Highest-Paying Jobs in Atlanta that Don’t Require a College Degree

A college education is the only path to success’ – that’s probably the most unfounded myth we’ve heard. While an academic diploma still brings some important benefits, it doesn’t guarantee a successful career or a huge income.

Statistics say that college graduates earn up to $200 per week more than those who don’t have an academic education. The salary gap is even bigger when it comes to bachelor’s degree holders. Their salaries are twice as high as the earnings of non-graduates.

Yet, the reality is not so unambiguous. The concept of ‘jobs for non-graduates’ includes thousands of professions. While some are truly underpaid, others are paid times better than those usually held by university graduates.

Here are 8 high-paid jobs you can apply for in Atlanta without a college diploma.

Manual Labor Professions

Short-time apprenticeship or certification programs give you the green light to enter the skilled trades industry. In Georgia, the annual salaries of electricians start at $55,000. Plumbers have similar earning expectations – with annual salaries between $50,000 and $70,000. HVAC technicians are in great demand across Atlanta in both residential and commercial sectors. Dealing with HVAC systems brings around $68,000 annually or even more.

Logistics and Delivery Sectors

Whether you are an experienced truck driver or have just entered the industry, there are plenty of CDL jobs in Atlanta, Georgia with growth opportunities. Depending on your workload, your salary may vary between $50,000 and $80,000 yearly. Many transportation companies offer special bonuses and rewards for long-distance trips. The expanding e-commerce sector creates an extremely high demand for delivery drivers.

Structural Inspectors

Fast urban growth and infrastructure development resulted in the creation of hundreds of vacant places for construction and building inspectors. These professionals are responsible for checking whether new buildings, including residential houses and production facilities, meet safety demands and construction standards.

While a college degree is not required to get the job, completing certification programs, like ICC is required. Such jobs bring around $55,000 – $60,000 yearly and open opportunities for further career growth.

Industrial Equipment Operators

There are around 180 stationary engineers and boiler operators employed in Atlanta. Yet, the demand for such specialists is much higher. You can get the job, with nothing more but a school diploma, and receive extensive training to develop your skills and expertise when you are already employed. Maintaining and repairing industrial equipment in factories or similar commercial buildings, you can earn around $68,000 per year.  

Technology and Digital Services

Entry-level IT positions like computer support specialists – who focus on ensuring the smooth work of IT systems, are paid $40,000 – $65,000 yearly. Earning potential depends on experience and a number of certificates, like Microsoft, Google IT Support, etc.

Web development jobs bring more financial benefits with promising salaries of up to $90,000 yearly. Impressive portfolio, experience, and knowledge of coding languages are much more important than a formal academic degree when you apply for such jobs.

Pile Driving Machine Operator

Pile driver operators deal with heavy machinery to locate building materials like wood or concrete into the ground, which is necessary for building bridges, houses, and factories. Short-term training courses are needed to develop working skills and an understanding of safety rules that are necessary for starting a career in the sphere. $70,000 annual salary makes such jobs very attractive, while growing demand for operators allows to get the job without practical experience.

Sales and Client Support

Having strong communication skills and an understanding of marketing trends, you can start your work as a sales representative, receiving one of the highest salaries in Atlanta. Different industries offer from $40,000 to $100,000 annual wages. Yet, additional benefits and rewards make earning potential truly unlimited. Real estate agents earn up to $95,000 yearly, setting their comfortable working schedule and controlling the workload independently.

Medical Field Jobs

Surprisingly, the healthcare industry is also a welcoming sphere for enthusiastic specialists who don’t have university diplomas. For example, dental hygienists get up to $80,000 yearly. While pharmacy technicians receive an annual salary of $35,000 – $55,000. In both cases, most employers require a relevant diploma from an accredited program or equal certification.

Conclusion

Finding a high-paid job without a college degree is possible. Many industries like IT, e-commerce, logistics, and healthcare are offering attractive wages for potential employees who don’t have college degrees. Plumbers, truck drivers, medical technicians, and computer support managers get stable and high salaries alongside beautiful opportunities for professional growth and career development. Minimal experience, completed training courses, and certifications are more useful than an academic diploma if you plan to start working in one of those fields.