High school graduates, consider these careers.
When it comes to scoring a great job, a bachelor’s degree or associate’s degree isn’t required. Among U.S. News’ latest Best Jobs rankings, these 25 top careers offer solid pay, nice work-life balance and robust job growth while only requiring a high school diploma. Take note: Entry to some of these fields requires on-the-job training, apprenticeships and state licensure.
Click through the gallery for the best careers for high school grads.
Unemployment Rate: 3.9 percent
Expected Job Openings: 8,100 These workers collaborate with their communities to provide health services and educate residents about wellness. These professionals typically undergo on-the-job training and may deepen their expertise with a one-year certificate or two-year associate’s degree in wellness or a related subject. Learn more about community health workers. (Thinkstock)
Thinkstock
Unemployment Rate: 4.9 percent
Expected Job Openings: 27,300 Delivery truck drivers transport and deliver cargo, serving businesses, campuses and private residences. Drivers typically receive driving training and other instruction from their employers. Learn more about delivery truck drivers. (Thinkstock)
Thinkstock
Unemployment Rate: 7.1 percent
Expected Job Openings: 62,300 These workers include fitness instructors, camp counselors and park directors, who oversee physical activities. Learn more about recreation and fitness workers. (AP)
AP
Unemployment Rate: 11.1 percent
Expected Job Openings: 1,400 PV installers assemble, install and maintain solar panels on buildings. While a high school diploma is typically the only educational requirement to get started as a PV installer, many installers take courses at technical schools, community colleges or as part of an apprenticeship program. Learn more about solar photovoltaic installers. (AP)
AP
Unemployment Rate: 6.9 percent
Expected Job Openings: 60,400 Carpenters build and repair structures made from wood and other materials. Carpenters must typically prepare through an apprenticeship or on-the-job training before working independently. Learn more about carpenters. (AP)
AP
Unemployment Rate: 6.3 percent
Expected Job Openings: 97,800 Receptionists do everything from answering phones to entering data and ensuring an office’s day-to-day operations run smoothly. Learn more about receptionists. (AP)
AP
Unemployment Rate: 3.8 percent
Expected Job Openings: 64,000 Administrative assistants must be ready to take on a variety of roles, from helping with paperwork to organizing meetings and office events. Learn more about administrative assistants. (AP)
AP
Unemployment Rate: 2.5 percent
Expected Job Openings: 1,900 These craftsmen cut and install glass in a range of building types, including homes and skyscrapers. These pros typically enter the field with a high school diploma and learn through apprenticeships. Learn more about glaziers.
Unemployment Rate: 3.7 percent
Expected Job Openings: 14,100 RAs are students who live in the residence halls of colleges and universities, organizing activities and reporting concerns and problems. Most residential advisors are typically pursuing a college degree. Learn more about residential advisors. (AP/Mark Humphrey)
AP/Mark Humphrey
Unemployment Rate: 5.9 percent
Expected Job Openings: 252,900 These professionals serve as the links between customers and companies. They interact online, over the phone or in person, sometimes managing angry or frustrated callers. Learn more about customer service representatives. (Getty Images/William Thomas Cain)
Getty Images/William Thomas Cain
Unemployment rate: 9.3 percent
Expected Job Openings: 14,500 These workers use bricks and other materials to construct or repair walls and various structures. Brickmasons and blockmasons may gain skills through on-the-job training, technical college programs and apprenticeships. Learn more about the salaries of brickmasons and blockmasons. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
AP Photo/Steve Helber
Unemployment Rate: 5.3 percent
Expected Job Openings: 95,800 These office multitaskers do everything from answering phones to filing paperwork and entering data. Learn more about office clerks. (Getty Images)
Getty Images
Unemployment Rate: 1.4 percent
Expected Job Openings: 34,700 These medical pros help pharmacists fill prescriptions and dispense medication. While pharmacy techs typically need a high school diploma, many states require that they also pass an exam or complete a formal training program. Learn more about pharmacy technicians. (AP Photo/Denis Farrell)
AP Photo/Denis Farrell
Unemployment Rate: 2.3 percent
Expected Job Openings: 9,400 When homebuyers or renters are looking to buy, sell or rent a home, these professionals are available to help with the process. Training requirements vary by state, but all require licensure. Learn more about real estate agents. (Thinkstock)
Thinkstock
Unemployment rate: 4.2 percent
Expected Job Openings: 93,400 These professionals sell goods and services to businesses, government agencies and other organizations. Learn more about sales representatives. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
Unemployment rate: 5.9 percent
Expected Job Openings: 49,100 Plumbers assemble, install and repair pipes and pipe systems. Plumbers typically complete an intense apprenticeship program and must be licensed to work independently. Learn more about plumbers. (Thinkstock)
Thinkstock
Unemployment Rate: 5.7 percent
Expected Job Openings: 85,900 Electricians install and repair electrical power and other systems in businesses, factories and homes. Training happens on the job or at a technical school, with many states requiring licensure. Learn more about electricians. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
AP Photo/Gerald Herbert
Unemployment Rate: 1 percent
Expected Job Openings: 34,200 Patrol officers protect people and their property, which includes patrolling local areas, writing reports and responding to incidents. Some jurisdictions require a high school diploma, but others may require a college degree. Patrol officers will need to graduate through a training academy and may need to pass a physical exam. Learn more about patrol officers. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
AP Photo/LM Otero
Unemployment Rate: 4.2 percent
Expected Job Openings: 83,500 These jacks-of-all-trades take care of a range of systems, from electrical circuits to plumbing and painting. Most maintenance and repair workers develop expertise through apprenticeships and are licensed to work independently. Learn more about maintenance and repair workers. (AP Photo/The Commercial Appeal, Stan Carroll)
AP Photo/The Commercial Appeal, Stan Carroll
Unemployment Rate: 2.3 percent
Expected Job Openings: 43,500 These professionals are insurance know-it-alls, selling a range of policies, including auto, health, home and life insurance, and various commercial products. Learn more about insurance sales agents. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, File)
AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, File
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. (AP Photo/Noreen Nasir)
AP Photo/Noreen Nasir
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. Many receive on-the-job training. Learn more about physical therapist aides. (AP Photo/Chris Gardner,file)
AP Photo/Chris Gardner,file
Unemployment Rate: 1.4 percent
Expected Job Openings: 1,600 These professionals specialize in selecting, fitting and maintaining hearing-loss devices. There are various educational pathways to becoming a hearing aid specialist, but for some, on-the-job training, plus a self-led distance-learning course through the International Hearing Society, helps them meet state licensure requirements. Learn more about hearing aid specialists. (Photo by Rachel Murray/Getty Images for Starkey Hearing Foundation)
Photo by Rachel Murray/Getty Images for Starkey Hearing Foundation
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. Requirements vary by state, with some requiring licensure, but many opticians get started with a high school diploma and on-the-job training. Learn more about opticians. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
Unemployment Rate: 0.6 percent
Expected Job Openings: 2,700 These aides typically assist occupational therapists by performing administrative duties, cleaning or other tasks. Most OTAs have a high school diploma and receive at-work training. Learn more about occupational therapy aides. (Getty Images/Sara D. Davis)
Getty Images/Sara D. Davis
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25 Best Jobs for High School Graduates originally appeared on usnews.com
