A four-year degree is not the only route to a durable career. These published fields have BLS entry-education profiles below a bachelor's degree; some still require apprenticeships, licenses, or technical training.
Use these rankings as a starting point, not a verdict. Growth, annual openings, median pay, and education answer different questions.
| Field | Median pay | 2024–34 growth | Annual openings | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller | $144,580 | 1.2% | 2,200 | Associate's degree |
| Dental Hygienist | $94,260 | 7% | 15,300 | Associate's degree |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $89,340 | 13% | 5,800 | Associate's degree |
| Radiologic Technologist | $77,660 | 4.3% | 12,900 | Associate's degree |
| Plumber / Pipefitter | $62,970 | 4.5% | 44,000 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Electrician | $62,350 | 9.5% | 81,000 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| HVAC Technician | $59,810 | 8.1% | 40,100 | Postsecondary nondegree award |
| Firefighter | $59,530 | 3.4% | 27,100 | Postsecondary nondegree award |
| Real Estate Agent | $56,320 | 3.1% | 36,600 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Preschool Teacher | $37,120 | 4.1% | 65,500 | Associate's degree |
Figures are national BLS measures contained in the ChooseField research corpus. Open a field for occupation-specific evidence and source links.