4 Hot Careers That Need No Graduate Degree

Let’s face it – some people may not afford the cost of graduate education. The good news: some careers with high pay potentials may not require a masters degree or a doctorate degree. Given that there are plenty of lucrative gigs that require only a bachelor's - and still others where an associate's degree will suffice - you may not need  to spend years and years on postgraduate education just to get those high-paying jobs. So it may surprise you that while graduate education may be the gold standard for reaching the pinnacle of your professional career in terms of fat salaries, it is not always  the only path toward your dream position with respect to getting a high paying job. Here are four hot jobs that do not require graduate degrees.

Computer Programmer

The pay is relatively strong just starting out if you're a skilled programmer. Computer programmers write code (in, for example, C++ or Java) to create software programs, according to the Department of Labor. They also might update and debug programs (like games and your favorite apps) that have already been created(Barrie, 2013). According to the U.S. Department of Labor, most employers are willing to hire computer programmers who have bachelor’s degree, or even associate degree. Below is U.S. Department of Labor Salary Estimates on the income of programmers:

Programmers’ Annual Income

Computer Programmer	Income($)
Median Salary	$72,630
Top ten percent	$115,610
Bottom ten percent	$41,710

Source: U.S. Department of Labor

Registered Nurse

The main duties of a registered nurse is to provide and coordinate patient care, help patients learn about their conditions, and offer advice. They also  record patients' medical histories, administer medicine, and perform diagnostic tests. The tests  could be anything from taking blood pressure to testing for strep throat. There are typically two paths to get into nursing - but neither of them require an advanced degree. An associate's degree in nursing or a diploma from an approved nursing program could help you pursue a career as a registered nurse. In addition,

in all states (and the District of Columbia), registered nurses must have a nursing license, which can be obtained by attending an approved nursing program being offered by a community college and passing the National Council Licensure Examination(Barrie, 2013).

The bottom line: nurses do make a great starting salary. Here is U.S. Department of Labor Salary

Registered Nurse Annual Income

Registered Nurse	Amount ($)
Median Salary	65,950
Top ten percent	96,630
Bottom ten percent

Source: U.S. Department of Labor

Personal Financial Advisor

If you do not want to go to graduate school, but you have a knack for finance, then you will be relieved to know that preparing to pursue a potentially high-paying career as personal financial advisor may be less involved than you think . Broadly speaking, the main education that a personal financial advisor typically needs is a bachelors degree in finance, economics, accounting, business, mathematics, or law. And the pay is good too. You, however, need to understand that while personal financial advisors typically have the potential to make good money, like anything, it does not come without hard work. Their main job is to  counsel people on how they can reach their financial goals and plan for retirement.  On any given day, they might help with investments, taxes, and insurance decisions(Barrie, 2013). Here is the US Department of Labor estimates of the salaries of Personal Financial Advisor.

U.S. Department of Labor Salary Estimates:

Personal Financial Advisor Annual Income

Personal Financial Advisor	Income ($)
Median Salary	$66,580
Top ten percent	$111,880
Bottom ten percent	$32,810

Source: U.S. Department of Labor

Accountant and Auditor

Accountant or auditor could be a good career fit for you if you have a mind for math and distaste for graduate school. Most accountants and auditors need a bachelor's degree in accounting or a business-related field hence  you may not  need an advanced degree to thrive in these careers. Accountants and auditors put together financial records and check to make sure they are accurate. They also calculate taxes - so their mathematically impaired clients don't have to - and help people file their tax returns each April. In addition, they prepare payrolls for their organizations(Barrie, 2013). It is thus not surprising why employers are  always hiring accountants and auditors. The good news:  the pay is pretty high right off the bat. Here is U.S. Department of Labor estimates:

Accountants/Auditors Annual Income($)

Accountants/Auditors	Income ($)
Median Salary	$62,850
Top ten percent	$109,870
Bottom ten percent	$39,640

Source: U.S. Department of Labor

References

Barrie L.(2013): Five High-Pay Careers, No Grad School Required. Retrieved February 4, 2013 from http://education.yahoo.net/articles/great_careers_no_grad_school.htm;jsessionid=2F064E86CE562C98485D81952E612F33?kid=1NUJD