There are plenty of jobs out there where you can earn some serious money without having a degree.

1. Air traffic controller

Average Salary: 41,011

For this position, you can take a course lasting between 5 to 11 months depending on the area you wish to specialise in. While completing the necessary qualification, your starting salary will be 12,000, but once you qualify, this can rise from between 32,522 to 36,247 and then, after three years, somewhere between 46,461 to 51,781. Eventually, you could be earning over 100,000 depending on your years of service and where you work.

2. Train driver

Average Salary: 47,101

To apply for a trainee driver job with any train operating company you’ll usually need to be at least 21 and to live within an hour’s commute to the area you wish to work. Some employers may expect you to have GCSEs and to pass training; you’ll be required to pass a medical check including eyesight, colour vision and hearing ability. You will also need a DBS check and the ability to concentrate over long periods. Highly experienced train drivers in the UK can earn up to 60,000 a year.

3. Project manager

Average Salary: 41,000

Project management skills are in increasing demand, and you’ll stand a good chance of securing a job in this field if you have a qualification from the Association for Project Management (APM), although this is not essential. As a Project Manager, you’ll be responsible for providing advice, carrying out risk assessments, ensuring quality standards and keeping track of people and progress. You will be using specific software as well to assist with the day-to-day workings of the job, an example can be found at links such as https://www.prosymmetry.com/features/financial-management/.

4. Police constable

Average Salary: 37,254

There are no formal educational requirements for entry to the police service, but recruitment and selection procedures include an application form, selection assessment day, interviews, medical assessment and fitness test and reference and security checks. Most of the training for this is done on the job, and there is room for professional development with the Initial Police Learning and Development Programme (IPLDP) and then continuous training after that. With several years of experience, you could advance to a sergeant, an inspector or a chief inspector with the average salary of 55,005.

5. Entrepreneur

Average Salary: 33,000

As a successful entrepreneur, it’s impossible to say how much you could be earning a year but it is certainly a business venture where a degree is not necessary. However, to succeed you will need to have certain characteristics such as the ability to be decisive, passionate and results-orientated as well as knowing how to multitask and take risks. Initially, entrepreneurs will work long hours formulating their business plan, and it’s likely that you’ll self-fund most initial costs. In the end, there’s no limit to how much you could be earning per year.

6. Firefighter

Average Salary: 31,139

The minimum age to apply for a position as a firefighter is 18, and you’ll be required to pass a series of physical and written tests, a medical and an interview. Additionally, you’ll need excellent communication skills, the willingness to learn how to operate certain tools and equipment and leadership and problem-solving skills. All fire services run something called the Integrated Personal Development System (IPDS) which allows you to work your way up to crew manager, watch manager or station manager whereby you could earn up to 42,000 per year.

7. Military security

Average Salary: 35,144

Training for law enforcement and security within the military varies in length, but it is preferable if you already have a military background. In training, you’ll learn all about civil and military laws, how to investigate and collect evidence, how to control and discipline prisoners, crowd and traffic control procedures and how to use firearms.

8. HR Manager

Average Salary: 38,677

Although it is essentially an administration role, an HR manager is one of the most important roles in any office. A degree isn’t necessary, but you should have the right qualifications from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) as competition for all departments within HR Management are extremely competitive. To be a successful HR Manager, you should have an informed and clear understanding of your company’s business objectives and be able to implement policies that select and retain the right staff to suit.

9. Nuclear energy worker

Average Salary: 44,494

At the very top level of the nuclear energy field, it is likely that some people will have degrees, but there are still some positions where you don’t need one. These positions are still relatively highly skilled, however, and you will have to complete a qualification from the National Skills Academy for Nuclear. As a nuclear energy worker, you will be expected to have good analytical and problem-solving skills, strong mathematical and IT abilities and a willingness to keep up to date with developments in science and technology.

10. Offshore oil platform worker

Average Salary: 49,278

Working on an oil rig can include long hours, tough work and dangerous situations and you can often be expected to be on the rig for months at a time. A degree and previous experience are not essential, and those without often find the easiest route into this industry is to begin as a mudlogger and work their way up the ranks. Knowledge of a foreign language comes as a huge asset for rig workers given the international nature of the work. With experienced and a greater level of responsibility, you could eventually earn up to 80,000.

Considering a career change? Check out the current job listings on CV-Library to see if there’s something to suit you.