You Can Get These High-Paying Jobs With Just A Certificate
University degrees are often considered a prerequisite for success, but you don't have to have a university degree to have a successful career. Many college and trade programs are cheaper and can offer wages that compete with university-level degrees. If you're looking for a different option, these careers offer a high pay rate and require completing a one-year or two-year certificate program.
Phlebotomist
Phlebotomists are the people you'll see if you go for blood tests at the hospital or local clinic. They're specially trained in blood withdrawal and storage. If blood doesn't make you queasy, then a career as a phlebotomist might be just what you're looking for. It only requires a four- to eight-month training program and pays an average salary of $38,000 per year.
Certified Medical Assistant
Medical assistants aid doctors and nurses in the healthcare of patients and various administrative tasks. You could be checking a patient's vitals and assisting a doctor one day, and scheduling appointments at the front desk the next. To be certified, you'll need to complete a CMA certificate program that ranges from four months to two years, but you could earn an average salary of $38,000 per year.
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Dental Assistant
Similar to medical assistants, dental assistants offer support to dentists, perform basic oral exams and teeth cleanings. They also sterilize instruments and perform patient intakes. If you like keeping people's teeth clean and want to advance into dentistry one day, becoming a dental assistant can be a great step. Dental assistant programs can range from six months to two years and you could be paid $44,000 per year once hired.
HVAC Technician
If you like problem-solving and learning the ins-and-outs of how a machine works, you could be well placed for a job as an HVAC technician. HVAC technicians service ventilation systems for residential and industrial locations and are often employed by a company, or can start their own business. Within six months, you could be starting an apprenticeship after your certification and be getting paid $54,000 per year.
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Building Inspector
The United States is in dire need of building inspectors at the moment—you could be one of them! Building inspectors only require three to six months of online training, or 20 credit hours to become certified, although this varies somewhat by state. They carry out inspections on residential buildings to check for code violations during construction. Building inspectors have an average salary of $63,000 per year.
Heavy Vehicle Mechanic
Working on big vehicles requires a steady pair of hands, a tolerance for grease and dirt—and a certification process that's only a year long. Heavy equipment mechanics can be employed at almost any large vehicle repair company or work for a trucking company, or even obtain their certification through the military and work for Uncle Sam. Heavy Vehicle Mechanics have an average salary of $57,000 per year.
Pet Groomer
Pet groomers are always in demand and can offer their services to both dog and cat owners, as well as other pets. While anyone can become a pet groomer without certification, if you want to increase your market value, it's worth attending a pet grooming school that can certify you in two to five months. Pet groomers in busier cities and towns can make $49,000 per year.
Landscaper
Landscapers are responsible for the maintenance of lawns and shrubberies of commercial and residential clients. While many landscaping companies don't require any certification to start your career, if you do obtain a Landscape Maintenance Certificate, you can be paid more and move up to a supervisor position. You'll need to dedicate one year to most certificate courses and can expect an average annual salary of $39,370.
Chef
Whilst you don't need any certification to begin a career in culinary arts, moving up past the position of a line cook will require it. Chefs can work in any commercial setting. If you have a keen eye for detail and a love of food, then a career as a chef may be your perfect recipe for success. Chefs have to complete a Culinary Arts Certificate that takes an average of nine months and can earn an average annual salary of $69,000 per year.
Nursing Assistants
Nursing assistants provide basic daily care to patients in hospitals, private clinics, and long-term care homes. Assisting both LPNs and RNs in bathing, feeding, dressing, and transferring patients, Nursing Assistants generally require a three- to six-month certificate program and 175 hours of on-the-job experience. The average salary for a Certified Nursing Assistant is $33,000.
Paralegal
You don't need to go to law school to become a paralegal, but the career is generally considered step one on the road to a career in law. Paralegals are responsible for collecting evidence, gathering documents, conducting case-law research and much more. Many paralegal certificate programs can take as little as six weeks to complete and you'll be paid a starting annual salary of $59,000.
Web Developer
Web developers often work for companies or run their own business developing, testing and launching websites and web-based software for clients. Web developers enjoy a flexible schedule, work-from-home benefits and a career that you can take anywhere. Web developer "boot camps" are intensive, but can be completed in as little three to six months, but average education is around six months to one year. The average annual salary is around $78,000 per year.
Business Analyst
Business analysts help to bridge the gap between the IT department and the business side of an organization or company. One of their roles is to create tools and software that allow their company's processes to run more smoothly, or to solve a problem. Business analyst certification can take a few weeks for short, intensive online courses, or a few months for more in-depth, in-person classes. Business analysts have an average annual salary of $95,290.
Human Resources Specialist
If you're a good mediator of conflict and are a people person, then a career as an HR specialist may be right up your street. Companies are always looking out for new people to place in their HR departments, so you'll likely never be out of work. HR specialist positions require a minimum of 30 hours of online instruction and several weeks of in-person classes. HR specialists earn an average annual salary of $64,000.
Technical Writer
Technical writers edit and generate a wide range of content that requires a highly technical knowledge—these can include white papers, medical documentation, and product documents like how-to manuals. Technical writers undergo a one-year certification program and are employed directly afterwards. The average annual salary is $78,580.
Project Manager
Project managers are widely considered a linchpin in many organizations. They're the glue that holds the team together and ensures that all projects assigned are running smoothly and meeting deadlines. If you have a penchant for orderliness and timeliness, then a project manager role may be perfect for you. You just need a Project Management Professional certification, which can take between six and eight months to complete. You'll earn an average annual salary of $95,370.
Training And Development Specialist
Training and development specialists are responsible for creating and implementing training programs for the staff of companies and organizations. Crafting engaging and effective materials that can be delivered both online and in-person is all part of the job description. Training and development specialists most often are trained online in ~36 hours of self-paced education. Once certified, you'll earn an average annual salary of $63,000.
Fundraising Manager
If you're excellent at communication and have a history of fundraising for your local community, why not consider doing it professionally? Fundraising managers can work for charities and NGOs helping to make people's lives better. Fundraising Managers must complete a Certificate In Fundraising Management that lasts eight months. Their average annual salary is $61,000.
Proofreader Or Editor
If you've got a knack for the written word and/or are a content writer, consider upping your game and becoming a professional proofreader or editor. You can find work at newspapers, publishing companies, or even as a freelancer. Proofreaders and editors are generally required to complete a nine- to 12-month course, which is usually offered online. You can expect an average annual salary of $45,000 (proofreaders) to $76,000 (editors).
Digital Marketing Specialist
Digital marketing specialists are responsible for the creation and launching of digital marketing. Offered by Google, this certificate has a completion time of just three to six months and can get you a gig that pays $66,000 per year. Google also offers a variety of other IT-related certificates that are either free, or cost $149.
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Content Writer
Typically working alongside others in this list, content writers generate written content for websites, publishing companies and/or news organizations. Content writers aren't required to have a certificate—if they have the relevant experience, but a certificate (acquired within three to six months) is generally required in-lieu of experience. Content writers can earn an average salary of $40,000 per year.
SEO Specialists
If you enjoy keeping up with the online trends and generating content that keeps businesses relevant, then a career as an SEO (search-engine optimization) specialist might be right up your alley. Most SEO specialists come from a tech or copywriting background, but with no experience, you can be certified in as little as three months. SEO specialists can earn an average annual salary of $55,000.
Marketing Specialists
Usually working above, or with various others on our list, marketing specialists have the charisma and likability to get people to buy your products or services. Most commonly utilized in an online space, marketing specialists can become certified in two to four months and have an average salary of $65,000 per year.
Data Analyst
Data analysts are responsible for analyzing market data, trends, and hard numbers to help business managers make decisions about products, services, and marketing tactics and techniques. If crunching the numbers to come up with results is your thing, consider becoming a data analyst. You'll find work in the healthcare, e-commerce, and financial sectors. Data analyst certificates take approximately 12 months to complete, with an average annual salary of $70,000.
Penetration Testing
If you're interested in how hackers gain access to data and want to help stop them, consider becoming a penetration tester in cybersecurity. Your job opportunities vary from private corporations to the government and only require a one- to six-month certification course. Penetration testers can earn an average annual salary of $110,000.
Flight Attendant
If you've always dreamed of travelling to far-off places but have never had the money to do so—consider becoming a flight attendant and you'll get to do that at your employer's expense! Flight attendants must complete just three to six weeks of training and then are hired on by their airline. Flight attendants have an average annual salary of $50,000.
Personal Trainer
If fitness is important to you and you want to help others with their fitness goals, consider becoming a personal trainer. Whether you want to start your own business or work for a local gym, personal trainers are always in demand. Their average annual salary is $43,000 and certifications generally take between three and six months.
Forklift Operators
Not just anyone can drive a forklift. These machines are required to perform gargantuan lifting and transporting of goods in warehouses—thus requiring a special license. If you like a job that changes daily, forklift operating may well be the perfect fit for you. With an intense two-day licensing program, you could start earning an average annual salary of $42,000.
Emergency Medical Technicians
EMTs provide an intense level of skill and swoop in to save us in our hour of need. If you've always wanted to help people when they need it most, consider becoming an emergency medical technician. EMT courses last around 12 weeks and are intensive, but rewarding. EMTs make an average annual salary of $30,000.
Real Estate Broker
Real estate brokers are responsible for finding clients looking to buy or sell their homes—although they're paid a salary by their firm, they also take a commission of each sale. They're responsible for locating for-sale homes, showcasing homes to prospective buyers, and dealing with all the paperwork of a property sale. Real estate brokers can become certified in as little as four to six months, and can earn an average salary of $71,000 per year.
Pharmacy Technician
If working with medications, aiding patients in making medication-based decisions, and working to help make people better is of interest to you, consider becoming a pharmacy technician. To become a pharmacy technician, you'll need to complete a Pharmacy Technician Certificate—these typically take nine months. Pharmacy technicians have an average annual salary of $40,000.
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Massage Therapist
If you like working with your hands and enjoy a career that helps people feel at ease, relaxed and/or relieved of aches and pains, then massage therapy might be the perfect career for you. Massage therapist certifications take between six and 12 months to complete. Massage therapists have an average annual salary of $55,000.
Makeup Artist
If you enjoy helping people look their best, then a career as a makeup artist might be just what you're looking for. Makeup artists can become certified in as little as 26 weeks and have an average annual salary of around $50,000.
Chemical Operators
if you've just finished high school with a high mark in chemistry or biology and are considered a Bachelor of Science, you should first look into a certificate to become a chemical operator—chemical operators are responsible for maintaining and managing equipment used in the production of chemicals. Usually working in an industrial environment, chemical operators earn an average annual salary of $55,000 and can be trained in as little as 15 weeks.
If you're looking for work after completing high school and are considering a community college, or are opting for online learning, these certificate programs might be just what you've been searching Let us know in the comments below if you took a certificate and where it led you in your career.
