Graphic designers
Turn ideas into logos, layouts, and brands people remember.
$61,300/yrHigh school portfolio + training | Certificate or Associate in Design (common) | Bachel…→ Limited Growth
← Back to Art & Design
Careers Without a Required Four-Year Degree
Paths you can start through certificates, apprenticeships, or on the job.
Art directors
Good fit if you …like learning by doing (projects).
$111,040/yrHigh school portfolio + training | Certificate or Associate in Design (common) | Bachel…↗ Steady
UX designers
Good fit if you ...enjoy solving problems and working toward measurable outcomes.
$82,500/yrCertificate or Associate degree | Bachelor's degree in related field | Master's or adva…⇧ Strong
Web and digital interface designers
Good fit if you …like learning by doing (projects).
$98,090/yrHigh school portfolio + training | Certificate or Associate in Design (common) | Bachel…↗ Steady
Special effects artists and animators
Good fit if you …like learning by doing (projects).
$99,800/yrHigh school portfolio + training | Certificate or Associate in Design (common) | Bachel…→ Limited Growth
3D Artist
3D Artists create three-dimensional digital models, environments, and animations for video games, films, advertising, a…
$62,000/yrHigh school portfolio + training | Certificate or Associate in Design (common) | Bachel…⇧ Strong
Digital Artist
Digital Artists create visual art using digital tools and software for a wide range of media including games, marketing…
$58,000/yrHigh school portfolio + training | Certificate or Associate in Design (common) | Bachel…↑ Above Average
Fine artists, including painters, sculptors, and illustrators
Good fit if you …like learning by doing (projects).
$60,560/yrHigh school portfolio + training | Certificate or Associate in Design (common) | Bachel…↓ Declining
Photographers
Good fit if you …like learning by doing (projects).
$42,520/yrPortfolio/reel + project experience | Certificate/Associate in Media Production (common…→ Limited Growth
Film and video editors
Good fit if you …like learning by doing (projects).
$70,980/yrTraining programs/workshops | Associate/Bachelor’s in Performing Arts (optional) | Port…↗ Steady
Camera operators, television, video, and film
Good fit if you ...enjoy solving problems and working toward measurable outcomes.
$68,810/yrCertificate or Associate degree | Bachelor's degree in related field | Master's or adva…→ Limited Growth
Commercial and industrial designers
Good fit if you …like learning by doing (projects).
$79,450/yrHigh school portfolio + training | Certificate or Associate in Design (common) | Bachel…↗ Steady
Interior designers
Good fit if you …like learning by doing (projects).
$63,490/yrHigh school portfolio + training | Certificate or Associate in Design (common) | Bachel…↗ Steady
Fashion designers
Good fit if you …like learning by doing (projects).
$80,690/yrHigh school portfolio + training | Certificate or Associate in Design (common) | Bachel…→ Limited Growth
Set and exhibit designers
Good fit if you …like learning by doing (projects).
$66,280/yrHigh school portfolio + training | Certificate or Associate in Design (common) | Bachel…→ Limited Growth
Creative Director
Creative Directors lead the visual and creative strategy for brands, campaigns, and media projects.
$138,000/yrHigh school portfolio + training | Certificate or Associate in Design (common) | Bachel…↗ Steady
Craft artists
Good fit if you …like learning by doing (projects).
$38,480/yrHigh school portfolio + training | Certificate or Associate in Design (common) | Bachel…→ Limited Growth
Makeup artists, theatrical and performance
Good fit if you …like learning by doing (projects).
$50,280/yrHigh school portfolio + training | Certificate or Associate in Design (common) | Bachel…↑ Above Average
Cartographers and photogrammetrists
Good fit if you …like learning by doing (projects).
$78,380/yrHigh school portfolio + training | Certificate or Associate in Design (common) | Bachel…↗ Steady
Designers, all other
Good fit if you …like learning by doing (projects).
$66,220/yrHigh school portfolio + training | Certificate or Associate in Design (common) | Bachel…→ Limited Growth
Artists and related workers, all other
Good fit if you …like learning by doing (projects).
$72,760/yrHigh school portfolio + training | Certificate or Associate in Design (common) | Bachel…→ Limited Growth
Photographic process workers and processing machine operators
Good fit if you …like learning by doing (projects).
$40,100/yrHigh school portfolio + training | Certificate or Associate in Design (common) | Bachel…↓ Declining
Floral designers
Good fit if you …like learning by doing (projects).
$36,120/yrHigh school portfolio + training | Certificate or Associate in Design (common) | Bachel…↓ Declining
Public relations managers
Good fit if you …like learning by doing (projects).
$138,520/yrPortfolio of writing samples | Associate/Bachelor’s in Communications/Journalism/Englis…↗ Steady
Public relations specialists
Good fit if you …like learning by doing (projects).
$69,780/yrPortfolio of writing samples | Associate/Bachelor’s in Communications/Journalism/Englis…↗ Steady
Writers and authors
Good fit if you …like learning by doing (projects).
$72,270/yrPortfolio of writing samples | Associate/Bachelor’s in Communications/Journalism/Englis…↗ Steady
Interpreters and translators
Good fit if you …like learning by doing (projects).
$59,440/yrPortfolio of writing samples | Associate/Bachelor’s in Communications/Journalism/Englis…→ Limited Growth
Proofreaders and copy markers
Good fit if you …like learning by doing (projects).
$49,210/yrPortfolio of writing samples | Associate/Bachelor’s in Communications/Journalism/Englis…↓ Declining
Museum technicians and conservators
Good fit if you ...enjoy solving problems and working toward measurable outcomes.
$47,460/yrCertificate or Associate degree | Bachelor's degree in related field | Master's or adva…↗ Steady
Camera and photographic equipment repairers
Good fit if you ...enjoy solving problems and working toward measurable outcomes.
$49,300/yrCertificate or Associate degree | Bachelor's degree in related field | Master's or adva…↓ Declining
Electrical and electronics drafters
Good fit if you ...enjoy solving problems and working toward measurable outcomes.
$73,720/yrCertificate or Associate degree | Bachelor's degree in related field | Master's or adva…↓ Declining
Drafters, all other
Good fit if you ...enjoy solving problems and working toward measurable outcomes.
$62,010/yrCertificate or Associate degree | Bachelor's degree in related field | Master's or adva…↓ Declining
Painting, coating, and decorating workers
Good fit if you ...enjoy solving problems and working toward measurable outcomes.
$40,860/yrCertificate or Associate degree | Bachelor's degree in related field | Master's or adva…→ Limited Growth
Tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers
Good fit if you ...enjoy solving problems and working toward measurable outcomes.
$40,860/yrCertificate or Associate degree | Bachelor's degree in related field | Master's or adva…↓ Declining
Textile, apparel, and furnishings workers, all other
Good fit if you ...enjoy solving problems and working toward measurable outcomes.
$37,010/yrCertificate or Associate degree | Bachelor's degree in related field | Master's or adva…↓ Declining
Coating, painting, and spraying machine setters, operators, and tenders
Good fit if you ...enjoy solving problems and working toward measurable outcomes.
$47,590/yrCertificate or Associate degree | Bachelor's degree in related field | Master's or adva…→ Limited Growth
Textile bleaching and dyeing machine operators and tenders
Good fit if you ...enjoy solving problems and working toward measurable outcomes.
$37,320/yrCertificate or Associate degree | Bachelor's degree in related field | Master's or adva…↓ Declining
Textile cutting machine setters, operators, and tenders
Good fit if you ...enjoy solving problems and working toward measurable outcomes.
$37,940/yrCertificate or Associate degree | Bachelor's degree in related field | Master's or adva…↓ Declining
Textile knitting and weaving machine setters, operators, and tenders
Good fit if you ...enjoy solving problems and working toward measurable outcomes.
$38,260/yrCertificate or Associate degree | Bachelor's degree in related field | Master's or adva…↓ Declining
Textile winding, twisting, and drawing out machine setters, operators, and tenders
Good fit if you ...enjoy solving problems and working toward measurable outcomes.
$37,660/yrCertificate or Associate degree | Bachelor's degree in related field | Master's or adva…↓ Declining
Pressers, textile, garment, and related materials
Good fit if you ...enjoy solving problems and working toward measurable outcomes.
$33,880/yrCertificate or Associate degree | Bachelor's degree in related field | Master's or adva…↓ Declining
Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists
Good fit if you ...enjoy solving problems and working toward measurable outcomes.
$31,870/yrCertificate or Associate degree | Bachelor's degree in related field | Master's or adva…↗ Steady
Tattoo artists
Good fit if you ...enjoy solving problems and working toward measurable outcomes.
$38,250/yrCertificate or Associate degree | Bachelor's degree in related field | Master's or adva…↗ Steady
Color specialists and colorists
Good fit if you ...enjoy solving problems and working toward measurable outcomes.
$42,100/yrCertificate or Associate degree | Bachelor's degree in related field | Master's or adva…↗ Steady
Exhibit and display fabricators
Good fit if you ...enjoy solving problems and working toward measurable outcomes.
$44,200/yrCertificate or Associate degree | Bachelor's degree in related field | Master's or adva…→ Limited Growth
Mural painters
Good fit if you ...enjoy solving problems and working toward measurable outcomes.
$41,800/yrCertificate or Associate degree | Bachelor's degree in related field | Master's or adva…↗ Steady
Ceramic and glass artists
Good fit if you ...enjoy solving problems and working toward measurable outcomes.
$36,900/yrCertificate or Associate degree | Bachelor's degree in related field | Master's or adva…→ Limited Growth
Digital illustrators
Good fit if you ...enjoy solving problems and working toward measurable outcomes.
$56,400/yrCertificate or Associate degree | Bachelor's degree in related field | Master's or adva…↗ Steady
Package designers
Good fit if you ...enjoy solving problems and working toward measurable outcomes.
$64,300/yrCertificate or Associate degree | Bachelor's degree in related field | Master's or adva…↗ Steady
Production artists
Good fit if you ...enjoy solving problems and working toward measurable outcomes.
$48,200/yrCertificate or Associate degree | Bachelor's degree in related field | Master's or adva…→ Limited Growth
Color consultants
Good fit if you ...enjoy solving problems and working toward measurable outcomes.
$52,400/yrCertificate or Associate degree | Bachelor's degree in related field | Master's or adva…↗ Steady
Mural artists
Good fit if you ...enjoy solving problems and working toward measurable outcomes.
$44,800/yrCertificate or Associate degree | Bachelor's degree in related field | Master's or adva…↗ Steady
Typography specialists
Good fit if you ...enjoy solving problems and working toward measurable outcomes.
$56,900/yrCertificate or Associate degree | Bachelor's degree in related field | Master's or adva…↗ Steady
Ceramics artists
Good fit if you ...enjoy solving problems and working toward measurable outcomes.
$41,500/yrCertificate or Associate degree | Bachelor's degree in related field | Master's or adva…→ Limited Growth
Scenic painters
Good fit if you ...enjoy solving problems and working toward measurable outcomes.
$46,200/yrCertificate or Associate degree | Bachelor's degree in related field | Master's or adva…↗ Steady
UX writers
Good fit if you ...enjoy solving problems and working toward measurable outcomes.
$78,600/yrCertificate or Associate degree | Bachelor's degree in related field | Master's or adva…⇧ Strong
Speechwriters
Good fit if you ...enjoy solving problems and working toward measurable outcomes.
$72,100/yrCertificate or Associate degree | Bachelor's degree in related field | Master's or adva…↗ Steady
Medical writers
Good fit if you ...enjoy solving problems and working toward measurable outcomes.
$82,400/yrCertificate or Associate degree | Bachelor's degree in related field | Master's or adva…↑ Above Average
Proposal writers
Good fit if you ...enjoy solving problems and working toward measurable outcomes.
$65,300/yrCertificate or Associate degree | Bachelor's degree in related field | Master's or adva…↗ Steady
Brand copywriters
Good fit if you ...enjoy solving problems and working toward measurable outcomes.
$62,800/yrCertificate or Associate degree | Bachelor's degree in related field | Master's or adva…↗ Steady
Legal writers and editors
Good fit if you ...enjoy solving problems and working toward measurable outcomes.
$74,200/yrCertificate or Associate degree | Bachelor's degree in related field | Master's or adva…↗ Steady
Podcast scriptwriters
Good fit if you ...enjoy solving problems and working toward measurable outcomes.
$55,400/yrCertificate or Associate degree | Bachelor's degree in related field | Master's or adva…⇧ Strong
Content localization specialists
Good fit if you ...enjoy solving problems and working toward measurable outcomes.
$58,900/yrCertificate or Associate degree | Bachelor's degree in related field | Master's or adva…↑ Above Average
Documentation specialists
Good fit if you ...enjoy solving problems and working toward measurable outcomes.
$67,100/yrCertificate or Associate degree | Bachelor's degree in related field | Master's or adva…↗ Steady
Social media copywriters
Good fit if you ...enjoy solving problems and working toward measurable outcomes.
$54,200/yrCertificate or Associate degree | Bachelor's degree in related field | Master's or adva…↑ Above Average
Science communicators
Good fit if you ...enjoy solving problems and working toward measurable outcomes.
$62,300/yrCertificate or Associate degree | Bachelor's degree in related field | Master's or adva…↑ Above Average
Localization specialists
Good fit if you ...enjoy solving problems and working toward measurable outcomes.
$58,900/yrCertificate or Associate degree | Bachelor's degree in related field | Master's or adva…↑ Above Average
Blog content creators
Good fit if you ...enjoy solving problems and working toward measurable outcomes.
$48,500/yrCertificate or Associate degree | Bachelor's degree in related field | Master's or adva…⇧ Strong
Legal writers
Good fit if you ...enjoy solving problems and working toward measurable outcomes.
$71,300/yrCertificate or Associate degree | Bachelor's degree in related field | Master's or adva…↗ Steady
Ghostwriters
Good fit if you ...enjoy solving problems and working toward measurable outcomes.
$55,700/yrCertificate or Associate degree | Bachelor's degree in related field | Master's or adva…↑ Above Average
Curriculum developers
Good fit if you ...enjoy solving problems and working toward measurable outcomes.
$68,400/yrCertificate or Associate degree | Bachelor's degree in related field | Master's or adva…↑ Above Average
SEO content specialists
Good fit if you ...enjoy solving problems and working toward measurable outcomes.
$57,600/yrCertificate or Associate degree | Bachelor's degree in related field | Master's or adva…⇧ Strong
Press secretaries
Good fit if you ...enjoy solving problems and working toward measurable outcomes.
$76,100/yrCertificate or Associate degree | Bachelor's degree in related field | Master's or adva…↗ Steady
Transcript editors
Good fit if you ...enjoy solving problems and working toward measurable outcomes.
$41,200/yrCertificate or Associate degree | Bachelor's degree in related field | Master's or adva…↗ Steady
Annual report writers
Good fit if you ...enjoy solving problems and working toward measurable outcomes.
$64,500/yrCertificate or Associate degree | Bachelor's degree in related field | Master's or adva…↗ Steady
Book editors
Good fit if you ...enjoy solving problems and working toward measurable outcomes.
$67,800/yrCertificate or Associate degree | Bachelor's degree in related field | Master's or adva…→ Limited Growth
Communications directors
Good fit if you ...enjoy solving problems and working toward measurable outcomes.
$82,100/yrCertificate or Associate degree | Bachelor's degree in related field | Master's or adva…↑ Above Average
Email marketing writers
Good fit if you ...enjoy solving problems and working toward measurable outcomes.
$56,300/yrCertificate or Associate degree | Bachelor's degree in related field | Master's or adva…↑ Above Average
Instruction manual writers
Good fit if you ...enjoy solving problems and working toward measurable outcomes.
$58,400/yrCertificate or Associate degree | Bachelor's degree in related field | Master's or adva…↗ Steady
White paper authors
Good fit if you ...enjoy solving problems and working toward measurable outcomes.
$72,600/yrCertificate or Associate degree | Bachelor's degree in related field | Master's or adva…↗ Steady
Political speechwriters
Good fit if you ...enjoy solving problems and working toward measurable outcomes.
$78,500/yrCertificate or Associate degree | Bachelor's degree in related field | Master's or adva…↗ Steady
Translation project managers
Good fit if you ...enjoy solving problems and working toward measurable outcomes.
$63,200/yrCertificate or Associate degree | Bachelor's degree in related field | Master's or adva…↑ Above Average
Academic journal editors
Good fit if you ...enjoy solving problems and working toward measurable outcomes.
$59,800/yrCertificate or Associate degree | Bachelor's degree in related field | Master's or adva…→ Limited Growth
Brand voice consultants
Good fit if you ...enjoy solving problems and working toward measurable outcomes.
$71,400/yrCertificate or Associate degree | Bachelor's degree in related field | Master's or adva…⇧ Strong
Crisis communication specialists
Good fit if you ...enjoy solving problems and working toward measurable outcomes.
$74,900/yrCertificate or Associate degree | Bachelor's degree in related field | Master's or adva…↑ Above Average
Content moderation managers
Good fit if you ...enjoy solving problems and working toward measurable outcomes.
$58,200/yrCertificate or Associate degree | Bachelor's degree in related field | Master's or adva…⇧ Strong
Children's book authors
Good fit if you ...enjoy solving problems and working toward measurable outcomes.
$52,100/yrCertificate or Associate degree | Bachelor's degree in related field | Master's or adva…↗ Steady
Style guide editors
Good fit if you ...enjoy solving problems and working toward measurable outcomes.
$56,400/yrCertificate or Associate degree | Bachelor's degree in related field | Master's or adva… ↗ Steady
Digital accessibility writers
Good fit if you ...enjoy solving problems and working toward measurable outcomes.
$61,800/yrCertificate or Associate degree | Bachelor's degree in related field | Master's or adva…⇧ Strong
Subtitling translators
Good fit if you ...enjoy solving problems and working toward measurable outcomes.
$48,600/yrCertificate or Associate degree | Bachelor's degree in related field | Master's or adva…↑ Above Average
Technical documentation managers
Good fit if you ...enjoy solving problems and working toward measurable outcomes.
$82,400/yrCertificate or Associate degree | Bachelor's degree in related field | Master's or adva…↗ Steady
Research report writers
Good fit if you ...enjoy solving problems and working toward measurable outcomes.
$62,200/yrCertificate or Associate degree | Bachelor's degree in related field | Master's or adva…↗ Steady
Government report writers
Good fit if you ...enjoy solving problems and working toward measurable outcomes.
$68,400/yrCertificate or Associate degree | Bachelor's degree in related field | Master's or adva…↗ Steady
Product description writers
Good fit if you ...enjoy solving problems and working toward measurable outcomes.
$44,800/yrCertificate or Associate degree | Bachelor's degree in related field | Master's or adva…↑ Above Average
Scriptwriters for educational media
Good fit if you ...enjoy solving problems and working toward measurable outcomes.
$56,200/yrCertificate or Associate degree | Bachelor's degree in related field | Master's or adva…↑ Above Average
Knowledge base authors
Good fit if you ...enjoy solving problems and working toward measurable outcomes.
$58,400/yrCertificate or Associate degree | Bachelor's degree in related field | Master's or adva…⇧ Strong
Internal communications specialists
Good fit if you ...enjoy solving problems and working toward measurable outcomes.
$64,800/yrCertificate or Associate degree | Bachelor's degree in related field | Master's or adva…↑ Above Average
Jewelers and precious stone and metal workers
Good fit if you …enjoy working with people and solving problems.
$47,100/yrHigh school diploma + apprenticeship (common) | Certificate or Associate (design) | On-…→ Limited Growth