You may think that high-salary tech jobs are reserved solely for university graduates, but this isn’t actually true. There are many well-paid tech jobs out there that you can apply for even without a Bachelor’s degree.
So, which roles in the tech industry are open to graduates and non-graduates?
1. Technical Writer
If you’re big on technology, be it software or hardware, you may enjoy being a technical writer. Technical writers (not to beconfused with UI and UX writers) are responsible for providing written instructions and information on tech products.
This includes apps, typical and smart appliances, EVs, and much more. This is done on behalf of companies and developers that want to outline the key features of a product, as well as how to use them.
Note that not all companies are okay to omit a college degree when looking for a technical writer. As is often the case, different employers look for different skills and qualifications, so it’s best to read the application details before going forward.
Be sure not to confuse a technical writer with a technology content writer, as the latter is more geared toward writing tech reviews, news, and explainers. You’ll often need some kind of university degree to become a technology content writer, though this isn’t necessarily always the case.
According toBuiltin, the average US salary for a technical writer is $77,000, so you could certainly make a good living in this role.
2. Digital Marketer
Marketing has been a crucial business component for centuries, but the rise of the digital era has opened a new niche for digital marketers.
Digital marketersuse the internet, specifically social media, advertising, and websites, to promote a given company or product. For instance, a digital marketer may use Instagram to promote a company’s new range of eco-friendly products.
Within this promotion, the social media manager needs to consider the kind of content their customer base enjoys, and what kind of content is likely to perform best. There are business and marketing degrees out there that aid individuals in their pursuit to become digital marketers, but these qualifications aren’t an absolute must in many cases.
According toIndeed, the average salary for digital marketers in the US lands at just over $63,000.
3. Junior Web Developer
Websites stand as a company’s user-facing front. Whether it’s an online retailer, blog, financial service, or even a stock image site, it’s important to ensure that everything will run correctly and smoothly for the user.
While web designers (which we’ll discuss next) are there to fine-tune a website’s visual aspects, a web developer’s role can go beyond that. Writing a website’s code, managing its user capacity, and ironing out security vulnerabilities can all come under a web developer’s purview.
A junior web developer will start with the basics of the job, learning more as they progress. It’s unlikely that you’ll be able to walk into a senior web development role without vast experience or a degree, but an entry-level version of this job is certainly accessible for those who didn’t go to college.
4. Junior Web Designer
An unsightly website can give off a shoddy impression and put customers off in an instant. This is why web designers are so important. Websites have evolved significantly since the basic and sparse designs of the 90s. Today, a website can look truly beautiful through the work of a good designer.
Web designers are responsible for ensuring that a website looks attractive and professional. This may involve selecting a website color scheme, font scheme, and webpage layout.
A UX designer may also be called upon to help with website design to ensure that a user’s experience is seamless and enjoyable. We’ll get into the specifics of UX design a little later. According toGlassdoor, a junior web designer in the US can make around $69,000 yearly.
5. Data Analyst
Everything comes down to data these days, be it someone’s online habits, health history, bank account details, or pretty much anything else. Because of this, organizations need staff to analyze and monitor databases in order to understand how things are progressing.
Is the company’s demographic shifting? Are customers opting for cheaper alternatives? Is a particular product selling poorly? A data analyst can answer these questions. To be a data analyst, you need to understand how to read and interpret different kinds of data, and then extract meaning from said data.
While this sounds complex, you don’t always need a college degree to get a job like this. As a data analyst in the US, you can make an average of over $76,000 annually, according toIndeed.
6. Social Media Manager
Most companies nowadays have one or more social media accounts. Whether it’s a small business or a huge conglomerate, having a social media presence maintains relevancy, expands user demographics, and can even boost sales.
The social media site of business and marketing often comes down to social media managers. These individuals handle one or all of a company’s social media accounts, be it Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube.
The kind of posts that are uploaded, the upload schedule, views and likes, and account growth can all be managed and analyzed by a social media manager. These individuals also have a focus onuploading the most engaging content.
If you’re social media savvy and have solid organizational skills, you may make a great social media manager. You can make an average of $50,000 yearly within the US as a social media manager, according toHootsuite. For more details on this career path, check out our guide onbecoming a social media manager.
7. Graphic Designer
If you’ve got an artistic flare and want to combine it with your career path, being a graphic designer may fit you perfectly. Whether you’re constructing an infographic, animating a promotional video, or even developing a webpage transition, your skills as a graphic designer will be in high demand across all industries.
As a graphic designer in the US, you can make an average of over $50,000, according toGlassdoor.
8. Cybersecurity Analyst
Cybersecurity is invaluable nowadays, be it on our laptops, smartphones, online accounts, or even within our homes. To maintain adequate levels of security and create new safety solutions, a cybersecurity analyst is needed.
Cybersecurity analysts can also vet software code for vulnerabilities, test out new security features, and do research on increasingly prevalent forms of cyberattack. Overall, you’re responsible for keeping a website, network, product, or app safe for users as a cybersecurity analyst.
According toTalent.com, a cybersecurity analyst within the US makes an average of over $109,000 yearly, so you can certainly make a good living in this profession.
9. UX Designer
A UX (user experience) designer is responsible for ensuring that users have a pleasant, fulfilling time when using an app, website, or product. UX designers are also important in other industries but play a particularly crucial role in tech.
UI and UX design can sometimes overlap, as both roles are associated with making a user’s overall experience with a service enjoyable. But while UI design deals with how a user physically interacts with a service, UX deals with the overall impression a user gets, and how they feel after using something.
This includes considering factors like accessibility, usability, and efficiency. All in all, the goal of a UX designer is to keep the customer satisfied each time they use a product or service.
According toCareer Foundry, a UX designer makes an average of over $94,000, which is very impressive. If you’re not into coding, UX design may be far more suited to you than UI design, as the latter usually requires you to program apps and websites.
10. Tech Sales Representative
If you’re good at talking to people and marketing a product, you might make a fantastic tech sales representative. Sales reps are necessary in almost all industries and play a crucial role in making tech sales.
A tech sales rep may work entirely online, getting in touch with other brands and prospective users via social media, or they may attend real-life conventions and seminars to further promote a company’s product.
If you want to be a tech sales representative, you may be able to get your foot in the door solely based on your past sales experience. In such a role at entry level, you can make an average of over $80,000 within the US, according toIndeed.
