Best job without a college degree: dental hygienist
Only half of recent college graduates are working full time. What must the employment market be like for job-seekers with only a high school diploma? For certain occupations, it’s not too bad.
A new report from CareerCast.com found that a high school education can result in jobs with hefty entry-level pay. The best position is dental hygienist, according to CareerCast, with salaries that start at $45,000 on average and that can grow 109% at the top level. Through 2020, the number of such jobs is expected to surge nearly 38%.
An online sales manager doesn’t need a bachelor’s degree but can still earn $40,000 from the get-go, potentially raking in 255% more at his or her peak. A Web developer can start at $43,000 and grow his or her salary 179%.
Other top 20 positions include medical secretaries, paralegal assistants, insurance agents, hairstylists, tax collectors and sewage plant operators.
But someone with a college education can end up earning more on average than someone who didn’t go beyond high school. With a four-year degree, an American worker will earn $1 million throughout a career with a starting salary of $51,000 and a final one of $130,600.
With no college degree, the average entry-level pay is $28,350. Such workers earn $79,150 on average during their final working years.
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