How to grow to six-figure jobs in tech without a degree

It is no secret that many tech roles offer competitive compensation. When you pursue specializations within the tech industry, earning a six-figure salary is attainable and quite common in areas like cybersecurity, networking and tech management roles. With so many jobs that pay well without a degree, you have what it takes to find the right fit for your goals.

However, it will take some time, a thoughtful plan for success and the right tech certifications to help you land your first six-figure role. Knowing what to expect and positioning yourself with the right skills and tech training are essential to helping you launch and advance into a high paying tech career.

How to launch your tech career and boost your income

All tech professionals started somewhere. Some were new college graduates while others were career switchers. There are many other successful tech pros who are in high paying jobs without a degree or prior tech experience. No matter where you fall on this spectrum, you have what it takes to land a six-figure tech job. Knowing where you're starting on your journey to a high-paying job is important. This will help you determine whether you need to build up your experience or whether you should start specializing in a specific part of technology.

Build your foundational knowledge

There are many jobs that pay well without experience. When you land an entry-level role in tech, you'll continue building your skillset to gain experience. As you gain this experience, taking the time to improve your foundational knowledge and gain advanced-level skills can help you move up to higher-paying roles both in and outside your organization.

If you don't have a tech degree or no degree at all, you can still land an entry-level role to begin building up your experience. This will allow you to pursue careers that don't require a degree. To meet market needs for entry-level tech roles like Help-Desk and IT Technician, you'll need to know foundational skills covered in CompTIA core certifications like CompTIA A+, Network+, and others.

Specialization and advanced skills are the new college degree

Some of the best occupations without a degree and careers that earn six figures are ones that require advanced-level skills. Over the past couple of years, employers have been more relaxed with the four-year degree requirement on job postings. Taking its place is a skills requirement in which candidates must validate they have the right technical skills for certain jobs. These skills are becoming more clearly defined in the job description. The CompTIA Workforce and Learning Trends Report 2024 highlights that 49% of HR professionals say that a skills-based hiring approach is effective.

Employees in high-paying tech roles generally have a specialized skill set or have gained advanced skills. For example, specialization in Cyber Information Security, Cloud Computing Engineer and Data Mining yield median annual earnings of $100,000+. Some of the other best professions without a degree include web developers, software developers, and many others. When you advance your skills, and become an expert in your role, you can increase your earnings potential.

Fortunately, advancing your technical skillset is something that can be done quickly and cost-effectively. Many new and experienced tech professionals turn to CompTIA advanced certifications to validate they have the skills employers want. Learn how you can elevate your technical skillset when you explore the CompTIA Xpert Series.

From entry to expert: You can grow in tech faster than you think

While there are many tech careers that pay well without a degree, having a six-figure career in tech will take some time. However, with the right skills and experience, you can move from being a novice to an expert in your field much faster than you think. Apply these tips as you plan your path towards high paying careers without a degree

Gain experience and improve your technical skills

If you are new to tech or have a degree but need to build up your skillset and experience, becoming an entry-level role like Computer Support Specialists (often referred to as a help desk technician) can be a great place to start. These professionals earned a median annual salary of $58,000 in 2023 according to CompTIA Career Explorer.

Many employers in high-paying tech roles have worked as help desk technicians for one to years to build their knowledge in computer operations. Having this foundational knowledge will position you for success in more specialized, high-paying roles like Software Engineer, Cybersecurity Analyst,Network Specialist, Data Analyst, and Data Science.

Specialize with the right certifications

The keys to landing a high-paying role in tech with a short turnaround time are experience and specialization. When you have built up your experience in an entry-level role, it's time to elevate your skills through specialization.

You might be thinking, "Well which tech path should I specialize in?" Use the CompTIA Career Path Planning Tool to explore different areas of tech and gain insight into what the day-to-day operations of that role might look like and how your interests and current skills align with that role. You can also learn about rapidly growing, high demand roles in Data Analytics and others.

Leverage your existing skills to land a high paying tech job

If you are a career switcher or have a degree in an entirely different field, you have valuable transferrable skills that can help you land a high-paying tech job. Soft skills like communication, problem-solving and adaptability are essential skills that many high-paying tech roles require. These tech roles often lie in supervisory or management positions like IT Project Management. Consider your current skill set and explore different high-paying, non-technical tech roles.

Capitalize on the growing demand for tech roles

When you have experience under your belt and specialized skills, it's time to move strategically in your pursuit of a high-paying tech job, whether it's with tech companies, the government, or some other organization. There are many ways to advance in your tech career and earn a higher salary. The following are some effective tips you can implement today.

Grow within your company

If you are currently in an entry-level tech role, look within your company to see if there are opportunities for growth. A growing number of employers are investing in their current workforce to close the skills gap. CompTIA's Workforce and Learning Trends 2024 report details that 55% of HR professionals say their budget for internal training and development is set to increase. 88% of employers also say they are supportive of skills development and training for their staff. As an employee, you can acquire relevant skills that will help you advance in your career while you're still working and without the need to go back to school.

Look for opportunities in other organizations

If there is no upward growth in your current organization, make a move to an organization that offers these opportunities. One of the best ways to do this is by making a lateral move into a role that pays higher than your previous one.

Set realistic career growth goals

You won't land a high paying job if you don't have the right skills. This is where a plan of action is imperative. Write down annual goals that you want to achieve in your tech career. These goals should be realistic and be part of pathway that will help you qualify for a high-paying tech role.

If you don't have any tech skills or experience, your goal should be to gain foundational skills for an entry-level position. You can do this with CompTIA core skills certifications. If you are already in tech, it's time to specialize and plan out your pathway to a higher paying tech role.

Plan your tech career with support from CompTIA

As a global leader in skills training and tech certification, CompTIA has helped tech professionals of all backgrounds build the skills they need to land a high-paying tech role. Find the right certification to help you gain specialized skills when you dive into the CompTIA Career Roadmap.