Last Updated on January 24, 2023


Looking for jobs that do not require a high school diploma? You’re in the right place. These days the majority of job listings require some type of qualification, educational or experience-wise, which can make it particularly difficult to land a job if you don’t meet these criteria. In most cases, employers are interested in candidates with a minimum qualification of a high school diploma or a General Equivalency Diploma (GED). According to research, the workforce demands a task force that is educated. This means that people with some form of education, a high school diploma or college degree, have a better chance of getting a job compared to those individuals who don’t have any.
But it’s no secret that the cost of education can be pretty high in some places. And for some people, time and money may be scarce. So what alternatives do they have? There are tons of options to pursue that do not require even a high school diploma. The trick is to come up with strategies that you can use to find opportunities and some of the best paying jobs that don’t require a high school diploma.
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Jobs That Do Not Require High School Diploma
The majority of jobs require skills and relevant experiences, but not necessarily a high school diploma. Majority of these skills can easily be obtained through apprenticeship, vocational training programs or taking up cheaper online courses. Majority of these jobs involve hard labor and sometimes working in uncomfortable situations but offer pretty decent wages. Below is a list of jobs that you can get without a high school diploma:
1. Housekeeper
2. Restaurant staff member
3. Executive assistant
4. Photographer
5. Computer programmer/web developer
6. Telemarketers
7. Security guards
8. Janitor
9. Counter attendant
10. Florist
Read on to learn more about jobs that don’t require a high school diploma and tips to help you get started.
1. Housekeeper
Housekeeping, house cleaning or maid job positions involve cleaning, scrubbing, sweeping or folding laundry. These roles are especially common in hotels, cleaning companies or even private residential homes. Generally, the role demands efficient and hardworking individuals who are keen on details and able to work with little or no supervision. Being physically fit may be a prerequisite for this job as you’ll be required to kneel, bend or lift things while cleaning.
However, don’t assume that this job will be a great fit for everyone, mainly because of allergies. On the bright side, the pay ranges from $10.00-$16.00 per hour depending on your experience, where you work and whom you work for. Additionally, the job doesn’t require any educational background. However, being bilingual is an added advantage. All other training will be provided on-the-job basis.
Growth opportunities in these roles are somewhat limited, but there is room for growth such as becoming a supervisor or team leader. Better yet, opening your own cleaning business.
2. Restaurant staff member
These jobs can range from being a waiter or waitress to dishwasher among other positions. The tasks for waiters or waitresses include greeting customers, taking food orders and bringing food and beverages to tables, taking payments and making changes. Generally, depending on where you work you’ll be expected to be fast, efficient and have excellent interpersonal skills. Other skills may include basic knowledge about drinks and food pairings, understanding how each is prepared and making food recommendations to customers.
Generally, waiters and waitresses can make from $8.00-$20.00 an hour, inclusive of tips, depending on where they work. No formal education is required, but you’ll receive a lot of on-the-job training. However, some positions or companies require a high school diploma. Nonetheless, having formal education up to a bachelor’s degree increases your chances of being promoted or landing a job in a fine dining establishment.
3. Executive assistant
Although the majority of administrative assistants possess some form of education, being an assistant is among the top jobs that don’t require a high school diploma. However, basic computer knowledge, office, and organizational skills are a prerequisite for such positions. On average, executive assistants make $40,000 annually.
4. Photographer
Photographers don’t necessarily have to have a degree or a high school diploma, although it may be an added advantage to have one. Nonetheless, the majority of photography institutions will hire high school dropouts as assistants or apprentices. These roles come with a lot of on-the-job training. However, photographers can easily improve their skills through online courses, webinars or networking opportunities.
5. Computer programmer/web developer
With this career path, your portfolio speaks volumes compared to your educational background. Taking up online coding courses can help you develop the skills you need to thrive in this industry. With this career, you can make anything between $50,000-$90,000 annually, once you come up with a portfolio and keep improving on it.
RELATED: Top 10 Highest Paid Engineering Jobs
6. Telemarketers
Telemarketing similar to any sales roles involves contacting people to solicit sales. The educational requirements will vary depending on the company, in the sense that some may require a college degree while others will substitute education for relevant experience in the field. The pay varies depending on location and experience but ranges between $11.00-$18.00 per hour. Professional growth into managerial positions or training roles in this profession depends on your success rate in your position.
7. Security guards
Security guards are crucial in most institutions from businesses, hospitals, stores, banks, among others. Security guards are tasked with activities that involve safety and security in the institutions they are working at, from watching TV monitors to catch any suspicious activities to checking people’s identity cards and frisking them as they enter buildings. In this profession, you’ll be required to have an understanding of the law, your employer’s guidelines and be in a position to enforce them whenever necessary.
The majority of companies require employees to work round the clock meaning that you can do it on a part-time basis. However, these jobs can be risky especially when dealing with armed robbers, hence the importance of receiving an emergency response, fire-arm and hand to hand combat training. Security guards make between $20,000-$26,000 annually depending on where they work.
Generally, a high school diploma is preferred but not a prerequisite for the position. However, you’ll receive a lot of on-the-job training. Additionally, if you intend to grow in this career, additional training in criminal justice or gaming security among others are necessary.
8. Janitor
Janitors and janitorial custodians are primarily building maintenance professionals whose tasks involve keeping schools, offices, businesses, and stores clean. Entry level positions as a maintenance professional come with flexible hours and good pay.
Generally, this professional doesn’t require a formal education background, especially for entry-level positions. However mechanical skills (plumbing and electrical maintenance and repair among others), endurance (since the job involves much bending, lifting and walking) and interpersonal skills are essential to thrive in this profession.
9. Counter attendant
Counter attendant positions are commonly found in movie theatres, cafeterias, and specialty food stores. The job involves handling food or beverages during their shift hours. To thrive in such positions, you need to be able to take orders from customers and deliver them back accurately. The job demands the employee to stand on their feet throughout their shifts and hence being physically fit is an added advantage.
Counter attendants can earn anything from $9.00-$12.00 per hour, inclusive of tips. Generally, counter attendant entry-level positions don’t require any educational background or experience, however, if you want to be promoted to supervisory roles, you may need to get a high school diploma or G.E.D. Additionally, you can use a counter assistant position as a stepping stone or learning experience for customer service and cashiering skills which you can use to apply for other lucrative jobs.
10. Florist
Floral jobs are seasonal and do not require any experience or formal education, just creativity. Although the position comes with the risk of cutting yourself with sharp tools and lifting heavy containers, it’s worth it for high school dropouts.
While career growth in this field is limited, you can improve your arrangement skills by taking up art classes or programs to help you gain the necessary skills. Additionally, you can opt to open your floral shop once you’ve saved up enough money and obtained the basic skills of the job. However, if you choose to follow this path, consider getting additional business administration, event management or coordination skills to help you get the best out of your business venture.
Tips for finding jobs that don’t require a high school diploma
Job hunting for positions without a high school diploma requires sufficient preparation. You need to know and understand the industries where you feel the skills you have are useful and could get you hired in those industries. Consider following the tips below in your job search to ensure that you get hired:
1. Plan ahead
Not having a high school diploma doesn’t mean that you should restrict yourself with regards to your professional goals. It’s no secret that there are thousands of people who have pursued their passions and achieved professional success without a high school diploma. Arguably, several high school dropouts have found achievement and fulfillment by pursuing things they are passionate about and finding satisfaction.
Consider the following during your job hunt:
- What do you like do?
- What skills do you already have?
- What are your future career goals?
- What do you hope to achieve in X years?
2. Build and enhance your skills
Based on what you are passionate about and are interested in doing, your skills and the field or industry that you see yourself thriving in, consider building and enhancing your skills to get your foot in the door. Consider taking free and short classes online to improve your skills or acquire the necessary knowledge in the field you are interested in. Take up software or coding classes or other basic computer skills. Remember, that your skills are your greatest asset in the job market. Therefore, it is essential to ensure you put in adequate effort to build them and ensure you are an expert at them.
3. Revamp your resume and cover letter
First things first, your cover letter together with your resume are the first impression you’ll get to make on a potential employer, so ensure that they highlight the most critical qualities, your skills, to be considered for the position you are interested in.
Don’t focus on what you don’t have, instead illustrate how your skills and experience make you the ideal candidate for the position. Consider going through industry-specific resume templates/samples to get a general idea of how to format your documents and ensure you stand out. Additionally, ensure you tailor your CV to match the requirements as indicated on the job description of the position you are interested in.