Highest Paying Jobs Without a Career in 2022

It’s sometimes hard to believe that in today’s day and age a high paying job doesn’t always have to be tied to a 4 year college degree. The options are endless and the days of our parents pushing us for that degree are numbered — but what other options do we have? Remember that no job is perfect but some things must always be taken into consideration when choosing a career path: competitive salary, positive workplace culture, and good career advancement. Sometimes college isn’t a practical option for you and your lifestyle, so being able to have other careers that also pay well is crucial on you furthering your education.

So what specific careers pay the best? In this article we look at all non-degree options that have certification programs in specific fields of work. Certification programs are usually far cheaper and than traditional college degrees, and often take a fraction of the time to complete.

Let’s go through some of the highest skilled careers that not only pay well, but require short certification or program times.

1. Real Estate Agent

   Being a realtor is great if you like houses and enjoy working with people, and with a national average salary of $82, 015 a career in Real Estate seems like an enticing option. While offering a highly flexible schedule, you can customize your work life balance to whatever makes sense for you. The BLS also notes that "there will be a continued demand for real estate brokers and sales agents, because people turn to these workers when looking for a new home, relocating, or purchasing property for a business, among other reasons. Employment is projected to grow along with the real estate market."

   In terms of certification time, you can expect to spend about two to five months completing school and getting your real estate agent license. Unfortunately, there's no national real estate license, so you'll have to meet your state's unique licensing requirements. Visit your state's real estate regulatory office website for information on how to further your career as an Agent.

2. Truck Driver

   Truck Drivers operate trucks while transporting goods or other supplies across highways, roads, or other varieties of distances. This career offers a lot of independence and flexibility when it comes to schedule. The Trucking Industry Trade Associations predict that the amount of freight moving across North America will increase by 25% by 2030, ensuring a steady supply of new truck driving jobs. so how much can you make in this field? On average drivers earn $50,909, while Over The Road (OTR) drivers who haul freight over long distances earn on average nearly $64,000 per year.

   In some instances, certain companies can also offer compensation for your training which would eliminate you cost of certification. You can learn to safely drive large trucks or passenger buses in driving schools located all around the country in a few weeks. Graduates earn their license quickly and nearly 100% of driving school graduates find jobs within a couple of weeks after graduation.

3. Commercial Pilot

   The life of a Commercial Pilot can seem a bit different than most, but can be highly lucrative if you value travel and seeing different parts of the world. One important advantage of becoming a pilot is that you can earn really good money from your job. In fact, pilots often have a six-figure income, at least after a few years of working. It takes hours of training and education to be an airline pilot. However, the payoffs and perks that come with the job are exceptional.

   Pilots have a lucrative paycheck with an average of $112,000. The earnings are higher for versatile and more experienced pilots. Working as a commercial pilot boosts your earnings higher, and you can find side jobs like working as a flight instructor, private plane service, or charter plane service.

4. Massage Therapist

   If you have a passion for health and wellness, Massage Therapy might be the right career path for you. It can be as busy or as lax as you wish it to be. While certification can take up to 2 years to complete, it’s a great opportunity to open up your own business and set your own prices, or rely on the multitude of national chains to bring in your clientele for optimal exposure. According to our Career Chat™ interview with Jesi Jankowski, hourly pay can range anywhere from $65/hr on the low end to $95/hr on the high end. If you want to be in more of a medical atmosphere, there is always an option of working in a Chiropractic setting and be their in house Massage Therapist.

   Consider being a Massage Therapist it you want to make people feel good. It’s a rewarding career that can help relax and heal people. It’s also one of the fastest growing professions, according to the U.S Bureau of Labour. There are hundreds of different modalities that you can specialize in to further your career as a Massage Therapist as well which can allow you to advance and move into different environments and higher pay. Anything from sports, medical, prenatal, Shiatsu there are options and a variety of pathways that will makes sense for you and your career.

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