Considering staying in Seattle after high school and jumping straight into the workforce. What are some high-paying jobs available for someone with just a high school diploma in the area?
If you're considering starting work right after high school, there are indeed some high-paying jobs that do not require a college degree. However, it's important to keep in mind that these jobs may require certain experiences, skills, or vocational training.
1. Commercial Driver: Seattle offers opportunities in this area, notably with the Port of Seattle being a central hub for shipping and logistics. Commercial driving certifications can be earned fairly quickly, and drivers can have earning potentials around $40,000-70,000 per year, sometimes more.
2. Skilled Trades: Consider jobs such as electricians, plumbers, HVAC technicians, and construction workers. These often require an apprenticeship or trade school, but can command good salaries in Seattle given the constant need for construction and maintenance work.
3. Real Estate Agent: If you're excellent with people and have an interest in property, this might be a good path. You have to pass a licensing exam, but once completed, your income potential largely depends on how many houses you're able to sell.
4. Sales Representatives: Particularly in fields like technology or pharmaceuticals, being a high school graduate with good interpersonal skills can land you a sales job. The pay here often involves commissions, so your earnings could vary based on performance.
5. Ship Engineers or Maritime-related Jobs: With Seattle's large marine industry, jobs like ship engineers or fishing-related positions can be lucrative. They may require on-the-job training or a vocational certificate.
Remember, these positions may require on-the-job training, an apprenticeship, vocational training, or certain certifications. Although it may still need a fair bit of work and training to land these jobs, they can be quite lucrative. It's also noteworthy that these are jobs in high demand, especially in a major city like Seattle.
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