Tech jobs are some of the highest-paying careers in the world. The average salary for computer programmers is $90,000 per year, and it's not uncommon to see salaries in excess of $100,000.
But what happens if you're not a college graduate? Does that mean you can't get a job in tech? Not at all! Many people think that only people with four-year degrees can get jobs in the tech industry. That's simply not true.
In fact, there are many high-paying tech jobs that don't require a college degree at all! It's true — you can earn big bucks without spending years getting a bachelor's degree or master's degree.
Today we're going to look at some of the best high-paying tech jobs that don't require a college degree:
IT Project Managers are the people who coordinate, plan and manage the IT departments of a business. They are responsible for ensuring that projects are completed on time and within budget. They must also manage the interactions between different departments within a company to ensure that each project is completed successfully.
The median salary for an IT Project Manager is $92,055 per year, according to Indeed. The most common degree held by IT Project Managers is a bachelor's degree in computer science or business administration with a focus on IT management or systems analysis. However, many companies will hire candidates who do not have a college degree if they have at least five years of experience in project management. Some companies will hire entry-level candidates who have relevant experience or training.
Network systems administrators are responsible for ensuring the security and efficiency of an organization's network infrastructure. This includes everything from installing new software to managing existing hardware.
The average salary is $71,329, according to Indeed.
If you're interested in this job, you can start by taking Computer Networking Fundamentals on Coursera or visit Udemy to learn more about network architecture courses. You may also want to consider taking a certification exam like the CompTIA A+, which will teach you how to troubleshoot networking problems.
If you're looking for a high-paying job that doesn't require a college degree, consider IT product management. The average salary for this position is $112,493, according to data from Glassdoor.
IT product managers have the responsibility of managing all aspects of the software development process: from requirements gathering and testing to launch and maintenance. They need to be able to analyze problems and identify solutions — all while keeping an eye on budget and schedule constraints.
"There are so many different disciplines involved in software development that an IT product manager must be able to understand each discipline's challenges," says Tom McLeod, senior vice president of marketing at CompTIA, a non-profit group that provides training for IT workers. "They also need both business acumen and technical knowledge."
Graphic designers have a wide range of responsibilities, including creating logos and visual identities, packaging, website design and more. While they do need to know some basic design principles and software programs like Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator, the great news is that there are so many online resources that can teach you these skills for free or for a low cost.
According to Glassdoor's data, graphic designers enjoy an average base salary of $47,417 per year. However, top graphic designers can earn up to $60,000 per year or more depending on experience and location.
Business intelligence analysts are tasked with collecting, analyzing and reporting data to help business leaders make better business decisions and improve their business performance. They use a wide range of software tools to gather, store, analyze and interpret data that is relevant to the business' needs. According to Glassdoor, the average salary for this job is $85,690.
Business intelligence analysts typically have a bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field, such as business management or information systems. However, some employers do not require this degree. Instead, they may expect candidates to have several years of experience with data analysis and database management. You could also get certifications from organizations like The International Institute of Business Analysis™ (IIBA®) to build a foundation for a career in this field.
Digital marketing is a field that has grown rapidly in recent years. It includes everything from SEO, PPC and social media to content strategy and paid media. The digital marketing team at a company is responsible for creating and executing digital marketing campaigns to drive customer acquisition and retention via online channels.
To become a successful digital marketer you will need to have an understanding of analytics and be able to create compelling content that drives traffic as well as sales.
Digital marketers may have a background in marketing or communications, but many learn on the job through training programs offered by major companies.
The median salary for a digital marketer is $62,734 per year.
The mobile app developer is one of the most promising careers for high-paying tech jobs that do not require a college degree.
The explosion in the use of mobile devices has created a need for applications that can run on them. Mobile app developers create these apps, which can be used for games or business purposes. There are many different types of apps that can be developed, such as games, social media and productivity tools.
If you're looking for a career in technology that doesn't require a four-year degree, becoming a mobile app developer is an excellent option.
The first step toward becoming a mobile app developer is learning how to code. If you're not familiar with coding languages like C++ or Java, it will take some time to learn them. You can learn these coding languages through online courses or boot camps. Once you've learned those languages, you'll need to start building mobile apps to reinforce your learning and build your expertise.
You can then work on your own apps or build apps for companies who would like to have their own mobile applications. You could also work in-house as a mobile app developer. The average salary for someone working in this field ranges from $49,000 to $120,000 per year depending on experience and location.
Computer network architects design and implement information technology (IT) systems for organizations. They build and maintain networks to allow computers to communicate with one another, either within an organization or across the Internet.
They create and implement plans for new networks and ensure that existing networks are secure and functioning properly.
They also design systems to manage data communications between remote locations.
The median salary for this job is $120,520 per year according to Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Computer network support specialists provide technical assistance to computer users in resolving computer problems over the phone or through the Internet. They may also install new software programs on computers and update existing software as needed to ensure systems function optimally.
Computer network support specialists must have knowledge of networking concepts such as protocols and routing methods so they can troubleshoot connectivity problems when they arise between multiple devices.
This is a perfect choice for someone who likes to troubleshoot problems. With this job, you will be working with computers and networks to ensure they are performing as they should. You will also need to be able to explain the problems in a way that is easy for others to understand and offer solutions. The median pay for this position is $57,910 per year according to Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Web developers are responsible for creating websites and apps. They use HTML, CSS, JavaScript and other technologies to build mobile sites and applications that are user-friendly and make money for their employers. A bachelor’s degree is not required for this job, but you will need to have some experience in web development. The average salary for a web developer is $65,000 to $100,000+ per year depending on their experience level.
The skills you need to become a web developer include basic HTML and CSS coding, JavaScript programming and database management. You also need to have strong analytical thinking skills in order to troubleshoot problems related to website design or app creation. It’s best if you have experience working with major content management systems like WordPress, Drupal, etc. because most sites are built on these platforms.
For those who don’t have a bachelor’s degree in computer science or any related field, there are plenty of online courses available that teach these skills at an affordable price. From there, it’s just a matter of finding and applying to job positions at an established company that need this skill, or get employed in a web development agency. If you wish to, you could decide to create your own company where you can build websites for clients using freelance platforms like Upwork etc.
Computer systems analysts are responsible for designing, developing and implementing information technology (IT) systems that help companies run more efficiently. They study an organization's needs and then design and develop computer systems that meet those needs.
They also monitor these IT systems to ensure they are running smoothly and efficiently at all times.
Computer systems analysts should have a bachelor’s degree in information science or computer science, but it is not always required.
According to PayScale the average salary is $72,277 per year.
Cyber-security support specialists are tasked with maintaining and monitoring the security infrastructure of an organization. These professionals may be responsible for implementing new security measures, assessing the effectiveness of existing ones, or identifying weaknesses in an organization’s security systems.
To get started in this field, you should have at least a high school diploma and some experience working in an IT environment. A bachelor’s degree or certification from a cyber security training program can help you stand out to potential employers.
Cyber-security Support Specialists earned an average salary of $108,634 per year.
If you're interested in building a career in the highly lucrative tech industry even without having to go back to college, the jobs on this list are a great place to start. While attending college can open up a lot of opportunities, not having a degree certainly isn't the end of the line for someone with an interest in building a tech/IT career.
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