13 jobs that don't require a college degree — and won't be replaced by AI

If you think most Americans finish college, think again.

Going to college is an American rite of passage. But not everyone goes to college, and many students never make it to graduation. Among Americans ages 25 and over, only 38% are college graduates, according to the Education Data Initiative.

A new report from the resume-writing service Resume Now identifies 13 careers that offer good pay and long-term stability, and that don’t require a college degree. Better still, none of the jobs is likely to be replaced by AI.

The analysis “focused on three or four fears that people have right now,” said Keith Spencer, a career expert at Resume Now. Americans worry about potential signs of a softening job market. They’re concerned about the cost of college, and whether a degree is still worth it. And workers in many fields fear that AI – or robots, or other nonhuman hands – might sweep in to replace them.

Despite the slow creep of automation, many fields still require the human touch. To build out this list, Resume Now found careers that require only a high school diploma, that pay at least $50,000 a year, and that represent growing fields with high-demand skills. The report draws on Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

“They sort of all have some similarities, in terms of the need for significant human interaction,” Spencer said. “Maybe they require manual dexterity in unpredictable environments, or high levels of creativity.”

The list comes in two parts: Jobs with relatively low AI risk, and positions with “moderate” AI risk, based on the need for human decision-making, manual labor, personal interactions and other factors.

Some of the jobs listed below require “a level of relevant experience,” Resume Now reports. But none, apparently, requires a college degree.

Here’s the list, including job descriptions for less familiar positions, and median salaries for all.

According to Resume Now, these careers offer a good income and strong job security, because they require skills that go well beyond the capabilities of AI.

Forest fire inspectors and prevention specialists

Job description: Judge fire hazards, investigate wildfire causes and enact prevention strategies.

Why it’s AI-resistant: Fire prevention requires humans in the field and cannot be entirely automated.

Median pay: $71,420 a year

Flight attendants

Why it’s AI-resistant: AI can’t serve meals. In-flight customer service requires a human touch.

Median pay: $68,370 a year

Lodging managers

Job description: Think “White Lotus.” Oversee lodging operations, manage the staff and keep the guests happy.