Do most jobs only require a high school diploma?

I'm currently in my junior year and college is a big question mark for me. I'm wondering, are there a lot of jobs out there that only require a high school diploma? Just trying to understand all my options here.

While there are jobs available that only require a high school diploma, having a college degree can make a significant difference in your career options and earning potential.

An individual with a high school diploma can opt for occupations such as administrative assistant roles, retail management, and some trade jobs. However, these often require specialized training, experience, or internal company progression. For example, to become an electrician or HVAC technician (which are both decently-paid trades), you typically will do an apprenticeship or go to a trade school after high school.

On the other hand, a bachelor's degree can open doors to a broader range of opportunities. You might be eligible for jobs in fields such as business management, engineering, healthcare, finance, and many others. Plus, certain degrees can come with a more notable income differential. According to U.S Census Bureau data, college graduates, on average, earn more than twice what their high school counterparts take home.

However, remember, college isn't the only path to a successful career. There are vocational programs, military service, entrepreneurship and many other paths you could take if traditional college doesn't seem like the right fit. And there are alternative, lower-cost education paths, like community college or online education platforms.

It all depends on what you're interested in, what your career goals are, and what kind of effort or investment you're willing and able to make now toward those goals. It is always good to ponder these possibilities and consider all your options before settling with a specific choice.