The following list was published in the book 300 Best Jobs Without a Four-Year Degree, Third Edition (© 2009), by Michael Farr and Laurence Shatkin, Ph.D. The book contains more than 65 other “best jobs lists,” plus information-packed descriptions about the jobs featured in each list.
Registered Nurses
- Median Earnings: $60,010
- Percent Growth: 23.5 percent
- Annual Openings: 233,499
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing
- Median Earnings: $68,270
- Percent Growth: 12.4 percent
- Annual Openings: 43,469
Dental Hygienists
- Median Earnings: $64,740
- Percent Growth: 30.1 percent
- Annual Openings: 10,433
Criminal Investigators and Special Agents
- Median Earnings: $59,930
- Percent Growth: 17.3 percent
- Annual Openings: 14,746
Immigration and Customs Inspectors
- Median Earnings: $59,930
- Percent Growth: 17.3 percent
- Annual Openings: 14,746
Police Detectives
- Median Earnings: $59,930
- Percent Growth: 17.3 percent
- Annual Openings: 14,746
Police Identification and Records Officers
- Median Earnings: $59,930
- Percent Growth: 17.3 percent
- Annual Openings: 14,746
Vocational Education Teachers, Postsecondary
- Median Earnings: $45,850
- Percent Growth: 22.9 percent
- Annual Openings: 19,313
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
- Median Earnings: $44,990
- Percent Growth: 22.2 percent
- Annual Openings: 22,756
Executive Secretaries and Administrative Assistants
- Median Earnings: $38,640
- Percent Growth: 14.8 percent
- Annual Openings: 235,314
To learn more about these jobs or to view additional “best jobs lists,” purchase 300 Best Jobs Without a Four-Year Degree, Third Edition, by Michael Farr and Laurence Shatkin, Ph.D.