A college degree is sure nice to have, but there are other things employers and hiring managers look for in job seekers. You could land amazing, high-paying remote jobs without a degree if you have the right skills and qualifications.
Remote and work-from-home jobs have become accessible for almost everyone. And the best thing about this work setup is that you can explore these opportunities without a degree!
Some people feel they have limited work potential because they only have a high school diploma. But that’s not the case anymore. Remote jobs now abound everywhere, and many don’t require you to be a college graduate.
So, if you’ve been raring to change your life by escaping the day-to-day commute, being present for your family, and working comfortably in your home, then here’s a long list of work-from-home jobs that don’t require a degree.
How do you get remote jobs without a degree?
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There are tons of remote jobs that you may be qualified for, even without a college degree. The qualifications for these jobs are not anchored to educational attainment but rather to your skills.
To find remote jobs without a degree, consider following these steps:
- Know what your skills are. The first basic step to marketing yourself as a remote worker is to know what you’re good at. From there, list the specific skills, tools, and knowledge that help you do the job. Check out these lists of high-income skills to learn!
- Polish your resume and prepare a portfolio. Two of the best ways to get yourself on the right track to landing work-from-home jobs without a degree are to prepare a resume and a solid portfolio. These two important things give potential employers and hiring managers a better idea of what you can do, your creative style, and your technical skills, allowing them to determine if you’re a good fit for them.
- Sign up on job boards and keep up with job postings on company websites. If it’s possible, set an alert notification so you can apply ASAP for job openings that match your skills. The truth is, there is now stiff competition in remote jobs, so the earlier you can submit your application, the better. My most recommended job site is FlexJobs, a website for flexible remote jobs.
- Keep learning. No matter your niche, there is always something more to learn. Fortunately, there are now many free tutorials on YouTube and free and paid online courses and training. These will keep you updated with the trends in the industry and make you even more competitive and marketable.
Best Remote Jobs That Don’t Require A Bachelor’s Degree
Are you ready to find a work-from-home job without a college degree and make money online right from your home? Here are the best remote jobs to consider.
1. Proofreaders
If you have an eagle eye for spotting errors in written materials, then a remote job in proofreading would be a great fit for you. Proofreading does not require a college degree, but you must have a strong grasp of the English language and mastery of spelling and grammar rules. You must also be able to correct erroneous sentence structures, perform fact-checking, and follow a prescribed format. This is one of the best work-from-home jobs that commands an average of $24 per hour.
My friend, Caitlin Pyle over at ProofreadAnywhere.com, has been helping people become financially free through proofreading since 2014 — and was a proofreader herself before that. She has put together a free online workshop that answers all of the most common questions about becoming a proofreader, and she even shows you how to use the most popular tools used by proofreaders around the world. She has a free proofreading workshop here if you want to see whether proofreading is for you.
2. Virtual bookkeepers
Businesses always need bookkeepers, so there will always be demand for this remote job. You can become a virtual bookkeeper even with a high school diploma, but it also helps to get trained and certified to increase your credentials.
The job of virtual bookkeepers is similar to in-office bookkeepers. You get remote access to your client’s financial statements and records and then balance and organize them. You also create transaction reports for your clients.
Perhaps the main difference is that this is a work-from-home job, so you have more freedom and flexibility. You could also solicit your own clients and charge rates that you determine. According to Glassdoor, virtual bookkeepers earn an average of 50K annually.
Accountant Ben Robinson from Bookkeepers.com has a free bookkeeping classes here. Check it out to learn more about bookkeeping and see if it’s for you.
3. Content Creators
Content creation is a job title that’s been making waves over the past few years. The job description for content creator covers a wide range of topics, but it can be creating content for different social media platforms, such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. Content creators can access multiple income streams, from paid ads and content sponsorships, brand ambassadorship, and affiliate marketing to selling their own merch and products.
Content creation is one of the most lucrative work-from-home jobs today, and you can break into it even without a bachelor’s degree. Content creation can take the form of faceless YouTube channels, daily vlogs, game streams, social media posts on Instagram and Facebook, and many others. Let’s also remember that eBooks, printables, audibles, and other forms of digital content are also part of this industry.
According to Linktree’s creator report, 12 percent of full-time content creators make 50K and above annually.
SkillShare has a lot of courses you can take to learn more about social media platform and how you can grow followers and eventually make money on these platforms. You can take advantage of SkillShare’s free trial here.
4. Customer Service Representative
Before the pandemic, customer service agents used to go onsite to work. But even now that the pandemic has waned and people are returning to normal lives, working as a customer service representative continues to be a work-from-home job for many people.
As a customer service agent, you will process customer information for new and existing customers. You’ll also provide support by answering phone calls to address customer queries, processing orders, and providing tech support.
You don’t need a bachelor’s degree to become a work-from-home agent, but you need excellent communication skills and email and phone etiquette. Additionally, you must invest in your home office set-up as some companies don’t provide equipment for their agents.
According to Indeed, the average hourly rate for customer service representatives is $16r.
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5. Virtual assistants
Another awesome remote job you could apply for without a bachelor’s degree is virtual assistance. Many companies and entrepreneurs seek the help of virtual assistants in various aspects of running their businesses. A virtual assistant can help with administrative duties, data entry, content creation, managing calendars and inboxes, setting appointments, and more.
A virtual assistant must have great communication skills, be extremely detailed, and be tech and internet savvy. But the great thing is that you can work as a virtual assistant from home, and it pays well, depending on your skills and experiences. If you’re looking to jumpstart your freelance career as a virtual assistant, it is good to take stock of your technical and creative skills and find clients who need them. You can sign up on job boards like UpWork, Guru, and PeoplePerHour. According to ZipRecruiter, virtual assistants get paid an average of $21 an hour.
Want to learn more about virtual assisting? Check out this free workbook that gives you a list of 275+ services you can offer as a virtual assistant! This guide will also teach you where to find your first clients.
6. Social media managers
Many businesses need help managing digital content and nurturing their digital communities. This is where a social media manager steps in.
Social media managers create social media posts that reflect the brand’s voice and image. They also schedule posts, respond to comments and questions, and initiate conversations. A social media manager must also track social media trends and implement best practices to increase following on social media accounts. They also work to improve brand image and increase conversions.
Social media management is remote work done mostly from your phone and computer. You can job search for such roles by signing up on freelancing platforms. It also helps to take short online courses to equip you for the job and prepare a portfolio to showcase to potential clients.
Social media management is one of the well-paid work-from-home jobs without a degree. Prior experience will make you a good candidate, but you could also join boot camps or online training to strengthen your resume. According to SproutSocial, social media managers in the US make an average of 70K per year.
FlexJobs is my most recommended jobs site for remote positions for social media managers. The company screens all opportunities posted on their site so you are guaranteed you only get real, scam-free opportunities.
7. Digital Marketing Specialists
A digital marketer is a work-from-home professional who researches, implements, and monitors web-based marketing campaigns of a brand, its products, or services. In addition to helping brands establish a web presence, digital marketing specialists execute advertising campaigns using SEO/SEM and email marketing.
Digital marketers typically work with other service providers, such as content writers, social media managers, and programmers, to develop and execute marketing campaigns. It is, therefore, important to have excellent communication skills, leadership traits, creativity, and analytical thinking to excel in this job. While a marketing degree is nice, you could also learn through online courses and gain experience as a mentee.
If you’re a beginner and want to learn digital marketing skills, check out SkillShare, a platform for thousands of classes. You can sign up here for free for a month. Cancel anytime.
8. Email marketing specialists
Email marketing is also a remote job that pays quite well. As an email marketing specialist, your role will be to develop and execute email marketing campaigns, to collect email information, and lead customers to complete a purchase or contract for a service.
Email marketing specialists are typically independent contractors who can work with multiple clients. In this job, you must be able to write compelling email copy, create accompanying graphics, and be knowledgeable in using email marketing software.
Email marketing specialists get paid fairly well. According to Zippia, this remote job pays about $28 an hour.
9. Voice-over artists
If you have a pleasant-sounding voice and can project your voice to portray different moods and characters, you could start a professional career as a voice-over artist.
Voice acting is one of the best work-from-home jobs for talented voice professionals. There are plenty of opportunities for voice-over artists: as a narrator for audibles, voice-over for live events, radio shows and commercials, and so many more!
While your voice is the main money-maker, you also need the right technology to record and edit your voice demos. You’ll also need to market yourself as a voice professional. Fortunately, there are plenty of places that hire voice-over artists. Job seekers can look at platforms like Voices.com, Bunny Studio, and Voice123. They are always on the lookout for amazing voice talents!
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Do you want to start your own business in voice acting, but don’t know how to start? Check out this Intro To Voice Over Free Mini Course, a free online resource that helps you get on the right path to becoming a voice over talent.
10. Web developers
Web development is one of the most lucrative work-from-home jobs today. And you don’t need a four-year degree to become a web developer. Web developers write codes and scripts for beautiful and functional websites. They also maintain websites and troubleshoot tech bugs.
You can acquire coding skills through boot camps and online courses. Also, most clients are looking for developers with creative and technical skills; you can acquire these skills through constant learning and more practice.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, web developers earn around $78,300 per year, while higher-paid developers make six digits annually.
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11. Tech support specialists
If you are super computer-savvy and know how to troubleshoot computers ( hardware and software issues), you might consider a remote career as a tech support specialist.
Tech support specialists are always in demand as we navigate this highly tech-dependent world. As tech support, you help people sort out their technical problems via phone calls or live messaging platforms.
You don’t need a degree in a computer-related field (although it would give you an advantage) to land this type of remote work. There are various trainings and courses that you could take to be certified in this role.
According to Indeed, tech support specialists earn around $20 per hour.
12. Freelance writers
Freelance writing is one of the most popular work-from-home jobs without a degree. You write content for the web and online publications as a freelance writer. The content could vary from blog posts, website content, and press releases to product reviews, news features, and more. You could also explore freelance writing niches, such as persuasive copywriting, email copywriting, finance writing, and medical writing.
You’ll typically get paid per word or project as a freelance writer. This is an amazing setup since you won’t be tied down to a strict work schedule as long as you can hit the deadlines. Plus, you could bring your work anywhere, allowing you to enjoy a work-life balance.
You don’t need a bachelor’s degree in English, communication, or marketing to work as a freelance writer. You just need to have a good grasp of the (English) language, follow grammar rules, and adhere to your client’s prescribed style guide. It often helps to have a professional website you use to showcase your writing portfolio to potential clients.
13. Bloggers
I’m partial to blogging as a remote job since I’m a blogger. And I can attest that blogging is one of the best work-from-home jobs.
Blogging is a lucrative job you can do remotely from home, and you’re more than qualified to become a blogger even without a degree. Blogging allows you to express yourself, voice your opinions on things that matter to you, and offer useful and relevant information to your audience. This means that you can blog literally about anything, although it helps to check the best-paying blogging niches first.
As you grow your community and increase your traffic, you’ll find more and more money-making opportunities opening up.
Apart from paid ads, you could also make money from sponsored content, affiliate marketing, and selling your own digital products. Once you establish yourself, you could also branch out as a keynote speaker, author, or course creator.
I have a free detailed tutorial on how to start a blog and make money from it. Check it out here.
14. Insurance underwriters
Insurance underwriters typically analyze insurance claims and ensure that claims are handled properly. An insurance underwriter usually needs to visit onsite to observe and report damages, coordinate police reports, and then write and submit reports to the insurance agency.
Many companies hire underwriters who don’t have a bachelor’s degree but have relevant experience. It’s also good to have a high level of computer proficiency and outstanding math and communication skills to become an excellent underwriter. New underwriters train under senior underwriters. Once they learn everything they need to know about the job, they can work independently.
According to Glassdoor, insurance underwriters make around $59K annually, but senior underwriters get paid much more.
15. Fitness trainers
Have you ever thought about working from home as a fitness trainer? This remote job is perfect for those who are fitness buffs and are willing to teach live online classes. You could hold one-on-one sessions or teach a group per session.
There are several approaches to working as a fitness trainer. You can teach scheduled classes or provide one-on-one guidance. You could also create a personalized fitness program for each client and bundle this with nutrition coaching. Really, there’s so much you can do as a fitness coach, and you don’t need to leave your home or furnish a college diploma.
According to ZipRecruiter, online fitness coaches make around $52K annually.
16. Photographers
Photography is a creative field that does not require a college degree. You can self-learn photography, learn from someone as an apprentice, or take online lessons to master this craft.
Photography is usually an in-person job. That is, you take photos at the studio or on-site. These types of photography jobs are most typical to photographers who take newborn, maternity, family, or wedding photos. So apart from amazing photography skills, you must also learn editing skills to enhance your shots.
But you could also work remotely by taking photos and selling them online. Loads of platforms will pay you for your amazing photos, including 500px, Getty, Shutterstock, and even Etsy. This job gives you a source of passive income, as you’ll typically get paid for every purchase or download of your stock photos even though you only have to take them once.
17. Transcriptionists
If you consider yourself a pretty fast typist, you might want to find remote jobs as a transcriptionist or transcriber.
In a nutshell, a transcriber is someone who listens to audio or video material and then types out whatever is being said from that material. These materials could vary from webinars to meetings and casual conversations. There are also highly specialized fields of transcription (legal and medical) that require extra skills, training, and certification.
Like data entry, transcription has a low barrier to entry, and a college diploma is certainly not required. However, first, you must be a fast and accurate typist. You must also be able to follow prescribed formats and time stamps (as required). Finally, transcriptions typically have strict deadlines, so make sure you can commit to them. As for the pay rate, the Transcription Certification Institute says that newbies can earn around $19 per hour, which goes up as they gain more skills and experience.
Although not required, completing a transcription course and getting certified can help you land gigs. These courses will teach you the basics of transcription, how to use the different software programs, and how to work with different audio files. Janet Shaughnessy has a great free general transcription mini-course you can sign up for to learn more about transcription.
18. Graphic Designers
Put your creative talents and skills to work and earn money working from home as a graphic designer. Graphic designers are responsible for creating eye-catching visuals for brands. These materials can range from logos, brochures, and flyers to social media posts.
Another way to make money as a graphic designer is to create and sell designs. Your designs could grace merch products such as T-shirts, mugs, caps, and hoodies.
Graphic designers are independent contractors, meaning they can take as many clients as they can accommodate. This is also usually a work-from-home job since designers can work from their personal computers.
According to Indeed, graphic designers earn an average of $20 an hour.
Conclusion
If you want solid proof that you can take on remote work without a degree, you just need to go through this list and find something that resonates with you. Sure, we admit a college degree gives you a competitive edge, but it’s not the end-all, be-all when it comes to following a rewarding and fulfilling career path.