16 Jobs Requiring Postsecondary Vocational Training

advertisement

16 Jobs Requiring Postsecondary Vocational Training

By Debra Auerbach, CareerBuilder Writer

For job seekers interested in pursuing a nonacademic, trade-specific career, it may be worth considering postsecondary training at a vocational school. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, occupations in the postsecondary vocational training category are projected to grow by 13 percent through 2018.

BING: Top-paying jobs that don't require a degree

So what are some of the best jobs available for workers with postsecondary vocational training?

Laurence Shatkin, Ph.D., has the answer in his recently released book, "Best Jobs for the 21st

Century." In the book, career information expert Shatkin shares best-jobs lists at all levels of education and training, including postsecondary vocational.

Shatkin compiled these lists by sorting jobs in several categories from highest to lowest in terms of median annual earnings, growth rate through 2018 and number of annual openings, assigning a number to their relative position on each list. He then combined the job position numbers on the three lists, putting the job with the best total score at the top, followed by the job with the next-best total score, and so on.

Shatkin stresses that there are limitations to the data, and that not all jobs on this list will be right for everyone. Plus, it's important to remember that earnings may vary drastically based on level and years of experience, location and other factors. The list is meant to serve as a helpful guide on jobs that, on average, have higher pay, faster projected growth and more openings than most other jobs in the category.

Here are 16 jobs that made Shatkin's list of best jobs requiring postsecondary vocational training.

1. Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses

Annual median earnings: $40,380*

Percent growth: 20.6

Annual openings: 39,130

2. Business operations specialists

Annual median earnings: $62,450

Percent growth: 11.5

Annual openings: 36,830

3. Computer occupations

Annual median earnings: $79,240

Percent growth: 13.1

Annual openings: 7,260

4. Fitness trainers and aerobics instructors

D:\726984140.doc

Annual median earnings: $31,090

Percent growth: 29.4

Annual openings: 12,380

5. Surgical technologists

Annual median earnings: $39,920

Percent growth: 25.3

Annual openings: 4,630

6. Real estate sales agents

Annual median earnings: $40,030

Percent growth: 16.2

Annual openings: 12,830

7. Hairdressers, hairstylists and cosmetologists

Annual median earnings: $22,760

Percent growth: 20.1

Annual openings: 21,950

8. Preschool teachers, except special education

Annual median earnings: $25,700

Percent growth: 19

Annual openings: 17,830

9. Commercial pilots

Annual median earnings: $67,500

Percent growth: 18.5

Annual openings: 2,060

10. Security and fire alarm systems installers

Annual median earnings: $38,500

Percent growth: 24.8

Annual openings: 2,780

11. Life, physical and social science technician

Annual median earnings: $43,350

Percent growth: 13.3

Annual openings: 3,640

12. Massage therapists

Annual median earnings: $34,900

Percent growth: 18.9

Annual openings: 3,950

13. Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists

Annual median earnings: $40,850

D:\726984140.doc

Percent growth: 5.7

Annual openings: 7,530

14. Architectural and civil drafters

Annual median earnings: $46,430

Percent growth: 9.1

Annual openings: 3,620

15. Health technologists and technicians

Annual median earnings: $38,460

Percent growth: 18.7

Annual openings: 3,200

16. Gaming dealers

Annual median earnings: $18,090

Percent growth: 19

Annual openings: 5,590

BING: Fastest-growing jobs in 2012

*Salary data based on figures from "Best Jobs for the 21st Century," which used figures from the

Bureau of Labor Statistics.

D:\726984140.doc

Download