While the decision to pursue a degree or to enter the work force is fraught with pros and cons, earning a lot of money isn't. Not that money means everything, but wouldn't we all like to see some bigger numbers on our next paycheck? You can find jobs in many industries that don't require formal degrees, but you still need relevant experience, skills and possibly other training, depending on the position.
If you're in the market for a job that doesn't require a degree but does come with a nice salary, here are 20 jobs to consider and their average annual salary:
1. Aides supervisor $60,652*
Aides supervisors typically supervise home-health aides, monitoring quality of care and setting work schedules.
2. Assembly supervisor $59,926
Assembly supervisors oversee workers who put together products by using power tools or other dangerous equipment.
3. Assistant site manager $86,584
At a construction site, assistant site managers report to head site managers and plan, direct and coordinate the necessary tasks to complete that day's activities.
4. Automobile service station manager $81,793
The manager draws up guidelines for gas stations and automotive repair shops and decides on hours of operation, assigns job duties and sets prices for services and products.
5. Cable supervisor $71,826
Cable supervisors monitor workers who install, maintain and repair cables, and also perform related services.
6. Carpenter supervisor $70,565
Carpenter supervisors oversee carpentry work on a specified project to ensure that workers are on schedule and executing plans accordingly. The supervisor also performs some of the carpentry duties if time permits.
7. Chemical supervisor $67,114
Chemical supervisors oversee workers who make chemical products, which involves handling dangerous substances and following strict guidelines.
8. Construction equipment operator $50,783
These operators are in charge of the large tools and equipment used during construction projects and they also inspect the equipment for safety and performance issues.
9. Credit and collection supervisor $61,387
Credit and collection supervisors manage employees who calculate credit risks and collections, and they sometimes review client credit history to grant or deny extensions of credit.
10. Data control supervisor $61,118
Data control supervisors manage data entry workers and are responsible for the completion and accuracy of that work. On occasion they help with assignments.
11. Flight service manager $67,766
Airlines hire flight service managers to ensure that flight attendants adhere to personal appearance and preflight requirements. They also compile flight reports.
12. Gas plant operator $64,198
Pipelines that produce and transport gas need to stay at certain pressures to function safely, and that's what these workers do.
13. Home care aide supervisor $66,244
Home care aides assist homebound patients with daily activities and some rehabilitation exercises, and the supervisor ensures that all patients are being taken care of properly by their aides.
14. Housekeeping manager of a medical facility $60,584
In a medical facility, the housekeeping manager sets the schedules and tasks for his or her team. Housekeeping duties vary depending on the type of medical facility, but managers must work with other hospital staff to ensure they are following health and safety guidelines.
15. Lead carpenter $68,616
Lead carpenters ensure that construction projects are completed on time and correctly, and they perform some of the labor themselves.
16. Locomotive engineer $70,116
Locomotive engineers drive electric, diesel-electric or gas-turbine electric trains that transport passengers or freight.
17. Margin department supervisor $87,745
Margin department supervisors manage customer credit-card accounts for a company, and one of their principal duties is to approve or deny credit to customers.
18. Painting supervisor $62,211
Painting supervisors monitor all painting activities involved in a particular job. They ensure paint is mixed properly and surfaces are prepared correctly, and they apply decorative or protective finishes when needed.
19. Payroll supervisor $63,626
These supervisors oversee payroll employees to ensure that all pay calculations follow company policy, government regulations and tax codes.
20. Route sales manager $65,771
Product and service delivery teams have to achieve goals pertaining to customer satisfaction, efficiency and personal performance. The route sales manager monitors their work and keeps them on track to achieve their objectives.
*Salary figures based on data from CBsalary.com, powered by SalaryExpert.com
By Anthony Balderrama writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com and its job blog, The Work Buzz. He researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/abalderrama.
