Best Paid Vocational Jobs Right Now

I'm looking at careers and wonder which vocational jobs are currently the best paid? Considering skipping the degree route if the pay's good enough.

When considering vocational careers, some of the highest paying jobs include:

1. Elevator installers and repairers: These professionals start their careers with a technical training followed by an apprenticeship. With a median salary of over $80,000, it is a solid field to consider.

2. Nuclear Power Reactor Operators: Although a little specialty, the operator position doesn't need a degree, and its median salary is around $94,000. Be ready for a lot of training and safety regulations.

3. Dental Hygienist: These professionals clean teeth, take X-rays, and educate patients on oral health care. Most dental hygienists earn their associate degree which typically takes two years. Median salary is about $76,000.

4. Electrical and Electronics Repairer: This includes powerhouses, substations, and relay. The median annual wages here are just under $80,000, but this career also often requires an associate degree or a postsecondary diploma.

5. Radiation Therapist: Working in the healthcare system, these professionals operate machinery to administer radiation therapy to cancer patients. They typically have an associate degree and median salary is around $86,000.

6. Air Traffic Control: These professionals typically attend a FAA training, and can make a median salary around $130,000.

Remember to look into job growth projections too so you aren't entering a field that is declining. It's also worth considering job satisfaction and work-life balance in addition to pay. Different people value different aspects of jobs, so consider which things are most important to you.