Everyone wants a “good” job that pays enough to live on, but that’s not always attainable in today’s market. With minimum wage jobs paying far below the cost of living, and with so many jobs requiring years of experience to even apply, finding a job that you qualify for and that pays what you need can be daunting. However, there are jobs available that pay good wages and are easy to get started in.
Air Traffic Controller
ATC operators have the important job of managing and monitoring a wide range of commercial flights. They communicate with pilots and other airport control operators on a daily basis to make sure flight paths are clear and everything is running smoothly. Although you can increase your ATC salary as you complete different phases of training on the job, the starting wages for this industry already pay better than minimum wage in most cases. Most air traffic controllers have a bachelor’s degree or a degree through the Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative program, which is administered by the Federal Aviation Administration. Whatever your current education, you need to pass the Air Traffic Controller Specialists Skills Assessment Battery and gain admittance to the air traffic controller training course at the FAA Academy located in Oklahoma City. The FAA does not accept candidates for training over the age of 31 but does give preference to military veterans. The good news is that the median annual wage for air traffic controllers is $124,540 and even the lowest 10 percent earned about $68,000.
Shipping
The process of shipping physical goods from one location to another involves many steps, which means many jobs. One of the jobs you might be suited for is transporting those goods using a heavy vehicle rig. These types of jobs usually only require a high school diploma to start. In many cases, the employer will direct you to the necessary truck license training you should have for the job. At the moment, the demand is very high for truck drivers. See Considering a Career in Trucking?
Other jobs in the shipping industry can be with the “Merchant Marines” aka. Water Transportation Workers. Water transportation workers operate and maintain vessels that take cargo and people over water. The vessels travel to and from foreign ports across the ocean and to domestic ports along the coasts, across the Great Lakes, and along the country’s many inland waterways. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Water Transportation Workers earn an average of $54,400 per year.
Marketing
Marketing might be a great way to start your career using a high school education. It’s a field that is spread out across almost any industry you can imagine. All businesses want to market their goods and services to potential clients, and these businesses are always looking for fresh talent and new ideas. While you may receive some special training in marketing tactics depending on the specific industry you choose, you don’t need more than a high school diploma for most of these jobs. The rate of turnover for marketing can be high, so positions are frequently open no matter what industry you’re interested in working for. This can be a great way to get your foot in the door to your dream career without having to start at rock bottom in terms of wages.
Insurance Appraiser
Insurance appraisers assess the value of insured items to give owners an estimate that they can use to replace things in the event of a loss. Claims adjusters, appraisers, examiners, and investigators evaluate insurance claims. They decide whether an insurance company must pay a claim, and if so, how much. These jobs typically pay a wide range of salaries at the entry level, and some of them go as high as mid-range jobs in other fields. As an appraiser, you may do other work such as investigating claims and negotiating settlements. The training for this typically takes place on the job, making it great for those with no previous experience. The median annual wage for claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators was $65,900 in May 2018. The median annual wage for insurance appraisers, for auto damage was slightly less at $62,520.
The job market can be tough at any education level, and you might feel particularly overwhelmed if you’re looking for your first job or trying to find something suited to a high school education. Some jobs are not always heavily advertised, but you will still find many that are willing to pay you a decent wage and have no need of extra degrees. Consider what your long-term career goals are, what your short-term career goals are, and do your research so that you can get the wages you need while making progress toward your dream job.
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