20 IT Jobs You Can Get Without a Degree in 2023

You can get some IT jobs without a degree. All you need to do is, prove that you have all it takes to do that job, and it is all yours, whether as a freelancer or full-time employee.

Having a degree sets you apart from many possibilities in your career. However, these days, there has been the emergence of some high-paying jobs you can comfortably do without having to step your feet into the four walls of a university. Shocking?

There are in-demand jobs that only require you to have the correct blend of experience, skills, and ability to learn on the job. Finding yourself in this field could make those with degrees go green with envy over your achievements within a short period. Interesting, right?

Fortunately, the tech sector has repeatedly proved that a professional can emerge without a degree. This article will look at the highest-paying tech jobs you can get without a degree.

Ways To Get A High Paying Tech Job Without a Degree
What Factors Determine How Much You Earn As An IT Professional?
Importance of Developing Your Tech Skills
20 Highest-Paying Tech Jobs You Can Get Without A Degree
Conclusion
References
Recommendations

Ways To Get A High Paying Tech Job Without a Degree

It might sound unbelievable, but many tech professionals never started with a degree.

People like Bill Gates of Microsoft and Steve Jobs of Apple never had a degree. And the reason is that many tech skills can be gained without attending university.

The tech sector places more value on your skills than the certificate. Below are some of the ways you can get a high-paying tech job without a degree:

#1. Identify An Ideal Niche

The tech sector is vast, covering a variety of topics at the same time. You need to identify the niche you want to specialize in and go for it. Picking a niche helps you to know what to focus on. Get specialized in it and become a sought-after.

#2. Get certification

Even though some tech experts do not have a degree, it does not mean they studied in a vacuum.

What made the difference was that they focused on getting the skills they needed, and getting certifications in their specific fields did the magic.

Aside from your skills, a certification can prove that you genuinely acquired the training.

Besides, you may not need just one certification. Whenever you think you need to master any skill relevant to your job, getting a certificate will be helpful.

#3. Get Practical Training

Hands-on training is a way to become more ingrained in your skills. You may never move beyond your current knowledge without practicing what you learned.

You can start developing your skills by building personal projects, such as an app. By developing your skills, you can have something to show to your potential employer or client as proof that you are equal to the task.

#4. Get to know some basics

Being a tech guru means you must get acclimatized to the basics of IT skills. Some basics like coding and programming will help you go for advanced skills in your chosen niche. You can always find your way around the field with basic skills.

#5. Network With Other Tech Experts

You need others to survive, just like other people need you. Tech or IT is a collaborative field, meaning you will always partner with others to work effectively. You can locate some online communities and join. That will help you meet others with the same passion to succeed.

Your social media profile is your online resume if it is properly revamped. LinkedIn is one platform you should not joke with. Get yourself positioned for potential local and international clients and employers. You may never know who will come across your profile.

#7. Acquire some interpersonal skills

Getting some interpersonal skills will help to solidify your tech skills. Soft or interpersonal skills will help you communicate well with potential clients and employers.

For instance, if you need to bid for a contract, what you will first display is not your tech skills. Your soft skills will perform the task for you.

Where you lack them, you may never be able to showcase your tech skills to the world. Hence, it would help if you had excellent communication, integrity, problem-solving, and analytical skills to help you.

What Factors Determine How Much You Earn As An IT Professional?

Various factors determine what you earn as an IT professional. It is not just about the skills; other factors can always come into play.

Some of them include the following:

Year of experience – You do not expect a new entrant to be paid the same amount as someone who has spent years on the job.
Industry – The industry or firm you work with has some influence on your pay. You might work in a more significant industry to increase your income. However, with your experience and skills, you will always get better.
Location – Location is another factor to consider when determining your pay. Of course, living in a semi-urban area cannot be compared to living in a large city. Cost of living, lifestyle, and price of accommodation have their roles to play here too. It may not be a bad idea if you need to relocate for better pay.
In-demand skills – Most tech jobs are in-demand. However, there are always some that are more sought after than others. You may have to go the extra mile to get acquainted with them to enjoy a great offer while doing what you love.

Importance of Developing Your Tech Skills

Having a good level of tech skills can never be overemphasized. Developing your skills to a more advanced level allows you to become one leader in your field. Here are some reasons developing your skills should be the next thing on your agenda:

It helps you stay relevant: If your skills are not advanced, you will likely remain at the baby stage of your career for a long time. If care is not taken, you may never be helpful to the organization, which may lead to your retrenchment. Improving your skills and staying up-to-date with the trends in the industry will offer you more valuable benefits.
You may get promoted: Employers hardly promote an employee who does not offer much value to the organization. The more value employees add to the organization, the higher the organization’s standard goes. For that reason, you are likely to get promoted if you keep developing your skills.
You will become ready for the future: a wise person develops their skills ahead of any change in the industry. With the change in trends and tastes of customers, you need to build your skills to remain relevant constantly.
You will become more confident: when you are sure of the stuff you are made of, you will be confident enough to showcase your skills to the world. It is your pride.
Upgrading your tech skills is one way of screaming to your potential employer and client that you are equal to the task.
You will become more employable: if you are looking for a new job, regardless of the industry or role, adding technological skills to your resume will give you an edge over other applicants. Your potential employer will rate you high, knowing that you have the propensity to become an asset to the organization.

20 Highest-Paying Tech Jobs You Can Get Without A Degree

You can get the following tech jobs without a degree.

#1. Computer Programmer

A computer programmer can work as a freelancer or join the firm’s team. The duty includes writing and updating codes for mobile apps, desktops, or proprietary equipment. A computer programmer also troubleshoots existing programs. Other tasks include debugging code, developing computer infrastructure, and maintaining operating systems.

Average yearly salary – $49, 500

#2. Data Analyst

A data analyst is responsible for retrieving, cleaning, and organizing data. The professional also gets to enter data in databases as well as assist in the processing of data.

The duty also includes creating materials for analysis, presenting the results, conducting data searches, and creating worksheets.

You only need to understand programming language and how each industry handles its data.

However, you might need to take some basic and advanced courses in data science to become a professional data analyst.

Average yearly salary – $45,000

3. Network Engineer

A network engineer sets up and sustains the network, which keeps people’s devices active, leading to effective communication.

They are more focused on the hardware aspect of the system rather than the software.

They work with IT personnel on the software aspect to solve problems by testing, evaluating, troubleshooting, configuring, and maintaining LAN, WAN, and other networks.

Average yearly salary – $83,944

4. Software Architect

A software architect combines technical and logical skills to design a system depending on the client’s requests.

They make the software clear and easy to use and must be highly skillful in programming languages and operating systems.

You can understudy an expert or take advanced courses to become a professional software architect.

Average yearly salary – $134,098

#5. Computer Software Engineer

A software engineer takes up the role of designing and developing software for businesses. They document software through the flowchart, layout instruction, and coding. Their jobs are closely related to that of software architects.

Average yearly salary – $106, 400

#6. Computer Network Support Specialist

A computer support specialist keeps the network running smoothly and efficiently. They also test, troubleshoot, examine, sustain, and solve issues about the network. It does not require a degree to perform this role.

Average yearly salary – $62,200

#7. Helpdesk Analyst

A help desk analyst provides technical assistance to users through the phone or email. They as well maintain records of shared concerns and develop solutions to them.

They can work with senior staff to install and implement technical solutions to common problems.

Average yearly salary – $46,000

#8. Telecommunications Technician

The responsibilities of a telecommunications technician include installing, maintaining, and repairing telecommunications setups. It involves both tech and mechanical roles.

Average yearly salary – $80,771

#9. Cybersecurity Analyst

A cybersecurity analyst monitors the network for any possible threat or vulnerability. They build firewalls to protect data, review logs, and control network settings.

As a result, they must develop and come up with approaches to enable them to protect data from cybercriminals. You can take some online and offline certifications and you are good to go.

Average yearly salary – $114,000

#10. Copywriter

A copywriter is just a writer that can write compelling copy. They communicate what an organization does internally and externally, intending to present a flawless brand to the public. They transform the complexities of the tech world into simple, relatable terms that a layman can comprehend.

Average yearly salary – $90,000

#11. Digital Marketer

A digital marketer works with an organization to position its business online. The aim is to reach several customers that they may not ordinarily have been able to reach due to distance.

They use social media, search engine optimization (SEO), content marketing, email marketing, and various online channels.

You do not need much education to become a digital marketer. You can acquire some online training on digital marketing to hone your skills.

Average yearly salary – $63,200

#12. Web Developer

A web developer is responsible for designing a website and ensuring the site’s infrastructure is functioning correctly.

They can design everything themselves if they know graphic design, or they could employ a graphic designer to help them with some aspects of the job. In addition, they integrate and maintain databases and troubleshoot websites.

A website developer has other functions; more interesting is that they can self-teach themselves or acquire the skills by understudying a professional.

#13. Graphic Designer

Graphic designers have penetrated the market due to so many apps and software enabling them to do their jobs with ease. Wondering what they do? They design and produce artwork like flyers, magazines, book covers, and other advertising material.

They can work independently or in an organization. You can always wow your potential employer with your creative portfolio and sharpened skills.

Average yearly salary – $48,700

#14. Aerospace Technician

Aerospace technicians are responsible for operating and maintaining the equipment used for producing aircraft and spacecraft.

These days, their jobs are becoming more computer-based. You can enroll in vocational training to sharpen your skills.

Average yearly salary – $67,240

With the emergence of social media, many organizations want to meet their clients, especially by relating with them as closely as possible.

However, due to their job roles, they may not be able to do so. Therefore, they hire a social media manager who works as a go-between, just like a digital marketer.

A social media manager gathers and reports data for the organization and organizes social calendars.

Aside from taking an online course to master this skill, it would help if you wrote and designed skills to be able to carry out this duty effectively.

Average yearly salary – $48,200

#16. Multimedia Artist

This position sometimes requires a degree, but not always. A multimedia artist works with programs and technologies to develop electronic media like animation, designs, and special effects for the silver screen, advertisements, video games, and many more.

Average yearly salary – $63,900

#17. Mobile App Developers

The responsibility of a mobile app developer is simple – to code, test, and develop mobile apps.

Many small, medium, and large-scale businesses need apps to tailor their products and services to where their clients and customers can easily access them. This makes app developers hotcakes in the job market. All you need is your skill to develop a well-designed app.

Average yearly salary – 76,000

18. IT Manager

An IT manager has the role of overseeing the operations of the staff and managing the IT infrastructure.

They analyze and install computer networks, supervise teams, and maintain the software and hardware of the organization.

Moreover, IT managers cultivate the policies and guidelines to ensure proper usage and management of the organization’s computer, data, and network.

Average yearly salary – $88,900

#19. Computer User Support Specialist

This position is for professionals who provide answers to technical questions as well as assist clients with issues involving technology.

This job is equivalent to a customer care service; they can render the services online, over a phone call, or offline.

Average yearly salary – $48,600

#20. Web Editor

A web editor writes, edits, uploads, formats, and optimizes web content. They ensure the articles are adequately documented and suitable for the blog to attract readers.

Conclusion

This article exposed all the best IT jobs you can get without a degree. You can always perform excellently in the tech sector with just your skills. There are so many high-paying tech jobs you can get without a degree. Go ahead and apply for them if you have the skills.