No Degree Required: Top 10 Paying Jobs

Tuition at even the least-expensive colleges and universities has gone through the roof in recent years, putting a four-year or even two-year degree out of reach for many. Yet every job posting requires a degree -- even if it's not really relevant to the job description. Employers may be using this requirement to winnow down the job pool; and who can blame them. Every job posting brings in a flood of applications so HR directors are looking for ways to prioritize applicants.

Does that mean, however, those without degrees should be relegated to a lifetime of asking, "Would you like fries with that?" Not according to job-posting site CareerBuilder, which recently released the top paying jobs you can get without a college degree. Take a look at the following results before you begin your job search. (Salaries represent the average.) 

1. Network Administrator - $49,801
If you enjoy tinkering with computers and wireless-network routers, this may be the job for you. Network administrators are responsible for the maintenance of computer hardware and software that comprise a network. It can be very complex or fairly simple, depending on the size of the company and the equipment they use.

2. Police Officer - $47,485
Did you run around your neighborhood as a kid, shooting the bad guys and dreaming of growing up to be a cop? Basic training usually takes abut four months and costs roughly $2,000. That's a lot more expensive than college, granted, but you'll have a career for life when you're finished. Be prepared, however, to put up with a lot of jokes about eating donuts.

3. Court Reporter - $47,275
TV shows make courtroom proceedings look like a great thriller novel, but real life isn't quite so fascinating. Still, this is a nearly recession-proof job with tons of security, as courts must operate no matter the economic situation. 

4. Clinical Lab Tech - $47,081
A Clinical Lab Technician can be fascinating if you enjoyed biology and physiology in school. Happily, the massive growth in the health-care industry, due to the aging Baby Boomer generation, means opportunities are available constnatly.

For a list of accredited clinical lab tech programs, visit the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences.

5. HVAC Installer - $44,814
If you're good with your hands and have a mechanical bent of mind, there's a lot of money in heating and a/c installation. While you'll need certification to get started, training can be completed in as little as nine months and might be done on the job as a journeyman.

The three accrediting agencies include HVAC Excellence; the National Center for Construction Education and Research; and the Partnership for Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Accreditation. 

6. Computer Numerical Control - $44,629
According to Career Builder, this position is "a robot programmer for assembly line work that builds everything from automobile engines to computer keyboards." Training can be obtained on the job (as an apprentice) or in high school or for-profit colleges.

7. Solar Energy Installer - $44,460
Considered a "green job, solar photovoltaic (PV) installers are now much desired, thanks to the federal stimulus bill. Other demand was stimulated by the federal tax credits offered to homeowners who installed alternative-energy sources.

8. Correctional Officer - $42,795
Prison work can be hazardous, stressful and require shift work, but it pays well and offers a great deal of job security. Some accept high school graduates without any other training, but others require at least a college degree.

10. Aircraft Mechanic - $39,584
Did you spend high school tinkering under the hood of cars? Do you live near an airport? Aircraft mechanics earn more than auto repair. Best of all, you only need 18 months to 2 years of training from  an aircraft-mechanic schools approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Photo by Peter Martin Hall