- Earning $60 per hour places you in the top 10% of earners in the U.S. or the top 1% of earners in many lower-income countries.
- While a college degree is not required for the jobs on this list, many of them do require specialized training, certification, or experience.
- This list also includes senior and manager roles, meaning that when you first enter the job market in an entry-level role, your hourly wage may be lower.
According to the Bureau of Labour Services (BLS), the U.S. national average wage is $31.75 per hour. This puts the pay bracket of $60 per hour jobs at more than double the average wage in the country. In the U.S., this salary places you in the top 10% of earners, while in countries like India or China, $60 per hour already earns you a spot among the lucrative top 1% of earners.
It’s a common misbelief that in order to make your way to the top of the income earners’ pyramid, you need a college degree. While a college education does offer many advantages, it’s not the be-all and end-all of success. In fact, there are many jobs that pay $60 per hour or more that don’t require a degree.
Many of these jobs are in management positions, which means that job experience will generally be the number one requirement for landing these roles. However, there are also a number of roles that may only require intense on-the-job training and no formal education.
Here’s a list of jobs that will pay you $60 an hour without requiring a degree:
Business analytics manager
Median pay: $62.00 per hour
Job duties: Business analytics managers are the senior professionals that lead a team of business analysts in an organization. Their responsibilities include overseeing data analysis processes to help improve business performance, developing and implementing reporting and analytics systems, and training staff on how to use the analytics systems deployed in the company.
Job requirements: In order to become a business analytics manager without a degree, you need to have extensive experience working as a business analyst in an organization. Further, you also need to be able to demonstrate strong leadership, project management, and business administration skills. When it comes to certifications, the Certified Business Analyst Professional is the gold standard of this industry.
Related: Guide to Becoming a Business Analyst Without a Degree
Information technology manager
Median pay: $62.00 per hour
Job duties: IT managers are professionals who are responsible for leading a team of IT professionals in an organization. Their responsibilities include overseeing the installation and maintenance of computer systems. The IT team is also responsible for developing and implementing information security policies in an organization.
Job requirements: Certified Associate in Project Management and Certified Information Technology Manager are some of the industry-acknowledged certificates among directors in the IT industry. In addition to deep knowledge of the IT field and organizational capabilities, managers in this field are also expected to have at least 2 to 5 years of prior experience in the industry.
Senior art director
Median pay: $62.00 per hour
Job duties: Senior art directors are the creative professionals in an organization who are responsible for leading a team of artists and designers. They conceptualize and develop visual communication materials such as advertisements, brochures, magazines, and product packaging. Further, senior art directors are sometimes also tasked with overseeing the production of these materials.
Job requirements: Art directors work in a variety of different fields. Thus, the exact requirements for this job are hard to pinpoint. However, depending on the specialization of the senior art director, extensive work experience in the chosen field is generally required to become a senior professional. In addition to their specializations, senior art directors are also often trained in project management and team leadership.
Air traffic controller
Median pay: $62.70 per hour
Job duties: Air traffic controllers are responsible for the safe and efficient movement of aircraft in the skies. They provide information and instructions to pilots, monitor aircraft movements, and coordinate takeoffs and landings. In some cases, air traffic controllers may also be responsible for the management of air traffic control towers.
Job requirements: While a degree is not a requirement, a high school diploma is a usually needed to pursue a career as an air traffic controller. To kickstart a career in air traffic control, consider enrolling in an air traffic control training program from the U.S. Air Force. This program will allow you to get hands-on experience and knowledge in the field. As a plus, credentials from the U.S. Air Force are bound to impress your prospective employers.
Senior software developer
Median pay: $64.00 per hour
Job duties: Senior software developers are responsible for the development and maintenance of software applications. They work with a team of software developers to create, test, and deploy software applications. They are also commonly responsible for the guidance and mentorship of junior software developers in the team.
Job requirements: Most organizations will require their candidates to have at least 5 years of relevant work experience in software development. That said, you can self-learn the relevant skills and get certified by attending online courses and boot camps. The Software Engineering Bootcamp from Springboard is our current recommendation of choice for kickstarting a career in software development.
Creative director
Median pay: $65.00 per hour
Job duties: Creative directors are responsible for the overall creative vision of an organization. They lead a team of creatives in developing concepts and executions that are aligned with the organization’s goals. Creative directors also work closely with other departments in the organization to ensure that the creative output is integrated into the larger business strategy.
Job requirements: There are no specific educational requirements to become a creative director. However, most creative directors have an extensive portfolio and several certifications from their chosen field of expertise. Many creative directors also opt to join professional organizations such as The American Institute of Graphic Arts or The International Council of Design for making valuable connections and furthering their careers. The choice of the specific organization comes down to the specialization of the creative director.
Senior data scientist
Median pay: $65.00 per hour
Job duties: A senior data scientist is a senior professional responsible for developing the data-driven strategies of an organization. On a daily basis, they work with data to uncover insights that can be used to improve business operations. They also directly lead a team of junior data scientists and analysts in the execution of these strategies.
Job requirements: Becoming a senior data scientist, with or without a degree, requires first-hand working experience and advanced skills. Data scientists typically have a set of hard skills related to the fields of mathematics, statistics, and computer science. To eventually get a senior data scientist job, you’ll need to make getting an entry-level data role a short-term goal, and then slowly work your way up the totem pole.
Technical lead
Median pay: $66.00 per hour
Job duties: A technical lead is a professional responsible for leading a team of engineers in the development of software or other technical products. They work with other departments in the organization to ensure that the developed products are aligned with the business strategy.
Job requirements: Technical leads typically have several years of experience working in software development or other technical positions. Additionally, most employers will require their candidates to have excellent leadership and communication skills. To demonstrate their proficiency, many technical leads also hold industry-acknowledged engineering certifications such as the Professional Software Developer Certification from IEEE Computer Society or the Certified IT Architect certification from the International Association of Software Architects.
Content marketing manager
Median pay: $66.00 per hour
Job duties: A content marketing manager is someone who oversees the content strategy of an organization. This could mean anything from developing the content calendar to working with different teams in the organization to ensure that the created content is aligned with the larger business strategy and the vision of a given organization.
Job requirements: You do not need a formal degree in order to become a content marketing manager. Instead, you can focus on building a portfolio that showcases your content creation talents – the portfolio can include anything from websites to social media accounts. If you have no experience with creating content, it’s always a good idea to start learning the ropes by enrolling in an online course. In terms of getting working experience, many content marketers start their careers by doing freelance work on platforms such as Upwork or Fiverr.
Product marketing manager
Median pay: $66.00 per hour
Job duties: A product marketing manager is a professional responsible for developing the marketing strategy of a product. Usually, this includes conducting market research, creating marketing materials, and managing the product’s go-to-market strategy. Additionally, product marketing must analyze the product’s performance and work with the product team to ensure that the product meets customer needs.
Job requirements: Product marketing managers have an in-depth knowledge of both the product they are marketing and of marketing itself. In order to carve out a career in product marketing without a degree, start with learning the fundamentals of modern marketing. You may also want to invest in getting certified via industry-acknowledged programs like the marketing certifications from the Digital Marketing Institute. Once you have learned the marketing fundamentals, decide on which kind of products you would like to market, and then focus on building a strong portfolio in that area.
Speechwriter
Median pay: $67.00 per hour
Job duties: Speechwriters are responsible for creating speeches that are delivered by politicians, business people, celebrities, or other public figures. They must be able to capture the voice of their client and communicate the message in a way that is both clear and impactful.
Job requirements: Professional speechwriters are proficient in three key areas – writing, research, and public speaking. In order to become a speechwriter without a degree, you can start by taking writing classes and honing your writing skills. Once you have developed a strong set of speechwriting samples, start reaching out to local organizations and public figures to offer your services. From there, you can start building up your portfolio and your client list.
Media director
Median pay: $68.00 per hour
Job duties: Media directors are professionals who are responsible for developing and launching advertising campaigns for organizations or public figures. This includes working with a team of creatives to develop the campaign concept, negotiating rates with media outlets, and managing the overall budget for the campaign.
Job requirements: In order to become a media director, you will need to have significant experience in the advertising industry – this could include working as an account executive, a media buyer, or a creative director. Additionally, you should have a strong understanding of the media landscape and be well-connected with different media outlets. If you do not have a formal degree, you can start your career in advertising by working your way up the ladder at an advertising agency. Further, it would help if you also gained some certifications. For example, content marketing certifications from HubSpot and Microsoft Advertising Certifications.
Commercial pilot
Median pay: $68.00 per hour
Job duties: Commercial pilots fly planes carrying passengers or cargo for commercial airlines. They are also responsible for pre-flight checks, take-off, in-flight navigation, and landing. Lastly, commercial pilots must maintain consistent communication with the air traffic control tower and adhere to all safety regulations.
Job requirements: A formal degree is not needed to become a commercial pilot. However, candidates for this job are expected to be in great physical shape and have an above-average understanding of math and physics. They must also go through rigorous flight training at an aviation school and pass an exam for gaining a Private Pilot License (PPL.) After getting their PPL, pilots are free to apply for a Commercial Pilot License (CPL.)
Senior operations manager
Median pay: $69.00 per hour
Job duties: Senior operations manager is a professional who is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of a company. This includes managing staff, developing strategical operational plans, ensuring that sales targets are met, and maintaining high standards of quality control.
Job requirements: In order to become a senior operations manager, you will need to have significant experience working in an operational role. You should also be well-versed in different aspects of business, such as human resources, finance, and marketing. If you do not have a formal degree, you can start your career in operations by working your way up the ladder at a company. Alternatively, you may also consider investing in project management certificates like the Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) or the Project Management Professional (PMP.)
