Many six-figure finance jobs now prioritize skills over degrees.
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While Wall Street firms once exclusively hired Ivy League graduates, those attitudes are changing. Traditional hiring models are becoming obsolete as financial institutions increasingly value skills and experience over formal education. Many finance jobs now prioritize practical abilities, technological proficiency, and soft skills like adaptability and effective communication over academic credentials.
For example, Bank of America shared that approximately 40% of its 2023 hires were filled by candidates without four-year college degrees, which has increased in recent years. At the same time, Citi says, “We’re open to all majors, and you don’t necessarily need a degree in banking or finance to be considered for a position. We value diversity and hire on potential.”
This shift represents a significant opportunity for ambitious professionals seeking to break into finance without the traditional four-year investment. These 10 finance jobs offer a path to high-earning careers without a college degree.
1. Financial Sales Representative
As a financial sales representative, you’ll match clients with financial products while earning substantial commissions—all without needing a college degree. Success in this finance job depends primarily on strong communication and relationship-building skills rather than formal education.
Qualifications
- Strong communication skills and relationship-building abilities
- Resilience and self-motivation in a commission-based environment
- Basic understanding of financial products with customer service orientation
Average salary
The estimated total pay for a Financial Sales Representative is $112,456 per year, with an average salary of $69,616 per year.
How to get the job
Start by researching financial institutions with robust training programs, as many provide comprehensive product and sales technique training. Prepare for job interviews by demonstrating your communication skills and customer focus. Consider entry-level positions like customer service representative to gain industry knowledge, and pursue financial licenses such as the Series 6 or Series 7 to increase marketability.
Who should consider this role?
Natural networkers who enjoy connecting people with solutions will excel in this finance job. If you prefer commissions over fixed salaries and find satisfaction in helping others understand complex concepts, financial sales offers the perfect blend of interpersonal skills and financial reward.
2. Loan Officer
From determining who qualifies for mortgages to approving business loans, loan officers hold the keys to financial opportunity for countless individuals and organizations. Their unique blend of analytical skills and customer focus allows them to transform complex financial data into life-changing funding decisions, all while earning substantial commission-based income.
Qualifications
- Analytical thinking with risk assessment abilities
- Strong customer service and communication skills
- Attention to detail with financial documentation and lending guidelines
Average salary
The estimated total pay for a Loan Officer is $144,730 per year, with an average salary of $80,229 per year.
How to get the job
Start by obtaining mortgage loan officer licensing (requires passing an exam and background check, but no degree). Build experience at banks or credit unions with training programs, develop your network, and consider specializing in high-value loan categories like commercial or jumbo mortgages for increased earnings.
Who should consider this role?
The ideal loan officer is analytical enough to assess risk yet empathetic enough to understand clients. You’ll thrive in this role if you can handle deadline pressure, enjoy educating customers, and enjoy seeing the tangible results of your work.
3. Insurance Underwriter
Insurance underwriters evaluate insurance applications to determine coverage amounts and premiums. This detail-oriented role requires sound judgment and analytical skills to assess and price risks appropriately.
Qualifications
- Strong analytical skills and decision-making ability
- Exceptional attention to detail and data interpretation capabilities
- Industry-specific knowledge (can be gained through training)
Average salary
The estimated total pay for an Insurance Underwriter is $81,692 per year, with an average salary of $61,625 per year.
How to get the job
Apply for trainee programs at insurance companies where you’ll learn the technical aspects of risk assessment and pricing. To increase your marketability, pursue designations from The Institutes Knowledge Group, such as the Associate in Commercial Underwriting (AU™) or CPCU®. Consider specializing in high-value areas like commercial property or specialized liability coverage.
Who should consider this role?
Methodical decision-makers with an eye for detail are ideal underwriters. If you prefer working with clear guidelines rather than ambiguity and enjoy the intellectual challenge of risk assessment over customer-facing roles, underwriting offers stability and intellectual stimulation.
4. Claims Adjuster
When disasters occur, claims adjusters assess the damage, investigate circumstances, and determine fair settlements for insurance policyholders. The profession blends detective work with negotiation skills and practical knowledge typically gained through hands-on experience.
Qualifications
- Strong investigative and analytical abilities with attention to detail
- Excellent negotiation skills and conflict resolution ability
- Self-motivation with strong organizational and time management skills
Average salary
The estimated total pay for a Claims Adjuster is $69,550 per year, with an average salary of $61,556 annually.
How to get the job
Start with entry-level positions requiring only a high school diploma, where employers typically provide comprehensive training. Consider obtaining an adjuster license in your state (requirements vary). Build experience in standard claims before transitioning to specialized areas like commercial, catastrophe, or high-value property claims for increased compensation.
Who should consider this role?
Claims adjusting rewards those with curiosity and the diplomacy to handle people in stressful situations. Thick-skinned negotiators who remain composed during emotional conversations will be especially successful.
5. Financial Services Representative
Financial services representatives handle everything from opening new accounts to recommending savings options and processing loan applications. Many financial industry executives start in this position, using it as a springboard to more advanced finance jobs.
Qualifications
- Strong customer service orientation with clear communication skills
- Attention to detail with transactions and documentation
- Trustworthiness and integrity with basic mathematics aptitude
Average salary
The estimated total pay for a Financial Services Representative is $76,385 per year, with an average salary of $58,021 per year.
How to get the job
Apply directly to banks and credit unions with only a high school diploma, as most employers provide extensive training. Demonstrate your customer service abilities and attention to detail during interviews. Consider obtaining certifications like the Bank On certification or the American Bankers Association certificates to stand out.
Who should consider this role?
Future banking leaders often start in these finance jobs, learning the industry from the ground up. The position is ideal for those seeking mentorship and structured career paths, as institutions typically groom promising representatives for management.
6. Bill Collector
Specialists in this role recover delinquent funds through negotiation and problem-solving. These professionals create win-win scenarios that help clients resolve their debts while delivering measurable results directly impacting the company’s bottom line.
Qualifications
- Strong negotiation abilities with exceptional emotional intelligence
- Resilience and persistence in challenging conversations
- Basic understanding of financial principles and conflict resolution
Average salary
The estimated total pay for a Bill Collector is $46,148 per year, with an average salary of $42,645 per year.
How to get the job
Apply for entry-level positions that typically require only a high school diploma. Employers provide training on regulations like the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. Demonstrate your communication skills and persistence during job interviews. Consider certifications from organizations like ACA International (Association of Credit and Collection Professionals) to advance more quickly.
Who should consider this role?
Unlike most finance jobs, success in collections hinges primarily on persistence without aggression and the ability to turn confrontations into friendly collaborations. This role suits ambitious individuals developing skills for sales- or negotiation-heavy careers.
7. Trading Assistant
Trading assistants gain access to trading floors and investment strategies while handling critical support functions for experienced traders. Many Wall Street careers begin with this apprentice-like position, where practical learning is more valuable than classroom education.
Qualifications
- Exceptional attention to detail with strong organizational skills
- Ability to work under pressure in fast-paced environments
- Basic understanding of financial markets with quick learning capacity
Average salary
The estimated total pay for a Trading Assistant is $130,657 per year, with an average salary of $86,673 per year.
How to get the job
Look for entry-level positions at trading firms that value aptitude over formal education. During interviews, demonstrate your attention to detail, ability to handle pressure, and interest in financial markets. Consider obtaining the Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) certification, which doesn’t require sponsorship, to show commitment to the field.
Who should consider this role?
Think of this finance job as your apprenticeship in the trading world. Trading assistant roles reward patient observers who absorb investment strategies before entering higher-paying trading positions.
8. Bookkeeper
Among finance jobs that don’t require a degree, bookkeeping stands out for its stability and accessibility. A skilled bookkeeper tracks financial transactions, maintains accurate records, and produces essential reports that guide critical business decisions. Despite its foundational importance to business operations, this finance job remains accessible to individuals without a college degree.
Qualifications
- Strong numerical aptitude with basic accounting knowledge
- Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail
- Proficiency with accounting software, plus integrity and confidentiality
Average salary
The estimated total pay for a Bookkeeper is $57,799 per year, with an average salary of $49,489 per year.
How to get the job
Start with entry-level positions requiring only a high school diploma, where you can develop skills through on-the-job training. Take courses in accounting software like QuickBooks or Xero, and consider professional certifications like the Certified Bookkeeper designation from the American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers to enhance your credentials.
Who should consider this role?
Bookkeepers transform chaos into order by converting scattered receipts and statements into coherent financial data. Whether you’re looking to build a foundation for entrepreneurship or advance toward an accounting career, bookkeeping is an excellent starting point.
9. Financial Market Data Analyst
Market data analysts interpret complex information patterns. Armed with technical skills often self-taught through bootcamps rather than traditional degrees, people in these finance jobs transform massive datasets into actionable intelligence that drives investment strategies and business decisions.
Qualifications
- Strong analytical abilities with proficiency in data analysis tools
- Knowledge of programming languages (Python, R, SQL) and data visualization
- Understanding of financial markets, metrics, and attention to detail
Average salary
The estimated total pay for a Financial Market Data Analyst is $116,719 per year, with an average salary of $89,938 per year.
How to get the job
Develop technical skills through self-study, boot camps, or specialized courses in data analysis. Build a portfolio of projects demonstrating your abilities with financial data sets. Learn key programming languages and tools like Python, R, SQL, Tableau, and Power BI. Consider certifications such as the Financial Data Professional (FDP) designation to demonstrate your expertise.
Who should consider this role?
If you’re more comfortable with algorithms than client meetings and prefer letting your work speak for itself, these finance jobs offer the perfect blend of technical challenge and financial reward. Former gamers, puzzle enthusiasts, and self-taught coders often excel here, as pattern recognition and logical thinking matter more than formal credentials.
10. Compliance Specialist
Navigating the complex world of financial regulations requires specialized knowledge that compliance professionals develop through practical experience. As regulatory watchdogs within financial institutions, these detail-oriented professionals protect companies from multimillion-dollar penalties while ensuring ethical treatment of customers.
Qualifications
- Strong attention to detail with excellent documentation skills
- Understanding of financial regulations with analytical abilities
- Ethical judgment and clear communication skills
Average salary
The estimated total pay for a Compliance Specialist is $84,153 per year, with an average salary of $65,471 per year.
How to get the job
Start in entry-level roles at banks or financial services firms where you can learn regulations through practical application. Pursue industry certifications like the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Securities Industry Essentials Exam, which can be obtained without sponsorship or a degree. Consider specialized certifications such as the Certified Regulatory Compliance Manager (CRCM) or Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS) to advance more quickly.
Who should consider this role?
With its combination of detective work and protective responsibility, compliance attracts individuals with strong moral compasses and meticulous attention to detail. Former teachers, military personnel, and those with investigative mindsets excel in this role, where thoroughness prevents costly mistakes.
The Future of Finance Jobs
While traditional finance jobs once demanded Ivy League pedigrees, the industry is rapidly transforming. For those willing to start in entry-level finance jobs, demonstrate exceptional performance, and continuously develop their skills, the financial sector offers remarkable opportunities for advancement. Your success in finance will ultimately depend not on your credentials, but on your ability to deliver results in an industry where performance is measured in clear, quantifiable terms.