*To the job hunters of the world, there is an industry that pays a lot and provides job security, no bachelor’s degree. What is it? According to CNBC, the industry is … skilled trades.
Referencing recent research from McKinsey & Co. And the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the site reports the need for blue-collar workers is very noticeable, with the U.S. facing “record-high pressure” to fill positions. The demand comes as tradesmen age out of the workforce or retire and fewer young people enter fields like construction, plumbing, and transportation.
An added factor in the mix includes labor shortages via the COVID-19 pandemic, which impacted in-person work and material availability. As a result, skilled trade jobs have experienced a more than 20% increase in wages since the pandemic arrived in 2020, McKinsey & Co. Reports.
The latest findings from the Bureau add to the situation, with skilled trades making up close to a third (35%) of the fastest-growing jobs in the U.S. and more than 1.5 million new jobs expected between now and 2032.
A four-year degree may not be a requirement for many blue-collar jobs, but certifications, licensing, and, in some cases, extensive on-the-job training fill that void in this day and age for many positions.
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With that in mind, as promised, for your consideration, we present five in-demand jobs in the skilled trades that pay more than $100,000 and don’t require a bachelor’s degree (courtesy of CNBC, per Resume Genius and the Bureau of Labor Statistics):
Elevator Technician
Job Description: Elevator technicians install, fix, and maintain elevators, escalators, moving walkways, chairlifts, and other lifts.
Job Path: To become an elevator technician, you will need a high school diploma, and to complete an apprenticeship program sponsored by a union, industry association or individual contractor. Most states require a technician to be licensed and finish additional on-the-job training.
Median Annual Salary: $102,420
Power Plant Operators
Job Description: These workers control boilers, turbines, generators, and other systems in a plant that generates and distributes electric power.
Job Path: Power plant operators typically only need a high school diploma, though the role also requires extensive on-the-job training. You will also need a license from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Median Annual Salary: $100,890
Air Traffic Controller
Job Description: Air traffic controllers direct aircraft in the ground and air, controlling all ground traffic on runways and taxiways and giving landing and takeoff instructions to pilots.
Job Path: To become an air traffic controller, you will need at least an associate’s degree from the Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative program and to complete training at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) academy, as well as other on-the-job training.
Median Annual Salary: $137,380
Nuclear Technician
Job Description: Nuclear technicians work alongside physicists, engineers, and other scientists in nuclear energy production, operating and maintaining nuclear testing equipment. Testing air, water and soil samples for radioactive contamination can be another aspect of the job.
Job Path: To become a nuclear technician, you will need an associate’s degree in nuclear science or nuclear-related technology. Extensive on-the-job training is also required.
Median Annual Salary: $101,740
First-Line Supervisor of Police and Detectives
Job Description: First-line supervisors of police and detectives oversee members of a police force, managing schedules, training staff and coordinating investigations.
Supervisors often act as liaisons between officers and higher-ranking officials, maintaining order and communication.
Job Path: To become a supervisor, you will need at least a high school diploma and previous experience in the field, like working as a police officer or detective. Some employers might require an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.
Median Annual Salary: $101,750
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