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.
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
Police Detectives
- Median Earnings: $59,930
- Percent Growth: 17.3 percent
- Annual Openings: 14,746
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
Computer Support Specialists
- Median Earnings: $42,400
- Percent Growth: 12.9 percent
- Annual Openings: 97,334
First-Line Supervisors/Managers of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers
- Median Earnings: $55,950
- Percent Growth: 9.1 percent
- Annual Openings: 82,923
Construction and Building Inspectors
- Median Earnings: $48,330
- Percent Growth: 18.2 percent
- Annual Openings: 12,606
Police Patrol Officers
- Median Earnings: $49,630
- Percent Growth: 10.8 percent
- Annual Openings: 37,842
Sheriffs and Deputy Sheriffs
- Median Earnings: $49,630
- Percent Growth: 10.8 percent
- Annual Openings: 37,842
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.