Fast-Growing Jobs That Don’t Require a Four-Year Degree was originally published on College Recruiter.
It may be harder to find a job because you don’t have a college education, but that doesn’t mean opportunities are not available. The following post identifies some fast growing jobs to look out for in your search.
When exploring career options, it’s helpful to consider which jobs are growing quickly and which are not. In the recently released book 300 Best Jobs Without a Four-Year Degree, occupational expert Laurence Shatkin, Ph.D., pinpoints several jobs forecasted to experience high-growth that do not require a bachelor’s degree.
To create the list of fast-growing jobs that don’t require a four-year degree, Shatkin sorted 300 jobs by their projected growth over the 10-year period from 2010 to 2020. According to Shatkin, jobs in health care and construction dominate the 20 fastest-growing jobs. He further notes, “You can find a wide range of rapidly growing jobs in a variety of fields and at different levels of training and education among the jobs in this list.”
Here are the top 10 jobs featured on Shatkin’s list of the 100 fastest-growing jobs that don’t require a four-year degree.
1. Helpers–Brickmasons, Blockmasons, Stonemasons, and Tile and Marble Setters
Annual earnings: $27,820
Percent growth: 59.9 percent
Annual openings: 2,540
2. Helpers–Carpenters
Annual earnings: $26,400
Percent growth: 55.7 percent
Annual openings: 3,820
3. Veterinary Technologists and Technicians
Annual earnings: $30,140
Percent growth: 52.0 percent
Annual openings: 5,570
4. Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Workers
Annual earnings: $37,990
Percent growth: 48.7 percent
Annual openings: 1,320
5. Physical Therapist Assistants
Annual earnings: $51,040
Percent growth: 45.7 percent
Annual openings: 4,120
6. Helpers–Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
Annual earnings: $27,010
Percent growth: 45.4 percent
Annual openings: 4,170
7. Diagnostic Medical Sonographers
Annual earnings: $65,210
Percent growth: 43.6 percent
Annual openings: 3,170
8. Occupational Therapy Assistants
Annual earnings: $52,040
Percent growth: 43.2 percent
Annual openings: 1,680
9. Physical Therapist Aides
Annual earnings: $23,680
Percent growth: 43.2 percent
Annual openings: 2,760
10. Glaziers
Annual earnings: $37,350
Percent growth: 42.2 percent
Annual openings: 3,340
Laurence Shatkin, Ph.D
Laurence Shatkin, Ph.D., has 30 years’ experience in the career information field, presents and blogs on jobs, and is the author of many career books. As a leading occupational expert, Shatkin is in-demand by the media. He shares his knowledge and insights on national news programs and in major print and online publications.
Additional information can be found in 300 Best Jobs Without a Four-Year Degree, Fourth Edition. The book published in October of 2012 and is available at major bookstores, Amazon.com and JIST.com.