I'm considering a vocational path instead of a traditional college degree because I'm not sure I want to spend four years in school. Does anyone know if vocational jobs tend to pay as well over time as jobs that require a bachelor's degree?
The answer to your question can greatly vary depending on the vocational career you choose and the specific region you work in. However, on average and over time, jobs requiring a bachelor's degree tend to offer higher salaries and benefits. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, workers with a bachelor's degree earned a median weekly wage of $1,248 in 2020, compared to $746 for workers with an associate's degree and $712 for those with some college but no degree.
That said, vocational careers can offer competitive salaries compared to some jobs that require a bachelor's degree, especially in fields like skilled trades (like electricians, carpenters, plumbers), healthcare (like dental hygienists, registered nurses), and technology (like network systems information systems administrators, cybersecurity analysts). These vocations can be entered after specialized training or an associate's degree. Also, such roles are less likely to require the same level of student loan debt, offering a path to financial stability more quickly than traditional undergraduate paths.
However, keep in mind, earnings are just one factor to consider when choosing a career. Other factors—like job satisfaction, interests, values, opportunities for career advancement, work-life balance—are also very important to consider when making this decision.
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