"Go to college and do something with your life," may be what you've heard, but college isn't for everyone. Some people don't want to be cooped up in a classroom reading textbooks and taking tests. They're fine with not being a lawyer or an architect; instead of designing the building, they would rather be part of the construction team that builds it. They would much rather learn on the job. For those who don't have a passion for the university life, there are jobs out there for you. They don't require a lot of formal education, but as the cliché goes, the fee you pay goes to the school of experience.

TUTORIAL: Financial Careers

Air Traffic Controller
Air traffic controllers are primarily responsible for safely routing aircraft to and from destinations. Recruits start at $17,800 per year, but once all on-the-job training is completed and the controller gains experience, they can finish their career making nearly $140,000 annually. If you're thinking of entering the FAA training program you must be no older than 30, if you have no prior experience as an ATC. (For related reading, see Top 10 Highest-Paying Jobs For 2011.)

Powerhouse Substation Mechanic
For those who enjoy working with electricity, powerhouse substation and relay repair personnel maintain the numerous relay stations that route electricity through the power grid to homes and businesses. The average salary is $61,700, but the top 10% can earn as much as $82,000. Although training is extensive for this hazardous career, they won't ask for your college degree when you apply.

Financial Advisor
If you're more of a desk job and numbers kind of person, but still don't have much desire to sit in a classroom, a career as a financial advisor may be perfect for you. Although financial advisors have to be certified, on-the-job training often takes place while studying for the exams. Financial advisors often start their career as an intern with a salary of $20,000 to $24,000 but after only five years advisors can make more than $100,000.

Bakken Shale
The North American oil industry is a modern day gold rush. Halliburton, an oil and gas exploration company, reports that jobs in the North Dakota Bakken Shale are paying as much as $130,000 per year after just two years of experience. Truck drivers transporting oil out of North Dakota are reportedly making more than $100,000 and, according to insiders, there are thousands of well-paying jobs available with many requiring little or no experience and no more than a high school education. (For related reading, see Top 4 At-Home Financial Jobs.)

Elevator Mechanic
When you step on to an elevator or escalator how often do you think about its reliability? This is one of the reasons why an elevator repair person or installer has an average starting salary of $67,000 and may top out their career at as much as $100,000. Not only is the job hazardous, but training takes four years of classroom and on the job experience. Next time you're on an elevator heading up to the 40thfloor, think of the mechanic who keeps that elevator in good working order.

Transportation Inspector
54% of households living in New York City don't own a car and rely on public transportation for their daily lives. Any breakdown or safety issue concerning the public transportation system can cost Americans time and money, especially in large metropolitan cities. In worst-case scenarios, lives could be lost. This is why transportation inspectors, those who keep the public transportation system safe, start at $61,000 and earn more than $103,000 after just a few years of experience.

The Bottom Line
There's one trait that every successful person must have that formal education can't teach: an extraordinary work ethic. For those people who are willing to work harder than others in their field, a comfortable and prosperous salary will follow. Is there someone you know who seems to excel at everything they do? That isn't an accident. Education is important, but these jobs prove that there are big financial rewards for those who are willing to work hard. (For more on alternative careers, see Becoming A Financial Writer.)

Related Articles
  1. Retirement

    Why are 401(k) contributions limited?

    Find out why contributions to 401(k) retirement plans are limited, including what the current contribution limits are and how limits encourage participation.
  2. Stock Analysis

    Why Walmart Raised Its Minimum Wage

    Read about the potential pros and cons of Walmart's promise to increase its minimum starting salary to $10 an hour.
  3. Entrepreneurship

    Millennials Guide: Freelancer vs. Employee

    How to decide if joining the gig economy is right for you.
  4. Savings

    All About Income

    Income is the money you or a business earns by providing goods or services, or through investments.
  5. Insurance

    Healthcare Premiums Keep Rising, But Salaries Aren’t

    Learn how college and health insurance costs have skyrocketed while wages have stagnated, and how, given the necessity of these services, consumers are stuck.
  6. Professionals

    Career Advice: Management Consulting Vs. Law

    Compare the career opportunities between management and law using such criteria as skills needed, starting salary and work-life balance.
  7. Taxes

    Top Tips for Minimizing Taxes on Severance Pay

    A look at the top ways to lessen the tax burden on severance pay.
  8. Professionals

    8 Justifications For Sky-high CEO Salaries

    Why are CEO salaries so astronomically high? There may be more to the story than you think.
  9. Personal Finance

    8 Profitable Majors For The College-Bound In 2015

    Choose your college major wisely to justify the rising cost of higher education. Here are 8 majors that lead to good jobs and high salaries.
  10. Economics

    5 Developed Countries without Minimum Wages

    Find out about five developed nations that have no federally regulated minimum wage and how these countries use unions to ensure workers are paid their due.
  1. Back Pay

    The amount of salary and other benefits that an employee claims ...
  2. Payroll Card

  3. Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act

  4. Cash Bonus

    A lump sum of money awarded to an employee, either occasionally ...
  5. Foreign remittance

  6. Income

  1. What is the difference between AGI (adjusted gross income) and gross income?

  2. How is marginal propensity to save calculated?

  3. How can minimum wages contribute to a market failure?


  5. How does Jeff Weiner make money from LinkedIn?

    LinkedIn CEO Jeff Weiner creates revenue for his company from user subscription fees, advertising and marketing operations, ... Read Full Answer >>
  6. Why did Larry Page pay himself a salary of only $1 a year at Google?

    Co-founder and current chief executive officer (CEO) of Google Larry Page has been paid an annual salary of only $1 every ... Read Full Answer >>

You May Also Like

Trading Center

You are using adblocking software

so you'll never miss a feature!