13 Jobs That Don’t Require a College Degree and Are Resistant to AI Replacement
In today’s uncertain job market, many Americans are concerned about the cost of college and the threat of automation replacing human workers. However, a new report from Resume Now highlights 13 careers that offer good pay, long-term stability, and low risk of being replaced by AI – all without requiring a college degree.
According to Keith Spencer, a career expert at Resume Now, the analysis focused on addressing common fears about job security and the value of a college education. The report identified careers that require only a high school diploma, pay at least $50,000 annually, and are in growing fields with high-demand skills. These jobs share common characteristics such as the need for significant human interaction, manual dexterity in unpredictable environments, or high levels of creativity.
Jobs with Low AI Risk
These careers offer strong job security and good income because they require skills beyond AI’s capabilities.
-
Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists: $71,420/year Judge fire hazards, investigate wildfire causes, and enact prevention strategies. Fire prevention requires humans in the field and can’t be entirely automated.
-
Flight Attendants: $68,370/year AI can’t serve meals or provide in-flight customer service, which requires a human touch.
-
Lodging Managers: $65,360/year Oversee lodging operations, manage staff, and keep guests happy. Personal interactions and problem-solving are essential.
-
Electricians: $61,590/year Electrical work requires a human presence for installation and maintenance.
-
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters: $61,550/year Plumbing involves unpredictable work that AI-controlled robots can’t fully handle.
-
Industrial Machinery Mechanics: $61,170/year Maintaining mechanical systems requires real-time problem-solving by humans.
-
Chefs and Head Cooks: $58,920/year Recipe development and food preparation require creativity and a human touch.
-
Hearing Aid Specialists: $58,670/year Hands-on patient care and handling hearing aids can’t be automated.
-
Personal Service Managers: $57,570/year Overseeing wellness programs, event planning, or luxury concierge services requires personal interactions and emotional intelligence.
Jobs with Moderate AI Risk
These careers involve tasks that could potentially be automated but currently still rely on human judgment and adaptability.
-
Maintenance Workers, Machinery: $61,170/year Complex repairs require real-time problem-solving by humans.
-
Insurance Sales Agents: $59,080/year While AI can handle some underwriting tasks, personal service is still essential.
-
Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors: $58,920/year Human supervisors are needed to handle unexpected situations.
-
Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers: $56,430/year Installing and troubleshooting these systems requires human expertise.
These careers demonstrate that there are still many opportunities for individuals without college degrees to secure well-paying and stable jobs that are resistant to AI replacement. The key is finding roles that require human skills such as creativity, problem-solving, and personal interaction.
