For years it was believed that a four-year college degree was the only way to land a
Seventy percent of high school graduates on a non-degree pathway are very confident in their plan to forgo a degree, according to a survey commissioned by American Student Assistance and Jobs for the Future, and it's because their decision doesn't have to cost them a good salary. To help them identify the best opportunities,
"Earning a bachelor's degree can be an excellent step in beginning a career, but it's not necessarily the best path for everyone," says Eva Chan, a career expert at Resume Genius. "With the rising costs of college education and the burden of student loans, more people are considering alternative career paths that don't require a degree, leading to increased interest in jobs that offer competitive salaries and opportunities for career advancement without a four-year college commitment."
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Many of the jobs ranked by Resume Genius may not need a four-year degree, but that doesn't mean there aren't
For example, airline and commercial pilot roles topped the list with an impressive annual salary of $148,900, but most piloting jobs ask for training in vocational schools and sometimes an associate's degree to start actively working in this role. There's also a significant amount of on-the-job training needed in order to meet the Federal Aviation Administration requirements.
"Having diverse educational backgrounds, hands-on experience, and a commitment to continuous learning are becoming more valued in the job market," Chan says. "That's not to say that a degree isn't helpful. A college degree can still provide advantages in many fields, and the decision to pursue a degree or not should be based on a person's own career goals, interests, and financial circumstances."
See what other high-paying professions made Resume Genius' list:
