5 Work-From-Home Jobs That Don't Require a Bachelor's Degree

May 19, 2017

Contrary to the myth of the low-earning telecommuter, 75 percent of remote workers earn more than $65,000 per year, per GlobalWorkplaceAnalytics.com. That puts them squarely in the upper 80^th percentile of earners. But those work-from-home jobs tend to be management level or higher, requiring a significant investment in education. What if you don’t have an advanced degree — or any post-secondary degree?

Sometimes, what you know is more important than having a piece of paper to prove it. Recently, FlexJobs ran a list of job openings from their database — all work-from-home jobs, and in occupations with median annual salaries of around $50,000.

Here are a few:

1. Web Developer

Typical entry-level education for this occupation is an associate’s degree, per the Bureau of Labor Statistics, but experience is sometimes more important than a degree. The listing on FlexJobs is for a U.S.-based worker who can create new features for websites, update and optimize WordPress plugins and improve site functionality.

Median Annual Salary, per PayScale: $57,702

2. Real Estate Managing Broker

The job listing is for Georgia-based and -licensed broker who can screen new staff via telephone. While most real estate jobs will require you to leave the comfort of your home office and get out there and meet the public, they don’t necessarily require a degree. (Licensure, however, is required.)

Median Annual Salary, per PayScale: $56,045

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3. Executive Assistant

Attention to detail, organizational skills, and the ability to supervise other clerical staff are required in this occupation; a degree often isn’t. The listing at FlexJobs is a full-time, work-from-home job for a candidate with “stellar communication and interpersonal skills.”

Median Annual Salary, per PayScale: $52,150

4. Claims Adjuster/Examiner/Investigator

While higher level jobs in this field may require a bachelor’s degree, entry-level roles are sometimes open to candidates with a high school diploma, especially if they have experience. The FlexJobs listing specifies someone with prior related experience, and is a full-time role with occasional telecommuting.

Median Annual Salary, per PayScale: $51,927

5. Copywriter

If you have a way with words and a portfolio to prove it, you might not need a degree to get an employer interested. This listing is based in Manila, and is an all-telecommuting role.

Median Annual Salary, per PayScale: $47,790

See the full list, with current job openings, at FlexJobs.

Tell Us What You Think

Do you have an amazing work-from-home job that doesn’t require a degree? We want to hear from you. Tell us your story in the comments or join the conversation on Twitter.