Business

The 10 Best Paying Jobs You Can Get With a High School Degree

Editor’s note: the following is a crosspost from 24/7 Wall St. It originally appeared here.

Going to college used to be a nearly sure way of getting a steady job. But as many recent graduates will attest, this is no longer the case. However, there are hundreds of thousands of high-paying jobs that don’t require a degree. 24/7 Wall St. has identified the ten highest-paying jobs that only require a high school education.

In order to identify the kinds of positions high school graduates without college degrees may want to consider, 24/7 Wall St. examined the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupation Employment Statistics database. The government report, which provides the salaries and number of workers in every major job category in the United States, also provides information on salary and those job positions that do not necessarily require a bachelor’s degree. The results where then sorted by wage, in order to identify the ten jobs that have the highest median annual salary. Along with salary, we also show how much these jobs are expected to grow over the next 10-15 years, and which states have the highest concentration of these positions.

Our analysis indicates college education is not the only route to a high-paying job. Rather than spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on higher education, high school graduates can look to these high-paying sectors that are going to be adding thousands of new jobs over the next few years.

These are the ten highest-paying jobs that you can get with a high school degree.

10. Captains, Mates, Pilot of Water Vessel
> Median annual income: $64,180
> High-end annual income: $117,310
> No. of jobs in U.S.: 29,280
> No. of jobs by 2018: 38,800
> Increase by 2018: +37%
> Highest concentration of jobs: Louisiana, Hawaii, Alaska

Life on a commercial ship can involve long hours of isolation or dangerous conditions, which means the pay is significantly better than most blue-collar jobs. In order to be a sailor on a merchant vessel, one can either enroll in a marine academy, or sign on as a deckhand. The latter option has no prerequisites and only requires a few days of basic training. Deckhands make a median annual wage of just under $35,000. After a sailor has gained a few years of experience, crewmen are in line for promotion to deck officers or assistant engineer, then finally to engineer, mate or captain. According to the BLS, “excellent job opportunities are expected as demand for people working in the shipping industry, particularly officers, is expected to be greater than the number of people wishing to enter these occupations.”

9. Gaming Manager
> Median annual income: $66,960
> High-end annual income: $116,070
> No. of jobs in U.S.: 6,200
> No. of jobs by 2018: 6,900
> Increase by 2018: +12%
> Highest concentration of jobs: Nevada, Mississippi, Oklahoma

While a high school degree is often the only formal education you need to become a gaming manager at a casino, it’s not exactly an easy job to get, compared to some of the other occupations on the list. First, because of the scarcity of casinos, there are only 6,900 jobs in the entire country. In addition, becoming a manager at a gaming venue usually involves working one’s way up from the very bottom as a dealer, which is, according to the BLS, one of the worst-paying jobs in the country.  Eventually, however, experience and seniority can result in promotion, and a dealer can move from having one of the lowest-paying jobs in the U.S. to making over $110,000 a year.

8. Detectives and Criminal Investigators
> Median annual income: $68,820
> High-end annual income: $119,320
> No. of jobs in U.S.: 110,640
> No. of jobs by 2018: 130,900
> Increase by 2018: +18%
> Highest concentration of jobs: New Mexico, Arizona, Texas

A high school diploma is usually all one needs to become a detective for a city, state or the federal government. Detectives, as well as police officers, are subjected to “rigorous personal and physical qualifications.” Very rarely do these qualifications extend to a bachelor’s degree. Applicants can be selected as detectives as soon as they join the force, or they can earn the position after a time as an officer. Detectives have one of the highest rates of on-the-job injury and illness. Because of the stressful and dangerous nature of the job, the annual median wage of a detective or criminal investigator is nearly $70,000 each year. As long as the population continues to grow, there will always be new positions for public defenders. The number of detectives in the country is expected to grow by 20,000 by 2018.

7. Elevator Installers
> Median annual income: $70,910
> High-end annual income: $101,390
> No. of jobs in U.S.: 20,430
> No. of jobs by 2018: 27,100
> Increase by 2018: +32%
> Highest concentration of jobs: Maryland, Hawaii, New York

According to the BLS, despite their title, most installers work not only on elevators, but also on “escalators, chairlifts, dumbwaiters, moving walkways, and similar equipment.” Working as installers can be difficult, as they can often spend hours in a cramped space or hanging in a service shaft. Consequently, the rate of work-related injury for the occupation is substantially higher than the national average. In order to be hired, a potential technician needs to enroll in an apprenticeship program, which includes training on the job, as well as instruction in a classroom. Because of the work conditions and the level of testing and certification required, installers make a median annual income of more than $70,000, with the upper 10% making more than $100,000

6. Web Developers
> Median annual income: $75,650
> High-end annual income: $119,940
> No. of jobs in U.S.: 961,000
> No. of jobs by 2018: 1,247,800
> Increase by 2018: +30%
> Highest concentration of jobs: Virginia, District of Colombia, Maryland

While most web developers are now required to have a bachelor’s or associate degree, certification can be enough to get a job at a major company. Start-ups have been known to hire support specialists, and with substantial experience, developers can be hired right out of high school. With experience as a support specialist and additional certification, these workers can advance to administrative positions. This can involve managing a network, designing and building a company website, and maintaining the company’s web security. According to the BLS, “More of these workers will be needed to accommodate the increasing amount of data sent over the Internet, as well as the growing number of Internet users. In addition, as the number of services provided over the Internet expands, Web administrators and developers will continue to see employment increases.” The number of web developer positions is expected to rise by as much as 30% by 2018.

5. Nuclear Power Plant Operator
> Median annual income: $75,650
> High-end annual income: $119,940
> No. of jobs in U.S.: 5,080
> No. of jobs by 2018: 6,000
> Increase by 2018: +17%
> States with the highest concentration of jobs: New York, Florida, Massachusetts

Because of the technical nature of maintaining and monitoring a nuclear power plant, college graduates do have an advantage in making a senior position. However, this is not mandatory, and high school graduates can be accepted into a position. Most of the training occurs on-the-job and in classrooms provided by the plant. In order to keep their positions, operators must pass random drug and alcohol screenings, a medical examination, maintain a license, and take regular refresher courses. According to the BLS, “Overall employment of power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers is projected to experience little or no change, but job opportunities are expected to be excellent because of the large number of retiring workers who must be replaced, an increased demand for energy, and recent legislation that paves the way for a number of new plants.”

4. Police Chief
> Median annual income: $78,260
> High-end annual income: $123,630
> No. of jobs in U.S.: 102,200
> No. of jobs by 2018: 105,200
> Increase by 2018: +2.9%
> Highest concentration of jobs: New York, Rhode Island, Arizona

According to the BLS, “Most police and detectives learn much of what they need to know on the job, often in their agency’s training academy.” This experience is the training required to eventually make the upper brass at a department. After six months to three years, depending on the location and size of the department, police officers are subject to promotion. They can then, based on performance and a written exam, move up to corporal, sergeant, lieutenant, captain, or even chief of the department. Chiefs and other upper brass make a median wage of $78,260 per year, with the top 10% earning a median of $123,630.

3. Construction Managers
> Median annual income: $83,860
> High-end annual income: $150,250
> No. of jobs in U.S.: 551,100
> No. of jobs by 2018: 645,800
> Increase by 2018: +17%
> States with the highest concentration of jobs: Alaska, Texas, Maryland

Construction managers oversee a team of workers on a project and are responsible for scheduling, coordination and hiring of contractors. While some companies are starting to require bachelor’s degrees, this is by no means mandatory. Any construction worker with significant experience and skill has the potential to make manager after gaining some additional classroom experience. Managers earn a median annual income of more than $80,000, with those overseeing high profile projects earning over $150,000.

2. Software Developers
> Median annual income: $87,970
> High-end annual income: $133,110
> No. of jobs in U.S.: 499,280
> No. of jobs by 2018: 514,800
> Increase by 2018: +17%
> Highest concentration of jobs: Washington, Colorado, Virginia

These days, most major employers are looking for software developers with at least a bachelor’s degree and an array of computer skills. However, some companies with a large number of developers will also hire people with a certificate and a great deal of experience. Software developers, or “applications developers” build computer programs for businesses and consumers, and need to have thorough knowledge of computer programming.” This knowledge can be gained through night classes or an online course. Software developers generally make more than any other programmer. The median annual income is $87,970, with the upper range making more than $130,000. Like web developers, and most of programming jobs, the number of software developers is expected to increase substantially over the next ten years.

1. Commercial Airline Pilot
> Median annual income: $103,210
> High-end annual income: $139,330
> No. of jobs in U.S.: 68,580
> No. of jobs by 2018: 83,300
> Increase in jobs by 2018: +21%
> Highest concentration of jobs: Alaska, Kentucky, Arizona

Former Air Force and Navy pilots have traditionally had the fast track to a commercial license because of the flight time and experience they’d gained. That holds true today, and most major airlines also require some college education from their pilots. However, there are plenty of smaller companies that will take any individual with enough logged flight time and aircraft knowledge. Because of the long hours logged, the constant vigilance required, and the substantial time away from home, pilots make a median income of more than $100,000. The number of pilots is expected to increase by more than 20% in the next 17 years, well more than the national average.

Read more from 24/7 Wall St. here.

Comments (164)

1 2 3 4
  • Emrys
    Posted on August 12, 2011 at 9:38am

    It’s a High School DIPLOMA. You get Degrees from college.

    Report Post »  
    • GIDEON612
      Posted on August 12, 2011 at 10:36am

      @doc
      You have not been around a construction site. Anyone that has a degree generally has no exp. or common sense and things go down the tubes. Having built hundreds of commercial buildings and residential homes I can say as a fact that I have never been able to build any of these with the blueprints that were handed to me. A person that has gotten their hands dirty is much more valuable than someone who has spent too much time in a library. Just look at the shape of this and how well it has gone in the last 2.5 years.

      Report Post » GIDEON612  
    • Girard1974
      Posted on August 12, 2011 at 10:54am

      I would think that as long as someone states that they’ve received a “High School Degree” (as opposed to just stating “degree” sans “high school”) there would be very little (VERY little) confusion as to what that means. Isn’t this just an attempt to argue over semantics? On the other hand, this is the first time I’ve ever noticed anyone referring to a high school diploma as a “degree.”

      Report Post » Girard1974  
    • Clive
      Posted on August 12, 2011 at 11:06am

      please. If you are a swinging a hammer, framing, laying concrete, etc, your education doesn’t matter. thats why mexicans are great at these jobs. you barely need language to be competent in these jobs.

      BUT if you are designing the building for the construction guys to build, trust me, your education matters. i’d like to see your list of architects who are creating structures, that didn’t get a college degree. moreover, i’d like to see the foolish clients who bought a house or building, designed by someone with a high school education. give. me. a. break.

      BTW, you want a high paying job without an education, ITS SIMPLE. join a union.

      Report Post »  
    • TENJAX
      Posted on August 12, 2011 at 11:25am

      This is completely inaccurate with regards to pilots. Kids and paretns alike, you need to have a four year degree to be hired at a reputable airline. The pay is not that high, you will spent many years working for minnimum wage just to go to a low paying regional, with hopes of being hired by a major. There are some cinderella stories of people getting to the top with just a diploma, but it is not the norm. This is like saying you don‘t need a degree to be president because it’s not required.
      Blaze, you could have done better reporting by simply asking a pilot. Take a look at AirlinePilotForums.com next time you have a topic with aviation…

      Report Post »  
    • Clive
      Posted on August 12, 2011 at 11:29am

      it seems pretty crazy that the blaze has so many pilots on its message board, right?

      Report Post »  
    • Demolition
      Posted on August 12, 2011 at 11:57am

      Gideon, while I agree with you that blueprints aren’t perfect, as everyone makes mistakes. As a GC, I have noted many errors as you have suggested. However, I would be willing to bet you that the crews you have been on have made numerous errors and had to be pointed out to you by an engineer or architect. To say that no one with a degree has any experience or common sense only tells me you run in very small circles. Personally, I have over 15 years of building experience as well as an accounting degree. Many of the project managers I work with have various degrees and have come up through the ranks as foremen or supervisors.
      And yes, we can all read and meet a budget as well as do a full cost analysis. Most guys cannot meet budget and worse can’t tell you why or where they blew it. An accounting degree certainly is beneficial when me/us when competing for business.

      Report Post » Demolition  
    • MONICNE
      Posted on August 12, 2011 at 12:14pm

      In this article, the “Job Creators” are just trying to point out how GOOD things are for the All Volunteer Workforce without the cost of public assistance “tuition grants and low cost college loans” (code words for WELFARE).

      If you can’t make it without College you are obviously a socialist slug sucking whole milk from a Government teat that belongs to middle class Tax Payers. (Tax Payers who resent making America’s future bright and strengthening the economy on THEIR nickel!)

      TEA

      MONICNE  
    • VoteBushIn12
      Posted on August 12, 2011 at 1:31pm

      Software Developer?

      Just because some people were lucky enough to land a software developer job with just a HS Diploma does not mean that job is a High School graduates job.

      About 7% of current Software Developers have less than an undergrad degree. Which means 93% of the jobs out there require AT LEAST a BA or BS in CS / EE / SE / or an equivalent.
      http://swz.salary.com/SalaryWizard/Software-Developer-I-Job-Description.aspx

      Which means that is NOT a High School Diploma job.

      I don’t even care to fact check the other claims, but it’s safe to say they are probably bogus also.

      Blaze, get your facts straight.

      Report Post » VoteBushIn12  
    • Secret Squirrel
      Posted on August 12, 2011 at 1:36pm

      .
      As a US Airways captain once told me,
      “It’s a great job, but a lousy career.”

      Report Post » Secret Squirrel  
    • ramburner
      Posted on August 12, 2011 at 4:11pm

      Thank you. Yes, it’s DIPLOMA, NOT degree when you leave High School. Another idiot trained in college I bet!

      Report Post »  
    • ProbIemSoIver
      Posted on August 12, 2011 at 7:35pm

      To all first-time BLAZE readers. MONICNE, the poster a few spots above mine is a Troll. She is not a TEA MEMBER, but makes ludicrous statements, representing herself as a tea member. If you are at a TEA PARTY event, and you do see MONICNE there, she will be the one that is tarred and feathered.

      Report Post » ProbIemSoIver  
    • iheartgeorgewashington
      Posted on August 12, 2011 at 8:32pm

      I’d take a person who has common sense and knows how to grit their teeth and get the job done…before I’d hire some over “educated” fool who has never lifted a finger.
      I’ve worked in many different fields from construction to network management and I still stand by that.
      My father, with a GED, used to make seasoned engineers heads spin with his knowledge. He knew what worked and what wouldn‘t with just common sense and good ol’ fashion hard work.

      Report Post » iheartgeorgewashington  
    • corbecket
      Posted on August 13, 2011 at 12:01am

      @clive

      “it seems pretty crazy that the blaze has so many pilots on its message board, right?”

      Not so crazy really. Pilots can read, as well as drive airplanes (and figure out how to comment on The Blaze).. One has to be wildly optimistic to assume that you‘ll ever get an airline job when you’re getting your commecial license. In assuming that you’ll make it to the majors, you’re undoubtedly harboring a psychosis.

      Still, there are those of us that made the trip, and a growing number did not get their experience in the military. Truth be told, a previous military gig really makes no difference, though in the distant dark ages of aviation it seemed it was the only way to a seat in the cockpit (if you asked former military pilots).

      Well, things are different now, and have been for some time. Technically, it is possible to work for a major airline without a degree, but it’s really not going to happen in the cockpit, though I know of some isolated instances in which it did occur. It would be nice if this fact had been mentioned by the author. Entertaining this remote possibility is still a nice dream though.

      Report Post » corbecket  
    • B01MARBE
      Posted on August 13, 2011 at 3:44am

      Ha! Thanks for the laugh!

      Report Post »  
    • RightPolitically
      Posted on August 13, 2011 at 11:03pm

      Yes, technically correct. However, the word “degree” is a loaded one, loaded with pretense and elitism. Anyway, high school graduates of years ago had more common sense and knowledge than many of today’s overcharged and under-learned college grads. Hell, if a guy is on the football team or plays basketball he might even get his “degree” without even learning to read first……..

      Report Post » RightPolitically  
  • Doc
    Posted on August 12, 2011 at 9:19am

    This article is nonsense. After 6 months or so you can test to be Chief of Police and have no degree? Regional Airline pilots make a median $100k? Bet they will be surprised to hear that… Those poor guys hardly make enough to feed themselves and working conditions are terrible. Construction managers with no degree? Doubtful. Foreman or superintendent maybe. How many “Gaming Manager” jobs so you think there are in the US? Under a thousand I bet.

    Report Post »  
    • DarkFire
      Posted on August 12, 2011 at 11:23am

      i was a gaming supervisior, what they do not tell you is that yo have to spend years kissing asssssssssss just to even be thought of for the job. most of the time in the gaming industry they hire who they want not who earned the job, and no im not talking about aff. action. in this industry it is a ill scratch your back, or for the females, ill sleep with you, to get what i want. it is a very old mind set still, supervisiors being paid off by employeess just to get vacation days. 90% of the people in the industry are on drugs and on the take. so yes you don’t need a degree to get that job, but in the industry the higher you are the closer to the door they say.

      as for the other jobs on that list. well think about this people. sure you dont need a degree to get any of those jobs, but your also not going to get an interview for any of them either without being at the company for many many years.

      Report Post »  
  • nysparkie
    Posted on August 12, 2011 at 9:18am

    Now they tell me. I retired last year. Could have used this info at about 1976.

    Report Post » nysparkie  
  • FL510
    Posted on August 12, 2011 at 9:16am

    I take issue with #1. Not sure where you’re getting your info but the salary figures are not even close. I’m a retire commercial pilot with over 40 years experience. To obtain all pilot certificates and schooling will cost between $100,000 and $200,000. Not to mention the number of years necessary to gain the minimum flight hours and experience to be considered for an airline job, only to make approximately $20,000 per year initially at ANY airline, I don’t see that many young people entering this profession. And yes, all airlines and many corporate flight departments do require a college degree.

    Captain Sully (USAir) was only making $100,000 per year when he ditched his Airbus in the Hudson!

    Report Post »  
    • TomFerrari
      Posted on August 12, 2011 at 1:00pm

      As a commercial pilot, and a graduate of the only all-aviation university in the world, let me say…

      I thought it was a great career opportunity as well. It REQUIRED a degree to get considered by the majors, so I earned one at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

      Then, in my last year or so, the ALPA (pilot’s UNION), petitioned the federal government and got the mandatory retirement age raised from 60 to 65.

      I spent $100K and was one year from completion of my training – there had been a forecasted pilot shortage that would have lasted for five years, beginning with the year I was to graduate.

      Then, thanks to UNIONS, that entire five year need for pilots was eliminated overnight.

      So, the only ones of us who managed to go on and make a career of it were those who literally lived 4 or 5 to an apartment and worked for $25k per year for a commuter, doing so for YEARS until they could land a coveted job flying for a major. Mostly, only students of wealthy families were able to succeed.

      The cost of becoming a pilot is EXTREMELY HIGH!
      So, not going to college MAY be possibe while still becoming a pilot, but, airlines still highly prefer a degree. They do make exceptions for pilots with military experience.

      NOTE: hundreds of hours flying a supersonic fighter is not the same as hundreds of hours flying cargo planes or troop transports. So, if you want to fly an airliner the size of a hotel, you may wish to focus on flying heavy / wide-body aircraft instead of

      Report Post » TomFerrari  
  • TheLeftMadeMeRight
    Posted on August 12, 2011 at 9:11am

    Ok, I’m a pilot, I’ve worked in aviation, and there isn’t any money to be made in this industry. Without military flight time you are looking at years of flying small business commuter flights back and forth from place like Des Moines, where you sit waiting for 6 to 10 hours for the client to return for the flight home. On the clock flying you get minimum wage, watching soap operas in the flight room waiting, nada.
    You want to fly the big planes and make $100k+, you need thousands of “turbine” multi-engine flight time that can only be obtained in military service. Try renting a 727 once.

    Report Post » TheLeftMadeMeRight  
    • corbecket
      Posted on August 13, 2011 at 12:09am

      @theleftmademeright

      “You want to fly the big planes and make $100k+, you need thousands of “turbine” multi-engine flight time that can only be obtained in military service.”

      Well, to be honest, you’re quite mistaken. The proof is the 1,000′s of former civilian commuter pilots, with no military experience, that are now major airline pilots. Do a bit more research, before you make inaccurate statements like you’ve just done.

      Report Post » corbecket  
    • morganaire
      Posted on August 13, 2011 at 2:01pm

      Sorry, but you are flat wrong. I am a commercial airline pilot with zero military experience. It was a long, difficult road but I (and numerous people I fly with) have done it. While in our present climate it‘s ridiculous to suggest that a high school diploma is all that’s required to secure a career like mine, it’s equally ridiculous to suggest that you must have military flight experience to do so. There are numerous paths one can take to get here – none are easy, but all are worthwhile.

      Report Post »  
  • gdbhusker
    Posted on August 12, 2011 at 9:05am

    I work in the oil and gas industry, you would lose your mind if you realized that there are people here, who I wouldn’t let feed my dog, that are making up to 500K!!! The kids that come in with a college degree feel that they are entitled to the highest salaries and the least labor, while myself and others like me, teach them everything from ( basic) math skills to what that funny looking wrench is and how it’s used! I used to sit around and wish that I had received an engineering degree, but to be honest….this crop of engineers that are coming into the “patch” lately, are so dumb and lazy, I wonder how they even got into school…much less graduate with an engineering degree. My faith in higher education in this country has failed!! I look at those in the field, and those in the white house and wonder if they would suffocate if not for the involuntary action required to breathe……

    Report Post » gdbhusker  
    • Clive
      Posted on August 12, 2011 at 10:56am

      right… but you can call the kids dumb and lazy, but those dummies are cashing checks way larger than yours, and not working nearly as hard… so really, who is the dummy? you should have just gotten your piece of paper, but i guess you were too… lazy? i mean if you could improve your life greatly, just by going to school, reading some books and taking some tests, why wouldn’t you do it?

      i see a lot of older engineers, that just can’t keep up, who sit and wait for the day they can retire, they are almost completely useless, & make the most money. i sit by a guy who literally reads the paper all day.

      A kid who comes right out of college, you are right, that kid knows the theory, but no application, nothing hands on, etc. But you give him a couple years experience in the field, and he’s good to go. Its this way in EVERY profession. That dumb kid out of school will be your boss in 6 years. You need experience and education. we don’t build big machines, and big buildings, and big rigs, with people that aren’t well versed in math and science, we’d all be dead if that were the case.

      the whole “kids these days” thing is old and tired. trust me, no one in the new generation has a whole lot of respect for baby boomers, why would they? Look at the country and situation you are handing them. It hasn’t been going downhill for 3 years, or 8 years… its been going downhill for 45 years.

      Report Post »  
    • Schmuckatelli1997
      Posted on August 12, 2011 at 11:20am

      Do realize that the same thing was said about you when you hit the job market in the field your in. The crop of old time salty dogs the had been there for years complained about the same things. it is no different from generation to generation. But what I will say is this in the job market today and the way our economy has turned to information and service rather than manufacturing. You don’t see people staying in jobs for 20 or 30 years. In fact your are actually looked upon as a person with a lack of drive and ambition if you stay at the same company in the same job for more than 2.5 to 5.0 years. In fact the gloden window for advancement is 2.5 years. If you have not been promoted by then you need to start looking for a way out. Because it may take a year to find another job. What I am saying is that the dynamic of the old gaurd baby boomer work the same job your whole life attitude is over and anyone who thinks differently is kiding their self. Finding a good job with a HS diploma is a pipe dream at best. In fact an associates degree is now lopked upon the same way a HS diploma used to be. You actually need to get a bachelors degree inorder to get an entry level postions and a masters degree is now almost mandatory if you are ever going to make any real money over your lifetime.

      Report Post » Schmuckatelli1997  
    • Al_Capone
      Posted on August 12, 2011 at 11:21am

      Clive that mentality is exactly what has driven this country into the ground… hey i hope you have that same mentality when Rome burns

      Report Post »  
    • Clive
      Posted on August 12, 2011 at 11:35am

      @schmuck, totally agree…
      @al_capone, what part do you disagree with… the fact that an education matters? i think you need to understand your history a little better. do you really know why the holy roman empire crumbled? because i don’t think you do.

      Report Post »  
    • sWampy
      Posted on August 12, 2011 at 11:35am

      BS degrees are almost equal to finishing the 6th grade 40 years ago, masters degrees are about equal to GED 40 years ago, and doctorates are about equal to a BS 40 years ago, the liberals really destroyed education when they went to war to fix it.

      Report Post »  
    • Clive
      Posted on August 12, 2011 at 11:39am

      i don’t even really disagree with you swampy… but if a masters means little… and a bachelors degree means even less than that… then where does that put a guy with a high school dilpoma? picking oranges in florida?

      Report Post »  
    • Doc
      Posted on August 12, 2011 at 4:37pm

      Clive you have a serious chip on your shoulder son.
      I am an operations supervisor for THE major multinational manufacturing company. The youngsters we get or pretty much useless. That’s professional and non-professional as well. You are right about being my boss in 6 or 8 years but I still have to carry them and I still make more money than they do. We hire from the top 10% of engineering graduates and maybe 10% of those are worth anything. Oh, they THINK they’re hot snot but… You’re also right about something else. I don’t do as much as I used to. That is. until everything goes south and I have to straighten it back out again. I usually let the youngster do the work while I SUPERVISE them. That’s my job. It take me about 4 years to make a good employee out of these guys (and gals). I have to teach them everything. I wonder what they do for all that time wasting daddy’s money…

      Report Post »  
    • SoonerBorn68
      Posted on August 12, 2011 at 9:17pm

      I work for a directional drilling company. I only have a HS diploma but it was the years of hard work and long hours that got me ready to work in the oilfield. College kids think this is a gravy gig until they are gone from home for weeks or months at a time & have to work 12 hours a day, seven days a week. I see these kids in their twenties, armed with their engineering degrees, get hired all the time. It takes them about 6 months to figure out this field isn’t for them.

      Report Post » SoonerBorn68  
  • rightway2truth
    Posted on August 12, 2011 at 9:05am

    Airline pilot career is a farce! The editorial sounded like an add for trade schools. Airline pilots start out in the left seat making >20k per year and may have work for those wages for several years. Always on the road, in airports, flying to your your departure airport to begin work, flying back home, no family time, no life. Hey you can have it. There should be be more women flying; a good place for them!
    You’re lucky if you can make Captain in 10 years!

    Report Post »  
  • Shootist
    Posted on August 12, 2011 at 8:59am

    The problem with being an Elevator Installer is that the job has its Ups & Downs…..

    Sorry, I just couldn’t resist…..

    Report Post »  
  • kdzndogdad
    Posted on August 12, 2011 at 8:57am

    How about a double-naught spy?

    Report Post »  
  • kenr1963
    Posted on August 12, 2011 at 8:47am

    Raised on a small farm and loved it Just to bad you couldn’t make a living doing it.(Unless you converted the corn you raised to moonshine.)

    Report Post »  
    • domb12
      Posted on August 12, 2011 at 10:06am

      or converted it to Ethanol and receive government subsides

      Report Post »  
    • Clive
      Posted on August 12, 2011 at 11:09am

      bachmann knows all about those subsidies, you should ask her how to get rich from it.

      Report Post »  
    • kenr1963
      Posted on August 12, 2011 at 12:04pm

      LOL!!!All I would have to do is change the name from Moonshine to Ethaniol

      Report Post »  
  • who_it_is
    Posted on August 12, 2011 at 8:46am

    Looks like you don’t need a college degree to be the President either!

    Report Post »  
    • Condor Actual
      Posted on August 12, 2011 at 8:55am

      Ha! Right on!

      Report Post »  
    • brotherjohn
      Posted on August 12, 2011 at 9:07am

      At least, not a meaningful degree…

      Report Post » brotherjohn  
    • Hickory
      Posted on August 12, 2011 at 10:01am

      You might not need a real degree but, our present POTUS got one for free. You know, affirmative action and all………

      Report Post » Hickory  
  • welaney
    Posted on August 12, 2011 at 8:23am

    From what I see a machinist makes from $20.00- $35.00 per hour in Texas, in a non union shop with good benifits. Texas is an oil tool manufacturing state so there are alot of opertunities.

    Report Post » welaney  
    • danenut6
      Posted on August 12, 2011 at 8:32am

      Yep, that is where we live. You can make good money but you have to work.

      Report Post »  
    • Anonymous T. Irrelevant
      Posted on August 12, 2011 at 8:43am

      What about Congressman? Does it specify that one has to have a college degree to get voted into congress? And once you are in there, all you have to be good at is BS and lying. Lots of them stayed there their whole lives. I haven’t checked, but most of them seem to be lawyers. If you have staff who write the legislation, all you have to do is BS your way through and vote what the majority of what your constituents want. Easy-peasy.

      Report Post » Anonymous T. Irrelevant  
    • ronnie8365
      Posted on August 12, 2011 at 8:48am

      Maintenance mechanic $65,000 to $100,000

      Report Post »  
    • searching for the Truth
      Posted on August 12, 2011 at 9:24am

      Yep! State has to have work as well!

      Report Post »  
    • Cold War Vet
      Posted on August 13, 2011 at 5:04am

      I used to be a CNC machinist. I made parts for car wheel assemblies on a lathe. It IS work!

      Report Post » Cold War Vet  
  • danenut6
    Posted on August 12, 2011 at 8:18am

    You do not need a high school diploma to be a pipeline welder. You can make a GOOD deal of money but you are dependent on oil. . .so if they are not drilling you are not making money. You can make $35-65 AN HOUR. It is hard work though.

    Report Post »  
  • LadyIzShy
    Posted on August 12, 2011 at 8:16am

    ok so #5 is outright frightening.. wow the rest are great.. im currently going to a business school for a 2 year program because I have no great skills outside baking…but its a LOCAK trade school and while it cost a BUNCH its also not subsidized by local taxes like the other schools in my area, which when i found out my property taxes go to the collages in the area I was MAD

    Report Post » LadyIzShy  
  • Windwalker
    Posted on August 12, 2011 at 8:09am

    I take issue with the suggestion that a commercial pilots job is that easy to obtain. As the mother of an international 747 captain and the mother-in-law of an international MD-11 captain, both of these men have college degrees. And further to suggest that any U.S. Air Force or the U.S. Navy pilot does not have a degree or at least an AA is misleading bordering on being just plain false. Name me one currently performing military PIC that does not have a college degree. Military pilots are not NCOs, they are commissioned, and unless that designation has been awarded on the “battle field”, it requires educational degrees. It is true that the greater the number of logged hours can be or is the best avenue for attaining employment in the airline industry, would be job applicants need current certification on specific aircraft.
    For instance, when discussing smaller carrier job markets, just because you are checked out on a King Air, doesn’t mean you can step in a Dash 7 or 8 and fly it commercially………every commercial pilot job that I have ever heard of has a mandatory necessary certification requirement that goes with the right or left seat in that aircraft.

    Report Post »  
    • A300Driver
      Posted on August 12, 2011 at 9:43am

      While I agree with your post in general, you are incorrect stating ALL military pilots have college degrees. Specifically, in 2006 the US Navy stated the “Enlisted to Aviator Navy Flight Aviation program” with a small, hand-picked group that would train to fly P-3 Orion Aircraft, E-6 Mercury Aircraft, and SH-60B Helicopters. And more notably, the US Army since 1918 has used Warrant Officers (without college degrees) in a variety of positions – to include the backbone of the helicopter and fixed wing aviation core, dating back to WWII in the Army Air Corps.

      Report Post »  
    • Windwalker
      Posted on August 12, 2011 at 12:11pm

      With all due respect, you may want to review the requirements necessary regarding the military program you refer to. One of the requirements necessary to be eligible is listed in Item #3 of the program….“must possess an associates degree or higher”, which is why my post included an “AA”. These enlisted men were to be trained on P-3 Orions, E-6 Mercurys, and a certain type of helicopter I am not familiar with. The program initially was set up for less than a dozen and a half servicemen to participate, …….IMHO certainly not a number or group that many could hope to aspire to.

      Report Post »  
    • A300Driver
      Posted on August 12, 2011 at 6:20pm

      “Name me one currently performing military PIC that does not have a college degree.” Well, there are thousands of US Army pilots ~ but that’ll be more than one! :) The cadre of Enlisted Naval Aviators have at least their AA’s, correct, but most people don’t consider that a college degree. Also, you pretty much insulted every Naval Enlisted Serviceman/woman competing for this program with your “IMHO certainly not a number or group that many could hope to aspire to” comment. Nice.

      Report Post »  
    • usarmypilot
      Posted on August 13, 2011 at 3:10am

      you’re terribly mistaken. I can name dozens of military pic‘s that don’t have college degrees (and that’s just in my circle of friends). I have a degree, and I‘m not saying it doesn’t help. you still have to be highly qualified with or without one, but it’s not required. research Army Warrant Officers. real men don’t eject.

      Report Post »  
    • Windwalker
      Posted on August 13, 2011 at 10:01am

      My intent was not to insult anyone in or out of the U.S. military. The program I was addressing was the 2006 program as far as citing eligibility…..and if you research the program, you will find that there were less than 18 slots available for entry at that time. Also, it required commissioning by the age of 27. It would be interesting to know just how many non commissioned, left seat, U.S. Army fixed wing pilots, under the age of 40 there are today.

      Report Post »  
  • Fleshking
    Posted on August 12, 2011 at 8:07am

    You forgot Air Traffic Controller, Airline Pilots quit their jobs to be controllers because they get paid more, better benefits, better work hours.

    Report Post »  
  • teddrunk
    Posted on August 12, 2011 at 7:50am

    They forgot “Pole-Dancer”……..and most of that is in cash.

    Report Post »  
    • Clive
      Posted on August 12, 2011 at 11:15am

      All cash, and no tax! Although… its really not a job you can keep with age…

      Report Post »  
  • 80mesh
    Posted on August 12, 2011 at 7:44am

    in hi skewl (1968) we were all paraded through community colleges and the UofW (wa) and expected to sign up, well the draft was looming for nam and many signed up for educatation deferments. not being able to afford college i took a summer of tech skewl (welding) in three months i was certified and making journeyman wages and never looked back. always had a job made excellent wages did well for my family (5 kids) and over 100 foster kids. when i was a welding instructor in the 80,s the universities took over the Comm Colleges in our state and all the VOC TECH instructors (workin people) had to get a “masters degree” to continue teaching.
    the hand writing was on the wall we argued that voc tech people typically wont have a degree in book learnin but as a journeyman we have mastered our craft …… i will walk proud with my head held high knowing i passed a good work ethic to my children, which they are cashing in on now and i can can fix anything from a broken heart to the crack of dawn ….

    Report Post » 80mesh  
  • yougottabekidding
    Posted on August 12, 2011 at 7:41am

    One thing to say :
    No child left behind, the dumbing down of America.

    Report Post »  
    • JLGunner
      Posted on August 12, 2011 at 8:55am

      They started that dumbing down crap just after Jimmy Carter’s boatlift here in Florida. Thats why you have third generation criminals and a city that for the most part, does not and will not speak english. Begone with Miami.

      Report Post » JLGunner  
  • loriann12
    Posted on August 12, 2011 at 7:36am

    O.K. didn’t get past #10 before I had to post. I grew up in Cape Girardeau, MO, on the Mississippi River. That was always my complaint about 2nd and 3rd generation welfare recipients. Big, strapping men who would rather sit at home and collect welfare than do an honest day’s work on the river. My grandpa worked on the river, traveling from Cape to New Orleans. But they didn’t want to actually work for their income. That spoiled me on welfare recipients at a young age.

    Report Post »  
  • countryfirst
    Posted on August 12, 2011 at 7:26am

    If you start young, keep your eyes and ears open and your mouth closed only open to ask work related questions.
    Do your job the best you can, be trustworthy, and honest.
    Started a construction laborer right out of H.S and now in management.
    It was the hard road, but the road less traveled isn’t even there you build it while you go.

    Report Post » countryfirst  
  • Iman Barak Hussein
    Posted on August 12, 2011 at 7:19am

    Where is your natural talent best brought to mature ?
    Following the money should not be your primary concern.
    Problem is, something called…affirmative action has put
    education, employment, student loans, the mortgage industry,
    and the entire economy on it’s rear end.

    Report Post » Iman Barak Hussein  
  • Ron_WA
    Posted on August 12, 2011 at 7:11am

    I especially liked the Homer Simpson nuclear plant operator; that’s awesome!

    Report Post » Ron_WA  
    • Ron_WA
      Posted on August 12, 2011 at 7:48am

      I guess there’s still hope for my slacker son.

      Report Post » Ron_WA  
    • danfinrud
      Posted on August 12, 2011 at 12:55pm

      As a person who spent 20 years on Nuclear Submarines. You get a ton of training in the US Navy that can move you into the Nuclear power field. I was a Nuclear Electrician. It is a tough school but anyone who puts in the effort and can do the work. It opens a lot of doors to the future.

      Report Post » danfinrud  
  • KickinBack
    Posted on August 12, 2011 at 7:11am

    11. Panhandling

    At the rate Obama is destroying this country, Panhandlers will be high in demand, especially when those government checks start to fail to show up (or will be worthless altogether).

    >Medium annual income: Not much
    >High end annual income: Not much better
    >Increase in jobs by 2018: More than you would like to know :)
    >Highest concentration of jobs: EVERYWHERE

    Report Post » KickinBack  
    • SpankDaMonkey
      Posted on August 12, 2011 at 12:07pm

      .
      12. ******

      13. Congressman

      14. Drug Dealer

      15. President cause Harvard did not help this one………….

      Report Post » SpankDaMonkey  
  • kickagrandma
    Posted on August 12, 2011 at 7:00am

    Those are TOUGH jobs. Reading about them makes me happy I have a college education….for what it is worth! :( OLD English, Speech, Drama and Journalism teachers just are on a highly-required list, although we should be in today’s world….. : )

    My husband and I often talk about how emergency preparedness (not sex ed), automotive, electrical and plumbing courses (shop and homemaking, also) should be REQUIRED courses for high school graduation in the USA, following of course, real AMERICAN HISTORY, real World History, ENGLISH I-IV, SCIENCE, GEOGRAPHY, MATH (all levels) and now, computer usage. Electives still should include at least one foreign language and NOT arabic or farsi or any of those languages. That’s for college or military training. Leave out kids in AMERICA to be AMERICANS first.

    Report Post »  
    • USAPLISKENXI
      Posted on August 12, 2011 at 7:26am

      kickagrandma
      You are correct that’s the way it was when I went to school and when I got out I had skills
      and was hired right away. I will say while going to High school I washed dishes and paid for my car
      kids today cant do that.

      Report Post » USAPLISKENXI  
    • loriann12
      Posted on August 12, 2011 at 7:40am

      I agree. I didn’t know emergency preparedness until I joined the Navy. I wasn’t prepared by high school for the real world at all. I did have a good history teacher, though. She put me up for the Daughter’s of the Revolutionary War (DAR) award. I still have the little medal.

      Report Post »  
    • loriann12
      Posted on August 12, 2011 at 7:42am

      @USAPLISKENXI

      I agree, too. I worked at J.C. Penney’s handprinting signs to keep me in gas and insurance until I joined the Navy. My only complaint with the Navy was I had a job with no civilian equivelant…..tracking submarines.

      Report Post »  
    • Windwalker
      Posted on August 12, 2011 at 7:43am

      Amen!

      Report Post »  
    • MidWestMom
      Posted on August 12, 2011 at 8:18am

      I agree. Basic life skills are not taught anymore. The plan to teach everyone to be dependent on someone else is succeeding very well.

      Report Post »  
    • h3llyahimerican
      Posted on August 12, 2011 at 8:59am

      Loriann12, did you not obtain a security clearance? gain knowledge on radar systems / electronics? Did you not have any responsibility at all? I am a Marine Veteran, I worked in Finance, gained a security clearance, many doors opened for me on my way out.. since I was a mid-level manager I got a few offers at different companies that needed security clearances.. You have to sale your whole experience not just the scope of your MOS.. HELL I know people who got out as E-3′s and are still managers at wal-mart ..

      Report Post »  
    • MONICNE
      Posted on August 12, 2011 at 10:51am

      ((LA12 is just an excuse factory. ASW is an excellent entry into Civil Engineering, Common Operating Picture, Traffic Control, Law Enforcement, Emergency Reaction, etc. The US Navy is just a community college by another name – everything you qualify for has educational value, IF you have a winning attitude. Many ordinary folks go military because its a socialist lifestyle with big bennies for the dependents.These are the people who “know” the SEAL Teams, but just stay in administrative or support roles for 20 years and retire with family benefits.))

      Report Post » MONICNE  
    • Clive
      Posted on August 12, 2011 at 11:28am

      MONICNE! how dare you say our troops are socialists!!! :)

      Its true, i have two cousins that are 18 and 19, they both knocked up girls and married them, and join the air force (as electricians) to have the gov’t pay for their wives and kids. they went from no education, no income, no insurance, no prospects… to a house on the base, with full benefits virtually overnight, and their lives will never be “on the line”, its a pretty sweet set up for them.

      Report Post »  
    • MONICNE
      Posted on August 12, 2011 at 12:20pm

      ((CLIVE! — Just telling the truth))

      Oh! BTW! Pretty Officer LA-12! Thank you for your service! (I must never forget that ritual.)

      ((After they strip the benefits from the Teachers, Nurses and Firefighters they will go for the Police. Then it will be Veterans, then retired Military, then Active Duty Families. In the end the disabled wounded warriors will be accused of having :entitlements.”))

      TEA

      MONICNE  
    • Git-R-Done
      Posted on August 12, 2011 at 4:45pm

      Clive and Monicne are stupid liberals who can’t tell the difference between work and welfare. People in the military actually have to work while people on welfare don’t.

      Report Post »  
1 2 3 4

Sign In To Post Comments! Sign In

Sign Up For Our Newsletter!

Glenn Beck Radio

Listen to Glenn Beck 24/7 Listen Now
Restoring Love