Last updated on October 4, 2019
Did you know that many high paying careers don’t require a diploma? Many students believe that a bachelor’s degree is the only way to get their foot in the door of a great paying career. However, that is not the case! There are several jobs that hire right out of high school as well as many opportunities to earn your associate degree or certification while working. We are breaking down the top 13 jobs in Dallas-Fort Worth, that don’t require a bachelor’s degree according to the Dallas Business Journal. And we’re sharing the training that you can get for these jobs at the colleges of DCCCD!
1. First-Line Supervisor of Police and Detectives
- Role: Responsible for managing and coordinating police force activities and performing administrative and leadership duties
- Mean Average Wage: $91,590
- Educational Pathway: High school diploma is standard for first-line supervisors of police and detectives. Most criminal justice certificates/degrees are designed for direct entry into the workforce. Criminal Justice programs at the colleges of DCCCD provide valuable knowledge in working effectively in corrections, probation, government and private security settings.
3. Transportation, Storage and Distribution Manager
- Role: Managers plan, direct or coordinate transportation and distribution of activities according to organizational policies and applicable to government laws and regulations.
- Mean Average Wage: $100,740
- Educational Pathway: Managers in this role have a high school diploma or equivalent plus five or more years, of work experience. Colleges of DCCCD offer several options in certificates and Associate of Applied Science of logistics of transportation, storage and distribution positions.
5. First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention
- Role: Supervise and coordinate duties of employees engaged in firefighting, fire prevention and control
- Mean Average Wage: $79,430
- Educational Pathway: Jobs as first-line supervisors of firefighting and prevention require programs that vary in lengths. You can jump start your career by earning an Associate of Applied Science in Fire Protection Technology.
7. Detective and Criminal Investigator
- Role: Conduct investigations related to suspected violations of federal, state, or local laws to prevent and solve crimes
- Mean Average Wage: $83,320
- Educational Pathway: Most detectives and criminal investigators have a high school diploma or equivalent, but you can further your education at Dallas Community Colleges in our criminal justice program. Your best option is to earn a certificate in Digital Forensics and Private Investigation.
10. Real Estate Sales Agent
- Role: Real estate agents buy, sell or rent properties on behalf of their clients. They must have a deep knowledge of the market and of the communities in their area,
- Mean Average Wage: $59,630
- Educational Pathway: Jobs as real estate sales agents require a high school diploma or equivalent and offer on-the-job-training. Real estate agents must be licensed. One option for getting your license is through a real estate associate degree or certificate program.
11. Nuclear Medicine Technologist
- Role: Nuclear medicine technologists inject small amounts of radioactive material into patients and then take images of their patients’ bodies to diagnose or determine the progression of certain diseases or illnesses, such as cancer or heart disease.
- Mean Average Wage: $77,660
- Educational Pathway: A Radiologic Sciences Associate of Applied Science degree is preferred, followed by completion of the exam administered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists and specializing in nuclear medicine on the job.
12. Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
- Role: Sonographers use high-frequency sound waves to visualize soft tissue structures of internal organs.
- Mean Average Wage: $73,200
- Educational Pathway: High school diploma or equivalent and an Associate of Applied Science degree in Diagnostic Medical Sonography,followed by registry examinations offered by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography.
13. Dental Hygienist
- Role: Dental hygienists primarily clean teeth, examine patients for signs of oral diseases and provide preventive care.
- Mean Average Wage: $74,680
- Educational Pathway: Requires a high school diploma or equivalent and a Dental Hygiene Associate of Applied Science degree. Followed by National Board Dental Hygiene Examination and a regional clinical board in order to apply for licensure by the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners.
15. Radiation Therapist
-
- Role: Radiation therapists treat cancer and other diseases in patients by administering radiation treatments.
- Mean Average Wage: $85,190
- Educational Pathway: Most radiation therapists complete programs that lead to an associate degree in Radiologic Sciences Associate of Applied Science. Radiation therapists must be licensed or certified in most states.
17. Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist
- Role: MRI technologists operate MRI scanners and monitor patients’ safety and comfort. They also view images to ensure quality of pictures.
- Mean Average Wage: $70,490
- Educational Pathway: Magnetic Resonance Imaging Associate in Applied Science degree, or a Radiologic Sciences Associate in Applied Science degree, followed by completion of the MRI Registry examination administered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists for the registered magnetic resonance technologist credential RT (MR)(ARRT)
21. Sales Representative
- Role: Sale representatives sell retail products, goods and services to customers.
- Mean Average Wage: $63,050
- Educational Pathway: Sales representative usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent. Some companies request an associate degree such as Business Marketing – Associate of Applied Science degree.
22. First-Line Supervisor of Construction Trade and Extraction
- Role: First-line supervisors of construction directly supervise and coordinate the activities of construction or extraction workers.
- Mean Average Wage: $69,200
- Educational Pathway: Jobs as first-line supervisors in construction require a high school diploma or equivalent. Or consider earning an associate degree or certificate in Construction Technology by enrolling with colleges of DCCCD.
24. First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officer
- Role: First-line supervisors of correctional officers directly supervise and coordinate activities of correctional officers and jailers.
- Mean Average Wage: $66,880
- Educational Pathway: A high school diploma or equivalent is needed for this career. There are also several certificates available that you can add to your associate degree. For example, you can complete your Associate of Arts Degree with a Field of Study in Criminal Justice and add the Digital Forensics and Private Investigation Certificate through Dallas Community Colleges.
Not familiar with Dallas Community Colleges? Let us help you with that…
- Read more about Dallas Community Colleges.
- Interested in taking classes with us? Apply for admission on our website.