10 High-Paying, New-Collar Jobs of 2025

A traditional college degree isn’t the only way to land a well-paying job. In 2025, people are breaking into high-paying careers by developing practical skills — like completing a certification, learning online, or gaining experience directly in the field.

We analyzed job data to spotlight 10 new-collar roles that often don’t require a four-year diploma but still offer high pay and flexible work options.

If you’re exploring new job options or thinking about changing careers, this list is for you.

What is a new-collar job?

New-collar jobs are roles that don’t always require a traditional four-year degree. These jobs often focus on practical skills and experience, rather than formal education, and are common in fields like tech, business, and operations.

At Resume Genius, we defined new-collar jobs as being accessible and built for long-term career growth. The ones we’ve included here meet a few key criteria: they pay over $100,000, don’t involve heavy physical labor, and are less likely to be replaced by AI. All of these roles also offer remote or hybrid work options.

Top 10 new-collar jobs that pay well

Below are 10 jobs that can be pursued without a college degree, as long as you have the right experience or training.

1. Marketing manager

• Median annual salary: $159,660
• Education requirement: No four-year degree required
• Estimated job growth (2023–2033): 8%
• AI job takeover risk: 39%

What these professionals do

Marketing managers oversee campaigns that help companies grow their reach and connect with the right audience. They often work with manage budgets and teams as well as shape strategy across digital platforms.

How to become one

Many people move into this role after gaining experience in areas like social media management or search engine optimization (SEO). A strong portfolio, paired with solid referrals or industry contacts, can help you stand out to employers.

2. Human resources manager

• Median annual salary: $140,030
• Education requirement: No four-year degree required
• Estimated job growth (2023–2033): 6%
• AI job takeover risk: 24%

What these professionals do

Human resources (HR) managers shape how companies hire, support, and manage their people. They’re involved in everything from building teams to navigating workplace policies and helping organizations stay compliant with labor laws.

How to become one

It’s common for people to enter HR from other fields like administration, customer service, operations, or education. Many start in coordinator or recruiting roles, then grow into HR management by gaining experience and earning HR certifications such as the aPHR or SHRM-CP.

To move into leadership over time, it helps to combine real-world experience with up-to-date legal knowledge, all while growing a strong professional network.

3. Sales manager

• Median annual salary:$138,060
• Education requirement: No four-year degree required
• Estimated job growth (2023–2033): 6%
• AI job takeover risk: 33%

What these professionals do

Sales managers lead teams that drive revenue for a company. They often set sales targets and coach team members on their performance to help meet business goals. In some roles, sales managers also help shape sales strategy or manage relationships with key clients.

How to become one

Many professionals work their way up from sales rep or account executive positions. Being successful in this field relies heavily on communication, leadership, and the ability to motivate others.

While some companies prefer a degree, a strong track record and deep product knowledge often matter more when it comes to getting hired.

4. Computer network architect

• Median annual salary: $130,390
• Education requirement: No four-year degree required
• Estimated job growth (2023–2033): 13%
• AI job takeover risk: 39%

What these professionals do

Computer network architects plan and build the networks that connect computers and systems so organizations can communicate and share data.

These networks can support anything from a small office to a global business. They also test network performance and fix issues to keep everything running securely.

How to become one

While many job listings mention a bachelor’s degree, it’s possible to break into this field without one, especially if you have hands-on experience and a strong understanding of network systems.

Some professionals start out as network technicians or support specialists, then work their way up by earning certifications like the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) or CompTIA Network+.

5. General and operations manager

• Median annual salary: $129,330
• Education requirement: No four-year degree required
• Estimated job growth (2023–2033): 6%
• AI job takeover risk: 36%

What these professionals do

General and operations managers are responsible for keeping businesses running smoothly by manage its resources and overseeing multiple teams or departments.

How to become one

People often move into this role after gaining experience in project management, team leadership, or operations support. Strong organizational skills, good decision-making, and the ability to manage across functions are key. Many professionals work their way up internally or transition from related fields, especially if they’ve shown they can lead and deliver results.

6. Information security analyst

• Median annual salary: $124,910
• Education requirement: No four-year degree required
• Estimated job growth (2023–2033): 33%
• AI job takeover risk: 49%

What these professionals do

Information security analysts protect a company’s digital systems and data. They look for vulnerabilities and respond to threats to help keep networks secure against cyberattacks.

How to become one

It’s possible to break into this field through self-study, online courses, or IT certifications like CompTIA Security+ or Google’s Cybersecurity Certificate. Starting in an entry-level IT or help desk role can also help you build the skills needed to transition into security.

If you’re detail-oriented and comfortable troubleshooting tech issues, this is a fast-growing career worth exploring.

7. Sales engineer

• Median annual salary: $121,520
• Education requirement: No four-year degree required
• Estimated job growth (2023–2033): 6%
• AI job takeover risk: 38%

What these professionals do

Sales engineers help companies sell complex products by combining technical knowledge with strong communication skills. They explain how products work and work closely with sales teams and customers throughout the buying process.

How to become one

People often move into this role after working in sales, customer support, or tech-focused jobs where they’ve had to explain products clearly. If you’re good at breaking down how things work and enjoy talking with people, this role could be a great fit.

You can become a sales engineer without a degree, but it usually takes time and effort to build up the right experience. Certifications can help, but what stands out to most employers is your ability to connect with customers and explain complex ideas in a simple, helpful way.

8. Health service manager

• Median annual salary: $117,960
• Education requirement: No four-year degree required
• Estimated job growth (2023–2033): 29%
• AI job takeover risk: 26%

What these professionals do

Health services managers handle the business side of healthcare. They help clinics, hospitals, or private practices run efficiently by coordinating schedules within different departments and keeping up with changing healthcare regulations.

How to become one

It’s common for professionals to move into this role after working in medical offices or administrative positions. If you’ve helped run the front desk at a clinic, handled billing, or supported healthcare teams in any capacity, you’re likely familiar with many of the responsibilities.

Getting certified in healthcare administration or learning electronic health record (EHR) systems can also help you grow into the role.

9. Art director

• Median annual salary: $111,040
• Education requirement: No four-year degree required
• Estimated job growth (2023–2033): 5%
• AI job takeover risk: 34%

What these professionals do

Art directors set the visual tone for campaigns, branding projects, and creative teams. They manage designers, guide concepts, and ensure the final work aligns with the client’s vision — whether for ads, packaging, websites, or editorial layouts.

How to become one

Reaching this level usually takes years of experience in design or creative production. Most art directors start out as designers and take on more responsibility as they prove they can lead projects and teams. A polished portfolio, consistent creative output, and the ability to give clear, actionable feedback matter more than where you went to school.

It’s not an entry-level job, and breaking in can take time, especially without formal credentials, but it’s possible through persistence and a solid track record.

10. Construction manager

• Median annual salary: $106,980
• Education requirement: No four-year degree required
• Estimated job growth (2023–2033): 9%
• AI job takeover risk: 13%

What these professionals do

Construction managers plan and supervise building projects. They’re responsible for timelines, budgets, and making sure work is done safely and correctly. While they’re often on-site, they don’t usually do the physical labor themselves.

How to become one

This role is often a step up from hands-on construction work. Many people get there after years of experience as a foreman or crew lead. Certifications in project management or safety can help, but leadership and organizational skills matter most.

How to land a high-paying new-collar job

Most new-collar roles don’t require a four-year degree, but they do require proof that you can do the job. Here’s how to make yourself a strong candidate:

1. Earn certifications that match the job you want

Certifications show employers that you’ve learned the skills needed for the role — even if you haven’t worked in the field yet. Choose a certification that’s well-known in the industry you’re targeting.

For instance, the Google Cybersecurity Certificate can help you get started in IT security, and the aPHR can be useful for entry-level HR roles. These programs are often available online and take less time than a college degree.

2. Volunteer or freelance to gain hands-on experience

Offering your skills to a local business, nonprofit, or startup can help you apply what you’ve learned in real situations.

You could offer to organize inventory for a local nonprofit using Google Sheets, help a small business set up email campaigns, or support a friend’s e-commerce store with customer service. These small projects build your portfolio and give you examples to talk about in interviews.

3. Build a portfolio

A portfolio gives hiring managers a concrete look at what you can do. If you’re in marketing, include sample campaigns or content you created.

If you’re in IT, show how you helped solve technical problems. Even basic projects, like setting up a home network or writing a short case study, can show that you understand the work and can explain it clearly.

4. Reach out to people in the field for advice

Informational interviews are a great way to learn how others got their start and what they recommend. You can also ask these professionals about the tools they use daily or what helped them get their first break.

These conversations can lead to referrals or mentorship and help you avoid common mistakes when breaking into the field.

Methodology

The Resume Genius research team used data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Outlook Handbook to identify the highest-paying occupations that align with new-collar job criteria. We focused on roles with a median annual salary of at least $100,000, a positive projected job growth rate between 2023 and 2033, and minimal physical labor based on the job description.

To further refine our list, we excluded jobs with an automation risk above 50%, using data from the “Will Robots Take My Job?” third-party tool and external research on AI and its impact on the workforce. We also reviewed job listings on Indeed to assess whether these roles are commonly available in remote or hybrid settings.

To assess how accessible these roles are to candidates without a four-year degree, the Resume Genius research team reviewed BLS education data, official job descriptions, and online career forums. This research helped finalize our list of the 10 highest-paying occupations that met all outlined criteria.

Sources

• AIHR, “How To Get an HR Certification Without a Degree [In 2025]”
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), “Occupational Outlook Handbook”
• Will Robots Take my Job? “Will Robots Take My Job?”

About Resume Genius

Since 2009, Resume Genius has combined innovative technology with leading industry expertise to simplify the job hunt for people of all backgrounds and levels of experience.

Resume Genius’s easy-to-use resume builder and wide range of free career resources, including resume templates, cover letter samples, and resume writing guides, help job seekers find fulfilling work and reach their career goals. Resume Genius is led by a team of dedicated career advisors and HR experts and has been featured in The New York Times, Forbes, CNBC, and Business Insider.

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