10 High-Paying New-Collar Jobs You Can Land in 2025
A bachelor’s diploma is no longer the universal ticket to a six-figure salary. Major employers—from tech giants to healthcare networks—now embrace skills-first hiring, opening doors for ambitious professionals who can prove competence through targeted training, certifications, and hands-on results. The Resume Genius analysis below spotlights ten “new-collar” roles that meet three strict criteria:
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Median pay above US $100 k
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Positive job-growth outlook through 2033
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Low physical labor & under 50 % AI-automation risk
What Is a New-Collar Job?
Coined by IBM, the term describes occupations that emphasize demonstrable skills and experience—often gained via short courses, apprenticeships, or industry certificates—rather than a traditional four-year degree. These roles prevail in tech, business operations, sales, and creative leadership, and many offer remote or hybrid work patterns.
Top 10 New-Collar Jobs for 2025
| # | Role | Median Salary* | 10-Yr Growth | AI Take-over Risk | Typical Entry Path |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marketing Manager | $159,660 | 8 % | 39 % | Digital marketing → portfolio of successful campaigns |
| 2 | Human Resources Manager | $140,030 | 6 % | 24 % | HR assistant → SHRM-CP/aPHR certification |
| 3 | Sales Manager | $138,060 | 6 % | 33 % | Top-performing sales rep → leadership training |
| 4 | Computer Network Architect | $130,390 | 13 % | 39 % | Help-desk/technician → CCNA/Network+ |
| 5 | General & Operations Manager | $129,330 | 6 % | 36 % | Team lead/project manager → PMP/lean ops courses |
| 6 | Information Security Analyst | $124,910 | 33 % | 49 % | IT support → CompTIA Security+, Google Cybersecurity Cert |
| 7 | Sales Engineer | $121,520 | 6 % | 38 % | Technical support → solution-selling bootcamps |
| 8 | Health Services Manager | $117,960 | 29 % | 26 % | Medical office admin → healthcare admin cert |
| 9 | Art Director | $111,040 | 5 % | 34 % | Graphic designer → leadership portfolio |
| 10 | Construction Manager | $106,980 | 9 % | 13 % | Crew foreman → OSHA & project-management certs |
*U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics medians; useful as a global benchmark. Free AI Resume Builder - Resume Genius
Four Proven Ways to Land a New-Collar Job
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Earn Targeted Certifications
Short, industry-recognized programs—e.g., CompTIA Security+ or Google Project Management—signal competence faster than another degree. -
Build a Portfolio of Real Projects
Freelance gigs, volunteer work, or internal stretch assignments give tangible proof of results. -
Network Through Informational Interviews
Conversations with practitioners often uncover hidden vacancies and insider tips. -
Leverage Mentors
A seasoned guide accelerates your learning curve and vouches for your abilities. (Tip: structure mentor-mentee sessions around clear goals, as outlined in HBR’s relationship framework you recently reviewed.)
Why This Matters
For career-changers, recent graduates, and up-skilling professionals alike, the new-collar revolution replaces credential gatekeeping with meritocracy. By focusing on demonstrable value and continuous learning, you can unlock roles once reserved for degree-holders—and future-proof your earning potential.
Action Step: Identify one certification aligned with your career goals this quarter, and commit to completing it. Don't know where to start? Visit https://www.facebook.com/share/p/16e5Nxbdha/ to learn more. Your future self—and your wallet—will thank you.