No degree? No problem.
Not having a college degree does not automatically diminish your chances of snagging a high-paying and rewarding job.
Here is a list of the 25 best jobs that don't require a college degree. These include positions open to those with only a high school diploma as well as careers that require some postsecondary education and training.
Note that all the jobs on this list are taken from the U.S. News 100 Best Jobs ranking. Data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
25. Sheet Metal Worker
Median salary: $55,350
Unemployment rate: 4.2%
Expected new job openings by 2032: -200
Sheet metal workers fabricate, assemble and maintain sheet metal products. These products can include heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, roofing, siding, and various other metal structures.
You don't need a four-year degree to become a sheet metal worker. Training facilities such as the Sheet Metal Institute offer apprenticeships to candidates with a high school diploma or equivalent.
24. Medical Assistant
Median salary: $38,270
Unemployment rate: 3.2%
Expected new job openings by 2032: 105,900
Medical assistants are an indispensable part of a medical team. They keep medical offices, clinics and other health care facilities running smoothly by performing a mix of administrative and clinical tasks, such as answering phones, filing insurance forms, preparing blood for lab tests and ensuring medical histories are accurately recorded.
While medical assistants typically don't need to have a four-year degree, many employers prefer job applicants who have completed a postsecondary training program, such as the one-year medical assistant training programs offered at some community colleges and universities.
23. Security Guard
Median salary: $34,750
Unemployment rate: 6.7%
Expected new job openings by 2032: -14,900
Security guards protect people, property and assets from potential threats or criminal activities. They work in all kinds of settings, including office buildings, residential complexes, nightclubs, parking lots, retail stores, hospitals and more.
You don’t need a bachelor's degree to become a security guard since most employers provide on-the-job training. However, depending on where you work, you may need to complete CPR training, active shooter training and other requirements.
22. Bus Driver
Median salary: $50,890
Unemployment rate: 6.2%
Expected new job openings by 2032: 8,400
Bus drivers transport passengers from one site to another within designated routes. Most U.S. states require bus drivers to be at least 18 years old and at least 21 to drive across state lines. While you don't need a college degree to become a bus driver, you must have a commercial driver's license, or CDL, and a clean driving record.