3 AI Jobs That Pay $100,000+ And Don't Require A Degree
Glassdoor and Indeed just announced about 1,300 employees being laid off. Let that fully sink in.
The companies we look to as the gatekeepers of the job market, to help us find work and enable us to recover from layoffs, are themselves suffering the effects of automation. Even these platforms are not immune to being hit with AI-induced layoffs.
So the question is, are you going to wait for the pink slip, or will you position yourself at the forefront of the AI wave and use it to make money and boost your career?
Within this article, you'll learn: Which AI jobs pay over $100,000
The skills you need to land AI jobs
How to land an AI job without a degree
Where to learn AI skills for free, and relatively inexpensive AI courses/certificates
Here's how to get hired: Which AI Jobs Pay Over $100,000 Without A Bachelor's Degree?
Here are a few AI-powered roles that are in high demand right now and pay extremely well: 1. AI Consultant
What you'll do: You'll support, train, strategize, and advise companies on effective and ethical AI implementation and integration for their workflows and teams.
How much it pays: A single AI consulting project (as a freelancer) can pay as much as $150,000 and above
How to break into AI consulting: Build a solid technical foundation through undertaking AI, machine learning, and and data science-related courses
Focus on applying AI to real-life business problems and build your own use cases
Create a live LinkedIn portfolio that showcases your projects, what you're discovering and learning, and how you're using AI to transform niche business challenges 2. AI Content Writer/Creator/Strategist
What you'll do: You'll be focused on training LLMs, ensuring factual quality and accuracy in AI outputs, and/or this role could involve optimizing AI-generated content to align with a brand's voice while ensuring it doesn't sound overly robotic; as an example of what this role would look like and what's required, Amazon is currently hiring for an AI content writer.
How much it pays: Between $83,000 to $189,000, according to ZipRecruiter
How to break into AI content writing: Ensure you have a robust copywriting/editing background
Define your areas of expertise so you can easily work with AI-generated content for specific subject matter
Have experience collaborating with AI for producing written content 3. No-Code AI App Developer
What you'll do: Use drag-and-drop interfaces on no-code app development platforms to build and manage AI-powered applications, without needing to code or do manual programming.
How much it pays: $103,571 on average
How to break into no-code app development: Build a solid technical background through microcredentials and courses, so you have awareness and knowledge of user experience, technical concepts, etc., even though you're not coding
Create practice projects and use these as your portfolio
Offer your services on Fiverr or other freelance marketplaces to expand your portfolio and find your niche What Skills Do You Need For High-Paying AI Jobs?
To secure a high-paying job in the AI space, you'll need a mix of technical and power skills, which have been referred to as hard and soft skills in the past. Some of the core skills required, according to Forbes, include: Prompt engineering
Data analysis
Machine learning concepts
AI fluency and literacy
Critical thinking
Strong communication skills
Subject matter expertise
AI Integrity and ethics
You can read a full list of top AI skills to learn and add to your resume in this recent Forbes article. Where Can I Learn AI Skills For Free?
If you're on a shoestring budget or watching your pennies closely because you're worried about the possibility of a layoff sweeping away all your hard-earned savings, here are some places where you can learn in-demand AI skills for free so you can rebuild your career: freeCodeCamp
Simplilearn
Microsoft
edX
IBM SkillsBuild How Can You Get A High-Paying AI Job Without A Degree?
To secure a high-paying role it today's economy, the quickest and most efficient way to achieve this (including with reduced debt) is through microcredentials (short training courses, usually held online).
Microcredentials are effective because: They enable you to grasp technical concepts and learn the core elements of a skill within months.
They tend to be very much hands-on and project-based instead of theory-focused. This makes them extremely relevant and attractive to employers, who favor candidates that possess microcredentials, leading to a 94% boost in hiring success.
Other than undertaking short courses, some other steps you can take to secure a high-paying AI job, even without a degree, include: Strategically expanding your network with key decision-makers who are targeted
Continuously refreshing and updating your professional learning
Building your portfolio in public
Having a well-optimized LinkedIn profile
Positioning yourself as business problem-solver, for a specific niche/department/industry
Seeking mentorship from those already making money through AI and learning from/closely connecting with experts in your field
Employers in 2025 look for a portfolio and evidence of continuous learning even more than they seek ... More degree qualifications getty
That degree you don't have? Irrelevant. Companies care more about your skills, results, and evidence of continuous learning. So, what are you doing now to stand out in a crowded job market? What will you do today to begin riding the AI wave, instead of allowing it to wipe you out?
You can decide that for yourself. Or you can read this and scroll on.
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