jobs that don't require a degree

Are you searching for work-from-home jobs that don’t require a degree?

Contrary to popular belief, there are many flexible online jobs you can get without having a college degree.

As more and more graduates are having a hard time finding jobs, a degree is no longer a prerequisite to finding the right job or calling.

I know it sounds too good to be true, but it’s true, and today I will share some legit work options where you don’t have to have a college degree.

There are many jobs that can be done by upgrading your skill set or getting an associate degree.

Top Picks

Proofreading – A top, high-paying, flexible job that doesn’t require any experience and pays $50 per hour or more

Bookkeeping – Become a bookkeeper and earn $300 per client per month from home.

Voice Actor – Use your voice to earn money and earn up to $200 per finished hour

Freelancer – The best way to make money online according to your own schedule. Set your own rates and work whenever you want. 

Blogger – Start a money-making blog and work on your own schedule. My blog started as a side gig, and now it’s a full-time business.

33 Jobs That Don’t Require a Degree

#1. Translator

If your language skills are remarkable, then becoming a translator is not hard without a degree. Translators do not necessarily require a college degree but do require some certifications like one from the American Translators Association (ATA), which offers certifications in 24 languages.

In most cases translators are required to have more experience, so gaining experience is quite important for this job. The best way to do this is going the freelance route to get work experience.

Recommended reading:

Few companies to work for:

#2. Virtual Assistant

jobs that don't require a degree virtual assistant

As more businesses turn to remote working, everyday tasks like email management, admin work, clerical tasks, content creation, etc. are being outsourced to virtual assistants.

Virtual assisting has seen massive growth in the last couple of years and is going to become the most rewarding career in the coming years. The best part about this online job is you don’t require a college degree.

Though a typical degree is not needed to become a VA, you need to have certain skills to land this job.

Virtual assisting is also a perfect career you can start on your own. Learn more about how to start your own virtual assistant business and earn a great income.

Few companies to work for:

Recommended reading:

Related:

#3. Data Entry

Data entry jobs are another category of jobs that don’t require a degree. Though the remote data entry job market is plagued with scams, there are indeed some legit companies that occasionally hire remote workers.

Data entry jobs require good typing skills, basic computer knowledge, and preferably some experience in the field. Keep in mind that the pay for data entry jobs is mostly low and the work might not be continuous. This could be an extra income option for you.

Few companies to work for:

#4. Mystery Shopper

Mystery shopping is one of the jobs that can give you some extra cash while you enjoy your shopping sprees. As a mystery shopper, you will be visiting stores and checking on the products, customer service, and overall experience of shopping in that store and giving a report. Sometimes, you might be asked to purchase a product. Most of the time, the mystery shopping gigs reward you with free products.

Few companies to sign up for:

#5. Etsy Seller

Did you know that there are more than 90 million buyers and 7.5 million sellers on Etsy? You can sell anything and everything on Etsy, and the easiest thing to sell on this platform is printables.

Selling digital printable files on Etsy is a fun job and doesn’t require any expertise or experience. You can design any type of printable, like name tags, budget printables, checklists, etc., on websites like Canva and start selling them online.

Learn how to sell printables on Etsy with this free workshop.

#6. Baker

Baking is another creative job that is fun and very profitable. There are many ways to monetize your skills in baking. You can have your own baking studio, sell all your sweet creations, have tasting sessions, teach baking classes, sell your recipe books, etc. All you need to do is register your business in your city and start promoting your gig. Though there are some costs involved in starting this hustle, you can earn a good income once you find your feet. 

#7. Flea Market Flipper

Did you ever think that you can earn money selling junk from the curbside? It’s unreal, right?! Flipping junk items is the specialty of my friends Melissa and Rob. They are the pro flippers who earn a six-figure income selling junk items from garage sales, junk yards, and thrift markets. This is one of the high-income skills that doesn’t require any degree or expertise to start. 

Interested to know more? Learn more about becoming a flea market flipper in their workshop

#8. Search Engine Evaluator

Sifting through search engine results and rating them is the job of a search engine evaluator, and it does not require having a college degree. This is a part-time job that is suitable for anyone who is looking for flexible remote work.

Few companies to work for:

Recommended reading:

The above companies regularly have roles in the search engine evaluation area, and the best part about them is that they are available in many countries. Having a computer with a good internet connection and knowledge of the culture of the place you live is one of the requirements of this job.

The application process is very simple; you need to take an assessment test after passing which you are hired.

#9. Customer Service

If you consider yourself a people person, then there is a fair chance that customer service is your calling. But there are a lot of soft skills you need to have to become a customer service rep. As such, you don’t need a four-year degree to qualify for customer service jobs, but having experience makes a big difference.

Patience, the ability to learn things quickly, independent problem solving skills, and the ability to multitask are some of the skills you will need to master if you want this work-from-home job.

Few companies to work for:

#10. Freelance Writer

jobs that don't require a degree freelance writer

Are you someone who loves writing captivating and creative words? Being a freelance writer is the job that you can consider if you are looking to make money from your passion. Freelance writing is one such job that can give you more than a full-time income, and you don’t need a formal education for it.

You should have a good command of the English language, be knowledgeable about different writing styles, and be willing to do a lot of legwork before you land a good client.

Few job boards to sign up for short writing gigs:

If you want to learn how to start a profitable freelance writing career, there is no better resource than Holly Porter Johnson’s course. She is the perfect example of someone with a successful freelance writing career (she earns over $200,000 a year).

Recommended reading:

#11. Chat Agent

As a chat agent, you will be helping customers with queries and providing information about products and services. Chat agent roles are almost the same as customer service roles, but here the only way you will communicate with customers is through chat, and these roles have less requirements than customer service roles.

Though you don’t require a degree to apply for this role, having a good typing speed, a pleasant demeanor, and basic computer skills are things you should be good at for chat agent jobs.

Few companies to work for:

#12. ESL Tutor

jobs that don't require a degree esl tutor

If you are a native English speaker and would love to use this skill to earn money from home, then English as a Second Language (ESL) Tutoring is a great option. I agree most of the ESL tutoring companies require a bachelor’s degree (any degree), but there are some companies that don’t need you to have a college degree at all.

A TEFL certification is necessary to teach English online from home, along with some experience in teaching. If you want to get your TEFL certification, here is one helpful resource for you.

Recommended reading:

Few companies to work for:

#13. Blogger

Blogging is one career option that does not need any qualification and is a perfect choice if you want to pursue your passions. As a professional blogger, you can share your ideas with your audience through your blog.

The first step to becoming a blogger is having a clear idea about your niche and how you want to solve the problems of your reader through your writing. Once you have figured that out, you can get started with this easy guide.

Blogging is not a get-rich-quick scheme and requires a lot of effort and learning. Blogging started as a side hustle for me, and now it’s a full-blown business. Here is my take on blogging.

Recommended reading:

#14. Social Media Consultant

As a social media consultant, you will oversee social media channels like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc. for businesses, handle customer questions, and provide information about your business or product.

Though, in some cases, you might be asked for a bachelor’s degree for this role, a relevant certificate can also suffice if you have enough experience to become a social media consultant.

Job board to look for remote social media consultant jobs:

Recommended reading:

#15. Proofreader

Proofreading is another golden career option that will not demand a degree to get started. Agreed, some companies require you to have an English degree to pursue this career, but there are also some options you can choose from to get started as a beginner.

You can surely land a proofreading job if you are detail-oriented and have an excellent command of the English language. Proofreading is a perfect career choice if you are ready to learn.

Few companies to work for:

And if you want to go the route of starting your own business, then I suggest taking this free webinar to see if you are cut out for it. Caitlin Pyle gives you all the answers to your questions about proofreading (she earned over $43,000 in one year with her proofreading services).

#16. Medical Coder

If you are interested in healthcare services, then medical coding would be a good choice. As a medical coder, you will be translating reports, procedures, and other medical processes into relevant codes.

Medical coders do not necessarily need a degree to get into this career. Having a high school diploma with the necessary certification is enough to become a medical coder. Here is a list of some medical coding certifications you can take if you are interested in this career.

Few companies to work for:

#17. Event Planner

Event planning is a very creative career and a great option if you are someone who loves organizing events. Event planners are not required to have any degree, but having a certification does help you to get a job quickly. You will be working in different areas of event planning, so gaining experience in your niche can boost your chances of landing projects.

Few associations to network and grow your career:

#18. Stylist

Did you know that you can use your impeccable dress sense to become an online stylist? You sure can. And the best part is you don’t need a degree to do this.

As an online stylist, you will be working with your clients to help them choose the best ensemble according to their preferences and lifestyle. This is one of the easy jobs to do if you are really knowledgeable about fashion trends and have a good dress sense.

Few companies to work for:

You can read more about Stitch Fix here.

#19. Voice Actor

jobs that don't require a degree voice actor

If you are new to the term voice acting, then it’s lending your voice to advertisements, TV shows, movies, cartoons, etc. Voice acting is one of the jobs that don’t require a degree or a certification, but it’s highly recommended that you train yourself via an online course to become a professional voice actor.

There are many online courses that teach you the techniques of voice acting. You should have a good home studio with recording equipment to get started. You also need to prepare a good demo to promote yourself to potential clients.

Recommended reading:

Websites to look for voice acting gigs:

#20. Graphic Designer

Another very creative career option for all the artsy nerds is to become a graphic designer. Graphic design is a booming career, and it is one of the jobs that don’t require a degree to start. If you are creatively inclined and have the zeal to learn, then you can go to places like CreativeLive and LinkedIn Learning to learn the tips and tricks of becoming a graphic designer.

Once you are done with your learning, you can go the freelancing route and land clients or gain some experience and work for companies.

Job boards to look for graphic design jobs:

It is also vital that you create a website to promote your work if you are going to freelance.

#21. Email Marketing Specialist

If you have good marketing skills and can communicate with customers, then becoming an email marketing specialist could be your calling. As an email marketing specialist, you will be crafting highly engaging content through emails for the business.

An email marketing specialist should be very knowledgeable about the business’s goals and have clear targets for gaining new customers through email campaigns.

This is a perfect career for someone who has worked in marketing or sales and can write compelling content. Having a degree is not necessary to aim for a career, but having a lot of experience in related fields is definitely needed.

FlexJobs is hands down a great resource to find many remote jobs including email marketing jobs.

#22. Web Developer

Are you a techie nerd? Web development is one area that does not require you to have a degree to start. As a web developer, you will be creating websites from scratch and making them user-friendly.

You should have a good knowledge of programming languages and software.

Platforms to learn a relevant course:

A related degree is not a prerequisite to start this career.

Remote web developers are hired by companies, and they also do a lot of freelance work.

#23. Chéf/Recipe Developer

As a cook or recipe developer, you don’t need any formal education or degree but need to have an immense interest in whipping up tasty food in the kitchen. I have seen many food bloggers and recipe developers create amazing recipes and earn six figures. You can always start by creating a website and promoting your recipes on social media. There are many ways to earn money as a cook or recipe developer: you can collaborate with brands, create recipe books, sell your products, etc.

The costs involved in starting this gig are minimal, which include the ingredients, setting up the website, cookware, etc.

#24. Medical Assistant

A medical assistant helps doctors with administrative, general procedures, and customer service work. Medical assistants are the people you meet first when you visit a doctor or hospital. The job is multi-faceted, and you will be working on different things. Having good organization skills and some prior experience in the field are helpful, but no degree is required to get this job.

#25. Landscaper

If you are a hands-on person with gardening, then landscaping is a good choice for making money without any qualification. Landscapers are highly needed, and this job has great potential to become a good business. A landscaper’s responsibilities include mowing the lawn, planting trees, weed removal, rubbish removal, etc. Landscapers are hired by residential houses, parks, big businesses, conversational reserves, etc.

Though there is a learning curve to this job, it’s quite fun if you have a green thumb.

#26. Fitness Trainer

jobs that don't require a degree fitness trainer

To become a fitness trainer, all you need is thorough knowledge about the category of fitness training you want to provide. Be it yoga, pilates, plyometrics, or aerobics, you can always gain an understanding of them through experience and doing certification courses. Fitness training is a booming niche, and more and more people are turning to personal trainers to keep fit and healthy.

You can always provide programs in-person, online, or create tailored programs for your clients. If you are inclined toward fitness, you can always turn this into a great business (think Kayla Itsines).

#27. Artist

There are so many ways you can earn money by being an artist. In fact, “artist” is a very broad term that can include social media content creators, painters, graphic artists, crafters, illustrators, and many more creative nerds. There is no qualification or experience required to become an artist; all you need is passion for the craft and the zeal to learn the skill.

#28. Sales Agent

As a sales agent, you will be selling products to inbound and outbound customers. This job does require you to have some marketing skills, an extroverted nature, and great communication skills, but it does not require a bachelor’s degree. Having prior experience in a customer-facing role is always a bonus for these jobs.

Few to companies to look for inbound and outbound sales representative roles:

#29. Bookkeeper

Bookkeeping is NOT a job that requires a degree, contrary to popular belief. If you are great with numbers and have the skills and knowledge of what goes on the job, you can start your own bookkeeping business from home. This is a very profitable and flexible job that gives you a stable income online.

Want to learn more about how to become a bookkeeper from home? Find out more in this interview I did with Ben Robinson.

Recommended reading:

#30. Tech Support

If you are a tech nerd, then tech support would be a great job providing support to businesses. Knowing HTML, CSS, etc. is required for this job, along with good problem-solving skills. As a technical support person, you will be handling customer calls and queries and solving the issues. This job does require prior experience, but no degree is required to get started.

Recommended reading:

Companies to look for technical support jobs:

#31. Travel Agent

Do you love traveling and all the planning that it involves? If yes, then you can start a side gig as a travel agent from home. As a travel agent, you have to research and plan vacations for clients according to their budgets and choices. This job requires a lot of patience and understanding customer preferences thoroughly. Having good knowledge about the travel industry is required for this job. If you are interested in finding out more about this hustle, read this post.

Recommended reading:

#32. Transcriptionist

jobs that don't require a degree transcriptionist

Transcription is converting audio or video to text with maximum accuracy. Typing and transcription are used interchangeably but transcription is much more than just typing. Having good typing speed, accuracy, and excellent English is a must to get this job. Many transcription companies prefer experienced transcribers but no specific qualifications are required.

Recommended reading:

Few companies to work for without any experience:

Tips to Get Remote Jobs That Don’t Require a College Degree

  • If you are keen to land a job without having a formal education, you have to be very proactive about learning the skills. There are many online learning platforms that help you get equipped with the necessary skills.
  • Certain jobs require you to have certifications, and getting those certifications is a vital part of starting a successful career. Don’t neglect the importance of these certifications.
  • Many jobs require you to network, especially if you are going the freelance route. Networking should be your strong point when it comes to looking for jobs that don’t require a degree. Forming relationships is one of the ways to get the job of your dreams.

Final Thoughts

In today’s remote job market, not having a degree should not stop you from pursuing a successful career. There are many resources and skills you can learn to become successful in any career. There are a lot of work-from-home jobs that you can choose that don’t require you to have a college degree or formal education. 

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About Sireesha Narumanchi

Hi, I am Sireesha, and thank you for stopping by to get to know me. I am a work-at-home mom, a side hustler, and a firm believer in making "working from home" a success for everyone. I have worked in a remote job for over 11 years and tried many side gigs. I have been featured on many popular websites like Forbes, Business Insider, American Express, QuickBooks, The Muse, Moneyish, Virtual Vocations, Spark Hire, Bustle, Fairygodboss, Side Hustle School, Payoneer, Jobbatical, and Skillcrush.Read more...

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