A four-year degree isn’t for everyone and doesn’t always guarantee a job, unfortunately! There are many sectors that need more qualified workers and don’t require a bachelor’s degree. At most, these positions that are projected to grow significantly in the next ten years, require an Associate’s degree, but many only require some certifications or a high school diploma/GED.
If you started college but didn’t finish or went straight into the workforce, these one of these jobs might be a great fit for you with a little extra work. Plus, you’ll be employed! Some of these jobs are in fields — medical and health care, programming, teaching, electronics — that most people think they need a bachelor’s degree for but they don’t. While these jobs don’t offer six-figure pay, you’ll be making more than minimum wage.
Will one of these growing jobs be your next career? Check out the details below:
- Self-Enrichment Teacher (23% growth)
- Qualifications: High school diploma or equivalent
- Job: Teach or instruct courses that may include self-improvement, non-vocational, and non-academic subjects.
- Annual Salary: $39,960 (2020)
- Physical Therapist Aide (32% growth)
- Qualifications: Usually need a high school diploma or equivalent and on-the-job training.
- Job: PT Aides are supervised by physical therapists and indirectly care for patients by cleaning and setting up the treatment area, moving patients, and doing clerical duties.
- Annual Salary: $28,450 (2020)
- Massage Therapist (32% growth)
- Qualifications: Postsecondary non-degree award: a state license or certification (depending on location) and a national certification by passing the Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx).
- Job: Massage therapists treat clients’ injuries and promote wellness with massage. Massage therapists can specialize in Swedish massage, deep-tissue massage, and sports massage to name a few kinds.
- Annual Salary: $43,620 (2020)
- Occupational Therapy Assistant (36% growth)
- Qualifications: Associate’s degree from an accredited occupational therapy assistant program. Certifications in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and basic life support (BLS) may also be required by certain positions.
- Job: Occupational therapy assistants help occupational therapists prepare and implement treatment plans for patients, assist patients with using therapeutic equipment and record progress.
- Annual Salary: $62,940 (2020)
- Home Health & Personal Care Aide (32% growth)
- Qualifications: High school diploma or equivalent
- Job: Typically, nurses supervise home health aides who record on the client, such as services received, condition, and progress. Personal care aides usually provide nonmedical services, which include companionship, cleaning, cooking, and driving.
- Annual Salary: $27,080 (2020)
- Physical Therapist Assistant (32% growth)
- Qualifications: Typically need an associate’s degree from an accredited program and a license or certification.
- Job: PT Assistants are involved in the direct care of patients under the supervision of physical therapists.
- Annual Salary: $59,770 (2020)
- Wind Turbine Service Technician (68% growth)
- Qualifications: Postsecondary non-degree award: certificate in wind energy technology and 12 months of hands-on training.
- Associate’s degree through a technical school or community college is a more advanced option.
- Job: “Windtechs” maintain and repair wind turbines using hand and power tools as well as computers to diagnose electrical problems.
- Annual Salary: $56,230 (2020)
- Forest Fire Inspector & Prevention Specialist (23% growth)
- Qualifications: High school diploma or equivalent is needed, but most need firefighting experience as well as a certification for some states.
- Job: Forest fire inspectors and prevention specialists assess outdoor fire hazards in public and residential areas.
- Annual Salary: $42,150 (2020)
- Solar Photovoltaic Installers (52% growth)
- Qualifications: Typically only need a high school diploma or equivalent. Some take courses at a technical school or community college. Hands-on experience is provided for up to one year and some take on an apprenticeship.
- Job: PV installers assemble, set up, and maintain rooftop or other systems that convert sunlight into energy.
- Annual Salary: $46,470 (2020)
- Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmer (27% growth)
- Qualifications: A postsecondary non-degree award or certification in operating metal and plastics machines including CNC programming and other hands-on training.
- Job: CNC Tool Programmers develop computer programs to control the machining or processing of metal or plastic parts by automatic machine tools, equipment, or systems.
- Annual Salary: $57,740 (2020)
For other highly-skilled manufacturing jobs for smart factories, visit our ICATT Apprenticeship Earn While You Learn Opportunity page.
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