Remote jobs requiring no degrees growing in Idaho and abroad

No degree? No problem. Unwilling to commute? Also, not an issue.

Remote and well-paying positions requiring no specific college degree or certification through higher education are becoming more prevalent in the workplace, according to a recent report by FlexJobs, a subscription-based employment board.

Job seekers with the “right skills, experience and potential” are now being looked at more prominently for a variety of remote roles that don’t require the cost of a college degree or credential the report revealed.

“Employers recognize that real-world skills, whether self-taught, gained through work experience or developed through alternative learning paths can be just as valuable as a college degree,” said the experts who conducted the research.

During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, it was estimated by the Idaho Department of Labor that one-third of jobs in the state can be performed remotely. About 15% of Idaho’s workforce works remotely.

While those who can prosper in blue-collar trade positions such as electricians, plumbers and HVAC technicians continue to do well financially, many who prefer remote work are also benefiting from this shift in the job market.

FlexJobs compiled a list of some of the most high-paying, commute-free positions not tied to a college education across a myriad of industries. Topping the list of those working remotely are both technical support specialists and content moderators, who are reported to earn an average annual salary of nearly $60,000.

Digital marketing specialists and client services representatives can each average about $58,000 yearly without having to show up to an office site, while both operations coordinators and even recruiting coordinators can enjoy the benefits of working remotely to the tune of about $56,000 a year.

Other positions paying more than $50,000 a year includes translators, who can expect to earn about $55,000 annually, graphic designers who are pulling in roughly $54,000 in yearly income, and inside sales representatives making salaries of about $53,000.

Rounding out the list of positions where the workforce is making room for many who prefer to work from home and may not possess a formal education are bookkeepers, travel agents and virtual assistants who can all take home about $51,000 in earnings.