Earning Over $1000/Week Without a College Degree (10 Jobs for Everyone)
Do you feel stuck in a low-paying job? Do you want more from life? Do you regret not going to college? It’s not too late to make a change. Most of us have grown up with the myth of college. Study hard, get good grades, enroll into college, get a degree, and you’ll be set for life.
But this path isn’t for everyone. Some people simply couldn’t afford to go to college. Others found the traditional educational system didn’t work for them. And there are those who just wanted to get started working and earning money as soon as possible.
Whatever your reasons for not going to college, know that it’s not the only path to success. There are plenty of high-paying jobs that don’t require a degree.
In this article, we’ll be discussing ten such jobs. These are positions that typically pay over $1000 per week, sometimes even more. They’re also jobs that don’t require years of schooling and experience to get started.
So, if you’re looking for a change, read on. You might just find your perfect career match.
Beware the Job Market
Most people are unaware of how salaries work. They believe that years of schooling and experience are the only things that affect how much you get paid.
But there are other factors at play. For example, the industry you work in can have a big impact on your salary. Some industries simply pay more than others. The same goes for the location of your job. Safety is another big variable. If you’re out there hauling hazardous materials, you’re going to get paid more than someone who works in an office.
Last, demand is a big thing. You’ve probably heard of many people who went to vocational school and are now making six-figure salaries. That’s because there’s high demand for their skills. On the other hand, some college degrees don’t give you an edge in the job market. If there are already too many people with your degree, you might not be able to find a good-paying job. Or maybe your degree simply doesn’t have good earning potential.
All these factors are important to consider when looking for a new job. It’s all about making yourself valuable in the job market. And, as you’ll see from the list below, there are many ways to do that.
What Do You Need to Earn $1000/Week?
This question is a bit tricky to answer. It depends on a number of factors, including experience, industry, location, and demand.
But there are some general things you can do to increase your chances of earning a high salary.
- Experience — Experience is a big factor in how much you get paid. If you’re just starting out, you will not make as much as someone who’s been working for years. But don’t worry, your salary will increase with time. The important thing is to get started and gain some experience.
- Industry — Some industries simply pay more than others. If you’re looking for a high-paying job, it’s important to consider the industry you want to work in. For example, the oil & gas industry is known for its high salaries.
- Location — The location of your job can have a big impact on your salary. If you’re looking for a high-paying job, it’s important to consider the cost of living in the area where you want to work. For example, jobs in New York City typically pay more than jobs in other parts of the country, but because of the high cost of living you’re probably not going to take home as much money.
- Demand — Another important factor to consider is demand. If there’s high demand for your skills, you’re likely to get paid more. For example, jobs in the healthcare industry are in high demand right now, so if you have a healthcare-related degree you’re likely to get a good paying.
- Specialization — It’s also a good idea to specialize in a particular area. The more specific your skillset, the more likely you are to find a well-paying job. We instinctively trust people who are experts in their field. It makes sense, then, that employers would be willing to pay more for someone with specialized skills. For example, a web developer who specializes in e-commerce is going to be in higher demand, and therefore make more money, than a web developer who doesn’t have a specialty.
Always try to stay up-to-date with the latest trends. Technology is always changing, and the people who can keep up are in high demand. Employers are always looking for employees who are ahead of the curve.
So, if you want to make $1000 per week, focus on being the best at what you do. The more valuable you are to employers, the more they’ll be willing to pay.
Editor’s note: Don’t forget to negotiate. Many people are afraid to do this, but it’s an important part of getting a good salary. If you don’t ask for what you’re worth, you probably won’t get it.
10 Jobs That Will Pay You Over $1000 a Week
Naturally, we know there are a lot of jobs that make a lot of money. But while making this list, we focused on jobs that will pay you at least $1,000 a week without requiring a college degree. We figured out that, if you’re looking for a job that pays that much a week, you feel like you’re being underpaid in your current job, or you simply don’t have the time or money to go to college, these are the jobs for you.
Editor’s note: There are 52 weeks in a year, but between holidays and vacation days, the average person only works 48 weeks. Therefore, we decided to focus on jobs that will pay you at least $48,000 a year, or $1000 per week.
Oil Rig Worker
An oil rig worker is responsible for a variety of tasks on an oil rig, including operating and maintaining equipment, performing repairs, and assisting with the drilling process. Oil rig workers typically work 12-hour shifts, and their average salary is $52,140 a year. But it’s hard to tell, as bls doesn’t distinguish between offshore and onshore rig workers in its salary data.
You don’t need a college degree to become an oil rig worker, but you will need to complete a training program that typically lasts four to six weeks.
Obviously, offshore oil rig workers earn much more, as their living conditions are much more difficult. They work and live far away from their family, often for months at a time. But they also get paid a lot more, with salaries ranging from $50,000 to over $100,000 a year.
What’s beautiful about this job is that you don’t need a college degree to get started. There are a variety of training programs that will teach you the skills you need to be successful.
Also Read: Is Oil & Gas Production a Good Career Path (The Pros and Cons of a Lucrative Career Path)
Web Developer
A web developer is responsible for coding, designing, and optimizing websites. They work with clients to understand their needs and create a website that meets those needs. Web developers typically have a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field, but it’s not required. The internet abounds with free or low cost resources that will teach you the skills you need to be a web developer.
The average salary for a web developer is $77,200 a year, but it is one of the most variable ones. One of the most interesting aspects of being a web developer is that you can always go solo and become a freelancer if you can’t find a good employer. That means you will set your own hours and make your own rates. Our recommendation when you’re starting out is to look for a friend of relative who could benefit from a new website. That way, you can build a portfolio and get paid while you’re still learning the ropes.
It will be hard when you’re just starting out, but once you build a client base, you can easily make over $1000 a week.
Freelance Writer
A freelance writer is someone who writes for a variety of publications on a variety of topics. They are not employed by any one publication, but rather work independently. Freelance writers typically have a bachelor’s degree in English, journalism, or a related field. But, again, it’s not necessary. In fact, the world is full of handsomely paid freelance writers who aren’t even native English speakers.
It’s basically impossible to give an accurate salary for freelance writers. One, the Bureau for Labor Statistics lumps them up with authors. Two, like web developers, the sky is the limit when it comes to earnings. But also, there’s no floor. You could earn very little or a lot, depending on your experience, how good you are at selling yourself, and the quality of your work.
The best way to get started is to find a low-paying gig and use it as a portfolio piece. Once you have a few good writing samples, you can start pitching yourself to higher paying publications. With a little bit of effort, you can easily make over $1000 a week as a freelance writer.
Truck Driver
A truck driver is responsible for transporting goods from one location to another. They typically drive long distances and are away from home for days or weeks at a time. Truck drivers typically have a high school diploma or equivalent, but they must also complete a training program.
The average salary for a truck driver is $48,310 a year, but it varies wildly. For example, if you’re transporting hazardous materials, you can earn up to $80,000 a year. And if you’re hauling oversize loads, you can earn even more. How long you drive for is also a factor in your pay. The longer you’re on the road, the more you’ll earn.
Getting your truck driving license is not as difficult as you might think. You’ll need to pass a written exam and a driving test, but the training is relatively short. And once you have your license, you can start looking for work.
Truck driving is a great job for people who want to travel and see the country. It’s also a great job for people who like to be alone. If you don’t mind being away from home for long periods of time, it’s a great way to make over $1000 a week.
Carpenter
A carpenter is a skilled tradesman who builds and repairs structures made of wood. They typically work in the construction industry, but they can also be self-employed. Carpenters typically have a high school diploma or equivalent, but they must also complete an apprenticeship.
The average yearly salary for a carpenter is $48,260. However, like many jobs on this list, the salary varies depending on experience and location. For example, carpenters in New York City earn an average of $67,000 a year.
Carpentry is a great job for people who are good with their hands and enjoy working with wood. It’s a physically demanding job, but it’s also a very rewarding one. If you’re looking for a job that pays over $1000 a week, carpentry is a great option.
The beauty of carpentry is that it’s something you learn on the job. As long as you have a high school diploma, you can start looking for an apprenticeship to learn how to be a great carpenter. Once you’ve got a few years of experience under your belt, you can easily make over $1000 a week as a carpenter.
Dinkey Operator
A crane operator is responsible for operating a crane to lift, move, and position heavy objects. They typically work in the construction industry, but they can also be employed in other industries such as manufacturing or shipping. Crane operators must have a high school diploma or equivalent and must complete on-the-job training.
It’s hard to give you a good salary estimate, as the bls groups them up with rail yard engineers and hostlers. The figure it gives us is $58,070 mean annual wage. It’s pretty good, but there’s a lot of variation in this job.
Being a crane operator is a great job for people who like to work with their hands and are not afraid of heights. It’s also a great job for people who are mechanically inclined. If you have a high school diploma and can pass the on-the-job training, you can easily make over $1000 a week as a crane operator.
Machinist
Machinists set up and operate a variety of computer-controlled and mechanically controlled machine tools to produce precision metal parts, instruments, and tools.
A machinist is a skilled tradesman who operates machine tools to create or modify parts. They typically work in the manufacturing industry, but they can also be employed in other industries such as automotive or aerospace. Machinists must have a high school diploma or equivalent and must complete on-the-job training.
The average salary for a machinist is $49,020 a year. Becoming a machinist is a great option for people who are good with their hands and enjoy working with machines.
Stonemason
Stonemasons are construction workers who build and repair structures made of stone, brick, or concrete. They typically work in the construction industry, but they can also be self-employed. Much like most occupations on this list, stonemasons must have a high school diploma or equivalent and must complete on-the-job training.
The average salary for a stonemason is $50,170 a year. Stonemasonry is a great job for people who are good with their hands and enjoy working with stone. There is no formal education required to become a stonemason, but you must complete on-the-job training.
Solar Photovoltaic Installer
Solar photovoltaic (PV) installers, also known as solar panel installers, are responsible for installing and maintaining solar panel systems on rooftops or other structures. They typically work in the renewable energy industry, but they can also be employed in the construction or utilities industries. You don’t need a college degree for this job, but you will need to complete a training program, often at a community college.
The average salary for a solar photovoltaic installer is $50,710 a year. Solar PV installers are in high demand as the renewable energy industry continues to grow. You will be able to find a job as a solar PV installer and hold onto it for as long as you like, provided you’re willing to travel.
Umpire
An umpire is a person who officiates at sporting events. They are responsible for enforcing the rules of the game and ensuring that both teams play fair. Umpires typically work in the sports industry, but they can also be employed by schools or recreation leagues. You don’t need a college degree to become an umpire, but you will need to complete a training program that lasts several weeks, depending on the sport. You will, however, need to be at least somewhat athletic and have perfect vision.
The average salary for an umpire is $51,710 a year. Umpiring is a great job for people who love sports and want to stay active. You can work as an umpire at any level, from youth leagues all the way up to the professional ranks. And naturally, the higher up you go, the more money you’ll make.
Conclusions
There are a variety of good-paying jobs that don’t require a college degree. If you’re willing to put in the hard work, you can easily make over $1000 a week without having to take on any student loan debt. So, if you’re looking for a well-paying career, consider one of the options on this list.
Before rushing headfirst into any of these jobs, however, be sure to do your research and make sure it’s the right fit for you. There’s no sense in taking a job that you’re not going to enjoy or that doesn’t pay enough to support your lifestyle.
For example, if you dislike the idea of being away from home for long periods of time, avoid truck driving and umpiring, which will require you to travel. And if you’re not comfortable working with your hands, machining and stonemasonry are probably not the best options for you.
Take your time, do your research, and find the perfect job for you. With a little effort, you can easily find a well-paying career that doesn’t require a college degree.
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