10 Careers That Pay Well Without A College Degree.
Education costs for most of these careers are modest — you might even pay nothing at all. If you’re from a low-income family and between 18-24, you may qualify to receive up to three years of free job training, housing and support services through the federal program Job Corps. National program director Esther Jacobs says Job Corps serves roughly 100,000 students a year.
“We’re the best-kept secret in this country,” she says.
Otherwise, state-sponsored technical and vocational schools will usually be a cheaper option than private training companies, and many offer financial aid. Most training programs will help you with job placement when you’re done, too.
Here’s a look at 10 careers that don’t need a four year degree and some of the best-paying jobs you can get into fast, listed with their median annual pay rate for someone with three to five years’ experience, according to PayScale.com.
Network installers, network administrators, computer systems administrators
If you enjoy tinkering with computers and wireless-network routers, consider this field. The business slowdown may have damped demand a bit, but it’ll rebound fast as the economy picks up, says Laurence Shatkin, co-author of “300 Best Jobs Without a Four-Year Degree.” Salary: $49,801.
Police officer
Law-and-order types who enjoy working with people might consider a quick career change into law enforcement. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports some police departments take candidates right out of high school and let them start with just a few months of training provided by the department, while others require one to two years of police-academy training. $47,485.
Court reporter
This one’s a great recession-proof career for those who enjoy courtroom drama. There’s great job security as the courts must continue to function in good times or bad, notes author Shatkin. $47,275.
Clinical laboratory technologist
Science nuts who regularly watch “CSI” might want to consider this line of work. Clinical lab techs examine tissue and body fluids under a microscope and test them for diseases. This field is expected to grow as new diagnostic tests continue to be developed, says Shatkin. Entry into the field requires at least a two-year training course from either a technical college or hospital. $47,081.
Heating-ventilation-air conditioning (HVAC) installer
If you enjoy working with your hands, this job’s got that, along with the satisfaction of knowing you’re helping people stay cool — or warm. You can earn the required certificate at a community college, private school or online (click here for a list of schools), and get started in just a few months. $44,814.
Computer numerical control
In areas of the country that still have a strong manufacturing base, there’s demand for people who can program the robots that do much of today’s assembly-line work, says Bryan Albrecht, president of Gateway Technical College in Kenosha, Wisconsin. “You need strong analytical decision making skills, where you can diagnose a problem in a machine,” he says. $44,629.
Solar energy systems installer
This and many other “green” jobs are hot now, as the recently signed federal stimulus bill put billions into alternative energy and energy conservation. Albrecht reports classes in this field are filling up fast at his college, as a boom in installing solar panels is expected. $44,460.
Correctional officer
Working in prisons can be stressful and hazardous, so it pays pretty well. Corrections can also be a good option for those who want to work the night shift, as prisons must be staffed 24/7. The federal Bureau of Labor Statistics report on this occupation notes that local and state prisons may accept high school graduates without further training. $42,795.
Security and fire-alarm systems installers
Demand for security systems, Webcams and fire alarms is increasing, author Shatkin says, because the price of these systems is falling. The National Alarm Association of America says training can be done in less than two weeks and costs under $1,000. $41,417.
Aircraft mechanic
People who enjoy tinkering with their cars — and live near an airport — might consider this field, which pays better than automotive repair. Unless Americans suddenly give up their love affair with cheap travel, this field is expected to see continued steady growth. According to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics, roughly 170 schools nationwide are certified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to offer the needed training, which usually takes between 18 months and two years. $39,584.
Choosing the right school: 11 sites that’ll help
BeRecruited: BeRecruited is designed specifically for the high school athlete. Instead of waiting for a team to find the student, BeRecruited gives them an opportunity to find colleges across the United States that have the kind of athletic program for which they’re looking. They can then upload information about themselves and their high school athletic performance to attract the attention of team recruiters.
CampusExplorer has a lot of great information.
(Credit: Don Reisinger)
CampusExplorer: CampusExplorer allows students to search more than 6,000 colleges in the United States to find which campus is right for them. They can search by area, curriculum, or type of school. The site provides information on the size of the school, what it offers to students, and the attendance cost. It even has advice on getting into the school from students who have asked questions about the college on Yahoo Answers.
Cappex: Cappex requires students to sign up and create a personal profile that includes grades, extracurricular activities, and SAT/ACT scores. Once that profile is completed, they can search for colleges, learn about the schools in which they’re interested, and use a handy tool called “What are my chances?” to help them determine if they really have a chance at being admitted to a particular school.
CollegeAnswer: Owned by college financial-aid company SallieMae, CollegeAnswer provides students with information about all facets of college admittance. From basic research on schools to information on paying for a college education, the site has it all. It provides in-depth information about colleges, including their demographics and attendance costs. But where it really shines is in its information about college life in general. It’s an outstanding resource for prospective and current students.
CollegeBoard: Although CollegeBoard is best known for administering the SAT exam, the organization has a great resource for college students to find practically anything they want to know about college life. The site boasts information on individual schools, including attendance cost, class sizes, and more. It also offers general information on finding a school, picking the right college, and finding a suitable budget. Much like CollegeAnswer, it’s a best-in-class informational site.
LocalSchools has great information.
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LocalSchools: LocalSchools brings a unique design to college research. The site connects prospective students to more than 3,400 colleges and universities in the United States through a map. Students create personal profiles and search the site’s Google Maps integration to see schools located in areas of interest. More importantly, LocalSchools allows college recruiters to join the site, so students can have all their questions answered before they make their decision.
Princeton Review: Princeton Review has solidified itself as one of the most trustworthy sources for college information in the space. And its site is no different. It features information on every accredited college and university in the United States. It ranks them based on the quality of their education. I could go on about the usefulness of the site, but suffice it to say that if students want some of the best and most in-depth information on colleges in the States, Princeton Review is the place to find it.
ReviewSchools: There are doubtless better ways to find out about schools than to listen to the students themselves. Realizing that, ReviewSchools might be a great resource for students who want to find out what college life at a particular university is all about. The site enables students to share their “story” about their college lives. Some students discuss curriculum, and others cite party life, but in either case, it helps a student decide if a school is the right fit.
U.S. News and World Report: Widely considered the leading and most objective college-ranking tool in the world, the U.S. News and World Report’s annual rankings of the top colleges is an outstanding destination for students who want to go to the best-reputed college to which they can gain admittance. The colleges are ranked based on factors such as academic programs, extracurricular activities, acceptance rates, and research functions that can enrich the student’s campus life. It’s an influential resource among the most ambitious students (and parents).
USphere: USphere might not offer as much information as a site like Princeton Review, but it’s still worth consulting for students looking for colleges. The site provides information on thousands of colleges and universities in the States for free, but when students sign up, more information is made available to them, including in-depth data on schools, student information, and more. It’s worth trying out.
Connect with others in your search for a college on Zinch.
(Credit: Don Reisinger)
Zinch: Zinch adds a level of social networking to the college selection process in an attempt to connect users with more than 650 colleges and universities around the world. Students can input information about themselves on the site, and while researching colleges, find potential scholarships. More importantly, they can connect with others who might be attending the same school. Coverage of universities on Zinch isn’t nearly as broad as some of the others in this roundup, but the site puts a unique twist on college searches that might appeal to some students.
Don Reisinger is a technology columnist who has written about everything from HDTVs to computers to Flowbee Haircut Systems. Don is a member of the CNET Blog Network, and posts at The Digital Home.