New Google research reveals that the most in-demand jobs in the U.S. can pay over $100,000 without a college degree.

More Americans are shifting their focus away from four-year degrees and towards flexible, college-free careers that offer six-figure salaries.

A decade ago, the perception of higher education in the U.S. was generally positive. In 2013, 70% of U.S. adults considered a college education "very important," according to surveys by Pew Research Center and Gallup.

According to the Pew Research Center, nearly half of people believe that having a college degree is less important for obtaining a high-paying job today compared to 20 years ago, while 29% believe it's not worth the cost.

The number of searches for "no degree jobs" in the U.S. on Google hit a new high this year, surpassing the previous record in 2023, according to Google Trends data shared with CNBC Make It.

According to Google's research, individuals are placing a high value on jobs that provide flexible schedules, travel opportunities, and a clear path to six-figure salaries.

The three most frequently searched jobs in America, according to November 2024 data, are:

1. Real estate agent
2. Notary
3. Flight attendant

In the U.S., the ranking of Google was determined by the most popular "how to become" search queries.

No formal education requirements exist beyond a high school diploma or GED for these three roles.

In order to become a notary or real estate agent, you must acquire a certification or official license from the state you are operating in. The duration of this process may vary from 1 to 9 months, as stated by the National Notary Association and Indeed.

At least a high school diploma, customer service experience, and on-the-job training are typically required for most flight attendant positions.

In 2023, notaries and real estate agents were among the top search trends on Google.

The ongoing challenges in the U.S. housing market, including low inventory, rising prices, and fluctuating mortgage rates, are driving the consistent demand for real estate agents and notaries. As such challenges persist, the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts continued demand for both professions.

Nearly three-quarters of high-paying jobs in the U.S. demand a college degree, yet less than half of Americans possess a bachelor's degree, according to Lisa Gevelber, Google vice president and Grow With Google founder, as stated in a CNBC Make It report.

The earnings gap is a significant issue for understaffed companies and workers facing inflation, she remarks.

The average salaries for flight attendants, real estate agents, and notaries in the U.S. vary widely based on experience and location.

As you gain more experience, you can potentially earn more in these roles. In the U.S., the highest-paid real estate agents are earning more than $130,000 a year, according to ZipRecruiter. Senior flight attendants are paid upwards of $100,000 a year.

Notary publics are limited in the amount they can charge, while notary signing agents can charge more for handling sensitive mortgage or loan packages under tight deadlines.

A notary signing agent typically earns between $75 and $200 per hour-long appointment, according to Mark Wills, a signing agent with over 20 years of experience, as reported in CNBC Make It in May 2023.

In 2024, "jobs with no degree required online" and "remote jobs without a degree" were among the most popular searches on Google.

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