15 of the highest paying jobs by the hour - and you don’t need a degree (2024)

YOU don’t need a fancy degree or expensive specialist training to earn decent money.

In fact, there are plenty of jobs offering more than £25 per hour, which works out as an annual salary of almost £43,000 per year - well above the national average.

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Some of the best-paid jobs where you don’t need to shell out for university courses or training include an agile coach, a court reporter, and a childminder, according to data from job site Adzuna, shared exclusively with the Sun.

Adzuna co-founder Andrew Hunter said: “With the National Minimum Wage rising nearly 10% to £11.44 this April, there's exciting news for jobseekers.

“Numerous hourly paid roles now offer over £20 per hour and don’t require a degree. For jobseekers looking to strike a balance between earnings and lifestyle, these roles are a golden opportunity.

“Whether you're into creative roles like UI designer or hands-on roles like Rope Access Technician, these jobs not only pay well but also offer flexibility to fit your life outside work.”

The top paying job on the list was a rope access consultant, which is someone who works on a rope doing tasks such as window cleaning, painting, welding, pressure washing, and other maintenance activities.

Adzuna says this pays £30 per hour, which works out as a full-time salary of more than £50,000 a year.

At the bottom of the top ten was a farrier, which is someone who is an expert in equine hoof care and shoeing horses.

This pays £18.77 an hour, which works out as a salary of over £36,600 if you work 37.5 hours a week - a standard week.

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Of course, if you’re prepared to do more comprehensive training, either by paying for courses or on the job through apprenticeships, you may be able to secure even more lucrative pay.

For instance, a previous study looking at the least competitive jobs found that the average advertised salary for a tax specialist is £55,673, a role that it’s possible to access through apprenticeships.

Audit specialist roles, which is a similar field, have an average advertised salary of £44,022.

Loss adjusters, who help insurance companies investigate insurance claims and calculate the losses and payouts, also often have apprenticeships, and the average annual salary for these roles is £42,149.

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Meanwhile, piano teachers and wedding planners are paid around £30/hour too.

By contrast, the National Living Wage for someone aged 21 and over is just £11.44 an hour.

And the National Minimum Wage for people aged 18-20 is just £8.60 an hour.

Here's the full list of the best hourly paid jobs with no degree requirements:

  • Rope Access Technician - £30.00
  • Agile Coach - £27.21
  • UI designer - £27.15
  • Court Reporter - £25.58
  • Creative Copywriter - £21.03
  • Landscaper - £20.94
  • Home Health Aide - £20.80
  • Childminder - £19.61
  • Proposal writer - £19.31
  • Voice-over Artist - £18.77
  • Bookseller - £18.64
  • Farrier - £18.64
  • Plumber - £18.48
  • Executive Assistant - £18.26
  • Butler - £18.03

If you’re thinking about having a career change, it’s important to brush up on your CV and transferrable skills.

We spoke to a recruitment expert who shared the six things that seriously boost your chances of getting an interview.

Elsewhere, we have spoken to atrain driver who earns £54,000 a year, without a university education.

And a 27-year-old revealed howhe earns over £50K in recruitment, after dropping out of college at 17.

Meanwhile, aSheffield-based woman decided to pursuemoneyrather than studying and nowhas a salary that tops £60,000 a year working as a lettings agent.

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And here arethe highest-paying entry-level jobsthat you don’t need a degree for – and you can earn over £36,000.

Plus, if you're lookingfor more flexible hours, these are the jobs that can get you up to £70,000 - and some don’t need any qualifications.

Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.

Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories

15 of the highest paying jobs by the hour - and you don’t need a degree (2024)

FAQs

What job pays the highest without a degree? ›

Here are the highest-paying jobs that don't require a degree this year:
  • Airline and commercial pilot. Median annual salary: $148,900. ...
  • Information security analyst. ...
  • Elevator and escalator installer and repairer. ...
  • Special effects artist and animator. ...
  • Transportation, storage, and distribution manager.
Jun 4, 2024

How can I make $100 000 a year without a college degree? ›

9 jobs that pay $100K per year without a degree
  1. Information systems manager. ...
  2. Fire chief. ...
  3. Product manager. ...
  4. Senior engagement manager. ...
  5. Radiation therapist. ...
  6. Computer network architect. ...
  7. Senior real estate manager. ...
  8. Technical program manager.
Apr 18, 2024

How can I make $30 an hour without a college degree? ›

What jobs pay $30 an hour without a degree?
  1. Writer. Median hourly wage: $35.17 [2] ...
  2. Web developer. Median hourly wage: $38.81 [3] ...
  3. Fire inspector. Median hourly wage: $31.63 [4] ...
  4. Police officer. Median hourly wage: $33.25 [5] ...
  5. Sales representative. ...
  6. Video editor. ...
  7. Insurance claims adjuster. ...
  8. Building inspector.
Apr 10, 2024

What is the highest paying job without university? ›

There are vast numbers of careers where skills and training are favoured over the traditional education route.
  • Firefighter.
  • Police Constable.
  • Entrepreneur.
  • Train and Tram Drivers.
  • Training Managers.
  • Project Manager.
  • Air Traffic Controllers.
  • Sales Managers.

How to make 50k without a degree? ›

It can still be worth researching these careers further, though, as the average salaries appear to provide a substantial income.
  1. Property manager.
  2. Retail store manager.
  3. Law enforcement officer.
  4. Title examiner.
  5. Web developer.
  6. Fitness manager.
  7. Hotel manager.
  8. Pipe welder.
Apr 18, 2024

How to make 70k a year without a degree? ›

11 high-paying jobs in California you can get without a degree
  1. Police officer. ...
  2. Nuclear power reactor operator. ...
  3. Boilermaker. ...
  4. Web developer. ...
  5. Front desk manager. ...
  6. Distribution manager. ...
  7. Massage therapist. ...
  8. Tanker driver.
Apr 18, 2024

How to make $100 an hour? ›

There are several side jobs that pay $100 or more an hour, including:
  1. Massage therapist.
  2. Tutor.
  3. Model.
  4. Actor/actress.
  5. Health coach.
  6. Freelance photographer.
  7. Freelance designer.
  8. Interior designer.
Apr 18, 2024

How to make $20 an hour? ›

Earn $20 Per Hour jobs
  1. Mixer Driver. BURNCO LLC2.9. ...
  2. Automotive Technicians Mechanics Full-time. ...
  3. Professional Cleaner -- All Shifts (Up to $25 Per Hour) ...
  4. Warehouse Picker/Packer. ...
  5. $35/hr - Winning Mindsets Only / Positive Energy / Hard Work - Bolt Movers. ...
  6. Strengthen your profile. ...
  7. Associate Production Bacon. ...
  8. Caregiver.

How to make 80k a year without college degree? ›

What Is the Highest-Paying Job Without a Degree?
  1. Commercial Pilots: $121,430.
  2. Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers: $94,560.
  3. First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives: $91,090.
  4. Power Plant Operators, Distributors, and Dispatchers: $85,950.
  5. Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers: $84,990.

What is the highest paid unskilled job? ›

High-paying unskilled jobs
  • Sales Representative. ...
  • Administrative assistant. ...
  • Delivery driver. ...
  • Construction worker. ...
  • Tax preparer. ...
  • Property manager. ...
  • Flight attendant. ...
  • Claims adjuster. National average salary: $63,093 per year Primary duties: Claims adjusters manage insurance claims that are filed by their clients.

What is the easiest job with high salary? ›

High-paying simple jobs
  • Truck driver.
  • Sales representative.
  • Dispatcher.
  • Customer service representative.
  • Chauffeur.
  • Claims adjuster.
  • Roofer.
  • Groundskeeper.
Jul 10, 2024

What is the easiest job to make 100K a year? ›

Easiest Jobs That Pay $100K
  • Information Technology Manager. Average Annual Salary: $119,500. ...
  • Risk Manager. Average Annual Salary: $116,000. ...
  • Hacker. Average Annual Salary: $86,000. ...
  • Geophysicist. Average Annual Salary: $105,000. ...
  • Equity Research Associate. ...
  • Dentist. ...
  • Investment Banking Associate. ...
  • Optometrist.
Aug 1, 2023

How can I get a 6 figure job without college? ›

14 six-figure jobs without a college degree requirement
  1. Data Scientist. Data Scientists analyze raw data and draw meaningful insights that can improve business performance. ...
  2. Data Engineer. ...
  3. Business Analyst. ...
  4. Software Engineer. ...
  5. Engineering Manager. ...
  6. Test Engineer. ...
  7. Cybersecurity Engineer. ...
  8. Technical Program Manager.
May 1, 2024

What is the highest paying job with little schooling? ›

What Is the Highest-Paying Job Without a Degree?
  • Commercial Pilots: $121,430.
  • Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers: $94,560.
  • First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives: $91,090.
  • Power Plant Operators, Distributors, and Dispatchers: $85,950.
  • Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers: $84,990.

What is the least stressful job without a degree? ›

20 low-stress jobs with no degree required
  • Water treatment plant operator.
  • Roofer.
  • Massage therapist.
  • Electrical assembler.
  • Hairstylist.
  • Painter.
  • Machine operator.
  • Artist.
Apr 18, 2024

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