It's no secret that a college degree can be incredibly expensive. And while it may seem like the only path to a successful career, there are actually plenty of high-paying jobs out there that don't require a diploma. In this blog post, we will explore five of those jobs and discuss what makes them so great. So if you're looking for a career change and don't want to break the bank, read on!
I know a lot of dads dream that their sons and daughters will grow up to be doctors, lawyers, or successful business leaders but when I look around I discover that there are a lot of jobs that don't actually require a college education ... but still make a lot of money. Trades are an especially underappreciated career path and while some folks look down on these jobs, in many cases they actually pay better than mid-level office jobs.
We're not saying that those skilled white-collar jobs aren't important too - they are. However, all too often I find that people keep chasing those professions that they think are important instead of focusing on opportunities to be excellent in a job that matches their personal skills and talents.
Some of these include being a electrician, forklift operator, long-haul truck driver, or a police officer.
Electrician:
With the need for advanced electrical systems, electricians are in high demand. The median salary for an electrician is around $52,720 a year. That’s a pretty comfortable wage and you don’t even need to go to college if you have the right qualifications and experience.
Forklift Operator:
Forklift operators can earn as much as $55,000 a year without spending any time in a classroom. If you are physically fit and enjoy using machinery then this job could be perfect for you.
Long-Haul Truck Driver:
Trucker pay can vary greatly depending on location but overall they make good money with long-haul drivers making between $40,000 - 70,000 annually. And you don’t need any college to get started. Plus, there are tons of trucking jobs available across the country and you can get started in about two months if you enroll in a full-time CDL training program.
Police Officer:
Another job that pays well and doesn’t require a college degree is the Police Officer. The median salary for police officers is around $62,960 a year with some officers making more than $80,000 annually.
Hearing Aid Specialist:
If you are detail-oriented and like working with people then a Hearing Aid Specialist might be the perfect job for you. The median salary for a hearing aid specialist is around $50,000 a year.
With all of these jobs, there is a common element that you can use when looking for other jobs out there that might be a good fit for your - or your child's interests. That is that these jobs all require a combination of on-the-job experience and specialized training. While the top-line number may not sound amazing, these jobs also allow you to avoid entering the job market with an average of $38,000 in student loan debt as well as being able to start earning faster at a higher rate of pay.
So, as you have that conversation with your family about career choices and where they want to go to college, make sure that they have also been exposed to options offered by trade schools as well!
