If you haven't noticed, we here at Elite Daily have a little mantra we live by, it's two words: self made. We don't, by any means, vehemently reject the idea of taking the traditional paths to success, but we also embrace the notion that there are alternative ways of making a name for yourself that don't exactly correlate with the standard paradigms of society.
Of course, all roads to accomplishment cannot be taken without applying hard work, but we especially admire the spirit of the self-starter and the ingenuity of those who find their way to success in unorthodox manners.
If you share this admiration, then you're likely inclined to be interested in the proceeding list, compiled by the awesome folks at BusinessInsider.com, which details the highest paying jobs that can be obtained without earning a bachelor's degree.
10. Power distributors and dispatchers
Median annual wage: $68,900
Degree required: High School diploma
Projected job openings (Through 2020): 3,600
Work experience: None
Description: Coordinate, regulate or distribute electricity or stream.
On-the-job-training: Long-term on-the-job training
9. Elevator installers and repairers
Median annual wage (May 2010): $70,910
Degree required: High school diploma
Projected job openings (Through 2020): 8,200
Work experience: None
Description: Fix and maintain elevators, escalators, moving walkways and other lifts.
On-the-job training: Apprenticeship
8. Nuclear power reactor operators
Median annual wage (May 2010): $75,650
Degree required: High school diploma
Projected job openings (Through 2020): 2,000
Work experience: None
Description: Move control rods, start and stop equipment, monitor and adjust controls and record data in logs.
On-the-job training: Long-term on-the-job training
7. Administrative services managers
Median annual wage (May 2010): $77,890
Degree required: High school diploma
Projected job openings (Through 2020): 99,800
Work experience: 1 to 5 years
Description: Plan, direct and coordinate supportive services of an organization.
On-the-job training: None
6. Radiation therapist
Median annual wage (May 2010): $74,980
Degree required: Associate's degree
Projected job openings (Through 2020): 6,700
Work experience: None
Description: Check equipment, observe patients’ reactions to treatment and document the session.
On-the-job training: None
5. First-line supervisors of police and detectives
Median annual wage (May 2010): $78,260
Degree required: High school diploma
Projected job openings (Through -2020): 38,700
Work experience: 1 to 5 years
Description: Coordinate activities of members of police force.
On-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training
4. Transportation, storage and distribution managers
Median annual wage (May 2010): $80,210
Degree required: High school diploma
Projected job openings (Through 2020): 33,700
Work experience: More than 5 years
Description: In charge of operations that range from railroads to shipping facilities. They manage budgets, set policies and standards and direct procurement.
On-the-job training: None
3. Construction manager
Median annual wage (May 2010): $83,860
Degree required: Associate's degree
Projected job openings (Through 2020): 120,400
Work experience: More than 5 years
Description: Oversee a construction project from start to finish. Set timelines, prepare contracts and manage budgets.
On-the-job training: None
2. General and operations managers
Median annual wage (May 2010): $94,400
Degree required: Associate's degree
Projected job openings (Through 2020): 410,100
Work experience: 1-5 years
Description: Coordinating an organization’s daily activities, these managers might develop policies, oversee budget activities or review sales reports.
On-the-job training: None
1. Air traffic controllers
Median annual wage (May 2010): $108,040
Degree required: Associate's degree
Projected job openings (Through 2020): 10,200
Work experience: None
Description: Monitor and direct the movement of aircraft. Median annual wages of air traffic controllers are the highest of any occupation in which workers typically do not need a bachelor’s degree.
On-the-job training: Long-term or on-the-job training
Photo Credit: Tumblr
