No Degree, No Problem
The Fastest Path to $80K
Case Study #2 — TheMoneyZoo.com
Education · Career Transitions · No-Degree Paths
Sixty-four percent of American adults don’t have a bachelor’s degree.
If you’re one of them, every career article you’ve ever read probably felt like it was written for someone else. “Get your MBA.” “Complete your bachelor’s.” “Leverage your university network.” Cool. That’s helpful for the other 36%.
This one’s for you.
Not because you’re broken. Not because you made a mistake. Because the system was designed around a path you didn’t take, and nobody bothered to draw you a map for the path you’re actually on. Until now.
| At a Glance | |
| Who This Is For | Anyone without a bachelor's degree earning under $45K — retail workers, food service, warehouse, administrative, or anyone who skipped college and feels stuck |
| The Problem | 64% of U.S. adults don't have a bachelor's degree, yet degree requirements still gatekeep most $80K+ jobs — despite 52% of job postings not mentioning education at all |
| The Opportunity | 55% of companies removed degree requirements in 2023. Certifications, apprenticeships, and proof-of-skill paths now lead to $80K–$150K+ careers in tech, trades, sales, and project management |
| Paths Covered | Tech (Certifications) · Skilled Trades (Apprenticeship) · Tech Sales (SDR → AE) · Project Management (Google → PMP) |
| Investment Range | $0–$2,000 depending on path (vs. $100,000+ for a bachelor's degree) |
| Timeline to $80K | 12–36 months depending on path and hustle |
| Key Stat | Certified professionals earn an average of $12,000–$20,000 more per year than non-certified peers (Global Knowledge / CompTIA) |
The Landscape Has Shifted — But Not as Much as the Headlines Claim
Here’s the good news: companies are waking up. In 2023, 55% of U.S. companies removed bachelor’s degree requirements from at least some positions. As of January 2024, 52% of job postings on Indeed didn’t mention any formal education requirement at all — up from 48% in 2019. The software development sector alone saw an 8.4 percentage-point drop in degree requirements over five years.
Here’s the catch: removing a requirement from a job posting doesn’t mean the hiring manager changed their mind. A 2024 study from Harvard Business School and the Burning Glass Institute found that fewer than 1 in 700 actual hires benefited from companies dropping degree requirements. That’s 0.14%. Companies changed their marketing. They didn’t change their behavior.
So what do you do?
You make the degree irrelevant. You stack certifications, build proof, accumulate experience, and walk into the interview with so much evidence of competence that your education section becomes the least interesting thing on your resume.
Here are four paths that get you to $80K or more — no degree, no debt, no permission needed.
Four Paths to $80K: The Head-to-Head
Every path below is real. People are doing this right now. The question isn’t which path is “best” — it’s which path matches the way you actually work.
| Category | Tech (Certifications) |
Skilled Trades (Apprenticeship) |
Tech Sales (SDR → AE) |
Project Management (Google → PMP) |
| Entry Role | Help Desk / IT Support Specialist | Apprentice Electrician, HVAC Tech, or Elevator Installer | Sales Development Rep (SDR) at SaaS company | Project Coordinator / Jr. Project Manager |
| Starting Salary | $45,000–$55,000 | $35,000–$45,000 (paid training) | $45,000–$55,000 base + commission | $50,000–$60,000 |
| $80K Timeline | 18–30 months (with Security+ or AWS cert) | 3–5 years (journeyman status) | 12–18 months (OTE with commission) | 24–36 months (with PMP certification) |
| Ceiling (10 yr) | $120,000–$180,000+ (Cloud Architect / Security Engineer) | $90,000–$150,000+ (Master Electrician / Own shop) | $150,000–$300,000+ (Enterprise AE / Sales Director) | $120,000–$180,000+ (Sr. PM / Program Manager) |
| Upfront Cost | $500–$1,500 (certs + study materials) | $0 (earn while you learn) | $0 (companies train on the job) | $234–$555 (Google cert) + $555 (PMP exam) |
| Work Style | Remote/hybrid options common | On-site, physical work | Remote-friendly, phone/video heavy | Remote/hybrid, office environments |
| Key Credential | CompTIA Security+ / AWS Solutions Architect | Journeyman License / Union Card | Track record of quota attainment | PMP Certification |
| Best For | Problem-solvers who like logic and systems. Introverts welcome. | People who like working with their hands and want union stability. | Competitive, high-energy communicators who want uncapped income. | Organizers who keep things on track and like managing timelines. |
| AI Risk | Low–Medium (security and cloud remain human-critical) | Very Low (physical work, can't be automated) | Medium (AI assists but relationships still close deals) | Medium (AI handles scheduling, humans handle stakeholders) |
Path 1 Deep Dive: The Tech Certification Stack
This is the fastest path for most people because it requires no prior experience, no physical relocation, and no employer to say yes before you start. You can begin tonight.
The Google IT Support Certificate is the entry point. At ~$49/month on Coursera (or free with financial aid), it takes 3–6 months at 10 hours per week. It’s designed for complete beginners. Google reports that 75% of graduates see a positive career outcome within six months — a new job, promotion, or raise. Over 150 companies, including Deloitte, T-Mobile, Wells Fargo, and Google itself, actively recruit certificate holders.
But the Google certificate is the door, not the destination. The real money is in the stack.
| The Certification Stack: From $0 to $80K+ | |||||
| Phase | Certification | Cost | Study Time | Role It Unlocks | Salary Range |
| Phase 1: Get In (Months 1–6) |
Google IT Support Certificate | ~$234 ($39/mo × 6) |
3–6 months | Help Desk / IT Support Specialist | $45,000–$55,000 |
| CompTIA A+ (optional, strengthens resume) | ~$530 (2 exams) |
2–3 months | Same — but stands out more in competitive markets | $50,000–$65,000 | |
| Phase 2: Level Up (Months 6–18) |
CompTIA Security+ | ~$404 (exam fee) |
2–4 months | SOC Analyst / Jr. Security Analyst / DoD roles | $70,000–$84,000 |
| AWS Cloud Practitioner | ~$100 (exam fee) |
4–8 weeks | Cloud Support / Jr. Cloud Engineer | $60,000–$80,000 | |
| Phase 3: Break Through (Months 18–36) |
AWS Solutions Architect – Associate | ~$150 (exam fee) |
2–4 months | Cloud Engineer / Solutions Architect | $100,000–$135,000 |
| OR: CISSP / CEH (Cybersecurity track) | ~$749 (CISSP exam) |
3–6 months | Security Engineer / Pen Tester | $108,000–$155,000 | |
| Total Investment (Tech Path) | $888–$2,167 | 18–36 months | Help Desk → Cloud/Security Engineer | $45K → $135K+ | |
| Sources: CompTIA 2025 pricing, AWS Certification page, Google Career Certificates / Coursera, ZipRecruiter salary data, Global Knowledge IT Skills & Salary Report | |||||
The key insight: certified professionals earn an average of $12,000–$20,000 more per year than non-certified peers, according to Global Knowledge and CompTIA. AWS-certified professionals specifically earn an average of $112,000 across all certification levels, with a reported 27% salary increase after certification. The investment-to-return ratio on this path is absurd.
How to Pay for This on a $35K Salary
The number one objection: “I can’t afford it.” Let’s kill that right now.
| The Financing Play: How to Pay for This on a $35K Salary | |
| Coursera Financial Aid | Apply for Coursera's financial aid on any Google Certificate — approval rate is high, can cover up to 100% of the subscription cost. Takes 15 days to process. You may pay $0 for the Google cert. |
| Speed = Savings | Coursera charges ~$49/month. Finish the Google certificate in 3 months instead of 6 and you save $147. Hustle directly reduces cost. |
| Free Study Materials | Professor Messer (CompTIA A+, Security+, Network+) — entire video courses free on YouTube. CompTIA CertMaster labs supplement for hands-on practice. |
| Employer Tuition Reimbursement | Once employed in IT, many employers cover certification costs under Section 127 ($5,250/year tax-free). Get hired first at Help Desk, then use employer money to fund Security+, AWS, and beyond. |
| CompTIA Academic Discount | Students and military personnel qualify for discounted CompTIA exam vouchers — often 50% off standard pricing. |
| AWS Free Tier + Training | AWS offers free training through aws.training and a 12-month Free Tier for hands-on lab practice. Cloud Practitioner exam is only $100. Study materials are free. |
| Apprenticeship Path = Get Paid to Learn | Trade apprenticeships (electrician, HVAC, elevator) pay $35K–$45K while training. Zero tuition. Union programs often provide tools and materials. You earn from Day 1. |
| The Real Math | Bachelor's degree: $100,000+ in debt, 4 years, no income while studying. Certification path: $888–$2,167 total, 18–36 months, earning income the entire time. Net difference: $150,000+ in your favor when you factor in earnings + zero debt. |
The 10-Year Math
Let’s map what this looks like over a decade. This uses the tech certification path as the example — the same math applies directionally to trades, sales, and PM paths.
| 10-Year Career Progression: Tech Certification Path | ||||
| Year | Role | Credential Earned | Salary | Cumulative Earnings |
| 0 | Retail / Food Service / Warehouse | None | $32,000 | $32,000 |
| 1 | Help Desk / IT Support | Google IT Support + CompTIA A+ | $50,000 | $82,000 |
| 2 | Systems Administrator / SOC Analyst | CompTIA Security+ / Network+ | $72,000 | $154,000 |
| 3 | Cloud Engineer / Security Analyst | AWS Solutions Architect – Associate | $95,000 | $249,000 |
| 4 | Sr. Cloud Engineer / Sr. Security Analyst | AWS Solutions Architect – Professional | $115,000 | $364,000 |
| 5 | Cloud Architect / Security Engineer | CISSP or AWS Security Specialty | $135,000 | $499,000 |
| 6–7 | Lead Architect / Engineering Manager | Experience + leadership track | $150,000 | $799,000 |
| 8–10 | Director of Engineering / Principal Architect / Consulting | Portfolio of certs + proven results | $165,000–$200,000+ | $1,350,000+ |
| From $32K retail to $1.35M+ cumulative earnings in 10 years — with zero student debt and under $2,200 in total certification costs. | ||||
That’s the power of stacking. Not one big leap — a series of calculated steps, each one funded by the last.
The Reality Check
TheMoneyZoo doesn’t sell fairy tales. If we’re going to show you the opportunity, we’re going to show you the landmines too. Here’s what the clickbait articles won’t tell you.
| The Reality Check: What the Headlines Won't Tell You | |
| The Headline | The Reality |
| "55% of companies dropped degree requirements" | True — but Harvard/Burning Glass found fewer than 1 in 700 actual hires benefited. Removing a requirement from a job posting doesn't mean hiring managers changed their minds. Your job is to make it impossible to ignore you anyway. |
| "Google certificates lead to $80K+ jobs" | Google reports 75% positive career outcomes — but that includes raises and promotions, not just new jobs. The certificate alone won't get you hired. The certificate plus a portfolio plus applied experience will. |
| "Cybersecurity has 0% unemployment" | The field has 4 million unfilled jobs globally. But those jobs want experienced professionals, not just certified ones. This is why you start at Help Desk (Year 1), build real skills on the job, and cert up into security (Year 2–3). No one hires a SOC Analyst with zero IT experience. |
| "You can skip the degree entirely" | For certain paths — absolutely. Tech certifications, trades, and sales don't need degrees. But at the senior level, some companies still gate promotions behind education. The play: use employer tuition reimbursement to stack a degree after you're already earning $80K+, if you need it. Let them pay for it. |
| "Trade apprenticeships pay $100K+" | Top earners do. The median elevator installer makes $106K. But it takes 4–5 years of apprenticeship to get there, the work is physically demanding, and availability varies by region and union. This is a marathon, not a shortcut — just a different marathon than college. |
| "Tech sales reps make $150K+" | Top Account Executives do. But you start as an SDR making 200+ cold calls a day. Most SDRs burn out within 12–18 months. The ones who survive and promote to AE can absolutely hit six figures. This path rewards resilience, not credentials. |
| TheMoneyZoo doesn't sell fairy tales. Every path here works — but none of them are easy. The difference between $35K and $135K isn't talent. It's the decision to start, the discipline to continue, and the strategy to stack. | |
Your 6-Month Plan
No more research. No more “I’ll start Monday.” Here’s exactly what to do, starting this week.
| 6-Month Action Plan: From Stuck to $80K Track | ||
| Timeline | Action | Details |
| Week 1 | Pick your path | Use the Head-to-Head table above. Be honest: Do you want remote/desk work (Tech, PM), physical/hands-on (Trades), or high-income/competitive (Sales)? Don't pick what sounds coolest — pick what matches how you actually work. |
| Week 2 | Enroll + start studying | Tech path: Sign up for Google IT Support Certificate on Coursera ($49/mo or apply for financial aid). Trades: Search apprenticeships at apprenticeship.gov and contact your local IBEW/UA hall. Sales: Apply to SDR roles on LinkedIn (search "SDR no degree"). PM: Enroll in Google Project Management Certificate. |
| Weeks 3–8 | Study 10 hours/week — no exceptions | Block 2 hours/day, 5 days/week. Before work, after work, weekends — doesn't matter. Consistency beats intensity. Track your hours. If you miss a day, double up the next. This is your second job until it becomes your only job. |
| Month 3 | Finish first credential + build proof | Tech: Complete Google IT cert. Set up a home lab (old laptop + VirtualBox). Document everything on GitHub or a blog. PM: Complete Google PM cert. Build a sample project plan. Sales: If already in SDR role, hit quota. If still applying, practice cold outreach — email 10 companies directly. |
| Month 4 | Start applying + begin next cert | Update resume — lead with certifications and projects, not education. Apply to 10+ Help Desk / IT Support roles per week. Simultaneously begin CompTIA A+ or Security+ study using Professor Messer (free on YouTube). Don't wait until you feel "ready" — apply now. |
| Month 5 | Land the entry role | Target: Accept a Help Desk, IT Support, SDR, or Project Coordinator offer at $45K–$55K. This is a stepping stone, not a destination. Day one, ask about tuition reimbursement and professional development budgets. Use company money to fund your next cert. |
| Month 6 | Stack the next credential | While working your new job, study for Security+ (cybersecurity path) or AWS Cloud Practitioner (cloud path). Get employer to pay for the exam. Apply what you're learning at work — volunteer for security reviews, cloud migration tasks, anything outside your job description. This is how you build the resume for the $80K jump in 12–18 months. |
| The Rule: Never stop stacking. Every 6–12 months, add a credential. Every credential moves you up. The people who hit $150K in this field aren't smarter — they just didn't stop. | ||
The Bottom Line
There are 108 million adults in the United States without a bachelor’s degree. Most of them have been told — explicitly or implicitly — that their ceiling is lower because of it.
That’s a lie.
The ceiling isn’t set by a piece of paper. It’s set by what you can prove. And in 2026, there are more ways to prove yourself than at any point in history. A $234 Google certificate, a $404 CompTIA exam, a free YouTube course, and 10 hours a week of discipline can take you from $32K to $135K in 5 years.
Not because the system is fair. It isn’t. But because the system has cracks. And the people who find those cracks — who stack credentials, build proof, and refuse to wait for permission — those are the people who end up on the other side of the paywall.
Pick your path. Start this week. Stack everything. And never stop.
— Scot Free
