You earn bitcoin the same way you earn fiat: you must work for it or provide some sort of service . I don't understand why people think bitcoin is free money.
If you want to get started with your first BTCs, join a signature campaign, it's useful to get some without having to buy them, then you can test it out. Faucets are pretty useless nowadays so sig campaigns are the best for noobs.
You are very correct, faucets are extremely tedious nowadays.
If you have a graphic design skill or programming skills, Try to apply to an ICO team instead of participating campaigns. It will surely give you high salary and at the same time you will practice your skills but you don't have any skill that related to crypto then follow the suggestion above. It is the best possible way to earn BTC without investment of fiat.