If you are struggling in college or you feel as if it isn’t the right path for you, don’t worry. College isn’t right for everyone and not every job requires a college degree for you to be successful.
Luckily, we’ve done some digging to find the top ten jobs for college dropouts, so you can be confident in your new career.
Key Takeaways:
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The top three jobs for college dropouts are auto mechanic, insurance agent, and photographer.
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Before dropping out of college it’s important to consider if the job you are considering requires a degree or not.
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If you are considering dropping out right now, you can always keep learning the trade by other means and you can always return and earn the degree in the future.
Top 10 Best Jobs For College Dropouts
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Average Salary: $36,000 per year
Current Jobs Available: 56,081
Job Growth Rate: -1%If you know a thing or two about cars, becoming an auto mechanic is a great career choice for any college dropout. On top of the fact that the average auto mechanic makes $19.29 per hour, a considerable 38% only needed a high school diploma to land a job.
However, if you have two years of relevant experience or are able to undergo some vocational training, you can get into this line of work relatively easily.
Auto mechanic responsibilities:
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Certify ASE technician in front-end suspensions and alignment and hydraulic brake systems
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Perform all require engine work such as adjustment of valves and coordinate shock setup
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Assist in the process of collision repair (painting, sand blasting, buffing, and dismantling)
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Preform automotive maintenance and diagnosis on customer’s vehicles
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Repair and troubleshoot automotive electrical systems
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Document repairs, modifications and inspections in accordance with FAA requirements on both paper and in an automate maintenance information database
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Average Salary: $42,384 per year
Current Jobs Available: 9,563
Job Growth Rate: 63%With an average hourly income of $20.38, combined with an insane job growth rate of 63%, becoming a solar panel installer is a great choice if you’re looking to drop out.
For the work they do (installing and maintaining solar panels), you might be surprised to learn that the majority of solar panel installers only have a high school diploma.
That means this job can be incredibly easy to get into, even if you lack experience or higher education. Plus, insane levels of job growth mean that over 6,000 new jobs will be added to this field over the next few years.
Solar panel installer responsibilities:
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Manage telecommunications, data and CCTV equipment
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Install framing, wiring (including wire management) and PV modules for the commercial system
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Wire control panel’s for multi-zone HVAC units
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Calibrate weigh belts to ensure proper application of dry components
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Perform electrical tasks such circuit current readings, wiring, tubing using pvc or metal conduit
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Perform inverter programming and QC tasks on systems prior deployment and making corrections as needed
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Average Salary: $45,742 per year
Jobs Available: 35,881
Job Growth Rate: 22%Do you know what’s more relaxing than midterms? Becoming a massage therapist.
These professionals earn a respectable $22 per hour on average, working on clients’ muscles and soft tissues. Whether you decide to work in your home or at a spa, you’ll spend your days surrounded by soothing music and lulled clients.
Plus, getting into this line of work only requires a bit of dedication. Generally speaking, you only need 500 hours of postsecondary education study and experience, and 27.7% of current massage therapists only have a high school diploma or certificate. With that in mind, it wouldn’t take you long to become one, even if you drop out.
Message therapist responsibilities:
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Manage a high-volume caseload and organize the daily schedules of other LMT and clients
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Work in a professional center performing massage therapy, energy therapies, hot stone therapy, and reiki
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Specialize in Swedish, deep tissue, pre-natal, sports, reflexology and hot stone massage incorporating integrate technique and style
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Perform massage therapy and Reiki on palliative care patients
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Provide massage therapy in various therapeutic settings including several chiropractic offices, in-home appointment (s) and at charity/sponsor events
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Administer massage and body care by utilizing various treatments such as deep tissue, Swedish, hot stone, and pre-natal.
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Sommelier
Average Salary: $46,000 per year
Jobs Available: 1,110
Job Growth Rate: 6%If you’re an expert in wine and also have some interpersonal skills, becoming a sommelier might just be a good fit for you. These individuals usually work in fine restaurants and specialize in all aspects of wine, whether that’s pairing it with the right food or educating other staff members about it. Unlike your typical waiter, sommeliers make an average of $22.49 per hour.
Of course, expertise in wine doesn’t come without some training. Experience as a waiter, manager, or sales associate is beneficial, and there are also online courses you can take to learn essential skills.
Sommelier responsibilities:
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Serve and delight guests with wine, spirits and food pairing
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Instruct weekly wine and spirits education for staff, including blind tasting and food pairing
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Ensure and enforce HACCP safe laws & procedures; maintain sanitation standards for both FOH and BOH
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Learned proper wine service, techniques for opening, decanting, and serving wine, champagne, and vintage wine
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Establish and proven ability to translate strong communication skills into successful marketing initiatives and outcomes
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Educate staff on best wine practices, feature wines and BTG offerings
Find Sommelier jobs near me.
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Average Salary: $48,293 per year
Jobs Available: 49,535
Job Growth Rate: 5%Millwrights repair factory equipment and other industrial machinery. They earn an average of $23.22 per hour. If you like working with your hands, you’ll be able to spend all day installing, dismantling, repairing, reassembling, and moving machinery around factories, power plants, and construction sites.
While this career path is male-dominated, it’s an excellent choice for college dropouts. A considerable 45% of those who work in this field have a high school diploma as their highest level of education. In general, all that’s needed to get into this line of work is technical training, such as an apprenticeship program.
Millwright responsibilities:
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Install, dismantle, or move machinery and heavy equipment according to layout plans, blueprints, or other drawings
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Assist with welding and fabricating machinery equipment and troubleshoot issues with hydraulics and other mechanical issues
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Perform TIG and SMAW welding and cutting
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Perform welding and cutting processes including SMAW, STAW, PAC and OFC
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Install elevator shaft, demo, rigging LOTO, and ppe at all times
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Insure all work are done using the proper work clearances and LOTO requirements
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Average Salary: $49,118 per year
Jobs Available: 58,902
Job Growth Rate: 10%Insurance agents are a particular type of salespeople who specialize in selling cars, rentals, health, and other types of insurance. The average insurance agent makes around $23.61 per hour, and this job is experiencing a healthy 10% job growth.
Like other sales positions, succeeding as an insurance agent is all about customer service and interpersonal skills, combined with knowledge of the product. Luckily, almost 15% of insurance agents earned their jobs with only a high school degree, and many jobs in this field provide on-the-job training for promising candidates.
Insurance agent responsibilities:
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Manage lead flow and determine where agents would be place in field throughout territory
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Generate sales of AAA products and services through in-bound calls and leads generate by the Internet
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Manage and motivate staff by providing training, effective systems, clear expectations, maintain effective open communication and monitor activity
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Answer telephone calls from potential customers who are solicited through advertisements or other public communication avenues; explain services and prices
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Calculate premiums and create plans that meet individual needs and income
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Educate borrowers and realtors about the short sale process, deed in lieu process, and other loss mitigation workouts available
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Average Salary: $49,482 per year
Jobs Available: 8,300
Job Growth Rate: -6%Like any artistic job, becoming a successful photographer has many different avenues you can take. You can have your own business, take commercial photography, take wedding photography, or fill any number of other niches.
You also might be surprised to know that the average photographer makes over $23 per hour, which is far from the “starving artist” cliche you might imagine.
The only major downside to pursuing photography is the learning curve, as you’ll need to study techniques before you become a professional. This, combined with slow job growth, can make it difficult to compete with other photographers.
However, 39% of photographers are successful with only a high school degree and some college, which means your skills will matter a whole lot more than your formal education.
Photographer responsibilities:
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Retouch still images of product and model shoots to prepare for online and print to meet daily quotas and deadlines
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Manage and setup photography studio for customers
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Assist with a family member s photography business while gaining knowledge of DSLR camera systems and various photography computer software programs
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Specialize in lifestyle and nature photography
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Photograph subjects at local events using Nikon digital cameras
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General news photography include sports photography, photo editing with Photoshop, video editing/shooting
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Average Salary: $54,348 per year
Jobs Available: 147,169
Job Growth Rate: 6%Earning an impressive $26.13 per hour, lodging facilities managers ensure their hotel (or any other accommodating establishment) is run efficiently and profitably. They also check in with guests, as positive guest experiences are a top priority. With that in mind, interpersonal and customer service skills are a must for this role.
You’ll also be facing little competition, with nearly 150,000 jobs available and a 6% job growth rate in the U.S.
While this line of work does require some experience in managerial positions, as well as preferably experience in the leisure and hospitality industry, college dropouts can still land a job. At least 15% of those who work in this industry only have a high school degree and can earn their jobs through experience alone.
Lodging facilities manager responsibilities:
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Manage several customer service incidents and tend to emergencies including the administration lifesaving CPR to a gym patron
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Extract reports for accuracy and proper authorization; calculate and post hours, paycheck amounts, and payroll exception amounts
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Analyze office operations and procedures, such as bookkeeping, preparations of payroll, filing, and the requisition of supplies
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Facilitate safety training meetings and exercises using Microsoft PowerPoint to help employees understand the potential safety hazards in their work environment
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Deliver expert service through concierge, PBX, front desk, bellmen departments
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Average Salary: $56,106 per year
Jobs Available: 169,231
Job Growth Rate: 2%Sales representatives are in the business of selling products and making new customers. And unsurprisingly, being in the business of making companies money comes with a healthy average salary of $26.97 per hour.
And this role is in high demand, with a staggering 169,231 jobs available in the U.S. alone. In fact, there are so many sales representative positions available that you can find job offers that require little experience or education. As long as you’re a good salesman, some companies will teach you everything you need to know.
That’s why at least 20% of these professionals only have a high school diploma. Therefore, if you like the idea of working with clients and making a good sales pitch, this is one of the best jobs for any college dropout.
Sales representative responsibilities:
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Manage prospective leads and existing accounts through a CRM platform to accurately forecast revenue and develop long-term business partnerships
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Manage customer order stock at remote manufacturing locations through OEM inventory software
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Develop internet marketing business through social media, Google and Facebook advertising
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Develop and maintain business relationships with businesses and policyholders using establish methods such as customer relationship management CRM
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Handle administrative and sales duties as Jr
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Answer any inquiries that the customers present with ease to eliminate anxiety and curiosity about the product
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Average Salary: $102,423 per year
Jobs Available: 22,010
Job Growth Rate: 7%Nothing screams success quite like a college dropout who makes almost $50 an hour. Though this might seem like insanity at first, it’s actually possible if you become a successful real estate agent.
Real estate agents are somewhat similar to sales representatives, with their specialty being to help people buy and sell houses. Of course, this line of work requires charisma, punctuality, follow-through, and in-depth knowledge of the American housing market.
Despite the high salary, up to 27% of real estate agents only have a high school diploma or some college. Instead, the most important thing for these professionals is to acquire a real estate license in the state/s they wish to work in.
Do keep in mind that competition can be fierce for real estate agents, meaning that while the barrier of entry might be low, it’ll take willpower and investment to become successful.
Real estate broker responsibilities:
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Manage all accounting, cash management, budgeting and financing for individual LLC’s and for corporate entity
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Prepare all marketing materials, coordinate closings, enter necessary data into the MLS to ensure homes are represent correctly
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Negotiate sales contracts for purchases, REO assets, HUD sales contract, short sales, and new home listings
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Prepare offers, handle contract negotiations and resolve issues to close sales in collaboration with title, escrow and loan officers
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Coordinate with lenders, agents, clients and escrow officers to meet a deadline while keeping all parties up to date
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Excel at balancing multiple responsibilities within challenging, fast-pace environments while delivering top-level, management, problem-solving, and communication skills
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Things to Keep in Mind When You Drop Out of College
Did you know that over 60% of U.S. jobs don’t require a Bachelor’s degree? Plus, a good portion of those pays well enough to make a living off of.
When you drop out of college, it’s always important to remember that this decision won’t “end your life” in any way. You can still find a lucrative career, gain valuable experience, and more.
Overall, here are some things to keep in mind when you’re deciding to drop out:
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Do you need a degree for the job you’re interested in? You might be surprised to learn that many worthwhile careers don’t require a college degree. This list will name the top ten, giving you an opportunity to examine if you can get a job you want without needing a degree.
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Consider the risks. While dropping out is a valid option, you should also consider a few factors before you decide to drop out. For instance, if you only have a semester or a year left, maybe it’s worth sticking through to earn your degree. Plus, if your dream career requires a degree, it might be worth pushing through for that too.
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You can get a degree in the future. Luckily, deciding that college isn’t for you right now doesn’t mean you can’t get your degree in the future. While it can be difficult to transition from a working schedule back to a college schedule, this option will always be open to you.
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Know yourself. Don’t drop out or stay in college because others are influencing you to do so. In the end, examine what you want/need, and make an educated decision.
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Keep learning. Even if you didn’t get a formal degree in something, keep learning from online videos and workshops. This can help improve your skills and your knowledge without shelling out too much money for a formal degree.
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Stay humble. It’s important to remember that as a college drop out you may need to start out in an entry-level position. But with hard work and determination it won’t be long before you advance.
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Consider interning or volunteering. As a college drop out, it’s important to show potential employers that you do have some experience and knowledge they’re looking for. When you intern or volunteer somewhere, you can add that to your resume to show that you are just as capable as the candidate with the college degree.
Final Thoughts
If you know in your heart that dropping out of college is the right decision for you, take comfort in knowing there are tons of quality jobs out there you can still be qualified for. When in doubt, look for careers that offer apprenticeships, vocational training, on-the-job training, or that only need a certificate/license to get started.
Additionally, remember that even if you don’t start with as high of a salary as you want, many of these jobs will continue to offer higher and higher pay as you become more experienced.
Author
Jack Flynn is a writer for Zippia. In his professional career he’s written over 100 research papers, articles and blog posts. Some of his most popular published works include his writing about economic terms and research into job classifications. Jack received his BS from Hampshire College.
