In Ghana, having a university degree can open many doors but it’s not the only path to a high-paying career. Many skilled and entrepreneurial Ghanaians are earning impressive incomes through jobs that rely more on talent, training, and experience than on formal academic qualifications.
Whether you prefer working with your hands, starting your own business, or learning technical skills, there are opportunities to build a successful and rewarding career without stepping into a lecture hall.
1. Real Estate Agent Earning Potential: GHS 3,000 – GHS 15,000+ per month (commission-based) Real estate agents connect buyers and sellers or help tenants find rental properties. Success in this field depends on networking, sales skills, and market knowledge. Many agents earn high commissions on property sales, especially in urban areas like Accra and Kumasi. For instance, Houses for Sale Ghana and Devtraco Plus often work with independent agents who earn commissions on luxury home sales in Accra and Tema. Some agents close single deals worth over GHS 50,000 in commissions.
2. Commercial Driver / Transport Business Owner Earning Potential: GHS 2,000 – GHS 8,000+ per month. From Uber and Bolt drivers to owners of trotro and intercity buses, the transport sector can be highly profitable. Adding good customer service and managing your vehicle well can significantly increase earnings. Take a critical look at this, A Bolt or Uber driver in Accra can earn GHS 200–500 a day during peak periods. A trotro owner with two vehicles running busy routes like Circle–Madina can make over GHS 8,000 monthly after expenses.
3. Digital Marketer Earning Potential: GHS 2,500 – GHS 10,000+ per month. With the growth of online business, skilled digital marketers are in demand. They handle social media, online advertising, and brand promotion for companies. Many digital marketers learn through short courses on platforms like Google, Coursera, or Alison. For example, Freelancers managing Facebook and Instagram ads for local businesses like Jumia Ghana or small clothing brands can charge GHS 1,500–5,000 per campaign.
4. Fashion Designer / Tailor Earning Potential: GHS 2,000 – GHS 12,000+ per month Ghana’s fashion industry is vibrant, and talented designers can make excellent income creating custom clothing for clients or selling ready-to-wear outfits. Building a strong brand and an online presence can expand your customer base nationwide and abroad. Check this, designers like Pistis Ghana or Brommon Bespoke started small but now dress celebrities and public figures, charging thousands of cedis per outfit.
5. Electrician / Plumber Earning Potential: GHS 2,500 – GHS 8,000+ per month. Skilled tradespeople are always in demand, especially in construction and home maintenance. With experience and a good reputation, electricians and plumbers can take on lucrative contracts for residential, commercial, and industrial projects. For example, an electrician working on new apartment complexes in East Legon or Tema can earn over GHS 300 per day. A plumber contracted for hotel installations in Takoradi might make GHS 15,000–20,000 for a full project.
6. Caterer / Food Business Owner Earning Potential: GHS 2,000 – GHS 10,000+ per month. From event catering to running a popular restaurant or food delivery service, the food industry offers many opportunities for talented cooks and entrepreneurs. Quality, consistency, and marketing are key to success. In Ghana for instance some event caterers like Auntie Muni Waakye started with a small street food business and now handle large events, making GHS 20,000+ in one month during wedding season
7. Web Developer / Graphic Designer Earning Potential: GHS 3,000 – GHS 15,000+ per month. With only basic training in coding or design tools, you can start building websites or creating graphics for clients. Many successful Ghanaian developers and designers are self-taught through free or low-cost online courses. Take a critical look at this, a freelance web designer creating e-commerce websites for Accra-based boutiques can charge GHS 4,000–10,000 per site. Graphic designers working for churches and corporate events often make GHS 3,000–6,000 a month in side jobs.
8. Mining and Oil Field Technician Earning Potential: GHS 4,000 – GHS 18,000+ per month. The mining and oil sectors hire technicians for equipment operation, maintenance, and safety roles. These positions require specialized training but not necessarily a university degree, and they pay well due to the demanding nature of the work. Technicians at Tarkwa Goldfields or Tullow Oil Ghana can earn salaries above GHS 5,000 per month, plus benefits like housing and allowances.
9. Photography & Videography Earning Potential: GHS 2,500 – GHS 12,000+ per month. Events such as weddings, corporate functions, and fashion shoots are always in demand. Skilled photographers and videographers can earn high incomes, especially when offering editing and production services.
Wedding photographers like Focus and Blur or Team Nhyira charge between GHS 5,000–15,000 for premium packages, including drone footage and albums.
10. Real Estate Developer / Construction Contractor Earning Potential: GHS 5,000 – GHS 20,000+ per month. With knowledge of building processes and some capital, you can enter the construction industry by developing houses for sale or rent. Even small-scale projects can be profitable in Ghana’s growing property market. For instance, Small-scale developers in Kasoa and Pokuase buy land, build 2–3 bedroom houses, and sell them for GHS 400,000–700,000, making profits of GHS 50,000–150,000 per unit.
Final Thoughts You don’t need a university degree to achieve financial success in Ghana. Many of the country’s top earners started with vocational training, short courses, or self-taught skills. The key is to identify a skill in high demand, master it, and market yourself effectively. If you invest in continuous learning and maintain a strong work ethic, these careers can not only pay well but also give you the freedom to grow your own business and secure your future.