A college degree has long been regarded as the ticket to a high-paying career. But the
That's likely in response to the fact that
"The rise in degree-free creative jobs is a positive development for the workforce overall," says Esther Cohen, director of marketing at Workamajig, which recently published a report on high-earning careers that don't require a college diploma. "This is not to say that degrees aren't worthwhile, but they should not be considered a requirement for success if you are willing to put in the hard work and build the required skills and experience."
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Fifty-three percent of hiring managers said their company has recently eliminated the requirement for a bachelor's degree in some or all roles, according to a 2023 report from education insights platform, Intelligent.com. That's putting pressure on HR departments, who will need to shift their
Careers in creative fields dominated Workamajig's list. Writing came in as the top career least likely to require a college degree in 2023, with a notable average yearly salary of $69,510. Animators and illustrators rounded out the top three with average salaries of $78,790 and $49,960, respectively. Despite having a higher salary than writers, animators often have to take additional courses and have a strong portfolio in order to break into that career, according to Workamajig.
"In 2023, it's possible to thrive in skill-based creative professions without a degree and through practice and dedication," Cohen says. "Employers and marketing agencies often rely on a portfolio to evaluate potential and skills. This means artistic individuals without a college education can still be competitive if they showcase their talent and creativity."
See what other jobs don't need a college degree to be profitable:
