Hey folks, I'm considering all of my options and I'm curious as to what kind of jobs there are that pay well without needing a college degree. While I'm open to attending college, I'd also like to explore alternatives. Can anyone provide some insight on this?
Definitely happy to help you explore these alternatives, as college isn't the right fit for every student. There are several well-paying jobs that don't require a traditional four-year degree. Let’s check out a few.
1. Commercial Pilot: Flight schools provide the necessary training and certification to prepare you for a good-paying job. Commercial pilots earn a median wage of around $86,080 annually. Bear in mind that in order to steadily advance in your career, you might need to obtain multiple licenses and accumulate significant flight hours.
2. Elevator Installers and Repairers: This job is typically learned through an apprenticeship and pays well – the median wage is about $84,990 per year. It's physically demanding work, but it pays well and provides a tangible sense of satisfaction seeing an installation or repair job complete.
3. Power Plant Operators: These folks control the systems that generate and distribute electric power. This job requires high school diploma or equivalent, along with extensive on-the-job training and licensing. The median pay is around $85,950 per year.
4. Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers: These positions involve operating and controlling petroleum refining or processing units, and the median pay is about $73,020.
5. Air Traffic Controllers: While a bachelor's degree isn't required for this job, it does necessitate a two- to four-year degree from the Federal Aviation Administration’s Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative. Median annual wage is impressive, around $130,420.
6. Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers: These positions might require some relevant work experience, but a degree is often not necessary. The median wage is $96,390 per year.
Some of these jobs require specific training or certification, but they generally require significantly less time and financial investment than earning a four-year college degree. Hope this gets you started on considering alternatives. Just keep in mind that compensation can vary based on factors such as location, demand, and years of experience.
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.