Career experts at Resume Genius have identified 10 of the highest-paying “new-collar jobs” over six figures in 2026.
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A new category of hiring is gaining traction in the American workforce that leaves college degrees in the dust and gives more attention to skilled employees without a traditional four-year college degree. They’re called “new-collar jobs“—not white-or blue-collar jobs. According to the Harvard Business Review, this shift benefits many workers unable to advance because they don’t have a bachelor’s degree, stuck in low-paying jobs. As more companies search for job candidates with skills, instead of college degrees, 10 six-figure, “new-collar jobs” are gaining popularity in 2026.
What Are ‘New-Collar Jobs’?
The term “new-collar jobs,” originally popularized by IBM, emphasizes skills training, certifications or on-the-job training. They differ from blue-collar roles that involve physical labor and from white-collar careers that require college degrees.
The demand for “new-collar jobs” is changing the tide of recruiting. With the uptick in “new-collar jobs,” forward-thinking organizations are striking through the “four-year-degree required” line in their job descriptions.
A report by Accenture argues that degree inflation—the demand for a four-year college degree for jobs that previously did not require one—is a substantive and widespread phenomenon, making the U.S. labor market more inefficient.
The report found more than 60% of employers rejected otherwise qualified candidates in terms of skills or experience simply because they did not have a college diploma. “New collar” roles focus more on skills and experience than degrees and are common in fields like tech, business and operations.
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“With student debt levels high and economic uncertainty lingering, job seekers are asking tougher questions about return on investment,” according to Eva Chan, career expert at Resume Genius. “New-collar jobs offer an alternative that feels more practical for this moment. Instead of spending years and thousands of dollars on a degree, workers can build targeted skills, earn certifications, and move into roles that pay well and scale over time.”
10 Highest-Paying Six-Figure ‘New Collar Jobs’ In 2026
To help job seekers identify the most promising options, Resume Genius released its 2026 New-Collar Jobs Report to spotlight 10 roles that offer six-figure salaries and career growth opportunities outside of a typical academic route. Each of these career paths prioritize practical skills over formal education.
Resume Genius defined new-collar jobs as high-paying, remote-friendly roles that are accessible to a broader range of workers—especially those without a college degree. The jobs are specifically selected for their future-proof qualities. They involve minimal physical labor, less susceptibility to AI disruption and strong long-term career potential.
Resume Genius analyzed data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Outlook Handbook to pinpoint high-paying “new-collar jobs”—roles that emphasize skills over traditional degrees. The analysis zeroed in on occupations with median annual pay of at least $100,000, projected job growth through 2034 and limited physical labor.
Roles facing a greater than 50% risk of automation were excluded, based on third-party automation risk metrics and independent research on AI’s impact on the workforce. The researchers also examined Indeed job postings to assess the prevalence of remote and hybrid work options.
Drawing on BLS data, official job descriptions and insights from online career forums, the researchers assessed whether workers could realistically enter each role without a four-year college degree. This methodology produced a final list of 10 qualifying occupations that have minimal physical labor, no four-year degree requirements and remote-hybrid work options. The list of selected jobs contain the following information:
- Median annual salary of $100,000+ for each job title
- Median hour salary
- Top 10% of earner salary
- Estimated job growth through 2034
- AI job takeover risk less than 50% risk of being automated by AI
The jobs are ranked from the highest-to-lowest-paying annual salary.
- Marketing manager ($159,660 annual pay, $76.76 hourly pay); Top 10% of earners make $239,200; Estimated job growth: six percent; AI job takeover risk: 39%. The role: Marketing managers lead campaigns that expand a company’s reach, overseeing budgets, teams, and digital strategy.
- Human resources manager ($140,030 annual pay, $67.32 hourly pay); Top 10% of earners make $239,200; Estimated job growth: five percent; AI job takeover risk: 24%. The role: HR managers oversee hiring, employee support, and workplace policies, ensuring compliance with labor laws.
- Sales manager ($138,060 annual pay, $66.38 hourly pay); Top 10% of earners make $239,200; Estimated job growth: five percent; AI job takeover risk: 33%. The role: Sales managers lead revenue-driving teams, set targets, coach performance, and often shape sales strategy or key client relationships.
- Computer network architect ($130,390 annual pay, $62.69 hourly pay); Top 10% of earners make $198,030; Estimated job growth: 12%; AI job takeover risk: 39%. The role: Computer network architects design, build and maintain secure networks that enable organizations to communicate and share data.
- General and operations manager ($129,330 annual pay, $62.18 hourly pay); Top 10% of earners make $232,110; Estimated job growth: six percent; AI job takeover risk: 36%. The role: General and operations managers keep businesses running smoothly by managing its resources and overseeing multiple teams or departments.
- Information security analyst ($124,910 annual pay, $60.05 hourly pay); Top 10% of earners make $186,420; Estimated job growth: 29%. AI job takeover risk: 49%. The role: Information security analysts protect digital systems by identifying vulnerabilities and responding to cyber threats.
- Sales engineer ($121,520 annual pay, $58.42 hourly pay); Top 10% of earners make $202,670; Estimated job growth: five percent; AI job takeover risk: 38%. The role: Sales engineers sell complex products by combining technical expertise with customer-focused communication.
- Health services manager ($117,960 annual pay, $56.71 hourly pay); Top 10% of earners make $219,080; Estimated job growth: 23%; AI job takeover risk: 26%. The role: Health services managers oversee the business side of healthcare, coordinating operations and compliance across departments.
- Art director ($111,040 annual pay, $53.38 hourly pay); Top 10% of earners make $211,410; Estimated job growth: four percent; AI job takeover risk: 34%. The role: Art directors set a project’s visual direction, managing creative teams and ensuring work aligns with the client’s vision.
- Construction manager ($106,980 annual pay, $51.43 hourly pay; Top 10% of earners make $176,990; Estimated job growth: nine percent; AI job takeover risk: 13%. The role: Construction managers oversee building projects, managing timelines, budgets, and safety without performing physical labor.
4 Steps To Land A High-Paying ‘New-Collar Job’
1. Earn certifications that match the job.
Industry-recognized certifications signal job-ready skills, often requiring far less time and expense than a traditional college degree.
2. Volunteer or freelance to gain hands-on experience.
Volunteering, freelancing, or small projects give candidates real-world experience while building skills and credibility.
3. Build a portfolio.
A portfolio shows hiring managers tangible examples of past work, including projects, problem-solving, and case studies.
4. Conduct informational interviews.
Informational interviews and professional outreach offer guidance, referrals and insight into employer expectations, helping candidates sidestep common early-career mistakes.
One truth is clear from this research: a traditional college degree isn’t the only gateway to a well-paying future. In 2026, job seekers are carving out success by mastering practical skills—earning certifications, learning online and stepping directly into real-world experience. The story of “new-collar workers” doesn’t end with a diploma. It begins with the courage to choose a different road and the commitment to keep learning along the way.