Good Careers With Short Schooling
The world is changing faster than ever before, and the workforce is evolving with it. As a result, there are many careers in which you can become successful with less education than what was once required. Here are some of the top career options for people who don’t want to spend years in school:
- Accountant
- Banker
- IT Specialist
- Software Engineer
- Salesperson
Good Careers With Short Schooling
1. Logistics manager
Average salary: $60,538 per year
Primary duties: A logistics manager spearheads activities in a supply chain. Primarily working in warehouses, logistics managers ensure the inventory is correct and employees distribute merchandise in a timely manner. They also track the routes of the associates transporting the products from the warehouse.
Related: Learn About Being a Logistics Manager
2. Funeral director
Average salary: $60,944 per year
Primary duties: A funeral director coordinates funeral services. Consulting with family members and friends of the deceased person, funeral directors collect paperwork for the death certificate. They also explain how the funeral activities commence.
3. Nuclear power reactor operator
Average salary: $61,952 per year
Primary duties: A nuclear power reactor operator controls the electrical and technical functions within a nuclear plant. Using equipment, operators oversee the radiation levels and tweak the controls of turbines. They also build emergency response protocols.
4. Boilermaker
Average salary: $62,319 per year
Primary duties: A boilermaker is a trade professional who installs and inspects boilers atop large vessels. Using blueprints, boilermakers measure the space to place or remove boilers. They also fix leaks and ensure the valves align properly.
5. Massage therapist
Average salary: $65,042 per year
Primary duties: A massage therapist is a licensed professional who performs relaxing exercises on the body to release tension and reduce pain. Following a client’s treatment plan, massage therapists suggest ways to improve posture. They also help the body recover from injuries.
Related: Learn About Being a Massage Therapist
6. Electrical power line operator
Average salary: $68,030 per year
Primary duties: An electrical power line operator is a technician who ensures the electrical lines in a city function properly. Working for energy companies, power line operators may work underground to maintain cables, and they fix the lines that extend above buildings.
7. Agricultural manager
Average salary: $68,090 per year
Primary duties: An agricultural manager supervises farming activities. To ensure the harvest runs smoothly, agricultural managers purchase supplies and decide the best conditions to plant new crops. They also consider how the weather and market prices might influence their work.
8. Aerospace engineering technician
Average salary: $68,570 per year
Primary duties: An aerospace engineering technician helps design spacecraft and missiles. Working with aerospace engineers, technicians detect and fix issues with machines. They also document their progress throughout the development process.
9. Aircraft mechanic
Average salary: $69,098 per year
Primary duties: An aircraft mechanic repairs parts of an aircraft, such as brakes and wings. Mechanics perform regular inspections on the plane to identify issues, and they ensure the plane upholds safety standards for transport. They use hand tools to mend the mechanical and electrical systems.
10. Commercial driver
Average salary: $69,308 per year
Primary duties: A commercial driver operates a truck to transport and deliver materials, such as merchandise or hazardous substances. Drivers hold a commercial driver’s license and perform regular inspections on their vehicles. They can also operate heavy equipment to unload shipments.
11. Occupational therapy assistant
Average salary: $69,618 per year
Primary duties: An occupational therapy assistant helps the occupational therapist assist patients. During a session, the assistant demonstrates therapeutic exercises that encourage movement and enhance fine motor skills. They also document the patients’ performance.
Related: Learn About Being an Occupational Therapy Assistant
12. Surgical technician
Average salary: $69,650 per year
Primary duties: A surgical technician helps medical staff members operate on patients during surgery. Before the operation begins, technicians disinfect the surgical tools and organize them for easy access. They also track the progress of the surgery.
Related: Learn About Being a Surgical Technician
13. Network systems administrator
Average salary: $69,731 per year
Primary duties: A network systems administrator develops and maintains the security of networks for organizations. The goal is to safeguard sensitive company information while enhancing data flow. Administrators detect the root causes of data issues and prevent them from reoccurring.
Related: Learn About Being a Network Administrator
14. Diagnostic imaging manager
Average salary: $70,245 per year
Primary duties: A diagnostic imaging manager leads a department of imaging specialists in a health care facility. They assess the quality of imaging services, and they train employees on using the imaging equipment safely and efficiently.
15. Diagnostic medical sonographer
Average salary: $70,380 per year
Primary duties: A diagnostic medical sonographer is a health care professional who uses ultrasounds to diagnose patients. Applying gel to the patient’s skin, the sonographer directs the equipment to emit sound waves into the body to retrieve images internally. Next, the sonographer interprets the images to help determine the state of the patient’s physical well-being.
