Not all great jobs require costly degrees.
Fantastic careers exist for workers who’ve never completed college. These 25 jobs, which all placed high in the U.S. News 2017 Best Jobs rankings, offer high pay, great work-life balance and low unemployment. While some of these jobs require some formal post-secondary training, such as an associate degree or professional certification, none necessitate a college degree.
25. Maintenance and Repair Worker
Median Salary: $36,630
Unemployment Rate: 4.2 percent
Expected Job Openings: 83,500
These jacks-of-all-trades take care of a range of duties, from electrical work to plumbing and painting.
Learn more about maintenance and repair workers.
24. Veterinary Technologist and Technician
Median Salary: $31,800
Unemployment Rate: 1.8 percent
Expected Job Openings: 17,900
These animal aficionados handle lab work, assist with surgeries and tackle other tasks related to animal health care.
Learn more about veterinary technologist and technicians.
23. Personal Care Aide
Median Salary: $20,980
Unemployment Rate: 7.5 percent
Expected Job Openings: 458,100
These health care specialists help patients with chronic illnesses, disabilities and other ailments complete everyday tasks.
Learn more about personal care aides.
22. Medical Assistant
Median Salary: $30,590
Unemployment Rate: 3.3 percent
Expected Job Openings: 138,900
Medical assistants work in doctors’ offices, pitching in with clerical work and basic medical tasks.
Learn more about medical assistants.
21. Insurance Sales Agent
Median Salary: $48,200
Unemployment Rate: 2.3 percent
Expected Job Openings: 43,500
These professionals are insurance know-it-alls who sell a range of policies, including auto, health, home and life insurance, as well as various commercial products.
Learn more about insurance agents.
20. MRI Technologist
Median Salary: $67,720
Unemployment Rate: 1.4 percent
Expected Job Openings: 3,500
MRI technologists operate machines that use magnetic fields and radio waves to take images of patients’ organs and other internal parts.
Learn more about MRI technologists.
19. Medical Secretary
Median Salary: $33,040
Unemployment Rate: 3.8 percent
Expected Job Openings: 108,200
Medical secretaries manage the traffic in and out of a doctor’s office, maintaining records and collecting insurance information.
Learn more about medical secretaries.
18. Physical Therapist Aide
Median Salary: $25,120
Unemployment Rate: 4 percent
Expected Job Openings: 19,500
These professionals support physical therapists and physical therapy assistants, often taking on some of the less-skilled work, including sanitizing treatment areas and performing office tasks.
Learn more about physical therapist aides.
17. Medical Records Technician
Median Salary: $37,110
Unemployment Rate: 2.4 percent
Expected Job Openings: 29,000
These detail-oriented employees work in hospitals, doctors’ offices and other health care centers to organize and manage health information data.
Learn more about medical records technicians.
16. Wind Turbine Technician
Median Salary: $51,050
Unemployment Rate: 5.1 percent
Expected Job Openings: 4,800
These workers inspect, perform maintenance and complete repairs on wind turbines.
Learn more about wind turbine service technicians.
15. Home Health Aide
Median Salary: $21,920
Unemployment Rate: 6.4 percent
Expected Job Openings: 348,400
Home health aides help patients manage day-to-day tasks and are in growing demand as baby boomers age.
Learn more about home health aides.
14. Computer Support Specialist
Median Salary: $62,250
Unemployment Rate: 3.7 percent
Expected Job Openings: 88,800
These specialists come to the rescue to diagnose and troubleshoot computer problems.
Learn more about computer support specialists.
13. Clinical Laboratory Technician
Median Salary: $38,970
Unemployment Rate: 1.9 percent
Expected Job Openings: 29,000
Working under the supervision of technologists, clinical laboratory technicians analyze lab work and perform other behind-the-scenes tasks.
Learn more about clinical laboratory technicians.
12. Hearing Aid Specialist
Median Salary: $49,600
Unemployment Rate: 1.4 percent
Expected Job Openings: 1,600
These professionals specialize in selecting, fitting and maintaining hearing-loss devices.
Learn more about hearing aid specialists.
11. Radiation Therapist
Median Salary: $80,220
Unemployment Rate: 1.7 percent
Expected Job Openings: 2,300
These medical professionals may need just a 12-month certificate or associate degree to get started in radiation therapy, which involves the use of radiation to treat cancer.
Learn more about radiation therapists.
10. Optician
Median Salary: $34,840
Unemployment Rate: 1.6 percent
Expected Job Openings: 17,800
Staffed in stores, private practices and health care centers, these workers help patients select and fit eyewear.
Learn more about opticians.
9. Cardiovascular Technologist
Median Salary: $54,880
Unemployment Rate: 1.4 percent
Expected Job Openings: 11,500
Cardiovascular technologists conduct tests on patients to help diagnose heart-related conditions.
Learn more about cardiovascular technologists.
8. Occupational Therapy Aide
Median Salary: $27,800
Unemployment Rate: 0.6 percent
Expected Job Openings: 2,700
These aides typically assist occupational therapists by performing administrative duties, cleaning or other tasks.
Learn more about occupational therapy aides.
7. Massage Therapist
Median Salary: $38,040
Unemployment Rate: 2 percent
Expected Job Openings: 36,500
Massage therapists reduce and relieve pain and unwind tense muscles using a variety of techniques.
Learn more about massage therapists.
6. Physical Therapist Assistant
Median Salary: $55,170
Unemployment Rate: 4 percent
Expected Job Openings: 31,900
PTAs work with physical therapists to help patients regain movement and mobility after an injury or illness.
Learn more about physical therapist assistants.
5. Respiratory Therapist
Median Salary: $57,790
Unemployment Rate: 0.6 percent
Expected Job Openings: 14,900
These medical professionals provide care and treatment for patients with heart and lung problems, including those with asthma, chronic bronchitis and sleep apnea.
Learn more about respiratory therapists.
4. Dental Hygienist
Median Salary: $72,330
Unemployment Rate: 1.2 percent
Expected Job Openings: 37,400
Dental hygienists typically work in dental offices, cleaning teeth and educating patients on how to brush and floss properly.
Learn more about dental hygienists.
3. Web Developer
Median Salary: $64,970
Unemployment Rate: 3.6 percent
Expected Job Openings: 39,500
Web developers build websites, working with software applications or writing code to finish the job.
Learn more about web developers.
2. Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
Median Salary: $68,970
Unemployment Rate: 0.4 percent
Expected Job Openings: 16,000
These health care specialists use sonography equipment to capture images for a number of medical purposes, from finding out the gender of a baby to imaging tumors.
Learn more about diagnostic medical sonographers.
1. Occupational Therapy Assistant
Median Salary: $57,870
Unemployment Rate: 0.6 percent
Expected Job Openings: 14,100
OTAs specialize in working with occupational therapists to help patients relearn daily tasks after an injury or illness.
Learn more about occupational therapy assistants.
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25 Best Jobs That Don’t Require a College Degree originally appeared on usnews.com
