Respecting Jobs That Don’t Require a College Degree | RealClearMarkets

America is running out of skilled workers. Across industries, businesses are struggling to fill high-paying roles that don’t require a college degree—jobs that are essential to keeping the country running. Yet, we continue to push students and workers toward expensive degrees, even as AI and automation reshape the labor market in ways a diploma alone won’t fix.

We don’t need executives at Davos to tell us what’s already painfully obvious—our country has spent decades devaluing the very jobs that keep our economy strong. While world leaders debate the “future of work,” millions of unfilled jobs in AI-resistant, six-figure careers remain overlooked. Instead of chasing degrees that may not guarantee financial security, workers and students should be pursuing the careers that actually offer it. Making sure these career paths are widely accessible, respected, and well-supported isn’t just a workforce issue—it should be a national priority.

The demand for skilled trades has never been higher, yet these jobs have been overlooked for far too long. Electricians, power grid specialists, and industrial technicians are not just fixing wires and pipes—they are building and maintaining the backbone of our modern economy. As the U.S. transitions to renewable energy, the need for workers who can install and maintain advanced power systems is skyrocketing. Unlike office jobs that AI could eventually replace, these roles require problem-solving, adaptability, and deep technical knowledge—skills no algorithm can replicate. Many of these professionals earn six figures, often with their own businesses, and unlike their college-educated peers, they are not burdened by student loans. This isn’t just an opportunity for young people; it’s an opening for mid-career workers seeking stability in a changing job market.

Healthcare is another field where AI can assist but not replace the human touch. Among the most stable and well-paying roles are registered nurses and physical therapy assistants—both of which are essential to patient care and do not require a four-year degree. Registered nurses provide hands-on treatment, monitor patient conditions, and make critical, real-time decisions that technology cannot. Many enter the field through two-year associate degree programs, earning competitive salaries, with experienced nurses in specialized roles often making six figures. Physical therapy assistants, meanwhile, work directly with patients recovering from injuries and surgeries, guiding them through rehabilitation with expertise and encouragement. No AI tool can replicate the adjustments, motivation, and hands-on support a therapist provides. With a two-year degree, physical therapy assistants can earn salaries that, in some settings, near six figures, with strong job growth projected as America’s aging population increases demand for rehabilitation services. These roles underscore a fundamental truth: while AI may assist, it cannot replace the human presence required in patient care, healing, and recovery.

Then there’s cybersecurity—a field that is expanding rapidly, with salaries to match. Every day, hackers attempt to infiltrate hospitals, banks, and government networks, and cybersecurity analysts are the first—and often only—line of defense. These professionals protect billions of dollars in assets, anticipate new threats, and act as digital bodyguards for entire industries. While AI can assist in detecting attacks, it cannot outthink a hacker. Many of today’s top cybersecurity professionals don’t have a college degree; they have industry certifications that can be earned in months rather than years. And their salaries? Well into six figures, with companies in constant competition to hire the best talent. For those looking to break into tech but reluctant to take on more student debt, cybersecurity is one of the most promising pathways.

Yet despite the financial opportunity, these careers remain undervalued. We have spent decades glorifying college degrees while dismissing skilled trades, technical careers, and hands-on professions as lesser options. That needs to change. If we want to build a stronger workforce, we need to restore dignity and prestige to jobs that don’t require a four-year degree. That starts with shifting our culture—how we talk about these jobs, how we celebrate success, and how we shape the aspirations of future generations. A six-figure electrician should be viewed with the same respect as a software engineer. A cybersecurity analyst with industry certifications should be celebrated as much as a graduate from an Ivy League school. Until we elevate these roles in our national consciousness, we will continue to push students into unnecessary debt while ignoring some of the most critical, AI-resistant careers of the future.

This effort requires more than just individual action. Businesses must take the lead in changing hiring practices. More major companies—including Google, Tesla, and Siemens—are shifting to skills-based hiring, meaning that experience, certifications, and apprenticeships can be just as valuable as a degree. But businesses must go further. Employers across industries should expand paid apprenticeship programs, invest in workforce development partnerships, and actively recruit talent from alternative training pathways. Instead of requiring degrees by default, companies should clearly define the skills needed for high-paying roles and create structured opportunities for workers to acquire them. If businesses want to close labor shortages and build a competitive workforce, they must take the lead in reshaping how talent is hired, trained, advanced, and most importantly, perceived.

K-12 educators and parents also have a role to play. Schools must stop treating college as the only measure of success. Career and technical education programs should be expanded, and students should be exposed to alternative pathways early. Instead of defaulting to four-year college prep, high schools should guide students toward a broad range of options, including apprenticeships, vocational training, and certification-based careers. Parents, too, need to shift their mindset. Many students don’t even know these careers exist. Encouraging hands-on learning, connecting with local training programs, and challenging outdated stigmas about skilled professions can set the next generation up for success without unnecessary debt.

The U.S. is already facing a severe labor shortage in high-paying fields that don’t require degrees. Employers are desperate for skilled professionals across industries. The jobs are there. The money is there. The only question is whether we will give these careers the respect—and investment—they deserve.