The 13+ Easiest Jobs That Pay $100K or More in 2024! (2024)

If you're looking for the easiest jobs that pay $100K or more, you're in luck. There are plenty of $100K+ jobs out there that exist. Many of these high paying jobs don't even require a college degree, so you won't have to worry about making the wrong choice and pursuing a useless degree.

In this article, discover 13+ surprisingly easy six-figure jobs. Read about what the job entails, its requirements, and salary. You'll also learn about the skills and experience required for the job and more.

Let's get to it.

8 Easiest Jobs That Pay 100K Without a Degree

With a recession looming in 2023, many people are seeking ways to protect themselves, and a high-salary job is a reliable approach to achieving that goal.

There are many high-earning careers that pay a six-figure salary. Many don't require a college degree and that's what we'll cover in this section. You'll find careers in various industries like tech, publishing, and sales. But they'll all have one thing in common.

No degree is required!

1. Web Developer

A web developer is someone who creates and maintains websites. They also work with content management systems (CMS), manage and execute updates, and more.

Web development is a skill that can be self-taught. It's one of the easiest jobs for technically-savvy people who know how to code.

This job is also perfect for people who are introverted, and enjoy working independently, behind a computer and desk. It's also one of the best work-from-home job options that exist.

Web developers should have strong analytical and problem-solving skills. Having strong communication skills and interpersonal skills is also helpful. You should be comfortable working with people, as this can be a client-driven position that requires heavy one-on-one interaction with others.

Not surprisingly, the web development industry is one of the fastest-growing tech jobs. It's expected to grow by 23% by 2031, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is one of the highest paying jobs, with web developers earning up to $127,000/year or more.

2. Airline Pilot

Airline pilots fly aircraft like private and commercial airplanes to destinations around the world. While flying planes isn't traditionally what you'd consider an easy job, you can work as an airplane pilot with no college degree. This is why this job made the list.

As an airline pilot, your work will include:

• Conducting pre-flight and post-flight checks
• Operating aircraft controls during flights
• Communicating with air traffic control
• Working alongside other flight crew

While a college degree isn't required to become a pilot, you will need extensive training and experience and be licensed by the Federal Aviation Administration before landing this six-figure job.

Airline pilots earn an average salary of around $103,000/year.

3. Editor

Editors work in the publishing industry and review written content prior to publication. Editing is one of the easiest jobs that pay $100K for people who love to write, have strong attention to detail, and have a critical eye.

As an editor, you'll review content to ensure it is well-written, easily readable, accurate, and free of errors in grammar and spelling.

• Review a variety of documents like articles, reports, marketing documents, etc (check out the best document review software here).
• Ensure documents meet the style guide
• Collaborating with the publishing team, including writers, other editors, and management

Although editing jobs don't require a high school diploma or college degree, you will need experience, including:

• Strong grammar and language skills
• Be able to proofread
• Be adaptable
• Have knowledge of style guides

Overall, this is one of the best-paying publishing jobs you can get.

Top editors earn an average salary near $100K per year.

4. Sales Representative

A sales representative is an agent that sells products for a company. Sales reps exist in many different industries, from healthcare to tech, communications, real estate, pharmaceuticals, etc. This is one of the best jobs that pay well without a degree for people strong in sales.

In general, your role will include:

• Educating yourself about the products you're selling
• Present products to customers
• Generate leads and close product sales

You'll also work closely with customers, explaining product features and upselling as needed (see upselling vs cross-selling here).

Sales rep jobs are high-earning in many industries, like technical sales, real estate, and pharmaceuticals. The salary structure usually includes a mix of base pay, commissions, and bonuses. Top sales representatives can go on to become sales managers or hold another leadership position.

Top sales representatives earn up to $132,000/year or more.

5. Real Estate Agent

Real estate agents represent buyers and sellers to help them buy, lease, or sell property. This includes residential or commercial real estate.

For example, a real estate agent can help a family rent an apartment in their area. They can also help a homeowner sell their property and represent a company that wants to buy or lease commercial real estate space.

U.S. News ranks realtors in the top 20 of the highest-earning careers without a degree, although you will need to pass your state's real estate license exam.

This high-paying job is usually commission-driven, but some real estate agent jobs are salaried. Your salary will vary based on your sales skills and the area you serve.

For example, South Carolina real estate agents average nearly $64,000/year, while Maryland real estate agents fetch an average salary above $102,000/year. A real estate broker can potentially earn more.

And there are plenty of ways to get creative with real estate. Shaun Martin makes six figures per year with SEO real estate opportunities from his website!

Real estate agents average $116,000/year, according to Glassdoor.

6. Software Developer

A software developer designs and maintains software applications. This is a coding-intensive position, but coding is a high-income skill you can teach yourself. So, software development is a career that a college degree isn't necessarily needed for.

This is one of the easiest jobs that pay $100K for people who are:

• Critical thinkers with excellent problem-solving skills
• Experienced with coding
• Technically talented with technical expertise or technical background

If you don't have technical talents but enjoy learning, including the challenge of discovering new skills, software development could be an excellent career to pursue.

Some of your tasks as a software developer may include:

• Writing code using programming languages
• Work alongside other software developers to build websites and applications
• Collaborating with other members of the software development team

Top software developers earn up to $150,000+ per year.

7. Video Editor

Video editors prepare videos to get them ready for publication. This is one of the easiest jobs that pay $100K for creative, technically-savvy people. This is also great if you are a quick study and enjoy learning and playing around with software. If you have these skills specifically, video editing is a career to consider looking into.

The kinds of videos that need editing can be:

• Social media videos
• Sales or promotional videos
• TV commercials
• Short films
• Music videos

Video editing is a high-income skill that can be self-taught. A college degree isn't necessarily required to earn a $100K income from this profession.

Your tasks as a video editor can vary based on your job and may include:

• Cutting, trimming, and editing video
• Audio selection
• Adding visual effects, transitions, and other effects
• Arranging footage
• Making revisions based on client feedback, as needed

When video editing, your role is to take raw, unedited video and turn it into a polished, final video.

Top video editors earn over $100K per year.

Take a look at our article on video production company name ideas for inspiration in naming your video editing or production venture.

8. SEO Specialist

SEO specialists work with companies to help them improve their visibility in search engines. When companies work with SEO specialists, they want to show up on page one of Google. This high search engine ranking can increase web traffic, attract their target audience, and be seen online.

SEO is a very lucrative industry. Top SEO specialists earn well above six figures in pay every year. Marcus Clarke earns up to $100K/month from his SEO services.

SEO specialists can work for companies or run their own businesses as SEO consultants or strategists and/or monetize websites with SEO and affiliate marketing.

While a college degree isn't required to work in SEO, having the training and education under your belt to work in this field will be needed to achieve success. I recommend checking out the Affiliate Lab training program by Matt Diggity. It gives you a blueprint for ranking, monetizing, and flipping websites.

Affiliate Lab students have achieved some really incredible results, with even seasoned affiliate marketers learning new tips and tricks from this training.

Go to Affiliate Lab to learn more.

6 Easiest Jobs That Pay 100K With a Degree

Plenty of easy 100K careers exist without needing a college degree. Here are six of the easiest jobs that pay $100K with a degree. If you have an associate degree, bachelor's degree, or higher, these easy six-figure jobs might catch your eye.

9. HR Manager

HR (Human Resources) managers oversee a company's HR department. This can involve:

• Staffing and recruitment
• Preparing and maintaining HR policies
• Developing, maintaining, and administering compensation and benefits packages
• Compliance and record keeping

HR managers play a major role in managing a company's workforce and HR policies. You need a bachelor's degree or higher to work as an HR manager. You'll also need skills and experience like a background working in human resources, excellent communication skills, and being well-organized and detail-oriented.

HR managers can expect to earn up to nearly $140,000/year or more.

10. Marketing Manager

Marketing managers oversee and manage a company's marketing efforts.

In this role, you'll have a strong understanding of how to create and manage results-driven marketing strategies that help your organization reach its goals.

This can include:

• Identifying target markets and other market research
• Creating and executing marketing campaigns
• Overseeing and managing the marketing team
• Brand management
• Collaborating across multiple teams within the organization, as needed

There are a variety of different marketing manager jobs available. Some examples are digital marketing managers, brand managers, and marketing communications managers.

A marketing manager in a specialized field like email marketing can potentially earn more than a marketing manager that's not specialized.

But, shifts in pay can also happen based on industry, location, and other factors.

Overall, marketing management is a good field for creative thinkers with leadership skills and also strong communication skills. It's a growing field as well, projected to achieve 10% growth by 2031.

Marketing managers need to hold a bachelor's degree and they earn up to $114,000 or more per year.

11. Air Traffic Controller

Air traffic controllers are responsible for moving and managing air traffic, guiding planes and aircraft.

They also are responsible for:

• Separating air traffic
• Providing pilots with up-to-date weather and airspace information
• Monitoring radar and other relevant systems
• Responding to emergency situations (and check out these emergency service names)

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, air traffic controllers need an associate's or bachelor's degree. They also need to successfully complete training from the FAA Academy and satisfy other requirements.

Air traffic controllers earn up to $105,000 or more per year.

12. Accountant

Accountants work in financial management within organizations or independently, running their own businesses. They report, record, and analyze financial data. When working as an accountant, you might do various accounting activities like budgeting, forecasting, financial planning, and taxes.

Some of their key duties include:

• Preparing financial statements like income statements, balance sheets, etc.
• Financial analysis
• Tax preparation
• Budgeting and forecasting

Landing a specialized accounting job may require more education, training, and experience but is likely to include a higher salary.

Some examples include:

• CPA
• Forensic accounting
• Tax accounting
• Management accounting

You'll need a minimum of a bachelor's degree to work as an accountant. In some cases, a graduate degree and/or certification might be required.

According to ZipRecruiter, the highest-paid accounting jobs earn up to $370,000/year!

13. Public Relations Specialist

Public Relations Specialists are responsible for managing the brand image and reputation of their company. When companies want to create a positive image in the public eye, they turn to PR specialists.

The job duties can include:

• Creating and distributing press releases
• Reputation management
• Media relations
• Event planning
• Content creation

PR specialists generally require a bachelor's degree in communications, business, or a related field. You'll also want to be a strong communicator with excellent writing and editing skills.

According to this source, PR specialists' salaries can vary based on the industry they serve. Top PR specialists earn up to $150,000 or more but,

For example, a PR specialist's salary in the airline industry will vary greatly from working in PR in the accounting or tourism industries.

14. Property Manager

Property managers manage and maintain real estate properties.

This is one of the easiest jobs that pay $100K for people who enjoy working with others and are diligent and well-organized.

As a property manager, your work plays a major role in the success of the property.

Your goal is to ensure the property remains profitable and well-maintained and make sure tenants are happy.

Property managers have job tasks like:

• Tenant management
• Property marketing and promotion
• Property maintenance
• Lease compliance

Some property manager jobs only require a high school diploma, but many require at least a four-year college degree.

To become a property manager, employers are looking for candidates with experience in real estate or leasing. You'll also need to be technically proficient and knowledgeable about property maintenance and repairs. When searching for property manager jobs, you might find that some areas require additional licensing or certification.

Soft skills that are helpful to have include:

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Leadership abilities
• Critical thinking
• Problem-solving skills

Top property managers can earn over $150,000/year.

What is the Easiest Job that Pays Over 100K?

The easiest jobs that pay $100K or more are going to be non-degreed careers. College is a big commitment. It also takes time, a big effort, and sacrifice to spend four years or longer in school. The hope is to land a great high-paying job after graduating college, but that's not guaranteed.

If you want to choose the easiest path to a $100K job, choose careers where a college degree isn't needed.

This saves you at least four years of your time so you can dive right into the job market.

Today, college isn't necessarily needed to work in a successful, high-earning career. Making money without a degree has never been easier, so unless you want to go to college for other reasons, you might consider skipping it altogether.

Although focusing on high-paying jobs where a college degree isn't a requirement may be the easier path, keep in mind other requirements and experience might exist to offset the lack of college education.

Building your skills, gaining experience, and becoming more seasoned in your career and industry are all factors that come into play with securing a $100K job (check out our list of jobs that can make you rich and our article about low-stress high-paying jobs).

Easiest Jobs that Pay $100K | Bottom line

As you can see, surprisingly, there are a variety of easy jobs paying over $100K with or without a degree. This just goes to show how large and diverse the job market is. It also highlights how skills and experience go a long way in securing a high-paying six-figure job.

Overall, it's great to see that easy 100K jobs do exist in the job market.

In your quest to find the easiest jobs that pay $100K, I hope this list gave you some ideas of potential careers to pursue.

Which $100K job are you going for?