9 Highest Paying Jobs That Don't Require A Degree

With 29% of graduates earning less than those that entered the workplace straight from college or an apprenticeship and a third of UK students saying they regret going to university, never has there been a better time to consider skipping it all together.

Finance have done some research into the industries you can build a career in without a degree to your name, by comparing salaries from Glassdoor, and alternative ways to enter the work place.

Marketing

If creativity is your thing and you're bursting with ideas, Marketing may be the industry for you. Entry level roles in the marketing industry can begin at £18,000, and don't require a degree - work experience, internships, or apprenticeships as digital assistants, researchers or juniors are great places to start.

Starting roles within the sector include:

·       Junior Marketing Executive

·       Online Marketing Assistant

·       Events Marketing Assistant

·       Commercial Reporting Analyst

Senior roles within the sector include:

·       Head of Marketing

·       Marketing Manager

·       Marketing Executive

Digital industry

If SEO, CRO, PPC and Adwords are not just jargon terms to you, then perhaps you are born to be digital. In such a fast-moving industry, it is arguable that once you leave University, what you have learnt is irrelevant as the latest Google update has shaken the industry once more and new tactics are required.

A life in the digital industry can begin with unpaid internships however, so a thirst for knowledge and a willingness to learn (as well as a support system) are necessary when you're first starting out, while Finance say working your way up can see you earning upwards of £50,000 if you stick it out.

Starting roles within the sector include:

·       PR & Social Media Assistant

·       Features Intern

·       Content Writer

·       Media Operations Assistant

Senior roles within the sector include:

·       Head of SEO

·       PPC Manager

·       Digital Marketing Manager

·       Head of Digital Content

HR Manager

If you are hyper organised, great at speaking to people and can offer an impartial voice in difficult situations, then a career in HR may be the route for you. Joining the industry as an admin assistant will ensure that you have a foot in the door and there are various online courses that you can use to brush up on your knowledge, with Finance adding that HR Managers within the corporate sector for global companies can earn upwards of £100,00 on a yearly basis.

Starting roles within the sector include:

·       HR Talent Acquisition Placement

·       HR Learning and Development Apprentice

·       HR Administrator

Senior roles within this sector include:

·       HR Specialist

·       HR Officer

·       HR Advisor

PA

The role of a Personal Assistant is one that you can enter straight from school. Positivity is key, as is organisation, patience and the ability to stay cool under pressure. A lot of companies view their PAs as vital cogs within the workplace machine, and the salary of a Personal Assistant can vary depending on the length of service and scope of work, as well as the industry you're in.

Cabin Crew

While it might require some school qualifications, bagging a job as a flight attendant comes from completing a specific course with your chosen airline - usually an intense four week process with online assessments and in-classroom learning. The bigger airlines are known to provide their staff with accommodation and a separate salary for their long-haul flights, and air stewards usually have a starting salary of £20,000 - £25,000 a year.

Entrepreneur

Found a gap in the market? Believe that you have a ‘unicorn’ idea? A born self-starter? Perhaps a life in the office is not for you and entrepreneurship is calling. Zuckerberg and Gates are both ‘college dropouts’ and quit the books to build an empire. A decision not to be taken lightly however, but if you are motivated and determined, perhaps now is the time to start constructing your own empire.

Firefighters, Policemen and Service Providers

While you need specific training to work for the services, a lot of their entry level jobs don't require a degree. Rather, they look for particular characteristics such as the ability to learn facts and procedures quickly and to be calm and decisive in challenging situations. Starter salaries are upwards of £20,000 though may vary from local provider to another.

The Fashion Industry

For creative industries, experience over qualifications is often paramount to landing a strong salary - but this often comes with hard work and low pay in the early days. If you're willing to work your way up from the bottom, get as much experience under your belt as possible and create a strong portfolio to go alongside your CV, so you can make more of a name for yourself and have a visual representation of your work and what you're about.

Accountancy and Financial Management

You won’t need a degree to become an Accountant, although an AAT qualification may be considered essential by most employers, before adding that they can earn £35,000 at the beginning of their career, and up to £100,000 as a Finance Director further down the line. You'd be looking after a business's accounts, giving advice on budgeting, sorting out tax returns and similar number-led tasks.