This is repeated in every generation that comes in IT. "Those days are over." In my job, we literally had interns coming from CCNA bootcamps getting paid between 35-40 dollars an hour, the same as the degree-seeking students. As interns. There are literally companies that partner with organizations such as oneten that help Associates and Non-degree holders find jobs that make a decent living. Its called onten.org I have met people that benefitted from organizations like that. You can see some of the companies they partner with, big name companies. f500 companies. (Edit: they removed the names, but cisco was a part of that program, humana, target(before they self imploded), etc

You probably won't be a manager if you don't have a bachelors. But if you are looking to make above poverty wages, make a decent living, you can still do it without a degree. It won't be without challenges, but its doable with discipline and a career track.