It depends on the field that you choose, as some necessitate a four-year degree to get a mere job interview, some other high-earning careers also exist where usual professionals hold two-year associate's degrees.
Compensation experts at PayScale.com list five fields where top 10 percent earn above $100,000 a year.
1. Executive Pastry Chef (90th Percentile Pay: $102,000; Median Pay: $45,100)
Executive pastry chefs’ occupation comprise of working at exotic resorts, on cruise ships and for luxury hotels. Fine restaurants, specialty patisseries, and the homes of the famous and powerful like at the White House also employ Executive Pastry Chefs’. They create delicious, beautiful baked goods on a high-scale.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), official training for chefs can occur at a community college, technical school or culinary school, and two-year degrees are frequent. Also, Pastry chefs with less official education can still climb the ladder of ranks to direct a staff. Large and branded hotel and restaurant chains manage their tailored training programs.
2. Master Plumber (90th Percentile Pay: $102,000; Median Pay: $60,000)
The job-market projections for plumbers’ are generally very favourable regardless of them working as entrepreneurs or for established companies. They generally work upon installing and repairing water, waste-disposal, drainage and gas systems and allied appliances.
Attending a term of apprenticeship under the mentorship of a master plumber is best way to begin in this field. According to the BLS, majority of plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters undergo training in jointly administered apprenticeships or in technical schools and community colleges. Please note that the majority of states need that plumbers be licensed; and the licensing requirements differ. Whereas, many localities necessitate workers to possess a minimum of two years of experience and also pass an examination pertaining to trade and local plumbing codes.
3. Radiation Therapist (90th Percentile Pay: $104,000; Median Pay: $77,100)
Healthcare is usually quoted as an industry providing high long-term growth prospective and these jobs may also be very fruitful for those who intend to help others. Radiation therapists manoeuvre machines that assist oncology teams to diagnose and treat cancer. They are employed in hospitals or cancer-treatment centres, and generally work during the day-time only.
The BLS report specifies that professionals in this field usually complete an educational program in radiation therapy or radiography that is a two-year duration program including courses on human anatomy and physiology, physics, algebra, pre-calculus, writing, public speaking, computer science and research methodology.
Notably, in 2009, there existed 102 accredited radiation-therapy programs in the US, as per the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists.
4. Intensive-Care Unit Nurse (90th Percentile Pay: $107,000; Median Pay: $71,100)
A few nursing specialties need for additional training and education as compared to others. PayScale.com reports suggest that usual intensive-care unit (ICU) nurse have possession of an associate's degree in nursing. The ICU nurses are critical-care nurses, as per the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) and they work with seriously ill or injured patients. They also serve as patient advocates and are responsible for respecting and supporting the basic values, rights and beliefs of a critically ill patient according to the AACN.
5. Sheet-Metal Worker (90th Percentile Pay: $122,000; Median Pay: $63,100)
The Sheet-Metal Workers create, install and maintain a diverse range of products prepared from metal sheets, heating and air-conditioning duct systems, roofs, siding, downspouts, restaurant gear, railroad cars, precision equipment etc. They undertake construction-related work and also facilitate mass production of sheet-metal goods in manufacturing.
Apart from possessing mathematical aptitude, sheet-metal workers are supposed to be well in physical condition and must have good hand-eye coordination as there is a comparatively high risk of injury in this line of work. According to the BLS, sheet-metal workers can train for their trade via apprenticeships and also through informal on-the-job training programs.
