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An increasing number of companies are no longer requiring college degrees for many positions, focusing on skills rather than just education.
Hook Agency analyzed 34 coveted skills in 11 industries across global job markets to determine the 10 in-demand job skills that do not require a college degree. The data came from Indeed job postings, Glassdoor salary information and Udemy, with each skill receiving a score based on job demand, earning potential and training accessibility, to determine an “in-demand skills score” out of 100.
Trade in the finance and business industries ranks as the top skill that does not require a degree. This skill is featured in 179,000 job postings, has an earning potential of $270,281 and is linked to 10,000 online course certificate opportunities.
Read more: Tech workers don’t need degrees to be successful
Other top skills include leadership in the manufacturing and construction industries, as well as sales in the retail and customer service industries. Leadership appears in 1,210,000 job postings, has an earning potential of $118,311 and 5,482 online course certificate opportunities. Sales is featured in 520,000 job postings, has an earning potential of $150,392 and 8,978 online course certificate opportunities.
“The trend we’re seeing is a win-win situation for both employers and employees,” Tim Brown, founder of Hook Agency, said in a release. “Companies that hire based on skills rather than degrees gain access to a wider talent pool and often find more innovative, adaptable team members. These self-taught professionals typically show higher motivation and bring fresh perspectives to traditional business challenges.”
Read more about the in-demand job skills that don’t require a college degree.
Jobs that don’t require a college degree
| Rank | Skills | In-demand skills score |
Job postings |
Average salaries |
Online course certificates available |
| 10 | Web and app development |
44.24 | 22,000 | $94,722 | 10,000 |
| 9 | Personal training and fitness |
44.26 | 70,000 | $82,776 | 10,000 |
| 8 | UI/UX design |
46.69 | 2,000 | $122,357 | 10,000 |
| 7 | Data analysis | 46.72 | 48,000 | $110,966 | 10,000 |
| 6 | Project management | 50.86 | 61,000 | $145,753 | 10,000 |
| 5 | Coaching | 53.34 | 383,000 | $102,657 | 9,489 |
| 4 | AI | 53.37 | 53,000 | $170,832 | 10,000 |
| 3 | Sales | 60.61 | 520,000 | $150,392 | 8,978 |
| 2 | Leadership | 64.47 | 1,210,000 | $118,311 | 5,482 |
| 1 | Trading | 67.66 | 179,000 | $270,281 | 10,000 |