentrated in major energy-producing states like Texas, North Dakota, and Oklahoma.

While the work is physically demanding and often location-specific, experienced operators can earn higher wages, especially in oil and gas extraction and specialized service roles.

5. Truck Driver (Heavy and Tractor-Trailer)

Median pay: About $57,000 per year.

Accessibility: Requires licensing, certification, or employer preference

Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers transport goods across local, regional, and long-haul routes. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual pay is $57,440, with employment projected to grow about 4% over the next decade.

While many drivers attend a short-term truck driving school to earn a commercial driver’s license (CDL), employers typically prioritize driving records, safety history, and experience over formal education.

Ongoing demand from freight and ecommerce has led some companies to offer higher pay and sign-on bonuses, especially for long-haul and specialized routes.

6. Floor Layer (Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles)

Median pay: About $56,700 per year.

Accessibility: Immediately accessible without a high school diploma

Floor layers install resilient flooring materials such as vinyl, linoleum, and rubber in residential and commercial buildings. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, this occupation has a median annual wage of $56,680, with experienced workers in high-cost states earning significantly more.

The role does not require a formal educational credential.

Most floor layers learn through moderate on-the-job training or apprenticeships, making it accessible to workers without a high school diploma.

Pay increases with experience, speed, and the ability to handle more complex commercial projects.

7. Tile and Stone Setter

Median pay: $53,920 per year.

Accessibility: Immediately accessible without a high school diploma

Tile and stone setters install ceramic tile, porcelain, marble, granite, and other stone surfaces on floors, walls, countertops, and similar areas in residential and commercial buildings.

The work is detail-oriented and physically demanding, but earnings are driven by craftsmanship, speed, and experience rather than formal education.

Most tile and stone setters learn through on-the-job training or informal apprenticeships, often starting as helpers before taking on full installations.

Pay can increase significantly with experience, specialization in higher-end materials, or work in high-cost regions. In top-paying states and metro areas, experienced setters can earn well above the national median.

8. Sales

Median pay: The average salary of a salesperson varies widely based on the industry and commission structure of the position. Retail salespeople, for example, make an average of just $34,730 per year, while sales engineers make $121,520.

Accessibility: Immediately accessible without a high school diploma

There are no formal educational requirements for sales jobs, and almost every business relies on sales in some fashion. 

A thick skin, the ability to connect with people, and a willingness to learn are the main prerequisites to sales. 

You may be able to get hired based on your interview, even if your resume is thin. You can also work up to sales from an entry-level job, like from an auto service technician to car sales.

If you’re a commission-based salesperson, the upside is nearly unlimited. It might be a slow start while you learn the ropes, but once you learn your product and your market, your income can grow quickly. 

9. Construction Worker

Median pay: $46,050 per year.

Accessibility: Immediately accessible without a high school diploma

Construction laborers and helpers perform general tasks on job sites, including moving materials, operating basic tools, and assisting skilled tradespeople. These roles typically require no formal education and rely on short-term, on-the-job training.

While the starting pay is modest compared to some specialized trades, construction laborer roles offer strong long-term upside. Many workers use this position as a gateway into higher-paying specialties such as carpentry, electrical work, ironwork, or equipment operation. Over time, those skills can also support side work or self-employment.

Construction jobs can be physically demanding and may be seasonal in some regions, but demand remains strong. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment in this field to grow much faster than average over the next decade, driven by new construction and infrastructure projects.

10. Home Health Aide

Median pay: $34,900 per year.

Accessibility: Requires licensing, certification, or employer preference

Home health aides assist people with disabilities, chronic illnesses, or age-related needs by helping with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and basic mobility. Demand for this role is strong and growing, driven largely by an aging population and increased preference for in-home care.

While pay is relatively low compared to other jobs on this list, home health aide positions are widely available and often require little to no formal education to get started. Many employers provide short-term, on-the-job training, and some roles do not require a high school diploma.

For those interested in healthcare, this role can serve as a practical entry point. With additional education or certifications, some aides later move into higher-paying positions such as licensed practical nurse (LPN), registered nurse (RN), or medical technician roles.

Helpful resources: Some states or employers require basic certification or training, especially for aides working through certified home health agencies.

11. Solar Photovoltaic Installer

Median pay: $51,860 per year.

Accessibility: Requires licensing, certification, or employer preference

Solar photovoltaic installers assemble, install, and maintain systems that convert sunlight into electricity. This is one of the fastest-growing occupations in the U.S., with job growth far outpacing the national average as demand for renewable energy continues to expand.

While many employers prefer a high school diploma, it is not always a strict requirement. Most workers learn through moderate-term, on-the-job training, and some supplement this with short technical or community college courses. Due to strong demand, overtime opportunities are common in many regions.

The work is physical and often outdoors, and installers may travel to different job sites.

Helpful resources: Technical school programs and industry certifications can help candidates get hired faster and advance more quickly.

12. Security Guard

Median pay: $38,370 per year.

Accessibility: Requires licensing, certification, or employer preference

Security guards protect property, people, and assets by monitoring locations, enforcing rules, and responding to incidents. Jobs are available across many settings, including retail stores, office buildings, industrial sites, and casinos.

Pay for general security guard roles is modest, but the position can offer transferable skills such as conflict de-escalation, situational awareness, and adherence to procedures. In some cases, experience as a security guard can lead to higher-paying roles in casino surveillance, armed security, or careers in law enforcement or corrections.

Most security guard positions require on-the-job training, and licensing requirements vary by state, especially for armed roles. Shift work is common, including nights and weekends.

Helpful resources: State licensing boards outline training and certification requirements. Casino surveillance roles typically pay more than standard guard positions.

13. Massage Therapist

Median pay: $57,950 per year.

Accessibility: Limited access without a diploma due to licensing or state rules

Massage therapists treat clients by manipulating soft tissues to relieve pain, reduce stress, and support physical recovery. Many therapists work in spas, medical offices, or operate their own independent practices, offering flexibility in hours and work location.

Although formal college degrees are not required, most states regulate massage therapy and require completion of a postsecondary, nondegree training program along with licensing or certification. In addition, about half of states require a high school diploma or GED to qualify for licensure, making this role less universally accessible than others on this list.

Income can vary widely depending on location, client base, and whether the therapist is self-employed. Business expenses such as rent, equipment, and supplies reduce take-home pay for independent practitioners.

Helpful resources: State licensing boards provide exact education and certification requirements.

Skill-Based Paths That Don’t Require a High School Diploma

You don’t need formal credentials to build a valuable career, but you do need skills the market actually wants.

Many people start developing these skills in their spare time while working a job that pays the bills, focusing on getting genuinely good at one thing rather than dabbling in many.

What matters most in these paths is not your education, but your ability to produce results.

Employers and clients care far more about what you can do than where you went to school. When you build rare and useful skills, you gain leverage, more control over your work, and better income over time.

These skills can lead to traditional jobs, remote roles, freelance work, or running a business of your own. The common thread is depth: committing to a skill long enough to become difficult to replace.

For more, see: The 4 Steps to Launch A Freelancing Business (With No Experience)

1. Small Business Marketing

Marketing is one of the strongest areas for building career capital without formal credentials because it is results-oriented.

If you can produce outcomes that matter to a business, such as traffic, leads, or sales, your educational background becomes largely irrelevant.

There are several marketing roles that lend themselves well to freelancing and skill-based advancement:

• Copywriting, which focuses on persuasive writing that drives conversions
• SEO, which involves improving search visibility through content, technical optimization, and site structure
• Social media marketing, including short-form video and audience growth strategies
• Paid ads management, such as Google Ads, Meta ads, or TikTok ads
• Email marketing, which centers on audience engagement and retention
• Content strategy, which connects business goals to consistent publishing systems
• Analytics and conversion optimization, which measure what works and why

What these roles share is feedback. You can see whether your work performs, and that feedback allows you to improve quickly.

The most reliable way to enter marketing is not by applying blindly to freelance jobs, but by building skills through a side project. This creates career capital before you ever pitch a client.

For example, if you want to work in social media marketing, start by building a small portfolio of short-form videos. Publish consistently, test different hooks and formats, and track performance.

Over time, you develop both technical skill and an understanding of what captures attention.

If this path interests you, see our guides on How to Make Money on Snapchat, How to Make Money on TikTok, and How to Become a UGC Creator With No Experience.

2. Content Writing

Many freelance writing jobs never ask about diplomas at all and are filled based on writing samples and reliability.

Most freelance writers are hired to cover specific topics, often tied to personal interests or experience, such as fashion, fitness, travel, gaming, or local businesses. If you can explain a topic clearly and follow instructions, there is paid work available.

Entry-level writing jobs typically involve blog posts, website content, product descriptions, or email copy and are commonly offered by content agencies, niche websites, and small businesses.

AI tools have made basic drafting easier, which means clients now place more value on clear thinking, subject understanding, and the ability to shape content to fit a specific business goal.

Over time, writers who understand how content supports marketing goals like search traffic, audience growth, or lead generation tend to earn more and find steadier work. That makes freelance writing a job you can get without a diploma and build into a higher-value role.

For more, see: 8 Steps to Start Earning as a Freelance Writer

3. Virtual Assistant

Virtual assistant work is one of the most direct ways to land legitimate remote work without a high school diploma, and it offers real upside when approached intentionally.

Most entry-level virtual assistant roles involve administrative support such as email management, scheduling, customer support, or basic operations. These jobs are commonly hired by small businesses, online creators, and growing companies that need dependable help quickly.

The long-term value of this role comes from who you work with.

Supporting someone whose career or business you respect can function like an informal apprenticeship. Over time, close exposure to how decisions are made, systems are built, and priorities are set can accelerate your own growth far beyond the tasks themselves.

While it takes time to build trust and experience, virtual assistant roles can evolve into executive assistant positions that pay more and offer greater stability. The assistants who advance are typically those who take ownership, learn the business deeply, and look for ways to contribute beyond their job description.

Where to get started: See our guide to virtual assistant training and our step-by-step guide on how to become a virtual assistant.

4. Graphic Designer

Graphic design remains in demand because the web is increasingly visual, and businesses still need clear, effective visuals to communicate and sell.

While AI tools have made basic design tasks easier, they have not replaced the need for designers who understand branding, marketing goals, and how visuals influence behavior.

As with freelance writing, clients rarely care about formal education. Hiring decisions are based almost entirely on your portfolio. If you can show strong examples of ad creatives, social media graphics, website layouts, or branding work, a diploma will not matter.

Today’s most employable designers tend to understand how design fits into marketing. This includes creating visuals for ads, email campaigns, landing pages, and social platforms, not just logos or static images.

Recommended resource: Check out our guide to getting started as a freelance graphic designer. The best place to get hired as a freelance designer is on Upwork, and we wrote a detailed guide to getting your first job on the site.

5. Video Editing

Video has become the dominant form of storytelling online. Businesses, creators, and brands rely on video to capture attention, explain ideas, and connect with audiences, which has made video editing one of the most in-demand skills in the digital economy.

A strong portfolio demonstrating clean edits, pacing, and storytelling matters far more than credentials.

Entry-level video editing work often includes short-form content for TikTok, Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, ads, podcasts, and basic YouTube videos. These jobs are commonly hired by creators, marketing agencies, small businesses, and ecommerce brands.

Editors who understand how to hold attention, communicate a message clearly, and support marketing goals tend to earn more and find steadier work. Many editors level up into roles focused on content strategy, paid ads, or brand storytelling.

Video editing is also easy to demonstrate through side projects. You can build a portfolio by editing your own videos, repurposing public-domain footage, or creating sample clips for imaginary brands.

Gig and Flexible Jobs That Don’t Require a High School Diploma

Gig economy jobs won’t make you rich. 

But for many people, gigs like delivering food and walking dogs can provide the extra cash each month to pay off debt or keep you afloat while pursuing more education.

And that’s especially true for those who didn’t finish high school, because these jobs often pay more when earnings are calculated on a per-hour basis than their equivalent non-gig counterparts.

Plus, their high degree of flexibility gives you the power to do things like study for your GED, take a certification course and even apply for other jobs — all things that are hard to do when your schedule is dictated by your supervisor. 

If changing 9 to 5 jobs isn’t in the cards for you at the moment, you can create some additional wiggle room in your budget by picking up a gig-based side hustle. Some are even same day pay jobs, which allow you to access your earnings immediately upon completion of a shift or gig.

1. Food Courier

Why we ranked it #1: Thanks to companies like DoorDash, your options for food delivery jobs have expanded far beyond pizza.

Doing Starbucks drink runs and delivering takeout can make you a pretty penny, even when you don’t have a car (as most companies let you deliver via bike, scooter, motorcycle or even on foot).

Just about anyone can be a food courier, regardless of education. Food courier gigs are especially great since your main working hours are during breakfast, lunch and dinner, leaving you with the rest of the day free to study or work another job.

Earning potential: Most courier gigs pay by the job, so your hourly wage is determined by the size of the order, any tips you receive, and the proximity of orders on your route. Food couriers report average salaries between $10 and $20 per hour. If you’re willing work odd hours like the overnight shift you’ll make more, as there are fewer drivers available and payouts tend to be higher.

Where to get started: Not sure which food delivery company is right for you? Check out our rundown of the best food delivery services to work for.

2. Uber/Lyft Driver

Why we ranked it #2: This job is limited to car owners with four-door vehicles that are less than 15 years old. If you have a car that meets those specifications, driving for Uber or Lyft is a flexible job with a low barrier to entry — no diploma is necessary. You can work as many or as few hours as you like, whenever you have time. 

Boost your income by driving at peak hours, like after sporting events or on rainy weekend nights. Both companies offer surge pricing during these times, which is a huge boon to drivers.

Earning potential: Estimates for ridesharing salaries are all over the map. This is largely due to variations in location (e.g., metropolitan city vs. outlying area) as well as surge pricing. Full-time drivers can make solid money, but expenses like car payments, insurance, and gas are the driver’s responsibility.

Where to get started: Sign up with Lyft and/or Uber.

3. Package Delivery

Why we ranked it #3: Food isn’t the only thing that needs delivering. Couriers are needed in many cities to run packages or other items to their destinations. 

Amazon Flex is the major player in this space. Drivers sign up for “blocks” (or shifts), and deliver packages in that particular time frame on a specific route. Because you get to choose your blocks, you can fit them in around your work or school schedule. 

While this is a great gig economy job with a lot of opportunity (thanks to a rise in e-commerce), right now it’s only an option in major U.S. cities. If you happen to have Amazon Flex near you, it’s a great way to make extra money.

Earning potential: This depends quite a bit on a number of factors: how geographically dense the deliveries are, how many packages are in your block, the size of your vehicle (which affects how many packages you can take at a time), traffic, tips, and how quickly you complete your route. 

Several drivers have reported earnings of $22 per hour and up, while others complain that fighting through traffic and expenses like gas and tolls eat up a lot of their earnings.

Where to get started: Learn more in our Amazon Flex guide and sign up to be an Amazon Flex driver.

4. Grocery Shopper

Why we ranked it #4: Grocery shopping is a chore many would love to avoid, but if you’re going to grocery shop, you might as well get paid for it. Companies like Instacart and Shipt are growing exponentially as many people willing to pay for the convenience and reduced germ contact of grocery shopping and delivery service.

As a grocery shopper, you get everything on the customer’s grocery list in the store for their order. You can also sign up to deliver the groceries for additional pay. To be a shopper, you must be able to lift 30 pounds or more and have a reliable car and a smartphone.

Earning potential: Instacart shoppers report an average of above $18 per hour, though with a good batch of orders, thorough knowledge of the store and/or a good tip, the hourly wage can exceed that.

Where to get started: Sign up with Instacart and/or Shipt.

5. Pet Walker/Sitter

Why we ranked it #5: Becoming a dog walker/pet sitter on a site like Rover or Wag makes an ideal gig for dog and cat lovers. You get to play with fur babies and get paid for it. 

Pet parents can peruse your profile in an app and choose the pet sitter they’d like to take care of their animal, so take the time to make a standout profile that highlights any experience with animals you have.

Your experience with animals (even if it’s just house sitting for pets or caring for your own dog/cat) is much more important to pet parents than a high school education.

Earning potential: While this is a great way to make a few extra bucks in exchange for exercise and puppy snuggles, you’ll have a difficult time getting enough work to scale this into a full-time job. To make $800 a month (after Rover or Wag takes their cut), you’d have to sit 40 dogs/cats per month. That’s one animal per night, with no breaks!

The main advantage of pet sitting is that it molds to fit almost any school, study or work schedule. 

Where to get started: Sign up for Rover and/or Wag.

How to Choose Jobs That Build Long-Term Earning Potential

You do not need a diploma to build a meaningful career, but you do need a deliberate approach to developing valuable skills.

Jobs that offer quick income but little opportunity to learn often leave you in the same position years later, with limited leverage in the labor market.

A better strategy is to prioritize career capital.

This is the collection of skills, experience, and knowledge that make you useful, harder to replace, and increasingly valuable over time.

When evaluating an opportunity, ask whether it provides at least one of the following:

• Entry into an industry with clear paths for advancement
• Time or flexibility to pursue additional training or education
• Skills that are in demand and applicable beyond a single role

Consider a dental receptionist position. While it may offer stable pay and require no diploma, it provides few opportunities to acquire rare or transferable skills. Most of what you learn applies only to similar administrative roles.

Now compare that to an entry-level warehouse position.

Although the work itself may not be the long-term goal, it often teaches inventory systems, safety protocols, equipment operation, and coordination within complex operations.

These skills can compound into higher-responsibility roles in logistics, supervision, or operations, both inside and outside a warehouse setting.

Careers rarely unfold in a straight line. Progress usually comes from stacking skills across roles in a way that steadily increases your leverage.

Correcting the Record

When writing this article, we conducted extensive research to identify the best possible jobs for people without high school degrees.

As part of this research, we read dozens of similar articles on the topic. And one thing we found was that many publications list jobs that do, in fact, require a diploma and/or the attainment of an even higher education level. 

Here is a list of the ones we identified, along with a brief note:

• Commercial pilot: While there is no minimum education requirement to complete the flight training needed to earn a commercial pilot license, all major airlines require at least a high school diploma (but usually a college degree) for employment.
• Cosmetologist: All cosmetology programs require a high school diploma or GED.
• Dental assistant: All states require certification to work as a dental assistant. In most cases, that comes from the Dental Assisting National Board, which requires a high school diploma or GED in order to sit for the certification exam. While the specific rules for your state may differ, our research suggests that it is nearly impossible to work in this job without having completed high school.
• Dental hygienist: According to the American Dental Association, working as a dental hygienist requires the completion of a two-year degree (i.e., an associate degree) at a community college or technical school.
• Distribution manager: While there is no formal educational requirement for this position — thus meaning that it may be technically possible to get hired without a diploma — our research indicates that most employers are seeking a candidate with a bachelor’s degree.
• Electrician: Requires certification from a technical program, and a high school diploma or GED is required to enroll. Additionally, the occupation requires practical working knowledge of at least Algebra 1. 
• Police officer: The overwhelming majority of police departments require a high school diploma or equivalent for employment.
• Radiation therapist: All radiation therapists must complete an accredited certification program, and this is usually done as part of a four-year college degree. 
• Real estate broker: All 50 states require real estate brokers to be high school graduates or have a GED.

Jobs Without a High School Diploma: Final Thoughts

If you missed out on getting your high school diploma, your financial ship hasn’t sailed. There are plenty of career pathways that will enable you to get a high paying job even without a high school degree.

If you’re on the job hunt, don’t just look for the next open position and call it done. Even if you have to take what you can get for now, you can move closer to your ideal future by building career capital. 

The more experience, skills and training you can get (whether that’s on the job or from a course), the greater your earning potential will be. 

What to read next: If you’re looking for your first full-time job, check out this guide to writing a no-experience resume. And if you’re worried you don’t have the skills or experience necessary for the jobs on this list, learn about more good options in our roundup of jobs that pay $20 or more per hour without experience.