It might come as a surprise, but there are a number of reasons why someone leaving the military might be seeking a job that doesn’t require a degree.
Veterans who leave the military unsure of what they want to do might be hesitant to jump right into an educational program for fear of using GI Bill benefits to pursue a career they discover might not be right for them. Some veterans might want to try their hands at work that’s entirely new to them. Others might want to pass their GI Bill benefits to their children.
There’s nothing wrong with a little self-exploration. But no matter what the reason, the bills still need to be paid. Luckily, The Interview Guys compiled a list of the highest-paid jobs in America that still don’t require a degree, using the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ median annual income of $41,950 as a benchmark.
These jobs may not be glamorous, but they will help veterans get their hands dirty and generate income while they figure out what’s next.
1. Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officers
An estimated 3.3 million protective services jobs currently are open in the United States, according to The Interview Guys’ study. Many jurisdictions also offer preferential hiring options for veterans of the armed forces.
Many police and sheriff’s departments don’t require more than a high school diploma, and the experience of being in the military is a good start for this career field. Top that off with a median salary of $65,540 nationwide, and it makes for a promising career in general, one some veterans might just stick with.
2. Office and Administrative Support Occupations
This career field may include jobs formerly referred to as “secretaries” but also includes assistants, mailroom clerks and other office-support workers. This area even includes postal service workers, police and fire dispatchers, and bank tellers.
Other areas include opportunities for growth inside of companies, as well. Accounts-receivable employees can grow into bookkeepers, for example. In an office environment, the potential for growth is actually widespread. Any office-support employee can grow into an office manager. Many successful individuals have gotten their start in a mailroom. With a median income of $62,940, it’s a great place to start.
3. Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing
Becoming a sales representative for a wholesale company or manufacturing firm is a great job for any veteran. It requires minimal education, minimal experience and just a little on-the-job training to get started.
Moreover, 1.7 million jobs are available in the U.S., according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. With a median pay of $65,420 per year and the potential for growth inside a company, it could be a long-term career option for veterans with the gift of gab.
4. Food-Service Managers
As of 2020, the median income for food-service managers was around $56,590 per year. Getting started only requires a little bit of experience and just a high school diploma, so the barriers to entry are still minimal, with an exceptional return on the investment of time required to gain experience.
Managing a food-service establishment is also good experience for anyone interested in opening a food-service business of their own someday. It might even spark a love for food that might turn into a career in event planning or becoming a full-fledged chef.
5. Construction Equipment Operators
It might come as a surprise, but operating construction equipment requires just a high school diploma and no experience. All of the training required to operate heavy machinery comes on the job, and jobs in construction are growing at an annual rate of 4%, even before the Biden administration’s infrastructure bill has passed.
With an annual median income of $49,100, construction is also a good way to work outdoors, work with your hands and take pride in building America’s roads and other infrastructure.
-- Blake Stilwell can be reached at blake.stilwell@military.com. He can also be found on Twitter @blakestilwell or on Facebook.
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