Entering the IT industry can be challenging for those who do not have a degree. However, there are many good-paying IT jobs out there that do not necessarily require a formal degree. In the present generation, the development of the skills needed to practice in this field has been boosted by online learning and certifications. In this article, we will show you 10 easy IT jobs that are well-paid and offer the opportunity to work in IT without necessarily having a degree.
10 Easy IT Jobs That Pay Well Without a Degree Requirement
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Technical Writer
Annual Average Salary: $58,615 – $77,000
Technical Writers are considered significant in the tech field as they have to prepare documentation written from the user’s perspective in the form of manuals, tutorials, datasheets, articles, and the like. Their main objective is to translate information and make it less complex and more comprehensible to consumers of various goods and services. The position is well paid, and anyone with good writing ability and interest in technology should consider applying for the position. Technical writers are commonly engaged in the development of technical manuals for software, smart homes, electric cars, and other technologies to enable users to effectively use the technology. To explain product features and how to use them to a layman, they have to liaise with developers and product managers very closely.
While some employers provide that technical writers must possess a college education, some employers value work experience and good writing skills more than a college education. Therefore, even if you have never gone to school, you have a good chance if your portfolio is rich. One needs to distinguish between technical writing and technology content writing. The former is involved in producing technical documentation, and the latter writes tech reviews, news, and articles that explain ideas. However, regardless of the chosen track, it is beneficial to possess good writing skills and have some background in technology in this field of work.
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UX/UI Designers
Annual Average Salary: $80,500
A User Experience (UX) designer’s key role is to make sure that users find interactions with applications, websites, or products enjoyable and easy. They concentrate on aspects like accessibility, utility, and effectiveness that ensure that users would be able to interact with a product satisfactorily. UX design is sometimes used interchangeably with user interface (UI) design since both focus on improving the user’s experience with a specific service. However, while UI design focuses on aesthetics and tangible interactions, UX focuses more on the global user experience and feelings. UX designers analyse and optimise the user experience, from the first touchpoint to the last interaction, aiming for each interaction with the product to be a positive one.
The responsibility of a UX designer is to study the users’ activities, using tools such as wireframes and prototypes and getting feedback from them through usability tests. They interact with developers and UI designers to ensure that the work they have done is well executed.
This area of tech does not need any programming skills, so it enables individuals to switch careers and join the technology sector while concentrating on improving the user interface without coding experience. Since organisations are continually enhancing the usability of the products that they offer to the market, UX designers are very important in customer satisfaction and organisational profitability.
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Product Manager
Annual Average Salary: $88,716 – $102,156
Product Managers play a central role in managing the software and other products, from ideas to the marketplace. They develop a plan to guide the software engineers and the rest of the team towards the creation of a product that meets user needs and organisational objectives. Working with marketing, design, and development departments, product managers are responsible for a product from the moment it is created to its development, launch, and continuous enhancements. Their duties include collecting and evaluating market data and customer feedback to define opportunities and the scope of a product. They provide product vision and strategy, which can be encapsulated in a product roadmap – the plan for creating and delivering the product. This roadmap assists in organising the work of software engineers and designers in terms of priorities and timing of new features and updates.
Product managers also bear the responsibility of maintaining a balance between what is technically possible and what the user needs. They make sure that the final product not only conforms to technical requirements but also ensures that the customer will have a positive experience when using the product. Product managers make choices concerning product characteristics, price and positioning on the market, taking into consideration trends and studying competitors. Communication and leadership are more significant skills for a product manager since he or she must be ready to launch a product on the market. They constantly engage with stakeholders in order to ensure that all persons of interest remain abreast of the product objectives. Also, due to their involvement in the development of products as well as their influence on the success of a firm, product managers receive some of the highest salaries in the technology sector.
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Digital Marketer
Annual Average Salary: $63,000.
Digital Marketers are responsible for boosting brands and selling products through the use of the Internet. It involves the use of social networks, search engines, and websites to popularise a company or product. For instance, a digital marketer can use Instagram or Facebook to create awareness of a new environment-friendly product from a company and create messages that would appeal to the target market. Digital marketing also aims to find the type of content that will appeal to the target group. This includes finding out which of the posts to create, when to post and on which social media platforms the potential customers are most likely to be found. Although formal education in business or marketing may be useful, it is not mandatory, as many digital marketers learn through experience and specialised courses in digital marketing techniques and tools.
Although some people believe that digital marketing does not fall under the technological sphere, it has a technical role. This is because digital marketers use multiple digital assets, engage with customers virtually, and heavily rely on data to optimise their campaigns. This combination of arts and science makes digital marketing a well-paid job in the technology industry.
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Data Analysts
Annual Average Salary: $73,823
Data Analysts are responsible for exploring and analysing data to support decision-making processes in the modern world where data is valuable. From tracking customer browsing history to evaluating health statistics or reviewing transactions, data analysts provide insights that organisations require to make decisions. Data analysts extract meaning from various data sets to answer key questions such as: Is it becoming apparent that the company’s target market is different? Are customers opting for cheaper products? Which products are underperforming? Etc. In this way, the patterns help data analysts assist businesses in managing changes, modifying products, and optimising customers’ experiences.
Although the position may sound quite demanding, the candidate doesn’t need to necessarily be a college graduate. Most data analysts gain their experience from specific courses, online learning, or practical experience by using data analysis instruments. Thanks to knowledge of statistical methods, data analysis, and data processing, they are able to transform data into valuable information.
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Mobile Developers
Annual Average Salary: $90,000 – $110,000
A Mobile Developer is a professional who focuses on creating and enhancing applications that are intended to run on portable operating systems like iOS and Android. Their job entails designing applications that address the users’ requirements, execute efficiently on mobile devices, and bear the characteristics of the platform. Mobile developers should be conversant with programming languages such as Swift for iOS or Kotlin for Android. They also use development frameworks and tools to create responsive and optimised applications. Also, they make sure that applications are responsive across different devices and screen sizes and can work perfectly in other mobile environments.
First of all, it is worth mentioning that being a mobile developer is not only about writing code; it is about working with designers, product managers and other people to transform ideas into working mobile applications. This can call for skills such as API assimilation, app performance management, and putting measures in place to safeguard users’ information. With the ever-increasing need for mobile apps, the job of mobile developers has become important in the technology sector. The knowledge helps companies target users with their chosen gadgets, hence offering them a competitive edge in the market.
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Social Media Managers
Annual Average Salary: $50,000
Social Media Managers have the responsibility of managing and developing a company’s presence on social media. They oversee and plan content that is posted on platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, and LinkedIn to capture the attention of the audiences and contribute to business success. Social media managers are tasked with posting, scheduling, and promoting content, as well as tracking statistics like views, likes, shares and followers, among others.
They adapt the content to the habits and interests of different audiences to capture and maintain their attention. Thus, the candidate should have basic knowledge of social media trends, be a good communicator, and have good organisational skills. Promoting content on social networks is a creative process, but social media managers are also expected to make strategic decisions based on analytics.
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Graphic Designers
Annual Average Salary: $50,000
Graphic Designers use creativity alongside technology to come up with artworks that can convey information. They are involved in the creation of all the graphics-related content, including information graphics, promotional videos, webpage layouts, and movements. Whenever they are creating brochures, websites, logos, or other visually communicating concepts, graphic designers bring their imagination into play.
To be successful in this position, a graphic designer should know how to use design applications like Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign and CorelDraw, as well as possess knowledge in typography, colour, and composition. As part of their responsibilities, they may interact with clients or marketing personnel to define projects, generate ideas for the visuals, and develop graphic layouts or prototypes for review. Designers should always learn the current trends in design and also new technologies that are useful for creating good designs. They usually handle several projects and tasks at the same time, thus there is a need to be organised and efficient in time management. It might help to have a formal education in graphic design. Still, it is not compulsory as many graphic designers are also able to develop their careers through portfolios and freelance projects that prove one’s capabilities.
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Cybersecurity Analyst
Annual Average Salary: $109,000
Cybersecurity Analysts are very vital because they help organisations address potential threats and risks to their digital systems. Cybersecurity is indispensable in the modern world to protect personal data on gadgets, social media, and other connections. Thus, cybersecurity analysts are tasked with identifying appropriate security measures and deploying them to prevent cyber threats. Some of their responsibilities include traffic analysis of the network for suspicious activities, assessment of vulnerabilities, and handling of security breaches. They also scan software code for vulnerabilities, try out new security features, and study threats and how they can be exploited. They are also involved in identifying disaster recovery strategies and ensuring that employees are aware of proper cybersecurity measures. The knowledge of different security technologies like firewalls, IDSs, and encryption is important for this position. Cybersecurity analysts also need to have a good understanding of risk management, incident handling, and security auditing.
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Web Content/CMS Manager
Annual Average Salary: $109,000
Another high-paying tech job that does not necessarily need a degree is the Web Content Manager, often referred to as the CMS Manager. These professionals are supposed to manage and monitor the content on the website of a certain company. Their responsibilities usually involve such tasks as formatting, editing, and content management of various types of web content, which can range from editorial materials for media outlets to product descriptions for online stores.
Web content managers also have the responsibility of ensuring that the contents meet organisational objectives and goals and are easily accessible to the target consumers. To be efficient in handling content and updating the website, they must have managerial skills and detail orientation. Furthermore, they collaborate with marketing, design, and development departments to align content initiatives and maintain brand identity on the website. One of the major benefits of the web content manager position is the opportunity to use Internet resources to gain the required expertise. Hence, although the job does not require a degree, knowledge of CMS tools and a good understanding of SEO practices will make a web content manager better positioned to maximise the content with search engines and, therefore, increase the flow of traffic to the website.
Conclusion
The IT sector has a lot of well-paid jobs that do not necessarily require formal education. Just try to leverage online learning resources, certifications, and practical experience to acquire the necessary skills for working in these industries. Do not be confined by the lack of a degree, and begin your journey to a technology career now!