13 High-Paying Tech Jobs With No College Degree

Not only is tech one of the highest-paying industries, there are ample opportunities within it. In fact, there are so many open roles, top companies are even considering people for these positions if they don’t have the traditional “experience” other industries may require.

Namely — college degrees.

We’ve compiled 13 of the highest-paying tech jobs you can earn without a college degree, so long as you have the skill set necessary to complete those jobs. We’ll expand on how to learn those skills, as well.

Keep Reading: 38 Jobs You Can Get with No College Degree

How to Get a Tech Job Without a Degree

For many tech roles, the skills you have and the knowledge you can apply to your tasks are more important than your credentials. But in a competitive job market, how can you make sure you’re still a competitive candidate if you don’t have a college degree?

Gain Experience

One of the best ways to demonstrate to prospective employers that you’re capable of performing the duties of the role you’re applying for is to gain experience in the field and then lean on that experience during applications and interviews.

In some cases, you might be able to apply for internships, apprenticeships, volunteer work, or other opportunities that can help you gain experience in the tech field. But there are other ways you can still gain experience on your own.

If you’re self-taught when it comes to your coding and tech skills, there are still opportunities to practice, hone, and demonstrate your abilities. Take online courses, participate in hackathons, or work on coding projects on your own time. Compile anything that illustrates your skills into a programming portfolio, so you can easily show employers what you’re capable of.

Earn Certifications

Even if you didn’t go to college, there are opportunities to continue your education, earn certifications, and show prospective employers that you’re the best candidate for the job. Many certifications can now be earned online, in your own time. 

Certification programs will vary, and job requirements will, too. Some positions will specifically require certain certifications, and for others, any certifications you earn might just help you stand out from the pack of job applicants. Make sure to research any positions and certifications thoroughly so you can put your best foot forward.

13 Highest-Paying Jobs in Tech That Don’t Require a College Degree

Let’s take a closer look at some of the highest-paying tech jobs that you can still land without a college degree. All salary information was up to date at the time of writing, but please refer to the linked websites for the most updated information, since estimated salaries are subject to change.

1. Software Engineer

As one of the leading software engineering bootcamps in the world, we’ve watched hundreds of students who don’t boast college degrees go on to find incredibly successful jobs as software engineers at major companies. CEOs like Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk often hire folks who don’t have college degrees because they and other leaders in tech firmly believe that you can learn the skills you need to succeed outside of a college classroom.

Software engineers create and routinely debug computer systems and applications for computers, tablets, and other mobile devices.

National average salary: $117,684 per year

Primary duties: 

• Create high-quality software applications for computers according to customer specifications and company requirements
• Create application testing methods to determine system viability and oversee software programming teams
• Analyze system performance data to identify potential improvement areas in existing computer applications
• Perform testing and troubleshooting tasks to improve the quality of the system

2. Web Developer

Similar to software engineering but different enough that they warrant different titles, salaries, and roles, web developers tend to work just on website software, designing and creating many of the websites and programs we use on our computers every day.

The skill set of a web developer is increasingly important as most of our life — shopping, communicating, and enjoying entertainment — now takes place online.

‍National average salary: $81,602 per year

Primary duties: 

• Create visually appealing and interactive websites according to customer requirements and industry trends
• Present design ideas
• Troubleshoot website problems
• Update company websites and monitor user traffic

3. Network Engineer

A network engineer oversees a variety of computer networks, including those that support in-house voice, data, video, and wireless network services. It’s their job to ensure that a network system is healthy and viable so the devices that use it continue to work without a hitch.

A network engineer is a highly technical role, and may even involve electrical engineering. While this is a skill that can be studied in school, it can also be developed at trade or technical schools.

National average salary: $95,376 per year

Primary duties:

• Design networks
• Set up network services and configurations
• Monitor network performance and resolve any identified problems
• Implement and maintain network security protocols
• Ensure that network infrastructure complies with all industry standards and regulatory requirements 

4. IT Manager

No company would be able to function without an IT team. They provide services to support, maintain, and troubleshoot all network systems and technology. They’re invaluable to any organization and, luckily, often able to find work even without a college degree.

While IT managers tend to oversee a team of IT specialists, they’re also sometimes a team of one.

National average salary: $94,874 per year

Primary duties:

• Develop and implement IT strategies aligned with an organization’s business objectives
• Lead a team (if applicable) of other IT professionals, including systems administrators, network engineers, help desk specialists, etc.
• Oversee IT projects from beginning to end
• Implement and enforce IT security policies and practices
• Manage and maintain IT infrastructure, including servers, data centers, networks, and cloud services

5. Technical Writer

Technical writers have a unique skill in the industry. Without them, people using, buying, or creating technology wouldn’t have a clue how to use them. Technical writers create documentation and diagrams of how products or programs work. They break them down into digestible pieces or often into laymen’s terms. Due to the nature of their work, they tend to be paid hourly.

National average salary: $63,491 per year

Primary duties: 

• Write articles, blog posts or other documents about technical topics
• Analyze company style guides to create entertaining articles to increase reader interest and engagement
• Research technical topics
• Collaborate with other writing professionals
• Gather feedback from readers to improve the quality of their work

6. Ruby on Rails Developer

While software engineers and web developers tend to have both back-end and front-end capabilities, language-specific developers still have ample opportunities in tech. One such language that has been and remains in demand today is Ruby on Rails.

It’s widely popular in building both web and mobile applications, so the need for folks who specialize in Ruby on Rails pays generously.

National average salary: $118,634 per year

‍Primary duties:

• Write and maintain code for web applications that use Ruby on Rails
• Implement features, functionality, and user interfaces according to project requirements
• Test code to ensure application’s reliability
• Optimize code for speed and efficiency
• Implement security best practices
• Debug and resolve any issues in the application

Read More: Average Ruby on Rails Programmer Salary 

7. Python Developer

Python’s rise to popularity was slower than other languages, but it currently ranks as the #1 most popular programming language for beginner and advanced programmers alike. It’s easy to learn and read, and its capabilities span a number of use cases.

Again, Python can be used on both web or mobile platforms, so it’s a particularly powerful language to master.

‍National average salary: $121,816 per year

Primary duties:

• Create high-quality and effective server-side code
• Collaborate with other developers to create effective coding solutions
• Modernize existing Python codes and conduct troubleshooting operations to improve code usability and quality
• Collaborate with company stakeholders
• Verify front-end system implementation
• Test newly implemented codes

Read More: Python Programmer Salaries by City

8. JavaScript Developer

JavaScript has been around for decades, and it remains one of the top-paying languages for developers and programmers in tech. This front-end programming language is a must-have no matter what type of project you’re working on, as you’ll need JavaScript to make your web page function; think of anything that scrolls, moves, or changes as you navigate — that’s JavaScript.

‍National average salary: $107,175 per year

‍Primary duties: 

• Apply programming languages to design usable applications and software
• Create reusable codes for future applications and verify the code's usability with user experience designs
• Enhance front-end user performance
• Modify current coding designs for ease of use and troubleshooting
• Collaborate with back and front-end users and customers to understand more about application or software requirements

Read More: Average JavaScript Programmer Salaries in Top US Cities 

9. Data Analyst

A data analyst collects, processes, and interprets data to help organizations make informed decisions. Data analysts play a crucial role in transforming raw data into valuable insights that can drive business strategies and actions. 

Data analysts are essential in industries ranging from finance and healthcare to marketing and e-commerce, as they help organizations make data-driven decisions, optimize processes, improve products and services, and gain a competitive advantage. Their work often serves as the foundation for more advanced data science and machine learning projects within organizations.

‍National average salary: $77,005 per year

Primary duties: 

• Gather data from various sources, then clean and reprocess the data to remove inconsistencies or errors
• Apply statistical and analytical techniques to find patterns, trends, and relationships in the data
• Create charts, graphs, and other visual representations of data
• Use historical data and statistical models to make predictions about future trends and outcomes

10. Cybersecurity Analyst

A cybersecurity analyst is responsible for safeguarding an organization's computer systems, networks, and data from security threats, breaches, and unauthorized access. They play a critical role in maintaining the security and integrity of an organization's digital assets. 

Cybersecurity analysts work in various industries, including finance, healthcare, government, and technology, to protect sensitive information, maintain the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data, and ensure that organizations can respond effectively to security incidents. Their role is vital in an increasingly digital and interconnected world where cyber threats are continually evolving.

‍National average salary: $101,231 per year

Primary duties: 

• Continuously monitor network traffic, system logs, and security alerts to identify potential security incidents and anomalies
• Use intrusion detection systems (IDS) and intrusion prevention systems (IPS) to detect and respond to suspicious activities
• Develop and implement incident response plans to address security breaches and cyberattacks
• Identify and assess vulnerabilities in an organization's IT infrastructure, applications, and systems
• Conduct testing and vulnerability scanning to proactively find weaknesses

11. Front-End Developer

A front-end developer is a web developer who specializes in designing and implementing the visual and user interface elements of a website or web application. Their primary focus is on creating a compelling and user-friendly experience by building the client-side of web applications. 

Front-end development involves a combination of technical skills, creativity, and attention to detail to create engaging and functional web interfaces.

National average salary: $112,547 per year

Primary duties: 

• Translate visual designs into functional web pages
• Use HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) and CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) to structure and style the content and layout of web pages
• Ensure that web applications work correctly across different web browsers and devices
• Use JavaScript to add interactivity to web pages, handle user input, and communicate with the back end of the application
• Optimize web pages for performance by minimizing page load times, reducing the size of assets (such as images and scripts), and employing techniques like lazy loading and code splitting
• Conduct testing to identify and resolve issues in web pages, including functional, usability, and cross-browser testing

12. DevOps Engineer

A DevOps engineer combines software development (Dev) and IT operations (Ops) expertise to streamline and automate the entire software delivery process. DevOps aims to improve collaboration between teams, enhance the speed and efficiency of software development and deployment, and ensure the reliability and scalability of applications.

National average salary: $128,104 per year

‍Primary duties: 

• Enable continuous deployment or continuous delivery pipelines to automate the deployment of code changes to production or staging environments
• Package applications and their dependencies into containers, which can run consistently across different environments.
• Set up monitoring solutions and centralized logging to gain insights into application performance and troubleshoot issues effectively
• Write scripts to automate repetitive tasks and streamline deployment processes

13. Software Testing Engineers

A software test engineer, also known as a QA (Quality Assurance) engineer or tester, is responsible for ensuring the quality and reliability of software applications by identifying and addressing defects and issues during the software development lifecycle. Their primary role is to evaluate software to ensure it meets specific quality standards and functions correctly.

Their work helps prevent issues from reaching end-users, ensuring a positive user experience and maintaining the reputation of the software and the organization.

National average salary: $102,221 per year

‍Primary duties:

• Create a test plan that outlines the scope, objectives, and strategies for testing a software application
• Run test cases on the software to identify defects, inconsistencies, and areas that do not meet the specified requirements (manual testing and automated testing)
• Document and report defects or issues found during testing
• Evaluate the application's performance under various conditions

Develop Your Coding Skills With App Academy

Thinking about making the switch to a role in tech? Coding bootcamps equip you with the must-have skills to learn programming and other applicable skills you need to be successful in the industry — no college degree required.

Our program curriculums include essential coding languages like HTML, CSS, Python, and JavaScript, all of which can prepare you to take on a myriad of tech roles and build a new career. 

Sign up for a live online info session to learn more, or schedule a 1:1 call with one of our team experts. Start your software engineering career today with App Academy, and see how far you can go!