Here's a common
question: Is it possible to get a job that pays well without spending four or
more years at a traditional college or university?
The answer is yes.
Absolutely. In fact, a lot of people choose to bypass that longer path and end
up with some of America's highest-paying jobs. Without a degree like a
bachelor's, they are still able to out-earn many four-year college graduates.
So, what does it
take? It takes a broader view of your educational options as well as the
enthusiasm to learn what kinds of skills are actually needed in the
marketplace. That's what this article is for. Let it be your introduction to a
world of high-paying careers—with little schooling necessary—that you might not
have considered before. The opportunities for those with just two years or less
of trade school or vocational training can be surprising.
The Trouble with Many
Conventional Degrees
Many traditional four-year
degrees aren't all they're cracked up to be. For example, on average, people
who attend conventional colleges and graduate with bachelor's degrees in majors
like the humanities go on to have some of the lowest earnings of all their
peers.*
And did you know that
almost 75 percent of people with a traditional bachelor's degree in science,
technology, engineering, or math (STEM) aren't even employed in the fields they
studied?* That's the reality. Science majors, in particular, often have
difficulty finding work in their fields. In many cases, success in these areas
requires spending additional time in school to earn master's or doctorate
degrees.
The result is that a
lot college graduates who choose the conventional route end up underemployed in
jobs like retail or food service. Those who major in science or the liberal
arts are especially vulnerable unless they go on to graduate school to increase
their opportunities. In 2017, the median annual wage of a retail salesperson in
the U.S. was only $23,210. For cashiers, it was even less: $21,030.*
Clearly, whether
traditional college is worth the time and investment often depends on the major
you choose.
The Opportunity for
Students Who Think More Broadly
In contrast to most
traditional four-year institutions, career and technical schools specialize in
putting students on a more defined path to succeeding in the job market. And
they offer the chance to earn quick degrees or diplomas and complete fast
certification programs. In fact, many of the highest-paying entry-level jobs
can be attained with only two years or less of focused career education.
That's the real value
of short vocational schooling. It's all about getting new opportunities and
positive return on investment (ROI), which is the extra amount you can earn in
your lifetime as a graduate, after subtracting the cost of schooling and the
amount that a typical non-graduate would earn.
The ROI of graduating
from a vocational college or trade school is often very good since you're being
taught marketable skills and technical abilities that employers need instead of
just theory. Plus, your time is valuable. Why spend extra time in school when
you can get trained and start making money in a good career sooner?
High-Paying,
Fast-Growing Careers That Require Little Schooling
Highest paying
jobs categories
The following career
examples don't require much post-secondary education. In a lot of cases, all
you need is a simple two-year associate's degree. And for some of them, a
diploma or certificate is enough to get you started, which can often be earned
in a matter of months.
National salary and
job growth data is taken from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Employment
in each of the 15 careers below is projected to increase at a rate that's above
the average of seven percent for all occupations between 2016 and 2026.***
Salaries are based on estimates from May 2017.** Keep in mind that what you can
earn might vary depending on which part of the country you work in and how much
experience you have.
1. Dental Hygienist
Cleaning teeth,
inspecting mouths for signs of disease, and educating patients about proper
oral care are the primary duties for people with this career.
Median pay—$74,070
Top pay—$101,330 or
more
Job growth—20 percent
2. Diagnostic Medical
Sonographer
These healthcare
technicians use special ultrasound technology to capture images that help
doctors correctly diagnose and treat their patients.
Median pay—$71,410
Top pay—$99,840 or
more
Job growth—23 percent
3. Registered Nurse
With just an
associate's degree, you can enter the world of providing and coordinating
essential care for patients in places like hospitals, nursing facilities, and
other healthcare settings.
Median pay—$70,000
Top pay—$104,100 or
more
Job growth—15 percent
4. Web Developer
Building attractive
and functional websites requires plenty of technical skill but not necessarily
much schooling, especially if you already enjoy teaching yourself new tricks.
Median pay—$67,990
Top pay—$122,320 or
more
Job growth—15 percent
5. Respiratory
Therapist
Many people need
professional care to help breathe effectively, which is where these health pros
come in. The work can vary from facilitating life support to working in small
clinics to assist people with asthma and other respiratory ailments.
Median pay—$59,710
Top pay—$83,030 or
more
Job growth—23 percent
6. Cardiovascular
Technologist
These specialists
perform tests, take ultrasound images, or provide assistance during surgery for
heart-related conditions.
Median pay—$55,270
Top pay—$90,760 or
more
Job growth—10 percent
7. Electrician
A little vocational
schooling and a short apprenticeship is usually enough to enter this trade that
lets you wire buildings for electrical power and communications.
Median pay—$54,110
Top pay—$92,690 or
more
Job growth—9 percent
8. Plumber
With a short amount
of formal trade school or apprenticeship training, you can specialize in
installing and repairing pipes and related equipment.
Median pay—$52,590
Top pay—$91,810 or
more
Job growth—16 percent
9. Commercial Diver
This type of
tradesperson works underwater in special scuba gear to help build, repair, or
remove large structures or equipment.
Median pay—$47,210
Top pay—$96,850 or
more
Job growth—11 percent
10. Paralegal or
Legal Assistant
Supporting lawyers by
taking care of responsibilities like legal research, administrative tasks, or
document drafting is what these well-paid professionals are trained for.
Median pay—$50,410
Top pay—$81,180 or
more
Job growth—15 percent
11. HVAC Technician
These tradespeople
install, maintain, and repair the systems that heat and cool our homes,
businesses, and other buildings.
Median pay—$47,080
Top pay—$75,330 or
more
Job growth—15 percent
12. Surgical
Technologist
Preparing operating
rooms, organizing surgical equipment, and assisting surgeons during operations
are a few of the main roles for this kind of healthcare technician.
Median pay—$46,310
Top pay—$67,000 or
more
Job growth—12 percent
13. Heavy Equipment
Operator
This skilled trade
involves controlling big construction machinery used for building roads or
major structures.
Median pay—$47,040
Top pay—$82,280 or
more
Job growth—12 percent
14. Licensed
Practical or Vocational Nurse
No degree is required
to get into this level of nursing, which lets you work alongside doctors and
other health professionals after a quick vocational education.
Median pay—$45,030
Top pay—$61,030 or
more
Job growth—12 percent
15. Medical
Laboratory Technician
People in this
occupation collect fluid and tissue samples from medical patients and perform
basic diagnostic tests using special lab equipment.
Median pay—$38,950
Top pay—$61,720 or
more
Job growth—14 percent
Other High-Paying
Jobs With Little Schooling Required
Highest Paying Jobs
Without a DegreeIn addition to the above careers, the following options can
also pay well and are expected to have some job growth. And they can often be
started without a degree or with just a short amount of formal training or
certification preparation.
16. Computer
Programmer
Although many
programmers have bachelor's degrees in computer science, a lot of other
successful people in this field are able to begin their careers with under two
years of formal training in software coding or mobile app development.
Median pay—$82,240
Top pay—$132,530 or
more
17. Commercial Pilot
(Non-Airline)
You don't need a
college degree to fly charters or to get paid for things like aerial
photography or firefighting missions. But you do need certification from the
FAA (Federal Aviation Administration), which can be prepared for at an aviation
school that offers short pilot training.
Median pay—$78,740
Top pay—$152,180 or
more
18. Network Systems
Administrator
Looking after the
day-to-day needs of an organization's data communications systems is what this
technology-based vocation is all about.
Median pay—$81,100
Top pay—$130,200 or
more
19. Multimedia Artist
or Animator
With the success of
the video game and other entertainment industries like film and TV, the need
for those with artistic talent and 2D or 3D computer animation skills is always
present.
Median pay—$70,530
Top pay—$123,060 or
more
20. Electrical or
Electronics Engineering Technician
Helping engineers
develop and test equipment and devices related to things like computers, health
monitoring, communications, or navigation is what this kind of specialist does.
Median pay—$63,660
Top pay—$93,810 or
more
21. Police Officer
Although requirements
vary from agency to agency, in a lot of cases you can become an attractive
candidate for police academy training by being in good physical shape and
having a little bit of criminal justice schooling.
Median pay—$61,050
Top pay—$100,610 or
more
22. Aircraft Mechanic
The exciting trade of
repairing and maintaining airplanes or helicopters can be learned by getting
short FAA-approved training from an aviation school.
Median pay—$61,020
Top pay—$92,080 or
more
23. Mechanical
Engineering Technician
With a quick
associate's degree in this field, you can begin assisting mechanical engineers
with the development, testing, and manufacturing of things like industrial
machines, engines, and tools with moving parts.
Median pay—$55,360
Top pay—$85,230 or more
24. Architectural
Drafter
Using
computer-assisted design and drafting (CADD) programs, these professionals turn
the ideas of architects into plans and blueprints that can be used for the
actual construction of buildings.
Median pay—$52,870
Top pay—$79,790 or
more
25. Civil Engineering
Technician
Infrastructure
projects like bridges and highways have their beginnings in the design and
planning stage, which is what these professionals assist with.
Median pay—$51,620
Top pay—$78,660 or
more
26. Graphic Designer
Visually
communicating ideas through graphics and illustrations that inform people and
capture their attention is what this occupation is all about. Plus, career
advancement in this field can be very rewarding since art directors, depending
on their experience and particular industries, can make over $166,400 in some
locations.
Median pay—$48,700
Top pay—$83,140 or
more
27. Diesel Mechanic
In this automotive
trade, the focus is on inspecting, repairing, or overhauling large vehicles with
diesel engines such as trucks, buses, and rolling machinery used in mining or
construction.
Median pay—$46,360
Top pay—$69,870 or
more
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