High-Paying Jobs That Only Require a High School Diploma
So, you’ve gradated from high school, and now you’re looking to see what’s next. As it turns out, there are plenty of high-paying jobs that only require a high school diploma and are currently in demand. College isn’t always the route high school graduates go when it comes to careers. So, if you’re just out of high school or know someone who is, don’t fret. There’s a whole big world of job opportunities out there waiting for you.
High-Paying Jobs with a High School Diploma
U.S. News recently released its 100 Best Jobs ranking, and some of those jobs only require a high school diploma. “No single job suits all of us, but many of the best ones have a few attributes in common: They pay well, challenge us year after year, match our talents and skills, aren’t too stressful, offer room to advance throughout our careers, and provide a satisfying work-life balance,” they note. They add that high school graduates have some stellar options for careers, and that while some jobs require some postsecondary training, you don’t need to go into college debt to get that training.
Of those 100 Best Jobs, the experts at U.S. News say the best job for graduates with a high school diploma is a Hearing Aid Specialist. Their median salary is $59,020, and their expected job growth by 2032 is 14.5%. “Hearing aid specialists help individuals with hearing loss to fit, select, and maintain their hearing aids and enhance their quality of life,” U.S. News notes. To become a Hearing Aid Specialist, you can get a degree in hearing instrument fitting and dispensing or get on-the-job training. Another good job they recommend is a Community Health Worker, which is No. 2 on their tally of great gigs for high school graduates. Their median salary is $46,190, and their expected job growth by 2032 is 14.1%. This job entails being the point person for social services and health services providers. You can get started in the field with a high school diploma and on-the-job training, according to U.S. News.
Indeed.com has a separate story out about great jobs for those who only have a high school diploma. No. 1 on their tally is a Dispensing Optician, which has a national average salary of $43,777. Dispensing Opticians “take care of administrative tasks like scheduling appointments and answering customers’ questions,” according to Indeed.com. To qualify, they have to do on-the-job training and could be required to obtain a license in some states. Many who go this route do an apprenticeship. I hope this list comes in handy for your future job searches.
Simple Habits of Millionaires, According to Experts
They Buy Their Cars (Instead of Leasing) and Keep Them As Long As Possible
Cars lose their value quickly. That’s why buying a used car is usually much less expensive than a new car. The second that car is off the lot, it’s considered used and drops in value thousands, even with just another mile on the car. That said, according to CNBC.com, wealthy people buy, don’t lease, their cars and keep them long-term. That way, they can save money between car purchases.
They Buy Their Cars and Keep Them
They Delay the Pleasure of Having the Finer Things in Life
According to RamseySolutions.com, “Millionaires spend most of their lives sacrificing temporary pleasures for long-term success. They have no problem buying an older used car, living in a modest neighborhood, and wearing inexpensive clothes. They don’t care about keeping up with the Joneses.” So, instead of picking up all the hot, expensive new stuff, wait it out.
They Delay Pleasure
They Educate Themselves on Money
If you’re a newbie to financial planning, listen to some podcasts on the subject or find a helpful book. Finance.yahoo.com says, “knowing how to become a millionaire isn’t innate, even for most wealthy people.” Research from certified financial planner and CPA Tom Corley shows that “63 percent of wealthy people listen to audio books during their commute to work versus 5 percent of poor people,” says Finance.yahoo.com.
They Educate Themselves on Money
They Network and Meet New People
In the same Finance.yahoo.com story, Corley says that networking is huge when it comes to becoming a millionaire. “On his Rich Habits blog, Corley revealed 79 percent of wealthy individuals network at least five hours per month, compared with only 16 percent of poor people,” they explain. So, get out there, and meet new people who could make up your network.
They Network
They Live Below, Not Within or Above, Their Means
Millionaires are frugal. They don’t splurge like you might expect. According to RamseySolutions.com’s The National Study of Millionaires, nearly half of millionaires in their poll said they save at least 16% of their monthly income. They often use it for an emergency fund or liquid cash.
They Live Below Their Means
They Make Use of Their Money By Investing
CNBC.com’s Select asked Faron Daugs, certified financial planner, founder and CEO at Harrison Wallace Financial Group, “about the financial habits his wealthiest clients all share that could apply to the average person.” One big thing he mentioned was building up emergency funds and then investing. “Daugs says his clients have organized investment plans, whether its in stocks, bonds or exchange-traded funds (ETFs),” CNBC explains. He also recommends having a “monthly or bi-monthly automatic transfer of cash from your checking account into an investment account.”
They Invest
They Invest in Particular Things
According to Fool.com, the wealthy “invest in stocks, real estate, and their own businesses.” They add that, “Millionaires put their money into appreciating assets (assets that can grow in value).” Also, “people with net worths of $1 million or higher tend to have more of their money” in stocks and mutual funds; real estate; and business interests.
They Invest in Specific Things
They Look at the Bright Side
Whatever your financial situation, look at the bright side. Look for opportunities for working with what you have and growing your nest egg. Reach out to experts in the financial field if you’re really stumped and see how they can make your financial dreams come true.
They Stay Positive
Don't Give Up
Wherever you are on your financial journey, don’t give up. It can be temping to just throw everything to the wind, but if you take a more level-headed approach, you’ll have a better chance of coming out successful. Good luck on your financial journey.
They Keep Trying
