You might be asking these questions now. In fact, you can get a job that gives a hefty paycheck without requiring a college degree or any technical or special skill. Just because you lack the academic qualifications, that doesn’t mean you are not entitled to a job that pays as much as the amount earned by those who have complete their bachelor’s or master’s degree. 50k plus jobs run aplenty in the job market today and are open to those who failed to complete their bachelor’s degree. So what are you waiting for? Start your search for a financially satisfying career by following these job-hunting tips:

• Look for jobs that usually pay a high salary but do not require a bachelor’s degree. This step is a no-brainer—how can you find a 50k plus job if you don’t start looking for one? Sources of information on job openings include the classified ads in your local newspaper and job listing sites on the Internet. You can also ask your family and friends for recommendations. Some of the lucrative jobs that non-degreeholders may choose from are computer programmers, air traffic controllers, mechanics, and border patrol agents, among others.

• Do your own research. Learn about the trainings necessary to be accepted to the 50k plus job you have been gunning for. Although they don’t require their applicants to have a college degree, some companies still ask applicants about the trainings they have undergone that are relevant to the job they are seeking. This makes sense because you need to be equipped with the necessary skills to get your job done. For example, if you want to be a draftsman and earn at least $80,000, you need technical knowledge about 3-D Drafting on MicroStation as well as AutoCad. Technical trainings and certifications are also essential for computer software programmers and network systems analysts. So before you apply for a certain job, make sure you have attended trainings and short courses relevant to it.

• Look for technical schools that offer classes or trainings in the area of your interest. Enroll in one of these classes. Get all the trainings and certifications you need. Your investment will definitely pay off in the future.

• You may consider being an apprentice in any field you choose. Apprenticeships don’t require a college degree and generally take a couple of years to complete. However, completing an apprenticeship can lead you to a full-time employee status that could make you earn a minimum of $50,000.

• Include your certifications in your resume and send it to your prospective employer. Express your willingness to learn and undergo training as well as your passion in the job.

• Once you are hired, you have to prove that you can do the work excellently.

For people who have not taken or completed a college degree, they can still qualify for 50k plus jobs. All they need are the training and technical skills relevant to the occupation they are seeking.

But that shouldn’t discourage you from trying. Most of jobs that pay well require just any bachelor’s degree even if it’s not related to the job’s specific field. Some of them require just trainings or certificates relevant to the field. Others require a master’s degree, but that won’t be a problem. It’s because even if you don’t have a college degree, you can earn one by taking bachelor’s or master’s degree programs online. After you have obtained your diploma, you can begin looking for a job that can pay you at least $50k a year.

Here are a few of the jobs that give hefty paycheck to entry-level employees:

1. Registered Nurse (RN) – Salary for registered nurses in the United States starts at nearly $50,000 and averages at over $60,000. If you’re not an RN, you have to complete an associate or bachelor’s degree in nursing to become a registered nurse. If you already have a bachelor’s degree, you will be required to take a degree program for two to four years to qualify for nursing positions. You can complete these programs online.

2. Podiatrist – Want a steady and lucrative career? You might want to become a doctor who treats foot diseases. Treating bunions and ingrown toenails may be too unappealing for some to consider, but it can be a goldmine for you since it gives a salary of about $150,000 a year.

3. Gastroenterologist – If you think podiatrists enjoy being on the tip of the salary scale, think again. Gastroenterologists earn almost double the amount of the salary of podiatrists, $269,500 every year to be exact.

4. Physical Therapist (PT) – You can make a good living out of being a physical therapist. Annual salary of these practitioners averages at almost $70,000. You can take an associate degree program in physical therapy with training as an assistant to get your career as a PT started. Or you can start working as a physical therapy assistant under the supervision of a licensed PT while taking a master’s degree.

5. Web Designer – Do you have a talent in graphic design? You can earn as much as $71,500 designing websites for individuals and companies. You just need an associate or bachelor’s degree in computer programming or graphic design through online degree programs, and you will be on your way to earning big bucks without sweating much.

See? These 50k plus jobs don’t require much from those who want to start practicing a profession. You just have to arm yourself with knowledge about the field by completing an associate, bachelor’s, or master’s degree program, and you’re good to go.

So how do you find a job that gives a fat paycheck for bachelor’s degree holders? Take heed of the following steps:

1. Do an online search of companies that offer entry-level salaries of at least $50,000. Various job listings on the Internet provide valuable information about these financially rewarding occupations. Examples of jobs that pay more than $50,000 are computer software engineers, veterinarians, and Web designers.

2. Take note of all the 50k plus occupations you find on the Web.

3. Ask your family and friends for recommendations. They may give you great ideas on how to find the best 50k plus job for you.

4. Check your list and go over each of the job. Cross out any occupation that doesn’t interest you.

5. Next to every profession in your list, write a few notes about your skills and other credentials relevant to that specific field.

6. Go to job sites and look up the remaining professions on your list.

7. From the results of your online search, find an occupation that pays well and suits your interests.

8. Write a cover letter that highlights all your skills, trainings, and other qualifications that are relevant to the job you are eyeing. Once you are done, check your cover letter for any grammar or typographical error.

9. Update your resume as well. Be sure that you include information about your bachelor’s degree (e.g. year of graduation, name of the college or university that issued your diploma, etc.) in the educational background section.

10. Email your resume and cover letter to the company. You can also send them through the U.S. Postal Service.

11. Wait for the company to contact you for an interview. Make sure you speak in a professional manner when answering calls, particularly when you cannot determine the owner of the phone number. That could be a company interested in setting an interview with you.

12. After your interview has been scheduled, try your best to arrive on time. Leave a good impression to your prospective employer. Show your interviewer that you have what it takes to get hired for the job and that you’re not only after the money. Many companies are not likely to hire applicants who seem to be more interested with the high salary than the company or the profession they are seeking to enter.

If you have a bachelor’s degree, you have the chance to find a job that gives full satisfaction in terms of monetary benefits. 50k plus jobs for college graduates abound the job market today—you just have to choose the one that interests you.