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Career Changer's Guide

To help those undertaking a career change, we've profiled over 250 jobs that commonly require education beyond high school for entry or advancement. For each of these you'll find a full page of researched info that covers what's needed for training, what the hiring outlook is, typical salaries, and more. From each page you can search for Job Hunt sponsored schools that offer relevant studies.

Scroll down the page to explore or jump to one of the job categories below:

 

Business & Management

Occupation Employed Decade Growth Forecast Salary (Median) High School Only Some College College Degree
Accountants 1,291,000 22% $59,000 5% 19% 75%
Bookkeepers and Accounting Clerks 2,064,000 10% $33,000 33% 49% 15%
Budget Analysts and Administrators 67,000 15% $65,000 7% 24% 68%
Business Analysts 747,000 24% $74,000 6% 17% 76%
Buyers 295,000 14% $54,000 21% 39% 39%
Credit Analysis Specialists 73,000 15% $55,000 12% 31% 56%
Development and Training Managers 30,000 12% $88,000 13% 29% 56%
Economics Professionals 15,000 6% $84,000 1% 1% 99%
Emergency Management Specialists 13,000 22% $50,000 16% 35% 48%
Financial Advisors 208,000 30% $69,000 5% 17% 78%
Financial Analysts 251,000 20% $73,000 4% 13% 82%
Financial Examiners 27,000 41% $71,000 8% 16% 76%
Financial Managers 539,000 8% $99,000 12% 27% 59%
Financial Specialists 151,000 11% $57,000 16% 31% 51%
Health Service Managers 284,000 16% $80,000 9% 29% 61%
Human Resource Managers 63,000 9% $96,000 13% 29% 56%
Human Resource Specialists 225,000 21% $56,000 14% 32% 53%
Insurance Underwriters 103,000 -3% $57,000 18% 31% 50%
Job Recruiters 208,000 28% $45,000 14% 32% 53%
Loan Advisors 32,000 16% $37,000 15% 36% 48%
Loan Officers 328,000 10% $55,000 15% 36% 48%
Logisticians 100,000 20% $66,000 16% 39% 43%
Market Researchers 250,000 28% $61,000 5% 17% 78%
Retail and Wholesale Buyers 148,000 -1% $49,000 25% 37% 34%
Salary and Benefits Managers 40,000 9% $87,000 13% 29% 56%
Salary and Benefits Specialists 122,000 24% $54,000 14% 32% 53%
Tax Agents 73,000 13% $48,000 21% 33% 45%
Trainers 217,000 23% $51,000 14% 32% 53%

Computers & Technology

Occupation Employed Decade Growth Forecast Salary (Median) High School Only Some College College Degree
Application Software Engineers 515,000 34% $85,000 3% 15% 82%
Computer Operators 110,000 -18% $36,000 29% 44% 25%
Computer Scientists 29,000 24% $98,000 6% 28% 66%
Computer Support Technicians 566,000 14% $43,000 13% 45% 41%
Computer System Specialists 209,000 13% $75,000 6% 28% 66%
Computer Systems Analysts 532,000 20% $76,000 6% 28% 66%
DBAs 120,000 20% $70,000 4% 26% 69%
IT Systems Managers 293,000 17% $112,000 5% 25% 70%
Networking Administrators 340,000 23% $66,000 8% 41% 50%
Networking Analysts 292,000 53% $71,000 8% 35% 56%
Operations Analyzers 63,000 22% $69,000 7% 26% 67%
Software Programmers 427,000 -2% $70,000 5% 24% 70%
System Software Engineers 395,000 30% $92,000 3% 15% 82%

Construction Industry

Occupation Employed Decade Growth Forecast Salary (Median) High School Only Some College College Degree
Building Inspectors 106,000 17% $50,000 27% 46% 24%
Carpenters 1,285,000 13% $39,000 44% 24% 7%
Construction Project Managers 551,000 17% $80,000 31% 33% 29%
Construction Worker Supervisors 698,000 15% $58,000 43% 31% 11%
Pipefitters and Plumbers 495,000 15% $46,000 47% 29% 4%
Professional Electricians 695,000 12% $46,000 40% 43% 8%

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Design

Occupation Employed Decade Growth Forecast Salary (Median) High School Only Some College College Degree
Clothing Designer 23,000 1% $61,000 13% 34% 51%
Designers 15,000 10% $44,000 13% 34% 51%
Floral Layout Designers 76,000 -2% $23,000 13% 34% 51%
Industrial Designers 44,000 9% $57,000 13% 34% 51%
Interior and Space Designers 72,000 19% $45,000 13% 34% 51%
Product Displayers 85,000 7% $26,000 13% 34% 51%
Professional Graphic Designers 286,000 13% $42,000 13% 34% 51%
Set and Exhibit Designers 11,000 17% $45,000 13% 34% 51%

Engineering

Occupation Employed Decade Growth Forecast Salary (Median) High School Only Some College College Degree
Architects 141,000 16% $70,000 2% 10% 88%
Biomed Engineers 16,000 72% $77,000 3% 23% 75%
Civil Engineers 278,000 24% $75,000 4% 12% 85%
Electrical Engineers 158,000 2% $82,000 4% 18% 78%
Electronics Engineers 144,000 0% $86,000 4% 18% 78%
Engineering Managers 184,000 6% $115,000 4% 13% 82%
Industrial Engineers 215,000 14% $74,000 8% 24% 68%
Landscape Designers 27,000 20% $59,000 2% 10% 88%
Mechanical Engineers 239,000 6% $75,000 5% 22% 73%
Regional and Urban Planners 38,000 19% $60,000 1% 7% 93%

Engine Repair & Mechanic

Occupation Employed Decade Growth Forecast Salary (Median) High School Only Some College College Degree
Aircraft Service Technicians 122,000 6% $51,000 29% 57% 12%
Auto Body Mechanics 166,000 0% $37,000 51% 21% 3%
Car Mechanics 764,000 5% $35,000 45% 31% 4%
Diesel Mechanics 136,000 9% $43,000 48% 33% 4%
Marine Mechanics 22,000 6% $35,000 50% 28% 5%
Motorbike Mechanics 19,000 9% $31,000 50% 28% 5%
Recreational Vehicle Service Techs 14,000 7% $31,000 45% 19% 5%
Small Engine Techs 29,000 6% $29,000 50% 28% 5%
Survey Specialists 58,000 15% $53,000 3% 22% 75%
Truck Mechanics 263,000 6% $39,000 49% 31% 3%

Entertainment & Arts

Occupation Employed Decade Growth Forecast Salary (Median) High School Only Some College College Degree
Artists 22,000 8% $52,000 11% 30% 56%
Audio-Video Technicians 55,000 13% $38,000 20% 44% 34%
Communication Equipment Operators 21,000 12% $53,000 20% 44% 34%
Craftsperson 14,000 7% $29,000 11% 30% 56%
Fine Artists 24,000 9% $43,000 11% 30% 56%
Multimedia Designers 79,000 14% $56,000 11% 30% 56%
News Reporters 62,000 -7% $35,000 3% 13% 83%
PR Specialists 275,000 24% $51,000 7% 16% 77%
Professional Photographers 152,000 12% $29,000 14% 37% 47%
Tv and Radio Announcers 55,000 -5% $27,000 21% 40% 35%
TV and Radio Broadcast Operators 39,000 2% $33,000 20% 44% 34%
Video and Film Camera Operators 26,000 9% $42,000 9% 32% 56%
Video and Film Editors 26,000 12% $51,000 9% 32% 56%
Writers 152,000 15% $53,000 3% 13% 83%

Farming, Forestry, & Game

Occupation Employed Decade Growth Forecast Salary (Median) High School Only Some College College Degree
Conservation Workers 13,000 9% $23,000 33% 19% 23%

Food Service

Occupation Employed Decade Growth Forecast Salary (Median) High School Only Some College College Degree
Bread and Pastry Bakers 152,000 0% $23,000 41% 23% 8%
Chefs and Lead Cooks 108,000 0% $39,000 32% 36% 13%
Food Preparers 892,000 4% $19,000 40% 19% 7%
Food Services Managers 339,000 5% $46,000 31% 35% 24%
Institution Cooks 392,000 10% $22,000 43% 19% 5%
Professional Cooks 18,000 16% $23,000 43% 19% 5%
Restaurant Food Preparers 914,000 8% $22,000 43% 19% 5%
Restaurant Hosts and Hostesses 351,000 6% $18,000 39% 32% 12%
Short Order Food Preparers 171,000 0% $19,000 43% 19% 5%

Law

Occupation Employed Decade Growth Forecast Salary (Median) High School Only Some College College Degree
Arbitrators and Mediators 10,000 14% $51,000 1% 1% 98%
Attorneys 759,000 13% $111,000 1% 1% 98%
Law Secretaries 263,000 18% $40,000 33% 48% 17%
Legal Assistants and Paralegals 264,000 28% $46,000 14% 45% 40%
Legal Support Specialists 48,000 11% $50,000 19% 41% 38%
Stenographers 22,000 18% $50,000 19% 41% 38%

Machine & Tool Operator

Occupation Employed Decade Growth Forecast Salary (Median) High School Only Some College College Degree
Precious Stone and Metal Workers 52,000 5% $33,000 31% 32% 17%
Welding and Brazing Machine Operators 54,000 -6% $32,000 50% 24% 2%
Welding and Brazing Workers 412,000 -1% $34,000 50% 24% 2%

Medical Administration

Occupation Employed Decade Growth Forecast Salary (Median) High School Only Some College College Degree
Medical Admin Assistants 471,000 27% $30,000 33% 48% 17%
Medical Records Techs 172,000 20% $31,000 34% 48% 15%
Transcriptionists 105,000 11% $32,000 29% 54% 12%

Medical Practitioner

Occupation Employed Decade Growth Forecast Salary (Median) High School Only Some College College Degree
Clinical Counselors 152,000 11% $64,000 0% 1% 99%
Industrial Psychologists 2,000 26% $77,000 0% 1% 99%
Psychologists 16,000 14% $86,000 0% 1% 99%

Medical & Dental Support

Occupation Employed Decade Growth Forecast Salary (Median) High School Only Some College College Degree
Cardiovascular Technologists 50,000 24% $47,000 9% 67% 24%
Dental Hygiene Technicians 174,000 36% $67,000 3% 62% 35%
Dentist Assistants 295,000 36% $32,000 33% 54% 10%
Dietitians 60,000 9% $51,000 15% 14% 66%
Emergency Medical Technicians 211,000 9% $29,000 18% 66% 15%
Health Techs 82,000 19% $38,000 23% 45% 30%
Home Healthcare Aides 922,000 50% $20,000 41% 35% 8%
Medical Lab Techs 156,000 16% $35,000 11% 36% 52%
Medical Laboratory Technologists 172,000 12% $54,000 11% 36% 52%
Occupational Health Providers 56,000 11% $62,000 12% 25% 62%
Occupational Health Techs 11,000 14% $45,000 12% 25% 62%
Occupational Therapy Providers 104,000 26% $67,000 1% 10% 90%
Pharmacist Aides 55,000 -5% $20,000 29% 54% 12%
Pharmacist Techs 326,000 31% $28,000 28% 53% 17%
Physician Aides 75,000 39% $81,000 7% 23% 69%
Psychiatric Techs 57,000 4% $29,000 28% 53% 17%
Qualified Medical Assistants 484,000 34% $28,000 29% 54% 12%
Radiation Therapy Providers 15,000 27% $73,000 4% 52% 44%
Radiologic Technicians 215,000 17% $52,000 9% 67% 24%
Respiratory Therapy Providers 106,000 21% $52,000 3% 69% 28%
Respiratory Therapy Techs 16,000 0% $42,000 28% 53% 17%
Sports Trainers 16,000 37% $40,000 12% 25% 62%
Surgical Techs 92,000 25% $39,000 28% 53% 17%
Ultrasound Techs 50,000 18% $62,000 9% 67% 24%

Nurses

Occupation Employed Decade Growth Forecast Salary (Median) High School Only Some College College Degree
Licensed Practical Nurses 730,500 14% $39,000 21% 72% 7%
Nurses 2,542,760 24% $62,000 1% 43% 56%
Nurses Aides 1,422,720 18% $24,000 55% 37% 7%

Office Support

Occupation Employed Decade Growth Forecast Salary (Median) High School Only Some College College Degree
Admin Assistants 2,020,000 5% $29,000 33% 48% 17%
Data Entry Workers 284,000 -5% $26,000 35% 45% 17%
Desktop Publishers 26,000 -22% $37,000 25% 43% 30%
Executive Secretaries 1,594,000 13% $40,000 33% 48% 17%
General Office Clerks 3,024,000 12% $25,000 35% 44% 18%
Insurance Claims Clerks 254,000 0% $33,000 31% 47% 21%
Office and Admin Support Workers 307,000 -11% $29,000 25% 43% 30%
Office Clerk Supervisors 1,457,000 11% $46,000 26% 42% 29%
Typists 142,000 -5% $31,000 33% 48% 16%

Personal Care Services

Occupation Employed Decade Growth Forecast Salary (Median) High School Only Some College College Degree
Beauticians and Cosmetologists 631,000 20% $23,000 48% 38% 7%
Child Caregivers 1,302,000 11% $19,000 37% 34% 13%
Cosmetologists 76,000 19% $20,000 39% 29% 12%
Hair Shampooers 23,000 15% $17,000 39% 29% 12%
Men's Hair Cutters 54,000 12% $24,000 47% 34% 5%
Theatre Makeup Artists 3,000 17% $26,000 39% 29% 12%

Physical Sciences

Occupation Employed Decade Growth Forecast Salary (Median) High School Only Some College College Degree
Biologists 32,000 19% $65,000 1% 6% 93%

Police, Fire, & Correctional

Occupation Employed Decade Growth Forecast Salary (Median) High School Only Some College College Degree
Detectives 112,000 17% $61,000 10% 38% 52%
Fire Safety Inspectors 15,000 9% $53,000 21% 47% 29%
Firefighter Supervisors 55,000 8% $67,000 18% 59% 22%
Firefighters 310,000 19% $44,000 20% 60% 18%
Law Enforcement Supervisors 97,000 8% $75,000 15% 46% 38%
Police and Sheriffs 662,000 9% $51,000 16% 51% 32%
Prison Guards 454,000 9% $38,000 36% 49% 12%
Private Investigators 46,000 22% $42,000 14% 35% 50%
Probation Officers 103,000 19% $46,000 15% 31% 52%

Repair & Installation

Occupation Employed Decade Growth Forecast Salary (Median) High School Only Some College College Degree
Appliance Repair Technicians 50,000 2% $34,000 41% 36% 8%
Automotive Electronics Technicians 20,000 0% $28,000 34% 46% 7%
HVAC Technicians 308,000 28% $40,000 43% 39% 5%
Industrial Electrical Techs 78,000 4% $48,000 35% 52% 11%
Locksmiths 22,000 12% $34,000 45% 35% 10%
Medical Equip Repairers 41,000 27% $42,000 22% 54% 19%
Office Equipment Techs 153,000 -3% $38,000 20% 55% 23%
Telecom Equipment Installers 203,000 0% $56,000 32% 52% 13%
Transportation Electrical Installers 16,000 4% $44,000 35% 52% 11%
TV and Stereo Installers 51,000 11% $32,000 33% 45% 13%

Sales Persons, Brokers, & Agent

Occupation Employed Decade Growth Forecast Salary (Median) High School Only Some College College Degree
Advertising Salespersons 167,000 7% $43,000 14% 31% 53%
Financial Services Sales Agents 317,000 9% $69,000 10% 24% 65%
Insurance Salespersons 435,000 12% $45,000 18% 36% 45%
Real Estate Sales Agents 394,000 16% $40,000 15% 38% 45%
Real Estate Sales Brokers 123,000 9% $58,000 15% 38% 45%
Retail Sales Clerk Supervisors 1,686,000 5% $35,000 33% 36% 25%
Sales and Promotions Managers 347,000 15% $97,000 9% 24% 66%
Salespersons 1,540,000 7% $51,000 19% 31% 47%
Tech Products Sales Reps 433,000 10% $70,000 19% 31% 47%

Social & Community Services

Occupation Employed Decade Growth Forecast Salary (Median) High School Only Some College College Degree
Child and Family Social Workers 293,000 12% $40,000 6% 16% 76%
Clergy 42,000 13% $42,000 7% 16% 74%
Drug Counselors 86,000 21% $37,000 7% 16% 75%
Family Therapy Providers 27,000 14% $45,000 7% 16% 75%
Human Services Assistants 352,000 23% $27,000 15% 31% 52%
Medical Social Workers 139,000 22% $46,000 6% 16% 76%
Mental Health Advisors 113,000 24% $37,000 7% 16% 75%
Mental Health Social Workers 137,000 20% $37,000 6% 16% 76%
Private and Public Social Workers 73,000 13% $46,000 6% 16% 76%
Professional Counselors 33,000 13% $40,000 7% 16% 75%
Rehab Counselors 130,000 19% $31,000 7% 16% 75%
Religious Directors 17,000 13% $36,000 9% 25% 65%
School Counselors 276,000 14% $51,000 7% 16% 75%
Social Service Specialists 116,000 16% $38,000 15% 31% 52%
Social Services Managers 131,000 14% $56,000 9% 22% 67%

Supervisors & Managers

Occupation Employed Decade Growth Forecast Salary (Median) High School Only Some College College Degree
Administrative Services Managers 259,000 12% $74,000 19% 41% 38%
Advertising and Promotions Managers 45,000 -1% $80,000 8% 18% 73%
Business Managers 898,000 7% $90,000 16% 28% 53%
Chief Executives 400,000 0% $159,000 12% 23% 64%
Food Preparation Managers 833,000 7% $29,000 39% 34% 14%
General Managers 1,733,000 0% $92,000 17% 32% 49%
Non-Retail Sales Clerk Supervisors 507,000 5% $68,000 24% 32% 39%
PR Managers 57,000 13% $89,000 9% 20% 70%
Product Marketing Managers 176,000 12% $109,000 9% 24% 66%
Real Estate Managers 304,000 8% $46,000 21% 35% 38%

Teaching & Education

Occupation Employed Decade Growth Forecast Salary (Median) High School Only Some College College Degree
College Administrators 125,000 2% $81,000 6% 14% 80%
Elementary and Preschool Special Ed Teachers 226,000 20% $50,000 5% 10% 85%
Elementary and Secondary Education Administrators 231,000 9% $84,000 6% 14% 80%
Elementary Teachers 1,550,000 16% $49,000 1% 5% 94%
High School Teachers 1,088,000 9% $51,000 1% 4% 95%
Junior High School Teachers 660,000 15% $50,000 1% 5% 94%
Kindergarten Teachers 180,000 15% $47,000 16% 38% 44%
Middle School Special Ed Teachers 100,000 18% $51,000 5% 10% 85%
Middle School Vocation Teachers 16,000 3% $48,000 1% 5% 94%
Pre-School Teachers 457,000 19% $24,000 16% 38% 44%
School Administrators 31,000 24% $72,000 6% 14% 80%
Secondary School Special Education Teachers 147,000 13% $51,000 5% 10% 85%
Secondary School Vocation Teachers 99,000 10% $52,000 1% 4% 95%
Teaching Assistants 1,313,000 10% $22,000 33% 45% 19%

Technical Maintenance

Occupation Employed Decade Growth Forecast Salary (Median) High School Only Some College College Degree
Aerospace Techs 9,000 2% $55,000 24% 56% 17%
Biological Techs 80,000 18% $38,000 19% 28% 50%
Civil Drafters 118,000 9% $44,000 13% 61% 25%
Drafting Technicians 21,000 2% $45,000 13% 61% 25%
Electronic Techs 164,000 -1% $53,000 24% 56% 17%
Electronics and Electrical Drafters 34,000 1% $51,000 13% 61% 25%
Engineering Techs 77,000 5% $57,000 24% 56% 17%
Environmental Engineering Techs 21,000 30% $41,000 24% 56% 17%
Forensic Technician 13,000 20% $50,000 18% 37% 43%
Industrial Engineering Techs 73,000 7% $47,000 24% 56% 17%
Mechanical Drafting Technicians 79,000 0% $47,000 13% 61% 25%
Mechanical Engineering Techs 46,000 0% $48,000 24% 56% 17%
Sound Techs 20,000 6% $47,000 20% 44% 34%
Tech Writers 49,000 18% $62,000 5% 20% 74%

Therapy

Occupation Employed Decade Growth Forecast Salary (Median) High School Only Some College College Degree
Fitness Trainers and Instructors 261,000 29% $29,000 20% 35% 42%
Massage Therapy Providers 122,000 19% $35,000 17% 51% 31%
Occupational Therapy Aides 8,000 31% $27,000 1% 84% 13%
Occupational Therapy Assistants 27,000 30% $48,000 1% 84% 13%
Physical Therapy Aides 46,000 36% $24,000 11% 66% 20%
Physical Therapy Assistants 64,000 33% $46,000 11% 66% 20%
Physical Therapy Providers 186,000 30% $73,000 2% 9% 89%

Transportation Specialist

Occupation Employed Decade Growth Forecast Salary (Median) High School Only Some College College Degree
Delivery Vehicle Drivers 984,000 4% $28,000 49% 26% 5%
Truck Drivers 1,798,000 13% $37,000 49% 26% 5%

Travel & Hospitality

Occupation Employed Decade Growth Forecast Salary (Median) High School Only Some College College Degree
Convention Planners 57,000 16% $44,000 10% 30% 59%
Hotel Managers 60,000 5% $46,000 20% 35% 39%
Travel Sales Agents 105,000 0% $31,000 21% 44% 34%

Veterinarian

Occupation Employed Decade Growth Forecast Salary (Median) High School Only Some College College Degree
Animal Caregivers 173,000 21% $19,000 38% 35% 16%
Vet Assistants 75,000 23% $21,000 29% 54% 12%
Veterinary Technicians 80,000 36% $29,000 28% 53% 17%