Were you told you need to go to a 4 years university in order to land a high paying career?
01. Alaskan Crab Fisherman
Alaskan crab fishermen (Photo Credit — gillfoto)
Average salary:$27,000 for approx. 2 months of work.
Top 10% salary: $100,000+
Job description — As far as high paying jobs without college go, Alaskan
crab fishing has to be near the top of the list. Once at the top of the
list of most dangerous jobs, Alaskan crab fishing has gotten
significantly safer in recent years, and more profitable as well. Thanks
to new government regulations and quotas, this profession that saw an
average of 7.3 fatalities per year in the 1990s experienced only 1 death
in the past 6 years.
Alaskan Crab fisherman only work for around 4-8 weeks of the year during
the king and snow crab seasons, but this can involve long shifts of 21
hours on average. It can also involve grueling, arduous physical work
that includes:
Setting and retrieving crab pots
Sorting the catch and returning small catch into the ocean
Removing dead crabs from the tank
Cleaning and maintaining the deck of the ship
Experience and training: No formal experience required, though crab
fisherman usually need to work a few seasons as a deckhand before
becoming a fisherman who shares in the crew’s profits.
Additional qualifications: Alaskan crab fisherman need to be extremely
physically fit to manipulate the heavy crab pots and perform physical
labor for long shifts, often up to 21 hours. Mental toughness is also a
must.
02. Air Traffic Controller
Air traffic controllers (Photo Credit — Wikipedia)
Average salary: $108,040
Top 10% salary: $165,660+
Job description — Air traffic controllers direct the movement of air
traffic and help planes land and take off safely. They’re responsible
for coordinating flight schedules, issuing take-off and landing
instructions to pilots, authorizing flight path changes, offering
weather updates, and co-ordinating with airport staff in cases of
emergency. While the pay is significant, it can be a demanding,
stressful position that requires strong mental acuity.
Experience and training: Air traffic controllers must complete an air
traffic management degree from an FAA certified school, past the
pre-employment test, and complete an FAA training course. Prospective
air traffic controllers also need to be under 31 years old, unless
they’ve had previous experience in the military.
Job prospects (New positions expected in 2010-2020): -800
03. Elevator Installers and Repairers
Elevator repairers (Photo Credit — Billso PHOTO)
Average salary: $70,910
Top 10% salary: $101,390+
Job description — Elevator installers and repairers install, repair and
maintain elevators, escalators, moving walkways, and even chairlifts.
Installers generally follow standard procedures to install elevator and
escalators, while repairers focus more on troubleshooting and
preventative maintenance such as greasing and oiling parts, replacing
old and worn parts, and running diagnostics on computerized systems.
Experience and training: Elevator installers and repairers need a high
school diploma or a GED. The majority of their training is through a 4
year apprenticeship program, where apprentices must perform at least
2,000 hours of on-the-job training as well as 144 hours of technical
instruction. In order to qualify for an apprenticeship, potential
apprentices usually need to pass basic aptitude tests in math, reading,
and mechanical skills.
Job prospects (New positions expected in 2010-2020): 2,300
04. Power Plant Operators Distributors and Dispatchers
Power plant operators (Photo Credit — Wikipedia)
Average salary: $65,360
Top 10% salary: $88,330+
Job description — Power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers
work in power plant facilities to ensure that they’re generating
electricity and distributing it to the grid. Some of their duties
include:
- Starting or stopping generators, turbines, and other equipment
- Controlling power-generating euipmqnet
- Monitor power flow by reading gauges and charts
- Regulating power flow
- Checking equipment and indicators and looking for signs of operating problems
- Experience and training: Power plant operators, dispatchers, and distributors need at least a High school diploma or GED. They also need to undergo long-term, rigorous on-the-job training and technical instruction. The training process can take several years before the worker is fully qualified. Once qualified, operators still need to take regular training courses to keep up to date on technical systems and procedures. They also need to pass the appropriate licensing exam, which depends on the type of power reactor they’re working on.
Job prospects (New positions expected in 2010-2020):-1,100
05. Locomotive Engineer
Locomotive engineer (Photo Credit — Wikipedia)
Average salary: $52,940
Top 10% salary: $79,340
Job description — Locomotive engineers drive trains. These might be
electric, diesel-electric, gas-trubine-electric, or steam locomotives.
They interpret train orders from headquarters, follow railroad
regulations, and ensure that their train runs smoothly, safely, and
on-time.
Experience and training: High school diploma or GED is required, though
this depends on the rail company. Locomotive engineers generally need to
start by working as a train conductor for a number of years. Locomotive
engineers usually receive around 2-3 months of on-the-job training
before they’re permitted to operate a train on their own. Railroad
companies also provided additional training that allows engineers to
keep their skills and knowledge up-to-date. Depending on the type of
train, locomotive engineers may also need to apply for additional
licensing. All locomotive engineers must be certified by the Federal
Railroad Administration (FAA).
Job prospects (New positions expected in 2010-2020): 500
06. Real Estate Broker
Real estate broker (Photo Credit — Jerad Hill Photographer)
Average salary: $54,910
Top 10% salary: $95,220+
Job description — Real estate brokers help clients sell, buy, and rent
real estate. They manage every aspect of the sale, including marketing,
determining market prices, advising clients on mortgages, prices, market
conditions, handling negotiations, filing the right paperwork, and much
more. In addition, they’re also licensed to manage their own brokerage
firms, allowing them to hire sales agents to work for them.
Experience and training: Real estate brokers need a high school diploma
or GED. They must also pass the licensing course/exam in their
jurisdiction. To obtain the brokers license, most jurisdictions also
require that potential brokers work for at least 1-3 years as real
estate sales agents before applying for licensing.
Job prospects (New positions expected in 2010-2020): 52,500
07. Home Aides Supervisor
Home health aide (Photo Credit — Wikipedia)
Average salary: $63,400
Job description — Home aide supervisors manage home health aides and
ensure that they’re delivering a high level of care for their patients.
They’re also responsible for hiring and training new health aides and
managing patient care.
Experience and training: No high school diploma necessary. Home aide
supervisors usually start off working as home health aides themselves.
Additional qualifications: Home aide supervisors need to be good with people, compassionate, patient, and cheerful.
08. Casino Gaming Manager
Casino (Photo Credit — Wikipedia)
Average salary: $67,400
Job description — Casino gaming managers are responsible for
co-ordinating the action on the gaming floor. This can include managing
security operations, managing dealers, setting policies, resolving
customer complaints, and ensuring that operations are running smoothly
and profitably.
Experience and training: There are no formal education requirements, but
some employers might want casino managers to have at least a 2 year
associates degree. Specific requirements will depend on each casino
operator and local state rules. All casino workers need to be licensed
from a state regulatory board. Most managers start working as
entry-level casino gaming workers, and need to be familiar with the
ins-and-outs of casino operations before being promoted.
Additional qualifications: Communication skills are paramount. Casino
managers need to have an outgoing personality and must have the patience
to remain calm even when dealing with irate or demanding customers.
09. Ship Captain
Ship captain (Photo Credit — Wikipedia)
Average salary: $64,180
Top 10% salary: $99,690+
Job description — Ship captains command water vessels. This can range
from small fishing boats, to tugboats or ferry boats, to private yachts,
and even large cruise ships or military vessels. Ship captains must
navigate their ship and manage crew members to ensure the safe and
efficient operation of the ship.
Experience and training: Ship captains almost always start off as deck
hands or officers before being promoted to captain. Deck hands often
have at least a bachelor’s degree in marine transportation, where they
learn about seamanship, navigation, and maritime business. Ship captains
also undergo an apprenticeship under another ship captain, and must
also obtain Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC) and Transportation Worker
Identification Certification (TWIC) from the United States Coast Guard.
Job prospects (New positions expected in 2010-2020): 16,700
10. In-Flight Service Manager
Flight attendant (Photo Credit — Wikipedia)
Average salary: $72,200
Job description — The in-flight service manager is the flight attendant
in charge of the cabin. They’re responsible for managing flight
attendants and ensuring that customers receive a comfortable experience
while in the air. They’re also responsible for ensuring that the cabin
is safe for take off and landing.
Experience and training: High school diploma or GED is required. On the
job training is provided by the airline. In-flight service managers are
promoted from flight attendant.
Job prospects (New positions expected in 2010-2020): -200
