No-Degree Tech Paths: How to Break Into Tech Without a Bachelor’s
At a Glance
| Path | Technology — IT Support, Web Development, Cybersecurity |
| Timeline to $75K+ | 2–5 years |
| Education required | No bachelor's required — certifications, associate's, or self-taught |
| Starting point | Help desk, IT support, junior web developer |
| Best for | Problem-solvers who like figuring things out, don't want to sit in a classroom for four more years, and want to get paid while they learn |
There’s a myth that tech careers require a computer science degree from a four-year university. It’s a useful myth — for universities. But the data tells a different story.
The median annual wage for computer and IT occupations was $105,990 in May 2024, more than double the median for all occupations (BLS). And several of the fastest-growing roles in that group don’t require a bachelor’s degree to get started.
This isn’t about shortcuts. It’s about side doors — the same concept we talk about in every Blueprint. The front door says “CS degree required.” The side door says “show me what you can do.”
What Do No-Degree Tech Jobs Actually Pay?
All data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2024.
Web Developer (15-1254)
• Entry (bottom 10%): $48,560
• Median: $90,930
• Top 10%: $162,870
• Job growth: 7% (2024–2034) — much faster than average
• Education: Ranges from high school diploma to bachelor’s — varies by employer
Computer Network Support Specialist (15-1231)
• Entry (bottom 10%): $46,010
• Median: $73,340
• Top 10%: $124,470
• Education: Associate’s degree or equivalent certification
Computer User Support Specialist (15-1232)
• Entry (bottom 10%): $38,780
• Median: $60,340
• Top 10%: $98,010
• Education: Some college, associate’s degree, or certification
• Openings: ~50,500 per year
Software QA Analyst/Tester (15-1253)
• Entry (bottom 10%): $60,690
• Median: $102,610
• Top 10%: $166,960
• Education: Bachelor’s typical, but portfolio and skills increasingly accepted
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, May 2024
Notice the pattern: the entry points are accessible, and the ceilings are high. A web developer in the top 10% is earning $162K — without a degree requirement.
Three No-Degree Paths That Actually Work
Path 1: IT Support → Systems/Network Admin → Cybersecurity
This is the most proven no-degree pipeline in tech. You start at the help desk, learn how systems actually work, then specialize.
The ladder:
• Year 1–2: Help Desk / IT Support Specialist ($45–60K)
• Year 2–4: Systems Administrator or Network Support ($65–85K)
• Year 4–7: Network Administrator or Security Analyst ($85–125K+)
Every company needs IT support. It’s the “staff accountant of tech” — not glamorous, but it’s how you learn the machinery. And cybersecurity is growing 29% over the next decade (BLS), with a median salary of $124,910.
The credential stack:
1. Google IT Support Certificate or CompTIA A+ (entry)
2. CompTIA Network+ (networking)
3. CompTIA Security+ (security — also DoD-approved for government IT jobs)
4. Optional: CCNA, AWS Cloud Practitioner, or CISSP as you advance
Path 2: Web Development (Self-Taught or Bootcamp)
Web development is one of the few six-figure tech careers where the BLS literally says education requirements range from “high school diploma to bachelor’s degree.” What matters is your portfolio — can you build things that work?
The ladder:
• Year 1: Junior Web Developer or Freelance ($45–60K)
• Year 2–3: Mid-Level Web Developer ($65–90K)
• Year 4+: Senior Developer or Full-Stack ($90–130K+)
Employers increasingly hire based on demonstrated skill, not diplomas. A strong GitHub portfolio and the ability to solve problems in an interview matter more than where (or whether) you went to school.
The learning path:
1. HTML, CSS, JavaScript (free — freeCodeCamp, The Odin Project)
2. A framework (React is the current standard)
3. Build 3–5 real projects for your portfolio
4. Optional bootcamp if you want structure ($10–20K, 12–16 weeks)
Path 3: Cloud/Data Support → Cloud Engineering
Cloud computing is eating the IT world, and the major providers (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud) all offer certification programs that don’t require degrees. Companies need people who can manage cloud infrastructure, and they’re willing to train the right candidates.
The ladder:
• Year 1–2: Cloud Support Associate or Data Center Technician ($50–65K)
• Year 2–4: Cloud Administrator ($75–95K)
• Year 4+: Cloud Engineer or Architect ($110–150K+)
The credential stack:
1. AWS Cloud Practitioner ($150 exam)
2. AWS Solutions Architect Associate or Azure Administrator
3. Terraform, Kubernetes certifications as you specialize
What Certifications Actually Matter?
Not all certifications are created equal. Here’s where to put your money.
| Certification | Cost | Time | What It Opens |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google IT Support Certificate | $150–300 (Coursera) | 3–6 months | Entry-level IT support; also preps for CompTIA A+ |
| CompTIA A+ | ~$530 (two exams) | 2–4 months prep | Industry standard for IT support; 89% employer recognition |
| CompTIA Security+ | ~$404 | 2–3 months prep | Cybersecurity entry; required for many government IT roles |
| AWS Cloud Practitioner | ~$150 | 1–2 months prep | Entry into cloud careers; shows you understand the platform |
| freeCodeCamp / Odin Project | Free | 6–12 months | Web development portfolio; no credential, but the work speaks |
Rule of thumb: If a certification costs more than $1,000 and you’re just starting out, it’s probably not the right one yet. Start cheap, prove yourself, then invest in advanced credentials when an employer will pay for them — and many will.
How Long Does It Take to Earn $75K+ Without a Degree?
Realistic range: 2–5 years
Faster if you:
• Start in IT support and stack certifications while employed
• Live in or target remote roles from high-paying metros (DC, Seattle, SF)
• Specialize early in cybersecurity or cloud — both have talent shortages
• Build a portfolio (web dev) or a home lab (IT/networking) that demonstrates skill
Slower if you:
• Stay at the help desk without adding certifications
• Skip the portfolio and rely on credentials alone
• Avoid networking and mentorship
• Wait for permission instead of building proof
Is a No-Degree Tech Path Right for You?
Good for people who:
• Learn by doing, not by sitting in lectures
• Like solving puzzles and troubleshooting
• Are comfortable being self-directed
• Want to start earning sooner rather than spending four years in school
• Don’t mind that you’ll need to prove yourself harder at the beginning
Not ideal if you:
• Want to work in AI/ML research, data science, or specialized engineering — those roles still lean heavily on degrees
• Aren’t willing to study outside of work hours, at least initially
• Need structured, instructor-led environments to learn effectively
• Want the credential to do the work for you — in no-degree tech, the portfolio is the credential
The Honest Trade-Off
Let’s not pretend there’s no cost to skipping the degree. There is.
Some companies — especially large, traditional corporations and government contractors — still filter resumes by education. You will lose some opportunities. Early-career job searches may take longer. You’ll need to outperform degree-holders in interviews because your resume won’t have the same safety net.
But here’s the math most people don’t do: a four-year CS degree costs $40,000–$120,000 and four years of lost full-time income. A certification stack plus two years of work experience costs $1,000–$5,000 and earns you $90,000–$120,000 while you’re building credentials.
The degree isn’t worthless — but it’s not the only door. And for many people, it’s not even the best one.
Your First Step This Week
If you’re starting from zero: Sign up for the Google IT Support Certificate on Coursera. It’s $49/month, self-paced, and prepares you for the CompTIA A+ exam. You can finish in 3–6 months while working your current job.
If you’re already in a non-tech job: Look for internal IT support openings at your current company. Internal transfers are the easiest side door in any industry — the same principle from the Finance Blueprint applies here.
If you’re already in IT support and stuck: Identify one specialization (security, cloud, networking) and earn one certification in that area within 90 days. That’s the move that separates “help desk forever” from “six-figure trajectory.”
Stop debating which path. Pick one. Start.
The Scot Free Take
Here’s what the tech industry figured out before most other industries did: they don’t care where you learned it. They care that you know it.
Sixty percent of tech hiring managers now prioritize demonstrable skills over degrees. Not because they’re being generous — because they learned that a CS degree doesn’t guarantee someone can actually fix a server, ship clean code, or secure a network.
That’s good news if you’re willing to do the work without the degree. The side doors in tech are wider than almost any other industry.
But let me be direct: “no degree required” doesn’t mean “no work required.” It means the work looks different. Instead of four years of lectures and tuition payments, it’s six months of certification prep after your day job. It’s building a home lab on a Saturday. It’s applying to roles you feel underqualified for and learning to survive the “no.”
The people who make this path work aren’t smarter than the people with degrees. They’re just willing to prove it a different way.
The tech industry will let you in without a diploma. But it won’t let you in without proof.
Build the proof.
— Scot Free
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