Joining the Workforce: 9 Licenses and Certifications that Don't Require a College Degree

Do you need a college degree to get a good job?

It’s a question many of us have pondered at some point. Although there are many benefits of going to college, it isn’t your only option when it comes to finding a well-paying, rewarding career. Below we’ll count down nine positions that may require a license or certification but that don’t require a 4 year degree.

Number 9- Cosmetologist

If you have a passion for beauty, why not consider a career as a cosmetologist? To begin working, you’ll have to be a high school graduate and complete a state-licensed cosmetology program. You’ll have various professional personal care services experiences throughout the program, with opportunities to learn how to do things like cut hair, give manicures and apply makeup professionally. Once you graduate, you can apply to salons with your specific preferences and work in any area of cosmetology you wish to specialize in. Cosmetologists make an average of $24,900/yr.

Number 8- Warehouse Certifications

As companies continue to become more and more available and accessible to people worldwide, forklift and heavy machinery use is growing along with it. Getting a forklift license or heavy vehicle license could open doors to you and your job search. Generally, these courses are cost effective and can be earned in a short amount of time. Licenses like these can help you get jobs with higher pay and pave the way to further career development. The BLS does not list forklift operators separately but instead lumps them together as Material moving machine operators and says “Material moving machine operators use machinery to transport various objects. Some operators move construction materials around building sites or excavate earth from a mine. Others move goods around a warehouse or onto container ships.” They earn an average of $34,830 per year.

Number 7- Travel Agent

As a certified travel counselor (CTC), you can help people go on vacations that will create lifelong memories. Travel agents usually work at agencies. You can earn a CTC or become a certified travel associate (CTA) in about 18 months. Throughout the course of your training, you’ll gain valuable, multi-disciplinary skills including business ethics and writing skills, time management, customer service and communication, itinerary planning and more. Travel agents earn an average of $36,990/yr.

Number 6- Auto Mechanic

For people who love working with their hands, a career as a mechanic is a good consideration. You’ll find different types of challenges in the workforce as well as get the satisfaction of a job well done every time you complete a repair. You’ll have to complete training at a vocational school and pass the Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certification exam. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) the median salary of an auto mechanic is $39,550/yr.

Number 5- Massage Therapist

Master the art of relaxation by becoming a licensed massage therapist. Professional spa therapists can complete training in under a year, but in order to gain more job opportunity, look for programs that prepare you to become a registered massage therapist (RMT). As an RMT, you can work at a spa, fitness center, resort or even run your own business. Massage Therapists earn an average of $39,990/yr.

Number 4- Carpenter

Carpentry school can prepare you for a career building everything from furniture to billion-dollar buildings. Another physical job, those who prefer to be active on the job will find carpentry a rewarding challenge.

Becoming a carpenter takes around three to four years, but you’ll gain valuable, hands-on experience throughout your apprenticeship. You may even decide that you want to pursue a specialty like woodworking or residential construction. Professional carpenters can earn over $45,000 a year, and job opportunity is expected to grow 8-percent between 2020 and 2026.

Number 3- Licensed Practical Nurse

While you do need a degree to become a registered nurse (RN), you can become a licensed practical nurse (LPN) in about a year. LPNs work in many different settings; some become private nurses for disabled people and the elderly while others prefer the fast-paced nature of hospitals and physician’s offices. If you’re interested in getting into the medical field but don’t know where to get your feet wet, becoming an LPN could be a quick, cost-effective way for you to truly experience helping people in this capacity. LPNs earn an average of $45,030/yr.

Number 2- Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic

If you want a job where your customers are always happy to see you, consider becoming an HVAC mechanic. When the heat or A/C goes out people get uncomfortable so by repairing these systems you can help people get back to their normal lives. Sometimes this requires that you work in uncomfortable climates. According to the BLS, employment of heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers is projected to grow 15 percent from 2016 to 2026, much faster than the average for all occupations. The median annual wage for HVAC mechanics and installers is $47,080/yr.

Number 1- Elevator Installers and Repairer

Like all mechanical devices elevators occasionally need repair. But because of the additional safety responsibilities elevator repair people earn considerably more than most mechanics with the median annual wage for elevator installers and repairers being $79,480. According to the BLS “Employment of elevator installers and repairers is projected to grow 12 percent from 2016 to 2026, faster than the average for all occupations. New installation and maintenance of elevators and escalators in stores and residential and commercial buildings is expected to spur demand for workers. Nearly all elevator installers and repairers learn through an apprenticeship. Currently, 35 states require workers to be licensed.”

You may not be 100-percent certain what you want to do for a living, but that’s okay! There is plenty of time to find your calling, and the great thing about certificates and licenses is that they don’t take multiple years and tens of thousands of dollars to complete.

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Joining the Workforce: 9 Licenses and Certifications that Don’t Require a College Degree