10 High-Paying Professional Licenses That Don't Require a Degree
March 3, 2026 · HowToGetLicensed Team
You don't need a four-year degree to earn a great living. Dozens of licensed professions offer median salaries above $50,000 with minimal formal education — some require zero pre-license hours in certain states. We analyzed all 49 professions across 50 states to find the best-paying licenses you can get without a college degree.
Top 10 No-Degree Licenses by Salary
| # | Profession | Median Salary | Min. Education | Lowest Cost | Cheapest State |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cpa | $79,880/yr | 150 hrs | $1,850 | Arkansas |
| 2 | Insurance Adjuster | $75,020/yr | 0 hrs | $575 | Illinois |
| 3 | Contractor | $74,720/yr | 0 hrs | $125 | Idaho |
| 4 | Mortgage Loan Officer | $69,990/yr | 20 hrs | $1,200 | Arkansas |
| 5 | Home Inspector | $63,770/yr | 0 hrs | $2,000 | Colorado |
| 6 | Electrician | $61,590/yr | 0 hrs | $225 | Colorado |
| 7 | Plumber | $61,550/yr | 0 hrs | $125 | New Hampshire |
| 8 | Real Estate Appraiser | $61,340/yr | 150 hrs | $4,200 | Arkansas |
| 9 | Insurance Agent | $59,080/yr | 0 hrs | $275 | Colorado |
| 10 | Real Estate Broker | $55,530/yr | 40 hrs | $750 | Arkansas |
Detailed Breakdown
1. Cpa
In Arkansas, you can get licensed with as few as 150 hours of education for as little as $1,850. No college degree needed — just the required training and exams. View full Arkansas guide →
2. Insurance Adjuster
In Illinois, you can get licensed with no mandatory education for as little as $575. No college degree needed — just the required training and exams. View full Illinois guide →
3. Contractor
In Idaho, you can get licensed with no mandatory education for as little as $125. No college degree needed — just the required training and exams. View full Idaho guide →
4. Mortgage Loan Officer
In Arkansas, you can get licensed with as few as 20 hours of education for as little as $1,200. No college degree needed — just the required training and exams. View full Arkansas guide →
5. Home Inspector
In Colorado, you can get licensed with no mandatory education for as little as $2,000. No college degree needed — just the required training and exams. View full Colorado guide →
6. Electrician
In Colorado, you can get licensed with no mandatory education for as little as $225. No college degree needed — just the required training and exams. View full Colorado guide →
7. Plumber
In New Hampshire, you can get licensed with no mandatory education for as little as $125. No college degree needed — just the required training and exams. View full New Hampshire guide →
8. Real Estate Appraiser
In Arkansas, you can get licensed with as few as 150 hours of education for as little as $4,200. No college degree needed — just the required training and exams. View full Arkansas guide →
9. Insurance Agent
In Colorado, you can get licensed with no mandatory education for as little as $275. No college degree needed — just the required training and exams. View full Colorado guide →
10. Real Estate Broker
In Arkansas, you can get licensed with as few as 40 hours of education for as little as $750. No college degree needed — just the required training and exams. View full Arkansas guide →
How We Defined "No Degree"
We included professions where the minimum pre-license education requirement across all 50 states is 200 hours or fewer and the average total cost is under $10,000. These are practical career paths where you can realistically get licensed through short training programs, self-study, or on-the-job preparation — no bachelor's or associate's degree needed.
What to Consider
While these professions don't require a degree, many still require passing an exam, completing a background check, or gaining practical experience. Requirements vary significantly by state — use our state-by-state guides to find the exact requirements for your location.
If you're optimizing for return on investment, check our Best ROI Professional Licenses analysis. For the fastest path to earning, see Fastest Professional Licenses.