June 23, 2025 8:32 am EDT
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  • Many management jobs need just a high school diploma and some relevant experience.
  • Transportation, storage, and distribution managers typically make six figures and don’t always need a college degree.
  • Business Insider ranked the pay of manager jobs that typically don’t require a bachelor’s degree.

Several types of manager jobs typically don’t need four years of college.

Bureau of Labor Statistics data showed that seven classes of managerial jobs typically require just a high school diploma, and one typically requires an associate degree. Their median annual pay ranges from about $65,000 to $102,000, surpassing the national median of $49,500.

Being a high school graduate isn’t usually enough. Job seekers may need some experience before applying for a manager role. For example, while people can become food service managers with just a high school diploma, the Bureau of Labor Statistics said they usually need to have experience as cooks, servers, or supervisors.

While these jobs often don’t need a four-year degree, BLS found that many management roles typically want at least a bachelor’s degree. Marketing, financial, and human resources managers are among those who typically need at least a bachelor’s degree.

Below are eight US manager jobs that don’t usually require a bachelor’s degree. Wage and employment figures below are from 2024.

8. Food service managers

Typical requirement: High school diploma or equivalent

Annual wage: $65,310

Total employed: 244,230

7. Property, real estate, and community association managers

Typical requirement: High school diploma or equivalent

Annual wage: $66,700

Total employed: 296,640

The Bureau of Labor Statistics said people may need a state-issued license and some relevant experience.

“For example, real estate brokers and sales agents also show commercial properties to prospective tenants or buyers, and customer service representatives gain experience dealing with many types of people,” BLS said.

6. Lodging managers

Typical requirement: High school diploma or equivalent

Annual wage: $68,130

Total employed: 41,350

The Bureau of Labor Statistics said students who want to be lodging managers could take hospitality management classes. Those not in high school anymore could apply for jobs where they can gain experience before moving into management, such as lodging front desk jobs.

5. Funeral home managers

Typical requirement: Associate degree

Annual wage: $76,830

Total employed: 13,120

4. Gambling managers

Typical requirement: High school diploma or equivalent

Annual wage: $85,580

Total employed: 4,620

3. Farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers

Typical requirement: High school diploma or equivalent

Annual wage: $87,980

Total employed: 5,910

“Prospective farmers, ranchers, and agricultural managers typically work as agricultural workers for several years to gain the knowledge and experience needed to run their own farm,” the Bureau of Labor Statistics said. “Some gain experience while growing up on a family farm.”

2. Postmasters and mail superintendents

Typical requirement: High school diploma or equivalent

Annual wage: $92,730

Total employed: 13,810

1. Transportation, storage, and distribution managers

Typical requirement: High school diploma or equivalent

Annual wage: $102,010

Total employed: 213,000

The Bureau of Labor Statistics said job seekers may need relevant experience first.

“Workers may become managers by moving into roles that require increasing responsibility or by gaining experience in a particular industry, such as warehousing,” BLS said. “For example, hand laborers and material movers may progress to become first-line supervisors before qualifying for storage and warehouse manager positions.”



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