Best Jobs Without A Degree in 2017
Chances are you are familiar with the statistics: Job seekers with a four-year college degree make considerably more over the course of their working lives than their counterparts with less education. The Economic Policy Institute puts the number at about 56% more, based on 2015 salary figures.
That doesn’t mean there aren’t great opportunities in thriving industries for job seekers without a four-year degree, or those looking to make a career change without having to restart the college education process.
Using information from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS):
including annual median salary, hiring outlook and the recommended level of education required to get started; as well as BLS rankings in the 2017 Jobs Rated report, CareerCast.com finds excellent opportunities for those without a four-year degree.
Healthcare’s been a pillar of the American economy for years, but especially so in the past half-decade. It should come as no surprise, then, that the most abundant and best opportunities for job seekers without a four-year college degree are in the healthcare sector.
Of the 10 best jobs not requiring a bachelor’s degree, almost half are in healthcare: Diagnostic Medical Sonographer, Medical Records Technician, Optician and Respiratory Therapist.
Some education beyond high school is necessary for a few of these positions:
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer, Medical Records Technician and Respiratory Therapist all have recommended education of an associate’s degree, with some non-degree certification for Medical Records Technician.
Local community colleges typically offer flexible schedules to gain the necessary training to get started.
One of these fields:
The high-growth opportunities prevalent in healthcare might make that sector most appealing for some. Others may seek business ownership opportunities, or workday independence from their careers. Pursuing these goals without a four-year college degree is possible, especially for Plumbers and Web Developers.
Web Developer is one of the best jobs for part-time and freelance work in 2017.
For the technologically proficient, there are abundant opportunities to work on a contract basis and set one’s own schedule. And, while other lucrative fields in Information Technology require a bachelor degree or more, the BLS recommends an associate’s degree to become a Web Developer – not bad for a field that pays an annual median salary of $66,130 and has a 27% growth outlook.
Plumbing is always in-demand, and most recent BLS estimates suggest growth outlook of 12% in the next eight years. Wage opportunities are also positive, with an annual median salary of $51,540. But what might be especially appealing to a job seeker looking to begin a career as a Plumber is the opportunity for independent business ownership.
Similar numbers exist for Electricians:
Sometimes, the best method of feeding such aspirations is through hands-on work rather than receiving a degree. Working as an Executive Assistant can be a gateway to greater opportunities in business and/or entrepreneurship, depending on the responsibilities levied.
No comments:
Post a Comment