Have you drowned yourself in Netflix after graduating high school? Netflix can’t silence the small voice in the back of your head that asks you about your uncertain future. But I have the sorcerer’s stone for Lord Voldemort in your turban – high school diploma jobs!
Yes, your high school diploma can be your Hogwarts letter, opening up a magical world full of career opportunities. Opt for a job as a stop-gap that may become the first step for a future business. Or, choose for gigs that let you clock in from your sofa.
If you’re ready to level up a little and grab a few extra points, you can add extra certification mojo for a high-paying job with high school diploma. So, get ready – because I have the perfect career guide for you.
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Top 5 High School Diploma Jobs That Need No Other Skills
So you’ve completed your high school diploma. I understand the urge to indulge in some bed rotting while you figure things out. But, why waste your time when you can earn from low-stress jobs with a high school diploma and no experience?
Whether you’re a recent graduate or have stepped out of school a while ago, these are perfect for you. These entry level high school diploma jobs in the USA also let you moonlight or pursue education. Take a look:
1. Cleaning and Moving
Expected Pay: $30,000-$54,000 per year
Everyone wants to live in clean surroundings but hates cleaning. If you’re physically fit and detail-oriented, you can offer housekeeping or moving services. It’s one of the best cash jobs that can get you started on the path to owning a business one day!
Platforms To Find Cleaning and Moving Jobs:
2. Receptionist
Expected Pay: $35,000-$49,000 per year
Shops, offices, doctor’s chambers – pretty much every establishment needs a receptionist. All you need to handle an entry-level receptionist’s job is the patience to tackle people – in person or on calls. You will also need basic IT skills to schedule appointments, access records, and more.
Platforms To Find Receptionist Jobs:
3. Retail Sales Associate
Expected Pay: $33,000-$51,000
To work at a retail store, you need a high school diploma, people skills, and a smile that sells anything. Later, you can scale up to managerial positions. Besides job portals, the sites of retail stores like Walmart Careers, Ikea Jobs, BJs, etc., list out vacancies.
Platforms To Find Retail Sales Associate Jobs:
4. Waiter/Waitress
Expected Pay: $34,000-$60,000 per year
Waiting on tables at local restaurants, cafes, and food chains is one of the best jobs for high school grads. You’ll have to set tables, take orders, and serve food. Once you gain sufficient experience, you can apply for cruise ship jobs or higher positions.
Platforms To Find Waiter/Waitress Jobs:
5. Mail Carrier
Expected Pay: $36,000-$55,000 per year
As a mail carrier, your job is to collect and deliver letters and packages. It’s usually a government job that needs you to pass a written exam. You must also clear a few basic tests like a background check, drug, test, etc., besides on-the-job training.
Platforms To Find Mail Carrier Jobs:
Top 5 Remote Jobs with High School Diploma
What’s more comfortable than the comfort of your own home? Surely not an office! That’s why I never pass on an opportunity to work in my PJs from my bed or sofa. You can build a lucrative career without stepping out of the house if you start early.
You can be your own boss and set your own work hours. That way, you can maintain work-life balance, pursue higher education, or work other jobs. Pro tip: find housesitting gigs and double your income by working from those properties on the jobs below!
1. Virtual Assistant (VA)
Expected Pay: $41,000-$68,000 per year
VA jobs are among the best-paying high school diploma jobs in the USA with a salary as high as $10,458/month. But, you must provide specialized services. I also recommend VA courses from Pitman Training, Esther Inman, or Udemy.
Examples of VA Niches:
Platforms To Find Virtual Assistant Jobs:
2. Data Entry
Expected Pay: $35,000-$53,000 per year
Data entry jobs need you to record information from source materials on a system. It doesn’t need formal education. But you’ll only snag a high pay in specific niches. Such jobs need a high school diploma. Also, a typing speed certificate can boost your CV.
High-Paying Niches for Data Entry Jobs:
Platforms To Find Data Entry Jobs:
3. Copywriting
Expected Pay: $54,000-$84,000 per year
Pixar allegedly paid $300k for naming Cars, according to a Tweet. I don’t know if it’s true. But it inspired me to pursue copywriting courses and find jobs in this niche. High school grads with a flair for writing can start with web copies. It’s best to learn SEO, too.
Platforms To Find Copywriting Jobs:
4. Proofreading and Editing
Expected Pay: $51,000 – $80,000 per year
Almost every business needs a content writer for their websites. And where there’s content, there’s proofreading. If you’re a grammar Nazi with an eye for details, start your career proofreading and editing. It’s a good idea to take a course to get hired easily.
Platforms To Find Proofreading And Editing Jobs:
5. Customer Support
Expected Pay: $35,000-$51,000 per hour
Every business needs a customer care team. But, instead of a dedicated in-house staff, they hire remote service providers. Whether you’re comfortable with calls or prefer to chat, there’s a job out there if you’re patient and have good communication skills.
Platforms To Find Customer Support Jobs:
Top 5 High School Diploma Jobs That Need Certification/License/Training
So far, you’ve come across jobs that you can bag right after high school. For some of them, a high school diploma or the certifications I’ve recommended aren’t mandatory. They are just to give you an edge over other applicants.
However, the list below includes jobs for which a high school diploma is necessary. You also need a license, certification, passing an eligibility test, or training. Some of them can be high-paying career options, not just weekend part time jobs! Take a look.
1. Bus Driving
Expected Pay: $41,000-$65,000 per year
If you, like US citizens, know how to drive, then congrats! You’re eligible for a bus driving job! Transportation companies hire people aged 18-21 years. You’ll need a CDL license and know the local traffic rules and emergency protocols to bag this job.
Platforms To Find Bus Driving Jobs:
2. Real Estate Consultancy
Expected Pay: $157,000 – $268,000 per year
Who said you need a college degree for a high-paying job? As a real estate agent you can rake in handsome moolah – with a high school diploma and a real estate license. You’ll have to help buy and sell properties – and you’ll earn on the basis of commission.
Steps To Become Real Estate Agent:
Platforms To Find Real Estate Agent Jobs:
3. Police Force
Expected Pay: $52,000 – $86,000 per year
Can you believe that a law enforcement job doesn’t need a college degree? You must be a US citizen, aged 21+ years, and a high school grad. Requirements for this adventurous job include training, passing the POST exam, and background checks.
Platforms To Find Police Jobs:
4. Beauty and Esthetics
Expected Pay: $45,000-$81,000
If the first thing you notice about people is their makeup, hair, nails, etc., you’re cut out to be an esthetician. But this job requires more than an eye for perfection. After high school, you need to get certified. Each state has different licensing requirements.
Platforms To Find Esthetician Jobs:
5. Fitness Training
Expected Pay: $50,000-$87,000 per year
Are you a fitness enthusiast who wants to spread the passion for healthy living to others? Then, a career in fitness training might be perfect for you. There are plenty of opportunities in this field. But you’ll need to be a certified trainer to grab those.
Top Institutes to Get Fitness Trainer Certification:
Platforms To Find Fitness Trainer Jobs:
Tips To Find High School Diploma Jobs: Factors To Consider
While looking for high school diploma jobs near me, I discovered that there’s no dearth of options. Yet, it’s often overwhelming for people to find the right job.
So, to help you choose the right job, I have a list of factors you should consider. Take a look:
1. Skills and Interest –
Before you jump at the first opportunity that comes your way, consider your skills. Are you good at crunching numbers? Do you have a strong convincing power?
Don’t forget to consider your areas of interest, too! Do you enjoy adventure trips – or want a life full of thrilling experiences? Choose your next step in life accordingly.
2. Additional Training/Degree/Certification
Some jobs need just a high school diploma – and sometimes, even that is not required. On the other hand, some jobs mandate additional training and certification.
So, are you willing to invest time and energy into it for a long-term career choice? Or is it just a temporary gig before you figure out what you really want?
3. Compensation
A high school diploma job that doesn’t require any specialized expertise will likely not offer a huge pay. But you’ll gain the experience to build a high-paying career later.
With additional training, you can snag a handsome compensation. Other capabilities like interpersonal skills and sales acumen can also earn you some brownie points.
4. Competition
During your job search, assess your competition. Check out the profiles of the applicants who are getting the preference in similar opportunities.
While the basic requisite for the jobs I’ve mentioned is only a high school diploma, some employers prefer applicants with prior experience, certificates, and vocational training.
5. Chances of Advancement
Entry-level jobs are perfect after graduating from high school or if you have other plans. But you wouldn’t want to be stuck in a dead-end job for the rest of your life.
So, consider the scalability in the job option. Even with a high school degree, you can bag a job and gather enough experience to scale up to managerial positions.
6. Job Stability and Future
The time after graduating from high school can be a good time to shape your future. While high school diploma jobs can be a stop-gap, they can also be a long-term option.
This is especially true if you pick a scalable option like sales, or one that needs training, like the police force. Or, you can set up your own business in cleaning, copywriting, etc.
7. Work-Life Balance
When I first started looking for best paying jobs for teens after high school, I was still taking many online classes. I also wanted to give sufficient time to my family.
Balancing your work hour and your personal time is extremely important. And, by personal time, I mean time for family, education, or another side hustle.
8. Remote/In-House Jobs
Job location is also another important factor for me – and many others like me. I personally prefer to work from the comfort of my home or even while traveling.
But many people prefer to step out for work. The environment or setup in their homes may not be adequate enough to support a professional. So seek your job accordingly.
9. Job Satisfaction and Enjoyment
Finally, I’d suggest that you look for a job that brings you joy and contentment. There are countless job opportunities that can fulfill your dreams – right after high school.
If higher education or a college degree isn’t your cup of tea, you don’t have to settle. From tour guide jobs to copywriting, many options can let you achieve your goals.
High School Diploma Jobs: Final Words
Feeling lost and wondering what to do after high school is an understandable dilemma. So I hope that my suggestions to find the best high school diploma jobs will help you.
Remember that while many jobs don’t need more than a diploma, additional training and certification can help you shape your future.
So, here’s a tip for you. Pick a job that pays same day cash to enjoy flexibility. Meanwhile, indulge in various options and vocational training. You may even discover your passion – and create the storyboard of your success story!
Zeeshan Hakmi, CEO of FinancingFocus.com, has been causing a stir in the software development world for over two decades. Armed with an MBA from Governors State University and a knack for problem-solving, this new-age entrepreneur has been leading the charge in User Acceptance Testing (UAT) and project delivery across the USA.
When he’s not busy exploring the limitless potential of artificial intelligence, you can find him penning thought-provoking articles on the intersection of AI, business, and finance. But don’t let his tech-savvy persona fool you – Zeeshan is a nature enthusiast at heart, always ready to trade his keyboard for a hiking trail.
With a passion for innovation and a thirst for adventure, Zeeshan is proof that you can have your code and travel too.