If you’re interested in getting into the tech industry, you might be debating whether to go to college and study computer science or get an online certificate instead. While there are great benefits to both options, many people believe that going to college is the only way to get a job in technology, but this simply isn’t true! Here are 15 entry-level tech jobs that don’t require you to have a degree but pay well and offer plenty of opportunity for growth.
Intro
In today’s job market, a college degree is not always required to land a high-paying job. In fact, there are many entry-level jobs in the tech industry that pay well without a four-year degree. Here are 15 of the highest-paying entry-level jobs in the tech industry, all of which require no more than a two-year degree or certification.
- Mobile app developer
- Network Administrator
- Data analyst
- IT support technician
- Network engineer
- Systems administrator
- Project manager
- Social media manager
- Database administrator
- Technical writer
- Applications programmer
- Database architect
- Software engineer
- Product Manager
- Information security specialist
Types of Jobs and Their Salaries
We all know that a college degree doesn’t guarantee a job or a certain salary. But what about tech jobs? Turns out, there are plenty of well-paying entry-level positions in the tech industry that don’t require a four-year degree. Types:
1) Automation engineer – Median Pay: $70,000 – Job description: Design and build systems to improve the production and quality of products or services. Automation engineers often work on large projects with multiple parts that must work together.
2) Computer systems analyst – Median Pay: $72,450 – Job description: Analyze how a system should work and make recommendations to improve its design and functioning as it relates to business needs. Use information gathered from interviews, surveys, observations, data analysis and other sources to identify problems within an organization’s computer systems. In addition to these two popular careers without a degree requirement, many other technology positions such as software engineer, network administrator, IT manager, or help desk technician also have high salaries without requiring a four-year degree.
Entry-Level Jobs That Can Lead to Promotion
There are plenty of high-paying entry-level jobs in the tech industry that don’t require a college degree. In fact, many employers value experience and skills over formal education. Even if you can’t find an exact fit, there are lots of opportunities to break into the field. Check out these 15 entry-level tech jobs with good pay that don’t require a college degree!
Jobs Where Having a Degree Helps
For certain positions, such as becoming a computer and information research scientist or computer network architect, having a higher level of education is necessary. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, computer and information research scientists usually need at least a master’s degree in computer science or a related field, and computer network architects usually need at least a bachelor’s degree in computer science, engineering, or a related field.
Jobs That Don’t Require Degrees But Do Pay Well
In today’s job market, a college degree is not always necessary to land a high-paying job. There are many entry-level jobs in the tech industry that pay well and don’t require a four-year degree. Here are 15 of the best -paying entry-level jobs in the tech industry that you can get without a degree:
- Developer Programmer (Programming skills)
- Web Designer (Design skills)
- Network Engineer (Computers and networking skills)
- Computer Support Specialist (IT support knowledge and skills).
Jobs That Are Only Available to Those With Technical Skills Or Degrees
There are plenty of amazing tech jobs out there that don’t require a four-year degree. In fact, many of the most in-demand jobs only require specialized training or certification. Here are 15 of the best entry-level jobs in the tech industry that pay well, even without a college degree.
Your Next Steps
If you’re interested in a tech career but don’t have a college degree, don’t despair. There are plenty of well-paying jobs out there that don’t require a four-year degree. And, in many cases, on-the-job training is available. For example, healthcare IT professionals with an associate’s degree can earn upwards of $66,000 per year. Network security engineers who have experience can make more than $70,000 annually without the need for higher education.
Network architects without formal qualifications can make over $60,000 per year and web developers who graduate from coding boot camps can start earning around $70,000 after just six months of employment.