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Career paths that value skills over a four-year degree.

Showing 97–120 of 261 careers · Page 5 of 11

  • Floor Sander / Finisher

    Sand, stain, seal, and refinish wood floors using power equipment and hand tools. Repair damaged areas, prepare surfaces, control dust, and apply protective coatings.

    No College Degree Required

    Salary: $50,440/yr median

    Growth: 1% growth (2025–2035), slower than average

    Typical career path: No formal credential is typically required; moderate-term on-the-job training is common.

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  • Floral Designer

    Design and arrange fresh, dried, or artificial flowers and greenery for gifts, events, and displays; advise customers, care for inventory, price orders, and coordinate deliveries.

    No College Degree Required

    Salary: $37,360/yr median

    Growth: 6% decline (2025–2035), projected to decrease

    Typical career path: High school diploma or equivalent and moderate-term on-the-job training are typical; floral-design courses and industry credentials can build skills

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  • Food Science Technician

    Test ingredients and food products for quality, safety, nutrition, and consistency. Prepare samples, run laboratory equipment, document results, and support food scientists and production teams.

    Associate Degree Typically Needed

    Salary: $52,130/yr median

    Growth: 5% growth (2025–2035), faster than average

    Typical career path: Typically an associate degree in food science, chemistry, biology, or a related field, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.

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  • Food Service Manager

    Run the daily operations of restaurants and other food-service businesses. Hire and schedule staff, manage inventory and budgets, ensure food safety and service quality, resolve customer issues, and coordinate kitchen and front-of-house operations.

    No College Degree Required

    Salary: $69,390/yr median

    Growth: 6% growth (2025–2035), faster than average

    Typical career path: High school diploma plus several years of food-service experience is typical; additional culinary, hospitality, or management training can strengthen advancement opportunities

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  • Forest & Conservation Worker

    Plant trees, improve habitats, clear brush, maintain trails, measure forest conditions, and help protect forests from pests, disease, erosion, and fire.

    No College Degree Required

    Salary: $43,680/yr median

    Growth: 2% decline (2025–2035), projected to decrease

    Typical career path: High school diploma or equivalent and moderate-term on-the-job training are typical

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  • Forklift Operator

    Operate powered industrial trucks to load, unload, stack, and move materials; inspect equipment, follow warehouse safety procedures, and record material movements.

    No College Degree Required

    Salary: $46,420/yr median

    Growth: 2% growth (2025–2035), slower than average

    Typical career path: No formal educational credential is typically required; short-term on-the-job training and employer-provided powered-industrial-truck evaluation are common

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  • Foundry Mold / Core Maker

    Make sand molds and cores used to cast metal parts. Prepare mixtures, form and finish molds, position patterns and inserts, and inspect completed work for defects.

    No College Degree Required

    Salary: $48,110/yr median

    Growth: 23% decline (2025–2035), projected to decrease

    Typical career path: A high school diploma and moderate-term on-the-job training are typical.

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  • Furniture Finisher

    Prepare, stain, seal, repair, and refinish furniture and wood products. Match colors, apply coatings, polish surfaces, and restore damaged finishes.

    No College Degree Required

    Salary: $44,540/yr median

    Growth: 4% decline (2025–2035), projected to decrease

    Typical career path: A high school diploma and short-term on-the-job training are typical; woodworking or finishing courses can help.

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  • Gambling Dealer

    Operate table games at casinos and gaming establishments. Explain rules, deal cards or operate games, calculate winnings, exchange chips, monitor play, and follow gaming regulations and security procedures.

    No College Degree Required

    Salary: $34,320/yr median

    Growth: 3% growth (2025–2035), about as fast as average

    Typical career path: A high school diploma and dealer-school or short-term training are typical. Training covers game rules, dealing, chip handling, security, and licensing.

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  • Gaming Surveillance Officer

    Monitor casino activity through surveillance systems and floor observation to identify cheating, theft, safety problems, or rule violations. Document incidents and preserve evidence.

    No College Degree Required

    Salary: $43,370/yr median

    Growth: 2% decline (2025–2035), projected to decrease

    Typical career path: A high school diploma, related security experience, and moderate-term on-the-job training are typical; state gaming registration may be required.

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  • Geological Technician

    Collect rock, soil, and mineral samples; maintain field and laboratory equipment; prepare maps and logs; and help geoscientists evaluate natural resources and geologic conditions.

    Associate Degree Typically Needed

    Salary: $53,350/yr median

    Growth: 4% growth (2025–2035), about as fast as average

    Typical career path: Typically an associate degree in geology, geographic information systems, or a related field, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.

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  • Glazier

    Install glass in windows, doors, skylights, storefronts, and other building fixtures. Measure and cut glass, prepare frames, install fasteners and sealants, and work safely with ladders, scaffolds, and lifting equipment.

    No College Degree Required

    Salary: $57,080/yr median

    Growth: 2% growth (2025–2035), slower than average

    Typical career path: High school diploma or equivalent is typical; glaziers usually learn through an apprenticeship or on-the-job training

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  • Graphic Designer

    Create visual concepts and layouts for print and digital media, using typography, images, color, and design software to communicate ideas clearly.

    Education Requirements Vary

    Salary: $61,300/yr median

    Growth: 2% growth (2024–2034), slower than average

    Typical career path: Build design skills through a certificate, associate program, technical training, or self-directed study, then develop a strong professional portfolio. Some employers prefer or require a bachelor's degree.

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  • Hazardous Materials Removal Worker

    Identify, package, transport, or dispose of asbestos, lead, radioactive waste, contaminated soil, and other hazardous materials while using protective equipment and decontamination procedures.

    No College Degree Required

    Salary: $49,450/yr median

    Growth: 2% growth (2025–2035), slower than average

    Typical career path: High school diploma or equivalent and moderate-term on-the-job training are typical; workers often need OSHA HAZWOPER or material-specific training

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  • Hearing Aid Specialist

    Test hearing, select and fit hearing aids, take ear impressions, program and adjust devices, explain their use and care, and follow up with customers to improve hearing-device performance.

    No College Degree Required

    Salary: $65,160/yr median

    Growth: 19% growth (2025–2035), much faster than average

    Typical career path: High school diploma or equivalent is the typical entry-level education, followed by moderate-term on-the-job training; state licensing requirements apply

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  • Heavy Equipment Mechanic

    Inspect, maintain, and repair construction, mining, agricultural, and other mobile heavy equipment. Diagnose mechanical, hydraulic, electrical, and computerized-system problems and replace or rebuild worn components.

    No College Degree Required

    Salary: $65,510/yr median

    Growth: 7% growth (2025–2035), much faster than average

    Typical career path: High school diploma or equivalent is typical; long-term on-the-job training is common, and some employers prefer graduates of diesel, heavy-equipment, or mobile-equipment technology programs

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  • Highway Maintenance Worker

    Maintain and repair highways, roads, airport runways, and rights-of-way. Patch pavement, repair guardrails and signs, clear brush, operate maintenance vehicles, respond to weather conditions, and help keep transportation routes safe.

    No College Degree Required

    Salary: $50,260/yr median

    Growth: 3% growth (2025–2035), about as fast as average

    Typical career path: High school diploma or equivalent is typical; workers usually receive moderate-term on-the-job training and may need a commercial driver's license or equipment-specific credentials

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  • Home Appliance Repair Technician

    Diagnose, install, maintain, and repair refrigerators, washers, dryers, ovens, and other household appliances using service manuals, meters, and hand tools.

    No College Degree Required

    Salary: $50,990/yr median

    Growth: 2% growth (2025–2035), slower than average

    Typical career path: High school diploma or equivalent and moderate-term on-the-job training are typical; technical-school training and EPA certification may apply for refrigerants

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  • Home Health & Personal Care Aide

    Assist older adults, people with disabilities, and people with chronic illnesses with daily living activities such as bathing, dressing, meals, mobility, housekeeping, and appointments. Monitor changes in condition and report concerns to supervisors or healthcare professionals.

    No College Degree Required

    Salary: $35,800/yr median

    Growth: 18% growth (2025–2035), much faster than average

    Typical career path: High school diploma or equivalent is typical, although some positions do not require it; aides in certified home-health or hospice agencies may need formal training and a competency evaluation

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  • Hotel Desk Clerk

    Register guests, assign rooms, issue keys, process payments, answer questions, manage reservations, coordinate guest requests, and communicate with housekeeping and maintenance staff.

    No College Degree Required

    Salary: $35,070/yr median

    Growth: 2% growth (2025–2035), slower than average

    Typical career path: A high school diploma and short-term training are typical. Training covers reservations, payments, guest service, hotel policies, safety, and local information.

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  • Housekeeping Cleaner

    Clean and prepare hotel rooms, homes, healthcare spaces, and other facilities. Replace linens, sanitize surfaces, replenish supplies, report damage, follow cleaning schedules, and safely handle cleaning products.

    No College Degree Required

    Salary: $35,510/yr median

    Growth: 1% growth (2025–2035), slower than average

    Typical career path: No formal credential is typically required. Short-term training covers cleaning methods, chemical safety, sanitation, equipment use, and room preparation.

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  • Human Resources Assistant

    Maintain employee records, process personnel documents, answer routine benefits and policy questions, schedule interviews, assist with onboarding, prepare reports, and support recruiting and other human-resources activities.

    Associate Degree Typically Needed

    Salary: $50,610/yr median

    Growth: 6% decline (2025–2035), projected to decrease

    Typical career path: An associate degree is typical, although some employers accept a high school diploma with relevant office or human-resources experience.

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  • HVAC Technician

    Install, maintain, and repair heating, air-conditioning, ventilation, and refrigeration systems in homes, businesses, and other buildings.

    No College Degree Required

    Salary: $59,810/yr median

    Growth: 8% growth (2024–2034), much faster than average

    Typical career path: HVAC technicians typically complete a postsecondary certificate or similar nondegree program, then receive substantial on-the-job training. Licenses or certifications may be required.

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  • Hydrologic Technician

    Measure water levels, flow, quality, and weather conditions in the field. Maintain monitoring stations, collect samples, verify data, and support water-resource studies.

    Associate Degree Typically Needed

    Salary: $64,790/yr median

    Growth: 1% decline (2025–2035), projected to decrease

    Typical career path: Typically an associate degree in hydrology, environmental science, or a related field, followed by moderate-term on-the-job training.

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