Which degree has the lowest starting pay?

Asked by: Benny Mayer  |  Last update: April 26, 2026
Score: 4.6/5 (7 votes)

Degrees with the lowest starting pay often fall into categories like Education (especially Early Childhood), Liberal Arts, Fine & Performing Arts, Theology/Religion, and certain Health/Social Services fields (like Social Work, Pharmacy Tech). These areas generally have lower earning potential compared to STEM or Business degrees, though factors like job satisfaction and demand play a big role, with some vocational or technical certificates sometimes offering quicker paths to decent pay.

What is the lowest paid degree?

10 of the lowest-paying majors

  1. Theology. Average salary: $40,000 per year A theology major studies various religious texts, religions and the relationship between humans and religion. ...
  2. Fine and performing arts. ...
  3. Public policy and social services. ...
  4. Education. ...
  5. Library science. ...
  6. Liberal arts. ...
  7. Psychology. ...
  8. English.

What job makes $10,000 a month without a degree?

You can earn $10,000 a month without a degree in high-skill trades (elevator tech, electrician), sales (solar, real estate, insurance), specialized trucking (owner-operator), tech roles (web dev, drone pilot), or by starting your own business/freelancing in areas like content creation or digital marketing, often requiring specialized training, certifications, or strong commission-based performance rather than a traditional degree. 

What is the cheapest degree to get?

The cheapest degrees often fall into fields like Business, Education, Criminal Justice, and Health Care Administration, especially when pursued online through public universities or tuition-free institutions like the University of the People, which only charge fees. Look for low-cost online programs at schools like the University of Florida, Fort Hays State University, or Brigham Young University-Idaho, and consider competency-based options like Western Governors University for faster, flat-rate learning.
 

Who makes $30 an hour without a degree?

Many skilled trades (electricians, plumbers, HVAC techs, welders), tech roles (IT support, data analysts), healthcare support (PT assistants, sonographers), and logistics/transportation (truck drivers, distribution managers, air traffic controllers) offer $30/hour or more without a traditional degree, often requiring certifications, apprenticeships, or on-the-job training. Roles in sales (real estate), finance (loan officers, underwriters), and specialized services (elevator mechanics, home inspectors) also provide pathways to this wage. 

The Only College Degrees Still Worth It in 2026

25 related questions found

What jobs pay $2000 a day?

Earning $2,000 daily usually involves high-income skills or scaling businesses, with options like specialized freelancing (consulting, web design, high-ticket sales), digital products (courses, printables), e-commerce (dropshipping, flipping), or high-demand gig work (AI training, specialized rentals), often requiring significant upfront effort or existing expertise to reach that level quickly, with some options taking months or years to become consistent. 

Does Chick-fil-A pay $20 an hour?

Yes, many Chick-fil-A locations, especially in higher-cost areas like California, pay $20 an hour or even more for starting team members, though wages vary significantly by location and role, with some starting lower and leadership positions earning more. For instance, California fast-food law made $20/hour a minimum for some, leading to higher local pay, while some restaurants advertise starting wages at or above this, notes ZipRecruiter. 

How to make $100,000 a year with no degree?

You can earn $100k+ without a degree through high-demand skilled trades (electrician, plumber, elevator technician, heavy equipment operator), tech roles (software development, IT management, cybersecurity), specialized fields (air traffic controller, commercial pilot, sales), and entrepreneurship, relying on certifications, apprenticeships, on-the-job training, and experience instead of a traditional degree. 

What's the easiest 2 year degree to get?

The easiest associate degrees often involve broad subjects like General Studies, Liberal Arts, or Communications, focusing on foundational skills rather than specific technical ones, and are popular choices for those wanting flexibility or a stepping stone to a bachelor's degree, with fields like Psychology, Criminal Justice, and Business Administration also frequently cited for accessibility and online options. 

What are the least useful degrees?

5 Degrees That No Longer Hold Up

  • General Liberal Arts (With No Clear Direction) ...
  • Visual And Performing Arts. ...
  • Communications. ...
  • Gender Studies, Ethnic Studies And Similar Fields. ...
  • General Psychology Or Sociology (Undergrad Only) ...
  • Computer Science And IT. ...
  • Nursing. ...
  • Engineering.

What trade pays 10K a month?

High-Earning Sales, Real Estate, and Commission Jobs

Sales and real estate are fast ways to earn a high salary. These jobs pay based on commission, not time. There's no income cap, which means top performers can reach $10K/month or more—especially in real estate or tech sales.

What is the easiest job that pays 100k a year?

Easiest jobs paying $100k often involve specialized skills or sales, with options like IT Manager, Construction Manager, Sales Manager, Real Estate Agent (with experience), and Air Traffic Controller appearing frequently, leveraging certifications, strong performance, or in-demand expertise instead of just degrees. Other high-paying roles include Software Developer, Data Scientist, Financial Manager, and roles in specialized trades like Elevator Technician, focusing on high responsibility or technical skill to reach the $100k mark. 

What job pays $400,000 a year without a degree?

Yes, jobs paying $400,000 without a degree exist, notably Walmart Supercenter Managers, who can earn that much with bonuses and stock, but other paths include high-stakes sales, software development, commercial real estate, skilled trades (like power plant operators), and successful entrepreneurship/influencing, all requiring expertise and performance over formal education. 

What is the #1 easiest major?

There's no single #1 easiest major, as it depends on your skills, but Psychology, Communications, English, and Education consistently rank high for perceived ease due to less demanding technical requirements, focusing more on writing, soft skills, and human behavior. These majors often feature high GPAs and manageable coursework compared to STEM fields, offering broad career paths in fields like social work, marketing, public relations, and teaching. 

What is the most regretted degree?

The most regretted college degrees often fall into humanities, arts, and social sciences, with Journalism, Sociology, Liberal Arts, Communications, and Education frequently topping lists due to perceived poor job prospects and lower earnings compared to quantitative fields like engineering or computer science, though specific rankings vary by survey. Graduates in these areas often wish they had chosen STEM or business for better career opportunities and higher salaries, according to studies cited by CNBC, BestColleges, and USA Today https://www.cnbc.com/2022/11/12/the-top-10-most-regretted-college-majors.html, https://www.bestcolleges.com/news/almost-half-job-seeking-graduates-regret-their-major/,.
 

What are the 4 types of degrees?

The four main types of college degrees, in ascending order of study, are Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral (or professional) degrees, each representing increasing levels of specialization and academic achievement, from foundational two-year programs to the highest research-focused qualifications.
 

What is a quick degree that pays well?

Quick degrees that pay well often involve associate degrees in high-demand tech or healthcare fields like Nuclear Tech, Diagnostic Medical Sonography, or Engineering Techs, or accelerated bachelor's degrees in Computer Science, Software Development, or Business Administration, leading to roles in Air Traffic Control, IT, or Management with strong earning potential, often bypassing traditional four-year timelines through certificates or accelerated programs. 

What are some surprising high-paying jobs?

23 Weird Jobs That Actually Pay Well

  • Ethical Hacker. Salary: ~$125,000/year. ...
  • Voice Prompt UX Designer (AI Prompt Writer) Salary: ~$112,000/year. ...
  • Odor Tester (Smell Researcher) Salary: ~$98,000/year. ...
  • Toy Designer. Salary: ~$54,000/year. ...
  • Court Reporter. Salary: ~$80,000/year. ...
  • Luxury Bed Tester. ...
  • Professional Sleeper. ...
  • Virtual Cuddler.

Which degree can I do in 1 year?

Top Trending Courses For Degree In One Year

Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com.) Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) Master of Commerce (M.Com.) Master of Science (M.Sc.)

What is the #1 happiest job in the world?

There's no single #1 happiest job, as it varies by individual, but top contenders often include Construction Workers, praised for tangible results and camaraderie, and Surgeons, valued for saving lives; other highly-ranked roles with high satisfaction feature Real Estate Agents, Firefighters, Physical Therapists, and Software Developers, generally offering good pay, autonomy, and purpose. 

How much is $100K salary hourly?

If you make $100,000 a year, your hourly salary would be $48.08.

What are new collar jobs?

What does “new collar” mean? The term “new collar” is associated with professions where employees develop their technical and soft skills through nontraditional education paths. Employers trying to fill these roles focus on candidates' skill sets rather than formal education degrees.

How much money do 14 year olds make at Chick-fil-A?

Chick-fil-A pay for 14-year-olds varies by location but generally starts around $10.25 to $12 per hour, sometimes with a lower training wage, depending on local labor laws and the specific franchise owner's rates, with some locations offering slightly higher or competitive wages. Expect to need a work permit and have limited, structured hours due to child labor laws. 

What job is best for a 14-year-old?

Great jobs for 14-year-olds involve neighborhood services like babysitting, pet sitting, and yard work, plus local gigs in retail (cashier, stocker), food service (kitchen help, busser), or libraries (shelf stocker), with many options requiring local search and often a work permit. Tutoring younger kids, car washing, and working at camps or daycares are also popular choices, focusing on tasks that fit within labor laws for minors.
 

Can you wear tattoos at Chick-fil-A?

Hair must be a natural hair color and not distracting. Facial hair other than a neatly trimmed mustache is not allowed. Chewing gum is prohibited at all times. There are no visible tattoos permitted in customer service areas, or within sight of customers.