Business & Tech
Top 20 Jobs — No College Degree Required
CareerCast.com reports dental hygienists, online sales managers and web developers top the list of best jobs with no four-year degree.
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,” Tony Lee, publisher of CareerCast.com, said in a press release.
Interested in local real estate?Subscribe to Patch's new newsletter to be the first to know about open houses, new listings and more.
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,” Lee said. “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.”
Interested in local real estate?Subscribe to Patch's new newsletter to be the first to know about open houses, new listings and more.
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 Barrow Patch Jobs page.
Subscribe to Barrow Patch’s newsletters, follow us on Twitter and “like” us on Facebook.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.