With information and technology torpedoing along at mach speed in the 21st century most people believe they need at least an undergraduate degree just to keep pace. Many Americans are scrambling to attain graduate degrees and specialty certifications on top of their degrees to remain attractive candidates in this increasingly competitive and contentious marketplace with a smaller pool of jobs to apply for.
But, according to statistics and projections compiled by the U.S. Department of Labor, eight of the 10 fastest growing American occupations through 2014 will not require a bachelor’s degree. What’s more, jobs such as health technology, plumbing, firefighting, automotive repair and management positions are less susceptible to overseas outsourcing. If a fire breaks out or if your sewer lines back up, you need help to be within proximity to you, not three continents and two oceans away.
1. Air traffic controllers are the traffic cops of the skies. They make sure airplanes fly a safe distance apart and regulate airport arrivals and departures. Those who want to become air traffic controllers must enroll in a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) course and pass a test. Air traffic controllers earned a median wage of $53.78 per hour or $111,900 per year in 2008.
2. Managers, All Others: Managers, who work in a variety of fields other than those management jobs listed elsewhere on this list, earned a median hourly wage of $43.38 or $90,200 annually in 2008.
3. Industrial production managers: oversee the activities required to produce millions of goods in the United States each year. While those who want to work in this field aren’t required to have a college degree, many employers prefer they do. Other employers provide on-the-job training. Industrial production managers earned a median hourly wage of $40.04 and a median annual wage $83,300 in 2008.
4. Transportation, storage, and distribution managers: follow government policies and regulations to plan, direct, or coordinate transportation, storage, or distribution activities. They must have experience in a related occupation to work in this field. Transportation, storage, and distribution managers were paid a median hourly wage of $37.98 or a median annual wage of $76,000 in 2008.
5. First-line supervisors and managers of police and detectives: coordinate and oversee the activities of these law enforcement employees. Those who want to work in this field must have work experience in a related occupation. The median hourly wages of first-line supervisors and managers of police and detectives were $36.29 and the median annual salary was $75,500 in 2008.
6. Nuclear power reactor operators: control equipment that affects the power of the reactor in a nuclear power plant. They are generally required to have extensive training, including refresher training, and many employers prefer they have taken some college courses. Nuclear power reactor operators earned a median hourly wage of $35.25 and a median annual salary of $73,300 in 2008.
7. Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Product Sales Representatives: Sales representatives must interest buyers in the products made by the companies for which they work. While many employers hire sales representatives who don’t have a college degree, an increasing number require them. Many employers provide on-the-job training. The median hourly wages of wholesale and manufacturing and technical and scientific products sales representatives were $33.75 and the median annual salary was $70,200 in 2008.
8. Elevator Installers and Repairers: In addition to installing, repairing and maintaining elevators, elevator installers and repairers also work on escalators, chairlifts, dumbwaiters, moving walkways and similar equipment. In 2008, elevator operators and repairers received hourly median wages of $33.35 or an annual salary of $69,400
9. Gaming managers: oversee the gaming floor and supervise gaming floor personnel. Any gaming managers have experience in other gaming jobs, often as dealers. Gaming managers earned median hourly wages of $32.83 and a median annual salary of $68,300 in 2008. Use the Salary Wizard to find out how much gaming managers currently earn in or near your city..
10. First-line supervisors and managers of non-retail sales workers. Oversee the activities of sales workers other than those who work in retail establishments. They must have work experience in a related field. Median hourly wages were $32.74. –terry shropshire
