Top 20 Jobs With No College Degree Required
CareerCast.com reports dental hygienists, online sales managers and web developers top list of best jobs available without a four-year degree.
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Looking for a great job with a good salary that does not require a college education? Those jobs are out there if you know where to look.
CareerCast.com recently identified 20 careers that provide a good living with just a high school education. The listed careers may require some training, but not a four-year degree.
“Even with a college degree, finding a good job in today’s economy is hard and can be very time consuming. Although those with degrees often earn more money, you can still earn a very good living without one,” stated Tony Lee, publisher of CareerCast.com, in a press release.
Though college-educated workers tend to earn more on average -- $1 million more during his or her career -- college is not practical for everyone. With a four-year degree from a public university or college costing an average of over $50,000, many may choose to pursue other training.
“Most of the top-20 non-degreed jobs do require some sort of formal training, but at a much smaller investment level than a college degree,” explained Lee. “If you want to earn a lot of money without a college degree, take a look at the amount of training you’ll need, then focus on a job that can still provide a satisfying, comfortable career.”
CareerCast.com’s 20 Great Jobs Without a College Degree:
- Dental Hygienist - Average Starting Salary: $45,000
- Online Sales Manager - Average Starting Salary: $40,000
- Web Developer - Average Starting Salary: $43,000
- Medical Secretary - Average Starting Salary: $21,000
- Paralegal Assistant - Average Starting Salary: $29,000
- Stenographer/Court Reporter - Average Starting Salary: $26,000
- Heating/Refrigeration Mechanic - Average Starting Salary: $26,000
- Surveyor - Average Starting Salary: $31,000
- Executive Assistant - Average Starting Salary: $29,000
- Insurance Agent - Average Starting Salary: $26,000
- Industrial Machine Repairer - Average Starting Salary: $30,000
- Cosmetologist - Average Starting Salary: $16,000
- Hair Stylist - Average Starting Salary: $16,000
- Tax Examiner/Collector - Average Starting Salary: $30,000
- Sales Representative (Wholesale) - Average Starting Salary: $27,000
- Construction Machinery Operator - Average Starting Salary: $26,000
- Electrical Technician - Average Starting Salary: $34,000
- Architectural Drafter - Average Starting Salary: $30,000
- Teacher's Aide - Average Starting Salary: $17,000
- Sewage Plant Operator - Average Starting Salary: $25,000
For more information, read CareerCast.com’s full report, 20 Great Jobs Without a College Degree.
To view local job openings, visit the Lilburn-Mountain Park Jobs Page.
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Gail
2:04 pm on Friday, May 18, 2012
A dental hygienist most certainly does have to have a college degree, and the insinuation of this article that there is a little training is an insult to my profession! I have a very hard earned Associate In Science degree, and put in almost enough college hours to have a bachelors degree. Besides the didactic, there are hours upon hours of clinical practice to get this degree. I took a National Board exam as well as a state board exam and I am a licensed professional. I have to take continuing education to maintain my license, and am certified in CPR. Your dental hygienist knows about your health, medications, and overall well being. Becoming a dental hygienist is no "small investment" that this article implies! And it is a career that I am dedicated to quality patient care every single day!!!
Gail Moore
5:00 pm on Friday, May 18, 2012
Gail, I found it interesting that many of these jobs required at least the Associates degree in that field as well as vigorous board exams to be certified in that field. I believe this is pointing out a possible trend towards Technical Colleges and work ready programs than full four-year degrees to get a jump on a fulfilling career.
Gail
7:48 pm on Friday, May 18, 2012
There is not one dental hygienist that I know that will tell you that a Registered Dental Hygienist degree is any "less investment" than a four year degree. I purchased my own instruments, supplies and uniforms which were very expensive even then. I had to have all of the prerequisites for an associate degree, and then the dental hygiene program itself is a full two year program. I have a four year associates degree. I do not discount the training involved for the other jobs on this list, but a dental hygienist is a trained, licensed health care professional, and should not be included in a list of jobs in an article that starts out with "looking for a great job that does not require a college education?". That is a total misrepresentation of the career of dental hygiene.