Explore Careers
Real salaries, what the job is actually like, and the exact steps to get started — for careers you can begin young, most without a four-year degree.
Welder
$48,940/yr median
High school diploma plus a welding certificate or apprenticeship
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Electrician
$61,590/yr median
High school diploma plus an apprenticeship (typically 4 years, paid)
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Plumber
$60,090/yr median
High school diploma plus an apprenticeship
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HVAC Technician
$51,390/yr median
High school diploma plus a 6-month to 2-year HVAC program
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Carpenter
$56,350/yr median
High school diploma; skills learned on the job or via apprenticeship
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Automotive Technician
$47,770/yr median
High school diploma plus a vocational program or on-the-job training
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Medical Assistant
$42,000/yr median
High school diploma plus a 9-month to 1-year certificate
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Dental Assistant
$44,820/yr median
High school diploma plus a dental assisting program (about 1 year)
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Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
$38,200/yr median
High school diploma plus a state-approved CNA program (4–12 weeks)
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Pharmacy Technician
$40,300/yr median
High school diploma plus on-the-job or a certificate program
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EMT (Emergency Medical Technician)
$38,930/yr median
High school diploma plus an EMT course (a few months)
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Software Developer
$124,200/yr median
Bachelor's degree common, but bootcamps and self-teaching also work
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IT Support Specialist
$59,660/yr median
High school diploma plus certifications (degree optional)
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Web Developer
$84,960/yr median
Associate degree, bootcamp, or self-taught
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Data Analyst
$83,700/yr median
Bachelor's common; bootcamps and certificates increasingly accepted
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Graphic Designer
$57,990/yr median
Portfolio matters most; degree or self-taught both work
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Administrative Assistant
$44,080/yr median
High school diploma; strong computer skills help
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Bookkeeper
$47,440/yr median
High school diploma; some take accounting courses
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Phlebotomist
$41,810/yr median
High school diploma plus a phlebotomy program (a few months)
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Home Health Aide
$33,530/yr median
High school diploma or less; short on-the-job training
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Cosmetologist / Hairstylist
$34,970/yr median
High school diploma plus a state-licensed cosmetology program
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Diesel Mechanic
$58,970/yr median
High school diploma plus a vocational program or on-the-job training
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Wind Turbine Technician
$61,770/yr median
High school diploma plus a technical program or on-the-job training
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Truck Driver (CDL)
$54,320/yr median
High school diploma plus a commercial driver's license (CDL)
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Firefighter
$51,680/yr median
High school diploma plus fire academy training (EMT certification often required)
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Veterinary Assistant
$36,440/yr median
High school diploma; most training happens on the job
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