Jobs That Pay Well but Which You Don’t Need a Bachelor’s Degree to Do (27 pics)
First-line supervisors of mechanics, installers, and repairers
Description: Directly supervise and coordinate the activities of mechanics, installers, and repairers.
Median annual wage (2012): $60,250
Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
Projected job openings (through 2022): 152,000
On-the-job training: None
Gas plant operators
Median annual wage (2012): $61,140
Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
Projected job openings (through 2022): 4,700
On-the-job training: Long-term on-the-job training
Aerospace engineering and operations technicians
Description: Aerospace engineering and operations technicians operate and maintain equipment used in developing, testing, and producing new aircraft and spacecraft.
Median annual wage (2012): $61,530
Education required: Associate's degree
Projected job openings (through 2022): 2,100
On-the-job training: None
Petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers
Description: Operate or control petroleum refining or processing units.
Median annual wage (2012): $61,850
Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
Projected job openings (through 2022): 15,500
On-the-job training: None
Web developers
Description: Design, create, and modify websites.
Median annual wage (2012): $62,500
Education required: Associate's degree
Projected job openings (through 2022): 50,700
On-the-job training: None
Subway and streetcar operators
Description: Operate subway or elevated suburban trains with no separate locomotive, or electric-powered streetcar, to transport passengers.
Median annual wage (2012): $62,730
Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
Projected job openings (through 2022): 3,300
On-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training
Postmasters and mail superintendents
Description: Plan, direct, or coordinate operational, administrative, management, and supportive services of a US post office, or coordinate activities of workers engaged in postal and related work in assigned post office.
Median annual wage (2012): $63,050
Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
Projected job openings (through 2022): 5,000
On-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training
Electrical power-line installers and repairers
Description: Install or repair cables or wires used in electrical power or distribution systems.
Median annual wage (2012): $63,250
Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
Projected job openings (through 2022): 49,900
On-the-job training: Long-term on-the-job training
Transportation inspectors
Description: Inspect equipment or goods in connection with the safe transport of cargo or people.
Median annual wage (2012): $63,680
Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
Projected job openings (through 2022): 11,700
On-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training
Gaming managers
Description: Plan, direct, or coordinate gaming operations in a casino.
Median annual wage (2012): $65,220
Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
Projected job openings (through 2022): 1,400
On-the-job training: None
Magnetic resonance imaging technologists
Median annual wage (2012): $65,360
Education required: Associate's degree
Projected job openings (through 2022): 11,300
On-the-job training: None
Registered nurses
Description: Provide and coordinate patient care; educate patients and the public about various health conditions.
Median annual wage (2012): $65,470
Education required: Associate's degree
Projected job openings (through 2022): 1,052,600
On-the-job training: None
Diagnostic medical sonographers
Description: Use special imaging equipment that directs sound waves into a patient’s body to assess and diagnose various medical conditions.
Median annual wage (2012): $65,860
Education required: Associate's degree
Projected job openings (through 2022): 35,300
On-the-job training: None
Power plant operators
Description: Control, operate, or maintain machinery to generate electric power. Includes auxiliary equipment operators.
Median annual wage (2012): $66,130
Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
Projected job openings (through 2022): 12,900
On-the-job training: Long-term on-the-job training
Funeral service directors
Median annual wage (2012): $66,720
Education required: Associate's degree
Projected job openings (through 2022): 3,200
On-the-job training: None
Nuclear technicians
Median annual wage (2012): $69,069
Education required: Associate's degree
Projected job openings (through 2022): 4,100
On-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training
Farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers
Median annual wage (2012): $69,300
Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
Projected job openings (through 2022): 150,200
On-the-job training: None
First-line supervisors of non-retail sales workers
Median annual wage (2012): $70,060
Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
Projected job openings (through 2022): 50,300
On-the-job training: None
Nuclear medicine technologists
Median annual wage (2012): $70,180
Education required: Associate's degree
Projected job openings (through 2022): 7,200
On-the-job training: None
Dental hygienists
Median annual wage (2012): $70,210
Education required: Associate's degree
Projected job openings (through 2022): 113,500
On-the-job training: None
Power distributors and dispatchers
Median annual wage (2012): $71,690
Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
Projected job openings (through 2022): 3,600
On-the-job training: Long-term on-the-job training
Commercial pilots
Median annual wage (2012): $73,280
Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
Projected job openings (through 2022): 14,400
On-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training
Detectives and criminal investigators
Median annual wage (2012): $74,300
Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
Projected job openings (through 2022): 27,700
On-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training
Nuclear power reactor operators
Median annual wage (2012): $74,990
Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
Projected job openings (through 2022): 2,300
On-the-job training: Long-term on-the-job training
Elevator installers and repairers
Median annual wage (2012): $76,650
Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
Projected job openings (through 2022): 8,000
On-the-job training: Apprenticeship
Radiation therapists
Median annual wage (2012): $77,560
Education required: Associate's degree
Projected job openings (through 2022): 8,400
On-the-job training: None
Air traffic controllers
Median annual wage (2012): $122,530
Education required: Associate's degree
Projected job openings (through 2022): 11,400
On-the-job training: Long-term on-the-job training
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