Top Careers that Do Not Require a Bachelor’s Degree

Since I was interviewed twice in two months regarding the high cost of college, I thought I would share some top jobs that don’t need a bachelor’s degree. Most people are shocked to learn that of those entering a bachelor’s degree (thinking it will be four years), the actually graduation rate SIX years later is just 59%. Career counseling can help save individuals and families time, money and heartache! Do be sure to graduate from high school, and some type of training, certification or apprenticeship is a yes!

Employment Projections 2018-2028. Bureau of Labor Statistics, September 4, 2019 News Release,

Of the 10 fastest growing occupations, projected 2018-2028, the first five do not require a degree:

1. Solar Photovoltaic Installers, 63.3% increase, $42,680 median wage May 2018
2. Wind Turbine Technicians, 56.9% increase, $54,370 median wage May 2018
3. Home Health Aides, 36.6% increase, $24,200 median wage May 2018
4. Personal Care Aides, 36.4% increase, $24,020 median wage May 2018
5. Occupational Therapy Assistants, 33.1% increase, $60,220 median wage May 2018

CLICK HERE for the rest of the top ten and the full news release.

Highest Paying Jobs without a Degree, Best Jobs U.S. News and World Report, January 7, 2020

This data is part of a comprehensive report with data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and interviews. The report includes information on mobility, stress, balance, unemployment rate and job links to vacancies.  Helpful is more salary data beyond the median wage, so can give a more realistic view of starting salaries. Job growth is noted at the end of the job descriptions, so keep reading. Numbers of actual expected to be created is important to know in addition to growth because if it is a very small field, even with rapid growth, opportunities may be limited.

Top 10 highest paying jobs without a degree:

1. Patrol Officer, 5% growth with 34,500 jobs, $61,380 median wage
2. Executive Assistant, -19.8% growth losing 123,000 jobs, $59,340 median wage
3. Sales Representative, 1.7% growth with 23,300 jobs, $58,510 median wage
4. Electrician, 10.4% growth with 74,100 jobs, $55,190 median wage
5. Wind Turbine Installer, 56.9% growth with 3,800 jobs, $54,370 median wage
6. Structural Iron and Steel Worker, 11.5% growth with 9,200 jobs, $53,980
7. Plumber, 13,6% growth with 68,200 jobs, $53,910 median wage
8. Hearing Aid Specialist, 15.9% growth with 1200 new jobs, $52,770 median wage
9. Sound Engineering Technician, 1.6% growth with 200 jobs, $52,390 median wage
10. Brick Mason and Block Mason, 9.7% growth with 8400 jobs, $50,950 median wage

CLICK HERE for details about these jobs, the rest of the top 25 jobs, and specifics about report methodology.

10 Highest Paying Jobs without a College Degree Paying more than $79,000, April 24, 2019

Also sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with just slightly older data, these fields are also worth a look:

1. Transportation, Storage and Distribution Managers, $94,730, 7% growth
2. Nuclear Power Reactor Operators, $94.350, -10% growth
3. First Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives, $89,030, 7% growth
4. Power Distributors and Dispatchers, $86,410, -3% growth
5. Commercial Pilots, $82,240, 4% growth
6. Detectives and Criminal Investigators, $81,290, 5% growth
7. Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay Electrical Repairers, $80,200, 4% growth
8. Elevator Installers and Repairers, $79,780, 12 percent growth
9. Power Plant Operators, $79,610, 1% growth
10. Media and Communication Equipment Workers, $79,580, 8% growth

CLICK HERE for the article, including brief descriptions. It was source from prior Bureau of Labor Statistics data which had projections until 2026 rather than the more current 2028.  This is a good example of how employment projections data changes, so career decisions should be based on more than wages and growth because the job market can change. Making sure you have skills and interests that fit is important too.