Student-loan debt is rising, and getting a degree is no longer a guarantee for success. What's a veteran to do? Many individuals are forgoing the four-year route and jumping straight into the job market. This traditionally would cause career counselors and parents alike to hem and haw, but these days, it's not a bad idea.
If you decide that college isn't right for you or you'd like to put it off for a while, it's best to enter the job search knowing what your best options are.
Business Insider looked at some of the highest-paying jobs that only require a high school diploma or associate's degree. But to save you time, we've cherry-picked the top 10 jobs that don't require a bachelor's degree.
Business Insider's original list was created by looking at the Bureau of Labor Statistics and looking at "the median annual wages listed includ[ing] hourly, weekly, annual pay, sales commissions, and production bonuses. Overtime wages are not included in the data."
Related: For the latest veteran jobs postings around the country, visit the Military.com Job Search section.
1. Engineering Technicians (Except Drafters)
- Median annual wage (May 2010): $58,020
- Degree required: Associate's degree
- Description: Engineering technicians solve technical problems. Some help engineers and scientists do research and development. They build or set up equipment. They do experiments. They collect data and calculate results. They might also help to make a model of new equipment. Some technicians work in quality control, where they check products, conduct tests and collect data. In manufacturing, they help to design and develop products. They also find ways to produce things efficiently.
2. Business Operations Specialist
- Median annual wage (May 2010): $62,450
- Degree required: High school diploma
- Description: Some business positions require an individual with a broad range of skills, and not all of these positions require a degree. They can be difficult to find, but many of these "ground-floor" positions can prove fruitful in later years.
Search for business operations specialist jobs.
3. Power Plant Operators
- Median annual wage (May 2010): $63,080
- Degree required: High school diploma
- Description: Power-plant operators, distributors and dispatchers control the systems that generate and distribute electric power. They need a combination of education, experience and extensive, on-the-job training. Nuclear power reactor operators also need a license. Many jobs require a background check, and workers are subject to drug and alcohol screenings.
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4. Registered Nurses
- Median annual wage (May 2010): $64,690
- Degree required: Associate's degree
- Description: Registered nurses (RNs) provide and coordinate patient care, educate patients and the public about various health conditions, and they provide advice and emotional support to patients and their family members. Registered nurses usually take one of three education paths: a bachelor's degree in nursing, an associate's degree in nursing or a diploma from an approved nursing program. Registered nurses must also become licensed by passing a national licensing examination.
Search for nursing and health-care jobs.
5. Commercial Pilots
- Median annual wage (May 2010): $67,500
- Degree required: Postsecondary non-degree award
- Description: Airline and commercial pilots fly and navigate airplanes or helicopters. Airline pilots fly for airlines that transport people and cargo on a fixed schedule. Commercial pilots fly aircraft for other reasons, such as charter flights, rescue operations, firefighting, aerial photography and crop dusting.
Search for commercial pilot jobs.
6. Firefighter and Prevention Worker Supervisors
- Median annual wage (May 2010): $68,250
- Degree required: Postsecondary, non-degree award
- Description: Firefighters protect the public by responding to fires and other emergencies. They are frequently the first emergency personnel on the scene of an accident. Firefighters typically enter the occupation with a postsecondary, non-degree award in fire science or a related discipline. In many jurisdictions, however, the entry-level education needed to become a firefighter is a high school diploma or equivalent. Most firefighters also must pass written and physical tests, complete a series of interviews and hold an emergency medical technician (EMT) certification. All firefighters receive extensive training after being hired.
7. Nuclear Plant Reactor Operators
- Median annual wage (May 2010): $75,650
- Degree required: High school diploma
- Description: Power plant operators, distributors and dispatchers control the systems that generate and distribute electric power. Power plant operators, dispatchers and distributors need a combination of education, experience and extensive, on-the-job training. Nuclear power reactor operators also need a license. Many jobs require a background check, and workers are subject to drug and alcohol screenings.
8. Police and Detective Supervisors
- Median annual wage (May 2010): $78,260
- Degree required: High school diploma
- Description: Police officers protect lives and property. Detectives and criminal investigators, who sometimes are called agents or special agents, gather facts and collect evidence of possible crimes. Law enforcement officers' duties depend on the size and type of their organizations.
Search for law enforcement jobs.
9. Construction Manager
- Median annual wage (May 2010): $83,860
- Degree required: Associate's degree
- Description: Construction managers plan, coordinate, budget and supervise construction projects from early development to completion. Employers increasingly prefer candidates with both work experience and a bachelor's degree in a construction-related field. However, some construction managers may qualify by working many years in a construction trade. Certification, although not required, is becoming increasingly important.
10. Air Traffic Controllers
- Median annual wage (May 2010): $108,040
- Degree required: Associate's degree
- Description: Air traffic controllers coordinate the movement of air traffic to ensure that planes stay safe distances apart. To become an air traffic controller, a person must be a U.S. citizen, complete an air traffic management degree from a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certified school, achieve a qualifying score on the FAA pre-employment test and complete a training course at the FAA Academy. Controllers with previous air traffic control experience, such as from the military, may not need to complete the FAA education requirements. Those without previous air traffic control experience must be younger than 31 to become an air traffic controller.
Search for air traffic controller jobs.
Related: To apply for jobs that match your skills, visit the Military Skills Translator.
The Next Step: Find the Right Job
Whether you want to polish up your resume, find veteran job fairs in your area, or connect with employers looking to hire veterans, Military.com can help. Sign up for a free Military.com membership to have job postings, guides and advice, and more delivered directly to your inbox.
