If you dream of open skies, fresh air, using your hands, or you just have eyestrain issues, being stuck in front of a computer all day might be the ultimate in torture for you. But don't despair. There are a lot of jobs that don't require a computer, and many more that only require minimal computer use.
Outdoor Jobs
The first place to look for a job that doesn't require a computer is outside. Farmers, ranchers, forest rangers, telephone linemen and highway construction workers rarely need a computer to perform their jobs. Most of these jobs also involve plenty of fresh air and exercise.
Working With People
If you are a "people person" and would prefer spending your time talking and interacting with others, rather than spending your time in front of a computer, you might prefer a sales position. Real estate sales, automobile sales or being a bank teller may require some computer data entry, but the majority of your job would involve interpersonal relations rather than computer skills. Teachers, event planners and counselors are also more people-based jobs than computer-based.
Working With Your Hands
If you enjoy working with your hands, there are a great many jobs that don't require the use of a computer. This includes working as a carpenter, cabinetmaker, factory laborer, plumber and even as a motorcycle mechanic. Some of these skilled trades pay as much as, if not more than, positions involving sitting in front of a computer. For instance, according to a November 2010 survey, the U.S. average salary for a plumber is $40,168, while the average salary for an applications systems specialist is only slightly more at $41,588.
Determining Working Conditions
Once you have an idea of a job that might interest you, you can look at the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook. It will list specific working conditions that pertain to that type of job. From there, you can tell specifically how much computer work will be required, what the outlook for future demand is and what the estimated salary projections are.
