13 High-Paying Jobs Without a Degree: Where to Apply After 40.

According to The Sun: Tired of the 9-to-5 grind and feeling trapped? It's time to consider a new career!

More and more middle-aged individuals are leaving their office jobs to find something completely new and achieve a better work-life balance. In this article, we will explore 13 of the highest-paying jobs that do not require a degree and explain how to apply for them.

What is a 'Second Career'?

A “second career” refers to professions you can transition into later in life if you want to find more meaningful and fulfilling work.

These positions are highly sought after because many people get tired of their long-term careers and seek change.

It’s no wonder that more people are taking the plunge: research from Employment Hero shows that one in five people over age 55 wants to switch careers.

“More people aged 40, 50, and 60 are moving away from traditional 9-to-5 jobs to something new,” says Lee Biggins of the job site CV-Library.

“A second career proves it’s never too late to change your life, and many Brits are already doing it.”

There’s no need to worry if you think you’d have to go back to university - many careers do not require retraining, so you can maintain your salary.

While some positions may require training, there are funding opportunities for your courses or internships – but be cautious, as such roles may initially pay lower salaries.

If you don’t want to take a pay cut, you can take evening classes while not giving up your main job.

What are you waiting for? Hurry to apply for your dream job now!

Examples of Jobs

Project Manager - £67,648 per year

Only interested in organization and efficiency? The role of a project manager may be the perfect choice for you.

This position is popular in construction and heavy engineering, but project managers also work in other sectors such as healthcare, charity, and education.

This is the highest-paying second career on the list, with 24,696 job openings over the past year.

Your role will include generating project ideas, participating in client meetings, managing budgets, and preparing reports.

According to Indeed, a career in project management is open to everyone, but knowing key skills such as communication, organization, and leadership is important for the interview.

A degree is not mandatory, but certification as a Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) can boost your chances of employment.

The course costs about £272 for a 23-hour CAPM course from the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors.

Tutor - £46,022 per year

If you are good at math or fluent in a second language, tutoring can be a great career choice.

Tutors provide one-on-one lessons to students needing extra help in specific subjects.

It may seem that a degree is necessary to become a tutor, but in reality, you just need to have significant practical experience in the area.

You can work at your convenience and do your job from home, at a school, or in a commercial tutoring center.

You might need to pay for a course to receive training on how to become a tutor.

For example, you can teach English to foreigners with a TEFL certificate, which costs around £99. You will need a DBS check if you plan to work in a school or college in the UK.

Truck Driver - £41,891 per year

Do you enjoy driving? Try a career as a truck driver (HGV)!

To obtain a heavy goods vehicle (HGV) license, you need to have a full UK driving license and complete 35 hours of periodic training every five years to maintain qualification.

Many employers cover these costs, so it’s worth checking with the company before accepting the job. If not, this can cost up to £400.

According to Indeed, to get hired, you typically need two years of experience driving large or commercial vehicles on average.

However, you can also do an apprenticeship lasting about a year to gain practical training experience with a training provider.

Driving Instructor - £41,000 per year

If you love driving but don’t want to spend long hours behind the wheel, consider becoming a driving instructor.

Many of them work independently, have flexible schedules, and typically earn around £41,000 per year.

To become a driving instructor in the UK, you need to be over 21 and have a full driving license for at least three years.

You must also undergo instructor training, which costs between £1,500 and £3,000.

However, some driving schools offer free training if you agree to work for a certain time after qualifying.

You must take three tests – theory, practical, and instructor – and register with the DVLA.

I Quit My £70,000 Corporate Job to Become a Driving Instructor - I Will Never Go Back to the Office

NICK Carter left his corporate job in middle age to become a driving instructor and has never looked back.

The 57-year-old Weymouth resident worked as a program manager in a software development company but was inspired to change careers three years ago while teaching his son to drive.

He left his job earning £70,000 per year, working more than 50 hours a week, and now works only four days a week for no more than six hours a day.

He enjoys the freedom of being his own boss and choosing his own work schedule, which has given him what he desired - a work-life balance.

“I thought: why not? I always thought I was a good driver,” Nick shares.

Nick worked as a painter and decorator while training, which cost him around £1,500-£2,000.

Stepping down in his career meant he had to reduce his pay by about 50%, but he feels it’s worth it.

In terms of working hours, he earns more than minimum wage, as he charges £45 for a two-hour lesson, which is £22.50 per hour.

“I have gained a lot more time for myself, which I think is worth much more,” he adds.

“The best thing about this, in my opinion, is that I get to work with many wonderful people,” he concludes.

Moreover, Nick’s second career allows him to engage in music while working, which he did not have time for in his corporate job.

“I will never go back to working in an office,” he states.

Real Estate Agent - £40,174 per year

Do you enjoy exploring neighboring houses? Why not get paid for it?

Real estate agents typically earn around £40,000 per year, and formal qualifications are not required.

You can increase your chances of getting hired by obtaining a higher education degree in property management, but this is not mandatory.

A work week typically lasts 35-40 hours. Experience in sales, customer service, or administration can help you get the job.

You can work at a local independent agency and then open your own business.

Electrician - £35,500 per year

If you are good with your hands and enjoy solving problems, transitioning to a career as an electrician could be an excellent choice.

Statistically, they earn around £35,000 per year, but some can earn much more, especially if they manage their own business.

You’ll need to work 37-45 hours a week and undergo training.

You will need a level 3 NVQ/Electrical qualification to work as an electrician.

A college course that you can take in the evening can cost around £7,000.

There is also the option to do an apprenticeship, earning £24,000 per year.

Kitchen Assistant - £33,028 per year

Do you enjoy cooking? Then working as a kitchen assistant may be an ideal option for you.

This job involves preparing food, cleaning, and organizing meals at events.

You can earn an average of about £33,000 per year, and you can apply for this position without prior experience.

Most likely, you will need a food safety certificate, which costs between £10 and £30 and can be obtained in a day.

Fundraiser for Charity - £32,098 per year

Imagine changing careers and doing work that benefits society. Fundraising positions in charities are in demand and pay around £32,000 per year.

This job is similar to sales, so you need excellent communication skills and the ability to build relationships.

Formal qualifications for working as a fundraiser are not mandatory, but experience in the field will be advantageous as competition is high.

In the past 12 months, there were only 655 job openings for fundraisers in the UK.

If you lack experience in sales or customer service, you can gain it by volunteering at a local charity while working at your main job.

Commercial Representative - £30,807 per year

Do you think you have the gift of persuasion? Why not try a job in sales?

This position pays an average salary of £30,000 per year, but many offers provide more, along with the opportunity to earn commissions.

Work hours may vary, and you may need to work at events to close deals, but many people greatly enjoy this job.

Accountant - £30,744 per year

If you like numbers, transitioning to an accountant position might be the perfect option. Accountants manage financial records and assist in preparing reports.

You will need strong attention to detail and problem-solving skills.

Accountants collaborate with financial analysts to prepare financial documents.

The average salary is around £18,000, while experienced accountants can earn £35,000 or more.

A degree is not mandatory, but having qualifications in finance or accounting will help in securing a job.

Retail Assistant - £29,902 per year

From working at the checkout to stocking shelves and customer service – does working in retail suit you?

Typically, the workweek lasts 37-42 hours, with starting salaries around £19,000 that can rise to about £29,000 per year.

If you are sociable, eager to help, and enjoy working in a fast-paced environment, this is a good option.

Care Assistant - £28,347 per year

Working in the care system is a cornerstone of society, and there are many vacancies for this role.

This is hard work, but if you are caring and diligent, it may be for you. The position brings great satisfaction but can be emotionally draining, so weigh the pros and cons before applying.

You can earn over £28,000 per year, but you typically work between 35-40 hours a week, including evenings and weekends.

No qualifications are needed for this position. If you have cared for a friend or family member, this also counts as experience.

Customer Service Consultant - £27,355 per year

Do you think you are good at problem-solving? Working with customers requires people who are willing to communicate and ready to help resolve issues.

You can work in a call center or directly with customers, for example in a store.

This job requires strong communication and organizational skills.

The average salary exceeds £27,000, and over the past year, more than 15,700 vacancies have been reported.

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