"Everyone should learn to code."
No, they shouldn't.
Most people are terrible at coding. It requires a specific type of brain that enjoys staring at a semicolon error for 4 hours. If that’s not you, stop torturing yourself.
The biggest secret in Tech is that half the people making $200k+ can’t write a "Hello World" script. They are the people who sell the code, manage the coders, or design the buttons.
If you have basic social skills and can use a spreadsheet, you are already ahead of 90% of engineers.
Here are the roles where you can make engineer money without the engineer headache.
The Real Numbers
Let’s compare the "Stress vs. Pay" ratio.
| Role | Avg Pay (2025) | Stress Source | Coding Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sales Engineer | $180k+ | Quotas | 10% (Read only) |
| Product Manager | $160k | Herding Cats | 0% |
| Scrum Master | $130k | Meetings | 0% |
| Tech Recruiter | $120k+ | Ghosting | 0% |
| Software Engineer | $150k | Bugs | 100% |
1. Sales Engineer: The "Golden Retriever" of Tech
You are the friendly face. The Sales Rep brings you to the meeting. You explain the API. You buy lunch. You leave.
The Scenario
The client asks: "Can your software integrate with our legacy mainframe from 1980?" The Sales Rep panics. You smile and say: "Yes, we have a custom connector for that." The client signs the $1 million contract. You get a $20k commission check. You did 1 hour of work.
The Old Way vs. The New Way
- 2021: "Solutions Architect." You drew diagrams.
- 2025: "Sales Engineer." You are a revenue generator. You are untouchable.
2. Product Manager: The CEO of Nothing
You have all the responsibility and none of the authority. But you get paid a lot.
The Scenario
The engineers want to rewrite the entire codebase in Rust because it’s "cool." The customers just want a "Dark Mode." Your job is to tell the engineers "No" without making them quit. It’s professional babysitting. But when the product launches and makes millions, you get the credit.
3. Technical Recruiter: The Headhunter
If you can handle rejection, this is a goldmine.
The Scenario
A company needs a "Senior AI Engineer." They are desperate. You find a guy on LinkedIn who worked at OpenAI for 6 months. You send him a DM. He replies. You introduce him to the company. They hire him for $300k. Your fee is 20%. You just made $60k for sending an email.
4. Scrum Master: The Meeting Manager
Your job is to ask: "What did you do yesterday? What are you doing today? Any blockers?"
The Scenario
The team is blocked because the server is down. You call the IT guy. He fixes it. You are a hero. Most of your day is moving cards on a Trello board and protecting the team from the CEO’s bad ideas. It pays $130k.
5 Steps to Faking It 'Til You Make It
- Learn the Lingo: Know what API, Cloud, SaaS, and Latency mean. You don't need to know how they work, just how to use the words in a sentence.
- Get a "Proxy" Cert: Certified Scrum Master (CSM) takes 2 days. AWS Cloud Practitioner takes 1 week. These get you past the HR filter.
- Fix Your LinkedIn: Change your headline from "Aspiring Tech Worker" to "Product Enthusiast" or "Tech Sales Professional."
- Network with Sales People: They are always hiring. If you are hungry and can talk, they will give you a shot as an SDR (Sales Development Rep).
- Ignore the Gatekeepers: Engineers will say "You aren't technical enough." Ignore them. Check your bank account. It will be technical enough.
See our guide on Making $200k a Year
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an MBA to be a Product Manager?
No. MBAs are expensive and teach you theory. Build a side project. Launch a Shopify store. Show that you can ship a product. That is worth more than a degree.
Is Sales stressful?
Yes. You have a quota. If you don't sell, you get fired. But the upside is unlimited. I know Sales Engineers making $500k a year. It’s high risk, high reward.
Can I work remotely?
Yes. All of these roles are remote-friendly. In fact, Sales Engineers travel less now because everyone does Zoom demos.
Will AI replace these jobs?
AI can write code. It can't convince a skeptical CTO to buy a $500k software package. It can't negotiate a salary. Human-centric roles are safer than code-centric roles right now.