Great Jobs That Do Not Require a Bachelor's Degree

In today's market, a job that does not require a bachelor's degree is ideal for the person searching for a great career with minimal college experience. There are various occupations in law, science, aviation and service industries that require extensive certification and vocational training that take no more than 1 to 2 years to complete and will prepare you for a flourishing and rewarding career.

Air Traffic Controller

An air traffic controller organizes, controls and direct the movement of air traffic between air centers. A air traffic controller ensures flight safety, regulates and monitors air craft for distance, guides pilots and controls air flight according to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) policy and procedures by utilizing radar or visual observations. An air traffic controller must pass a pre-employment test prior to enrollment in an FAA-approved education program provided by a specialized vocational school or community college. The minimum requirement for enrollment is to have 3 years of work experience and 30 semester college hours. According to Payscale.com, the U.S. national average salary for an air traffic controller with 1 to 4 years of experience ranges from $34,788 to $59,740.

Court Reporter

A court reporter transcribes and records verbatim for court proceedings, depositions, legislative assemblies and committee meetings. A court reporter will also respond to requests to provide necessary documents to lawyers or judges in addition to filing transcribed records to the court clerk. Depending on the institution, practice or corporation, a court reporter may also take on the duties of recording and transcribing caption news and TV broadcast programming. Most court reporters have a high school diploma and attend court reporting certificate training or complete an associate's degree at a vocational school or community college. According to Payscale.com, the U.S. national average salary in 2009 for a court reporter with 1 to 4 years of experience ranges from $34,888 to $55,417.

Nuclear Monitoring Technician

A nuclear monitoring technician collects, monitors and performs nuclear experiments in air, gas, solids and water samples in order to test for radiation levels. A nuclear monitoring technician utilizes detector instruments to determine contamination and primarily is employed at industrial nuclear plants or environmental wastes facilities. Depending on the size and the facility, a nuclear monitoring technician may also record and observe findings or recommend decontamination procedures. Most nuclear monitoring technicians are required to complete a certificate or 2-year degree in applied science technology. The U.S. national average salary for a nuclear monitoring technician with 1 to 4 years of experience ranges from $25,025 to $44,168, according to Payscale.com.

Plumber

A plumber performs installations and fittings and repairs and assembles piping, fixtures or drainage systems. A plumber will also detect and locate leaks on drainage equipment, connections or valves according to plumbing codes. Depending on experience, a plumber may be responsible for negotiating contracts, preparing cost estimates and inspecting structures. A residential or industrial plumber primarily is trained at a vocational school or community college, and a commercial plumber is trained under an apprenticeship program sponsored by the hiring company. According to Payscale.com, the U.S. national average hourly salary in 2009 with 5 to 9 years of experience ranges from $15.94 to $23.91.

Funeral Director

A funeral director is responsible for arranging, directing, planning and scheduling funeral services in addition to interviewing and consulting family on arrangements. A funeral director may also provide transportation for mourners, oversee embalming procedures and arrange the transportation of the body. Depending on the size of the mortuary, a funeral director may also maintain financial records, prepare legal documents and explain funeral options. In most states, a funeral director is required to have a 2-year degree in mortuary science, to complete a 1-year apprenticeship under the supervision of a licensed funeral director and to pass a state licensing examination before employment. The U.S. national average salary in 2009 for a funeral director with 5 to 9 years of experience ranges from $32,978 to $48,365, according to Payscale.com.

References

• Payscale.com
• Bureau of Labor Statistics

Resources

• Air Traffic Controller Job Description