Hot jobs - no degree necessary

Career Builder

A college degree is the first step on the path to success for many people – but that doesn’t mean it’s the only path. While, statistically speaking, college graduates do tend to earn more money over the course of their lifetimes, there are plenty of well-paying career options for individuals who never earned a college degree.

Whatever your reason for not pursuing higher education, check out CareerBuilder’s new list of hot jobs that don’t require a college degree. The list includes 10 growing jobs that are projected to continue growing, pay on average about $20 an hour, and don’t require a college degree. Some of them may surprise you:

Electricians
Required education: High school diploma and apprenticeship
2018-2022 job growth: 5 percent
Average hourly earnings: $26.33

Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters
Required education: High school diploma and apprenticeship
2018-2022 job growth: 5 percent
Average hourly earnings: $25.76

Computer user support specialists
Required education: Some college
2018-2022 job growth: 7 percent
Average hourly earnings: $25.50

Industrial machinery mechanics
Required education: High school diploma and on-the-job training
2018-2022 job growth: 8 percent
Average hourly earnings: $24.87

Surgical technologists
Required education: Postsecondary non-degree award
2018-2022 job growth: 7 percent
Average hourly earnings: $22.68

Heating, air conditioning and refrigeration mechanics and installers
Required education: Postsecondary non-degree award and on-the-job training
2018-2022 job growth: 6 percent
Average hourly earnings: $22.39

Chefs and head cooks
Required education: High school diploma and on-the-job training
2018-2022 job growth: 6 percent
Average hourly earnings: $21.54

Fitness trainers and aerobics instructors

Required education: High school diploma and on-the-job training
2018-2022 job growth: 6 percent
Average hourly earnings: $20.23

Medical records and health information technicians
Required education: Postsecondary non-degree award
2018-2022 job growth: 7 percent
Average hourly earnings: $19.96

Self-enrichment education teachers
Required education: High school diploma
2018-2022 job growth: 8 percent
Average hourly earnings: $19.91