Finding a job isn’t easy for anyone, but it’s especially difficult if you don’t have a degree. There are plenty of jobs available – but the majority of them require an associate’s or bachelor’s degree. With the cost of college rising rapidly year after year, getting one of these degrees is both expensive and time-consuming.
So, what are you supposed to do when you need a new job? Fortunately, you do have options if you don’t have a degree. There are actually a number of jobs out there that don’t require any education at all.
If you’re looking for a job that offers plenty of opportunities, is in high demand, and doesn’t require any kind of degree, these are four positions you should consider.
1. Nanny
Average Pay: Approximately $19 per hour.
How to Get Started: Network with local families or use job boards and nanny websites, like Care.com or Sitter City to advertise your services.
Nannies are always in-demand, no matter where you live. Families of all sizes need childcare, whether it’s every so often or regular daily care. And nannies are so much more than babysitters. A nanny is in charge of everything that’s involved in caring for children – getting them ready, playing with them, helping with homework, arranging playdates and outings, and even carpooling. Nannies can also take on some housekeeping tasks, like doing laundry or picking up around the house.
The average pay for nannies varies widely. The rate depends on where you live, whether you’re working part-time or full-time, and your level of experience. It can also change depending on how many children you’re caring for and what responsibilities your job includes.
2. Housekeeper
Average Pay: $9.76 per hour.
How to Get Started: Search job boards for families looking for housekeepers. You can also network locally or find a job with an established maid or housekeeping company that can place you into regular cleaning jobs on a set schedule.
Housekeepers are highly in demand, always needed, and vital to so many households. While the basic tasks of a housekeeper’s job is cleaning a home, there’s often much more involved. Depending on your clients’ needs, you’ll be changing sheets, sweeping and mopping floors, dusting, and organizing. It’s a great job for anyone who’s a hard worker and has a great eye for detail. Being a housekeeper is a physically demanding job, so you’ll need to be comfortable being on your feet while you work.
As a housekeeper, you can choose to either run your own business or work as part of a larger organization. You can join housekeeping services through Amazon, Molly Maid, or Handy. You can also organize your own clients, set your own schedule, and operate independently – it’s entirely up to you.
3. Hotel Housekeeper or Cleaning Staff
Average Pay: $21,800 per year or approximately $11 per hour.
How to Get Started: Look for hotels that are hiring in your area. Online job boards like Indeed also frequently list available housekeeping positions.
Known as housekeepers, cleaning staff, and even room attendants, those who work to clean hotel rooms are critical in the travel industry. Hotels need a lot of rooms cleaned – and that’s why housekeepers are always in demand. These staff members move from hotel room to hotel room, tidying up after guests or giving rooms a complete clean. They must meet rigorous cleaning standards and ensure each room is up to par. It’s demanding, as hotel housekeepers typically clean 14 rooms per day, but it does offer opportunities to advance.
Hotels of all kinds, from small local hotels to large international chains, need housekeepers and cleaning staff. You can often find jobs for these positions posted right on hotels’ websites.
4. Restaurant Server
Average Pay: An average of $9.09 per hour, before tips.
How to Get Started: Search online job boards for openings at restaurants in your area. You can also visit local restaurants in person and ask if they’re hiring.
Restaurant servers have a tough job – they have to deal with customers, relay and deliver food orders, and work nights and weekends. However, they’re always needed, and they do important work at all kinds of different restaurants. Servers are responsible for working with customers and their coworkers, shuttling food, and handling a lot of diverse tasks. In addition to actually serving customers, restaurant servers also handle other work while they’re on the job.
And while the starting hourly pay can be low, tips are customary. It’s typical for servers to split, or tip out, about 15 percent of the tips collected while working. The additional money from tipping can add up quickly on good shifts, and it can balance out your hourly wage in some instances.
How to Find Jobs Like These
If you’re looking to start one of these jobs, you’ll need to do a little research. First, you’ll want to look into the demand for these positions in your area. Do families need nannies? Are restaurants hiring servers? Are there hotels or housekeeping services in your area?
From there, you’ll want to start searching online. Today, most companies – and most families – look to hire people online. Jobs are posted on job boards and websites, which makes applying easy. Search for jobs that meet your qualifications and your interests. And make sure you verify that the jobs you’re interested in don’t require any special education, like a degree.
Once you start your job search online, you’ll find plenty of opportunities. It’s up to you to search and compare so you can find the best options for your career and your income.