Not having a degree doesn’t mean you’re stuck in low-paying jobs forever. In fact, thanks to the internet, you can now learn high-income skills from your laptop — sometimes for free — and start earning within weeks.
Whether you’re a student, a stay-at-home parent, or just looking to switch careers, there are dozens of online-friendly jobs that pay really well — and don’t ask for a university degree.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through 10 high-paying online jobs you can learn from scratch, where to study, how much they pay, and who they’re perfect for.
💼 1. Freelance Copywriter
What you do: Write persuasive content like ads, product descriptions, emails, and landing pages that help brands sell.
Why it pays: Companies will always pay writers who can bring in sales.
- 💰 Pay: £25–£75 per hour (or more with experience)
- 🎓 Where to learn:
- 👌 Best for: People with a love for words, storytelling, and marketing
💻 2. Web Developer (No Degree Needed!)
What you do: Build websites, web apps, and sometimes manage site bugs or improvements. You can start with front-end (HTML/CSS/JS) and go deeper later.
Why it pays: Almost every business today needs a website — and someone to build or fix it.
- 💰 Pay: £35,000–£60,000 per year (or freelance £30–£100/hr)
- 🎓 Where to learn:
- 👌 Best for: Problem-solvers, logical thinkers, and tech-lovers
🎨 3. Graphic Designer
What you do: Design visuals — like social media graphics, logos, posters, and website banners.
Why it pays: Good design helps brands look professional and convert better. It’s also in demand with YouTubers, e-commerce brands, and startups.
- 💰 Pay: £20–£60/hr (freelance), or £30,000+/yr (in-house)
- 🎓 Where to learn:
- 👌 Best for: Creatives, visual thinkers, and social media lovers
📊 4. Digital Marketing Specialist
What you do: Help businesses grow their traffic, sales, or brand presence through SEO, paid ads, content marketing, and social media.
Why it pays: Every online business wants more leads and sales — and marketers help them do that.
- 💰 Pay: £30,000–£70,000 per year / £25–£100 per hour freelance
- 🎓 Where to learn:
- 👌 Best for: Data lovers, creatives, and social media users
📋 5. Virtual Assistant
What you do: Handle emails, schedule meetings, manage calendars, do basic research, or help with social media — all remotely.
Why it pays: Busy entrepreneurs and companies are hiring virtual assistants to save time and stay organized.
- 💰 Pay: £15–£30/hr
- 🎓 Where to learn:
- 👌 Best for: Organized, detail-oriented people who like admin work
🎬 6. YouTube Video Editor
What you do: Edit videos for YouTubers, coaches, brands, or podcasts — add cuts, subtitles, music, animations, etc.
Why it pays: Content creators want professional-looking videos but don’t always have time to edit.
- 💰 Pay: £25–£75 per video (or hourly rates)
- 🎓 Where to learn:
- 👌 Best for: Creative thinkers, storytellers, tech-savvy people
🧠 7. UX Designer (User Experience)
What you do: Improve how websites, apps, and products “feel” — making them more user-friendly, accessible, and enjoyable to use.
Why it pays: Big brands invest heavily in good user experience because it impacts customer retention and conversions.
- 💰 Pay: £40,000–£85,000 per year
- 🎓 Where to learn:
- 👌 Best for: Creative problem-solvers, thinkers, design lovers
📱 8. Social Media Manager
What you do: Manage social media accounts, plan content, engage with followers, and track analytics.
Why it pays: Brands NEED visibility, and social media is their frontline.
- 💰 Pay: £25–£55/hr or £30,000–£50,000/yr
- 🎓 Where to learn:
- 👌 Best for: People who love trends, platforms, and engagement
📚 9. Bookkeeper
What you do: Manage financial records for businesses — invoices, payroll, expenses, etc.
Why it pays: Every business needs help with numbers — and they’ll pay good money for accurate bookkeeping.
- 💰 Pay: £20–£40/hr
- 🎓 Where to learn:
- 👌 Best for: Detail-oriented people, spreadsheet lovers
👩🏫 10. Online Tutor
What you do: Teach school subjects, languages, or skills via Zoom or teaching platforms.
Why it pays: E-learning is booming post-COVID, and parents, students, and professionals are always looking for help.
- 💰 Pay: £15–£50/hr
- 🎓 Where to learn:
- 👌 Best for: People who love to teach, explain, or coach others
❓ FAQs
Can I really get a high-paying job online without a degree?
Yes! Many companies care more about your skills and portfolio than a university degree. If you can do the job, you can get the job.
Which online skill pays the most?
Tech skills like web development, UX design, and copywriting are currently among the highest-paying. However, success also depends on how you market yourself.
Where can I find remote jobs once I learn a skill?
Try platforms like:
🔗 Internal Links (Add in WordPress when uploading)
| Anchor Text | Link |
|---|---|
| Free Google Certifications | https://grow.google/certificates/ |
| How to Make a CV with No Experience | https://dreamjobssearch.com/career-guides/no-experience-cv |
| Best Remote Jobs for Beginners | https://dreamjobssearch.com/remote-jobs/entry-level-remote-jobs |
| Free CV Templates | https://dreamjobssearch.com/resources/free-cv-templates |
