Top 10 Stable Income Careers in 2019 That Don’t Require a College Degree

• Income Range: 70 – 150 million VND per month

Becoming a pilot offers a lucrative career with monthly earnings reaching hundreds of millions of VND. However, to become a skilled pilot, one must undergo rigorous training that lasts for several years, often at personal expense. The path to becoming a pilot is not as simple as people think; it requires meeting physical criteria like height, appearance, and communication skills, along with mastering knowledge and interpersonal skills. A solid command of English is essential, as well as passing numerous tests. A single failure in any of these areas could make the dream of becoming a pilot far more difficult.

Pilot training is typically offered through short-term courses. Candidates usually need to complete vocational training and pass qualification exams before enrolling. Training lasts about three years and includes mandatory annual tests in six key areas. Failure to pass any of these exams may result in a suspension of flying privileges or a temporary ban on holding a pilot’s license for up to five years.

To become a professional pilot, students can choose one of three paths: studying in Vietnam and then going abroad for further education, studying abroad from the start, or being sponsored by domestic airlines for training.

• Income Range: 12 – 25 million VND per month

Among the most popular professions for individuals under 30 years old, especially among young women and men under 40, becoming a flight attendant is highly sought after. This job offers glamour, attractive pay, and the opportunity to travel the world, but it also comes with its own set of challenges. It requires determination and perseverance, just like any other career.

The role of a flight attendant is often associated with the graceful and courteous service provided by women aboard flights. Flight attendants are responsible for ensuring the safety and comfort of passengers throughout the flight, guiding and overseeing safety procedures, and providing services like meals, beverages, and entertainment. They also assist passengers who need special attention, such as children, pregnant women, the elderly, or disabled individuals.

Despite its service-oriented nature, the requirements to become a flight attendant are not overly demanding. A high school diploma, good English skills, and good health are usually sufficient to start a career as a flight attendant, with a starting salary of at least 10 million VND per month. Additionally, a short four-month training course is all it takes to get started in this career.

In today’s job market, it’s rare to find a profession that offers high income without requiring advanced education, and being a flight attendant is one of the few exceptions. Beyond the salary, this career offers many other perks, including the chance to travel the world, meet new people from diverse backgrounds, and expand your social network—opening the door to more opportunities for personal and professional growth.

• Income level: from 27 – 100 million VND/month

The aviation industry is rapidly expanding and holds great potential. Employment opportunities are growing for young people who dream of working in the aviation field. Have you ever imagined commanding or operating an Airbus A380 or Boeing 747? Consider a career as an Air Traffic Controller and immerse yourself in this exciting role.

With increasing flight traffic every year, Air Traffic Controllers (ATCs) are responsible for ensuring flights operate safely, efficiently, and swiftly to maximize outcomes. Vietnam's ATCs work across 22 control towers at both international and domestic airports, three approach control facilities (Noi Bai, Da Nang, Tan Son Nhat), and two Long-Range Control Centers in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. Each shift is divided into various roles, including Chief, Deputy (WS-Watch Supervisor), Executive Controller (EC), Planning Controller (PLC), Supervising Controller (SC), On-the-Job Training Controller (OJT), and OJT Instructors.

To manage and oversee the skies, ATCs are equipped with advanced radar screens and Automatic Air Traffic Management (ATM) systems, radio communication devices, ground-based telephone systems, computers, and other supporting equipment. As an internationally recognized profession, air traffic control adheres to standards and regulations set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and Vietnamese authorities.

• Income level: from 15 – 30 million VND/month

Event planning, though relatively new in Vietnam, has grown rapidly in recent years, driven by the increasing need for businesses to promote their brands and launch new products. The demand for various events such as client conferences, product launches, groundbreaking ceremonies, award shows, competitions (e.g., televised singing contests), workshops, and exhibitions continues to rise, emphasizing the crucial role of event organizers in organizations and companies.

Event planners are responsible for coordinating the event details, liaising with suppliers (e.g., lighting, transportation, venues, catering), and ensuring the schedule runs smoothly. They must also work with guests to ensure accurate information. The job is demanding, as they must oversee everything from start to finish, with extra attention to weather conditions, ensuring every aspect is well-organized. Furthermore, event organizers often work behind the scenes, ensuring everything is in place—from audio-visual setups to restroom facilities. After the event, they are responsible for cleaning up and ensuring everything is properly packed away. The profession requires stamina and the ability to work under pressure to meet tight deadlines. Despite these challenges, event planning is a highly sought-after career among young people, offering plenty of excitement, especially when a well-executed event receives enthusiastic feedback.

The role demands key qualities such as excellent organizational skills, energy, quick thinking, patience, strong networking abilities, teamwork, physical endurance, and a passion for the job. Event organizers must also be adept at problem-solving and handling unexpected situations. While they may appear calm, they are constantly managing their thoughts to anticipate and address any issues. Only once the event concludes can they finally relax.

• Income level: unlimited, with entry-level salaries ranging from 8 – 10 million VND/month

The modeling profession is often associated with long legs, glamorous figures, and confident strides on the catwalk. For many young people, the dream of becoming a model can feel out of reach due to the demanding standards and passion required for the job. However, unlike runway models who must meet strict physical and performance criteria, commercial models focus on creating an appealing personal image—one that is not restricted by height, weight, or appearance. The key difference is that commercial models represent the target audience of the brands they work with.

If you can develop a unique personal brand, the opportunities are endless! It's not uncommon to see well-known celebrities who began as commercial models for magazines. You could be the face of a brand, grace magazine covers, appear on billboards, star in TV commercials, or even represent games, music videos, or prestigious events.

• Income level: unlimited, with entry-level salaries ranging from 5 – 8 million VND/month

A sharp jawline becomes softer, and fuller lips look even more appealing after a makeup session—this is the result of the work done by makeup artists, a profession that is attracting more and more young people to pursue.

The two main factors that contribute to the success of a makeup artist are talent and technique. Talent refers to the ability to sense color and form, blending hues harmoniously, and having a skilled hand to create fine details and even color application. Beyond natural talent, aspiring makeup artists must dedicate themselves to daily practice, from sketching on paper to applying makeup on real faces. In addition, beginner makeup artists should equip themselves with foundational knowledge about skin, cosmetics, facial geometry, and lighting techniques to identify and enhance facial features.

There are various branches within the makeup industry, including general makeup for weddings and events, makeup consultation in beauty stores or showrooms, performance makeup for films or shows, and dramatic makeup often used in advertising or fashion presentations.

Makeup consultants must have a pleasant appearance and excellent persuasion skills. In the performance makeup branch, artists need to “work magic” by using specialized products to hide imperfections and create a flawless look. For dramatic makeup, creativity and color play a key role in conveying artistic messages.

The makeup profession is highly attractive, especially for young people. Depending on the prestige, expertise, and reputation of the artist or brand, the cost of a makeup session can range from 100,000 VND to several million VND. During peak seasons like holidays or wedding periods, makeup artists may work continuously from early morning until late at night.

After some time working freelance or gaining experience at bridal shops, photo studios, or hair salons, many makeup artists open their own businesses to explore their creative freedom. However, being excellent in the art of makeup doesn't necessarily guarantee success in management and business when running a brand.

• Income level: from 3 – 20 million VND/month

Individuals with a passion and talent for photography find that a freelance photography career allows them to do what they love while earning an income. Freelance photography requires relatively low startup costs compared to many other business fields.

In the past five years, freelance photography has gained more recognition, particularly among couples. Successful freelance photographers are often creative individuals with strong business skills. Creativity is vital, as it involves capturing unique moments or composing carefully planned shots through the lens. A good understanding of digital technology and design is a distinct advantage, as much of the market today operates online via websites and email. Additionally, freelance photographers must have strong business acumen, as they are responsible for organizing their work, managing time, and promoting their personal brand.

The opportunities for freelance photographers are virtually limitless. They have numerous options, such as outdoor photography, wedding reportage, portrait photography, family shoots, and event photography. However, competition in this field is inevitable.

• Income level: from 8.3 – 20 million VND/month

University is not the only path to becoming a programmer. Many people have become programmers through self-study at centers, online resources, or by reading books. This route is ideal for those without time or resources for formal education or those who have graduated in another field but have a passion for IT and want to teach themselves programming.

Taking this path offers several advantages:

• Learn what interests you: You can focus on the areas that excite you, without wasting time on unrelated general education courses.
• Develop self-learning skills: This is one of the most important skills for programmers. Knowing how to self-learn will help you keep up with new technologies and prevent your knowledge from becoming outdated.
• Save money: Self-learning means you don’t need to attend classes, pay tuition fees, or buy textbooks.

• Flexible schedule: You can learn whenever and wherever you like, allowing you to adjust your study time and location. This makes it an excellent choice for those who are working or have limited free time.

While many industries face alarming unemployment rates, IT students, especially programmers, are in high demand. The fourth industrial revolution has sparked an IT boom, and companies are eagerly seeking skilled professionals, offering high salaries to attract talent, especially those with early practical experience.

• Income level: from 7 – 34 million VND/month

Multimedia Arts (MMA) involves the application of information technology to create and design interactive multimedia products, with applications in fields such as communications, advertising, education, and entertainment. Graphic design, video games, 3D animation, web design, filmmaking, and more—MMA offers vast creative possibilities for individuals passionate about both art and technology.

In this field, you can work in various areas, including designing for newspapers and magazines, corporate branding (logo design, brochures, product packaging, business cards, client correspondence, etc.), graphic design, motion graphics, music video design, CD/DVD covers for artists, 2D/3D animation, web design, online marketing systems, photography, videography, and post-production editing.

With foreign companies rapidly expanding into Vietnam, and the increasing demand for multimedia arts professionals, young people now have the opportunity to find global job opportunities. As a result, this career offers not only limitless income potential but also the chance to become part of a global workforce, transcending geographical boundaries.