If you don't have a four-year degree, but want a six-figure salary and a flexible work schedule, the "new-collar" job might be the perfect fit for you.

This growing job category is "modern and skills first" — prioritizing technical  skills and experience over a four-year degree.

Most of the roles, such as marketing manager or human resources manager, require some level of specialized skills or training. But with relatively low barriers to entry and no manual labor, new-collar jobs can be a good fit for anyone. The project-based, remote-friendly nature of new-collar roles makes them particularly well suited for Gen Z — a generation with changing work ideals.

New collar jobs offer what Gen Z job seekers would value, which is flexibility, well-paying career paths, the ability to grow based on your skills, rather than just credentials.

If you're interested in finding a new-collar job well suited for you, accumulating relevant volunteer experiences or certifications can help you stand out to employers. 

Many New-Collar workers are self-taught, using online resources to build skills and pass employer skills tests.

Identifying the top-paying roles using insights from career forums, job descriptions and U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook and education data.  

Here are the top-paying new-collar jobs of 2025 that are in-demand and unlikely to get taken over by artificial intelligence, according to a reliable source.

Marketing manager

• Median salary: $159,660

• Estimated job growth (2023-2033): 8%

Marketing mangers help companies engage and expand their audiences through researching, developing and executing promotional campaigns.

 If you have experience in video and photo editing, search engine optimization and social media, you may find that a marketing manager role is a good fit for you.

If you're interested in this role and don't have a four-year degree, we recommends creating a portfolio that helps employers see your creative skills. This could entail compiling YouTube videos you have made throughout the years or showcasing a social media platform you have helped to grow.

Learning Google analytics through Google's free tool suite can be a good added bonus for employers too.

Human resources manager

• Median salary: $140,030

• Estimated job growth (2023-2033): 6%

Human resources managers act as a liaison between companies and employees, enforcing workplace policies and establishing employee guidelines. They are also typically involved in hiring and onboarding new employees.

If you have a background in administration, recruiting or customer service, this role might be a good fit for you. Although some universities offer human resources as a major, a four-year degree isn't necessary to break into the field.

Instead, you can obtain a relevant online certification, like the Associate Professional in Human Resources (APHR) certification or Society for Human Resources Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) certification.

Sales manager

• Median salary: $138,060

• Estimated job growth (2023-2033): 6%

Sales managers set sales targets, then coach and manage a team of sales representatives toward reaching those goals.

Most people who become sales managers start out in sales representative or account executive positions. If you're successfully driving sales for your company in one of these roles and hope to advance to a higher-paying position, demonstrating your passion for leadership, knack for data-tracking and in-depth product knowledge can be a good way to show your readiness.

Computer network architect

• Median salary: $130,390

• Estimated job growth (2023-2033): 13%

Computer network architects design and build computer communication systems, tailored toward a company's specific goals.

A background in IT work or experience setting up computer networks can help demonstrate readiness for this role — even if your experience is as simple as setting up a network at home or for a friend.

 Some aspiring computer network architects can  start out as support specialists or network technicians to break into the field.

Once you start to build mastery in one of those roles, it's a good idea to explore relevant online certification options like the CompTIA Network+ or Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) certifications to advance toward a computer network architect position.

General and operations manager

• Median salary: $129,330

• Estimated job growth (2023-2033): 6%

General and operations managers are responsible for how their company runs — managing resources, teams, departments and projects.

Team or project management experience is a great way to show the value you could bring to this role. If a past job hasn't provided you with that experience, documenting a volunteer role can help to fill the gap.

Many general and operations managers work their way up to the position within their respective companies by demonstrating skills in organization or team management.

 Some also step into the role from different team leadership positions in related fields.

The first step towards a successful career starts with booking a free consultation with us!

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