Each offers an average annual salary of at least $58,000
By Vivian Giang
In today's uncertain economy, a college education no longer guarantees
you a high-paying job. But on the flip side, if you don't want to go to
college, you don't have to - you can still get a high-paying job without
a bachelor's degree. According to new data from the U.S. Bureau of
Labor Statistics, the following are the 40 highest-paying jobs that
don't require workers to have a four-year college degree. Each has an
annual salary of at least $58,000.
The median annual wages listed are calculated to include hourly, weekly,
and annual pay, as well as sales commissions and production bonuses.
Overtime wages are not included in the data. We also provided the
expected job openings through 2022 and the work experience or on-the-job
training needed for a particular job.
Compared to last year's list, newcomer jobs include makeup artists,
transportation inspectors, and funeral service managers. Out of all of
the jobs, registered nurses have the most projected openings through
2022 with 1,052,600 estimated positions.
40. Purchasing agents, except wholesale, retail, and farm products
Median annual wage: (2012): $58,760
Degree required: High school diploma or equivalent
Projected job openings (through 2022): 61,600
Work experience: None
Description: Purchase machinery, equipment, tools, parts, supplies, or services necessary for the operation of an establishment.
On-the-job training: Long-term on-the-job training
Find a job now as a purchasing agent.
Median annual wage (2012): $59,090
Degree required: Associate's degree
Projected job openings (through 2022): 39,600
Work experience: None
Description: Analyze, test, troubleshoot, and evaluate
existing network systems, such as local area network (LAN), wide area
network (WAN), and Internet systems or a segment of a network system.
On-the-job training: None
Find a job now as a computer network support specialist.
38. Engineering technicians, except drafters
Median annual wage (2012): $59,440
Degree required: Associate's degree
Projected job openings (through 2022): 14,600
Work experience: None
Description: Solve technical problems. Some help engineers and scientists do research and development.
On-the-job training: None
Find a job now as a engineering technician.
37. First-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers
Median annual wage (2012): $59,700
Degree required: High school diploma or equivalent
Projected job openings (through 2022): 187,100
Work experience: Five years or more
Description: Directly supervise and coordinate activities of construction or extraction workers.
On-the-job training: None
Find a job now in construction trades.
36. Artists and related workers
Median annual wage (2012): $59,840
Degree required: High school diploma or equivalent
Projected job openings (through 2022): 2,700
Work experience: None
Description: Represents creative occupations with a wide range of characteristics.
On-the-job training: Long-term on-the-job training
Find a job now as an artist.
Median annual wage (2012): $59,960
Degree required: High school diploma or equivalent
Projected job openings (through 2022): 80,300
Work experience: None
Description: Claims adjusters, appraisers, examiners, and investigators evaluate insurance claims.
On-the-job training: Long-term on-the-job training
34. First-line supervisors of mechanics, installers, and repairers
Median annual wage (2012): $60,250
Degree required: High school diploma or equivalent
Projected job openings (through 2022): 152,000
Work experience: Less than five years
Description: Coordinate mechanic's activities.
On-the-job training: None
Median annual wage (2012): $61,140
Degree required: High school diploma or equivalent
Projected job openings (through 2022): 4,700
Work experience: None
Description: Control systems and do round checks to make sure everything is working properly.
On-the-job training: Long-term on-the-job training
Find a job now as a gas plant operator.
Median annual wage (2012): $61,530
Degree required: Associate's degree
Projected job openings (through 2022): 2,100
Work experience: None
Description: Aerospace engineering and operations
technicians operate and maintain equipment used in developing, testing,
and producing new aircraft and spacecraft
On-the-job training: None