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Finding a Job with a Bachelor’s Degree vs. Finding One Without a Degree

Feb 19, 2026 Share
college graduate

Searching for a job can be one of the most stressful experiences in life. Whether you’ve just graduated, been laid off, or are switching careers, a key question many job seekers grapple with is…

Does having a four-year college degree really make finding a job easier and more rewarding than entering the workforce without one?

Today, FindYourJobNow.com will answer this question, and show you how to find a job near you… regardless of whether you have a bachelor’s degree or not.

So…

The short answer to the question above is yes.

College degrees remain a widely recognized signal to employers that you’ve invested in your skills and can commit to long-term goals. And yes, people with a bachelor’s degree generally make more money than people with no degree.

In fact, recent data show that full-time workers with a bachelor’s degree earn about $105,000 per year on average, compared with significantly lower earnings for those without a degree.[1]

That kind of difference is hard to ignore when you’re thinking about rent, groceries, or saving for the future.

So, how much do workers actually earn?[2]

  • Bachelor’s degree holders: On average, about $105,000 per year for full-time work.
  • Workers with some college (no degree): Around $53,000 per year on average.
  • High school graduates (no college): Roughly $48,000 per year on average.
  • No high school diploma: Around $38,000 per year.

This data shows a clear pattern: earnings rise with education level, and the bachelor’s degree serves as a major inflection point where incomes jump for most workers.

Weekly earnings tell the same story.

For example, workers aged 25 and over with only a high school diploma earned a median of about $946 per week, while those with a bachelor’s earned $1,533 per week; a difference of more than $500 weekly.

So, if you’re interested in earning a bachelor’s degree in hopes of a bigger paycheck, check out School Match Pro. They’ll assist you in finding an online degree program that can get your career moving in the right direction.

Now…

Here’s another question for you: Does having a degree make job searching easier?

Well, traditionally, yes. A bachelor’s degree has been one of the most reliable indicators that someone will find a job more quickly and with more long-term opportunity.

Employers in fields like business, technology, engineering, education, and healthcare often list a bachelor’s degree as a minimum requirement. And for good reason: it’s a standardized measure of training and readiness for professional work.

However, recent labor statistics suggest the advantage may be shifting somewhat for certain groups, especially among recent graduates.

Reports find that unemployment rates for recent college grads have risen and even narrowed compared with workers without a degree…

Though degree holders still typically enjoy lower overall joblessness.[3]

Degree or not, good jobs are still out there, but it’s different.

Now, lacking a bachelor’s degree doesn’t mean you can’t find good work. Many people build strong careers without a four-year degree.

Trades like electricians, plumbing, HVAC technicians, and many skilled roles, as well as managerial positions in some industries, can pay $65,000 to more than $100,000 a year without requiring a bachelor’s degree.

Plus, some industries are embracing skill-based hiring. This is where employers care more about what you can do than what piece of paper you have.

That trend is especially visible in tech, green energy, and emerging fields where certifications, portfolios, bootcamps, or hands-on training can sometimes substitute for formal degrees.

So, if you’re interested in getting specialized certifications, micro degrees or other credentials, check out School Match Pro. They’ll assist you in finding an online program that’s up your alley.

Of course, a bachelor’s degree still offers a measurable financial advantage on average and can open doors to many traditional career paths.

But success doesn’t depend on a degree alone. In today’s job market, employers are increasingly willing to recognize skills, certifications, and real work experience…

And there are well-paying opportunities in both degreed and non-degreed careers.

What’s most important is understanding your strengths, building relevant skills, and approaching your job search with strategy and confidence.

Oh, and the fastest way to find a job whether you have a bachelor’s degree or not?

Visit our homepage and use our advanced job-search technology. Simply put in the kind of job you’re looking for, and where you want to work…

Then click “View Jobs.”

It’s as easy as that.

[1] What are the average salaries for four-year college graduates in the US? | USAFacts

[2] Charted: Salary by Education Level in the United States

[3] Goldman Sachs Issues Warning: Job Market Shifts Against College Graduates