For many immigrant and working class families, going to a 4-Year University was the only path to a financially healthy future. This stigma is supported by roughly 20 Million Americans enrolling to college every year for the last 5 years. High School students that choose or don’t want to go to college are often judged and perceived to not be doing well in school. However, contrary to very popular belief, college increases your chances to higher income, but is not the only path. Trade School has often been overlooked and is perceived to be for people that are less smart as someone going to a traditional college. However, this is simply not the case and with severe labor shortages and less expensive schooling, trade schools can yield higher returns than a traditional college enrollment. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the highest paying trade occupations below require only an associate’s degree and can pay upwards of $80,000 or more.
1. Air Traffic Controller
The Air Traffic Controller career pays well with only an entry-level education that usually only consists of an associate’s degree. Though the industry is projected to grow slower than average, the median hourly salary is roughly $59.87 an hour with an average median annual wage of $138,556 in 2021. New Hampshire air traffic controllers has the highest average salary at roughly $147,350 with other states such as Texas, California, and New York paying well over $130,000 a year. On top of salary, as a federal employee, air traffic controllers receive competitive benefits packages including insurance and retirement.
There are several ways to become an Air Traffic Controller without going to a 4-Year University including serving in the military, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Academy, or a Collegiate Training Initiative (CTI) aviation program. For a 2-year CTI Associate degree, residents can expect to pay $10,000 for the required 60 credits compared to non-residents who can pay upwards of $30,000. Entry level applicants must complete required training courses and gain on job experience before becoming fully certified. As a zero-margin for error occupation, air traffic controllers have both a high stress and high paying job.
2. Radiation Therapist
Radiation therapists operate machines in order to concentrate radiation therapy to a patient’s cancer and tumor regions. The industry is projected to grow 9% yoy from 2018 to 2028 which is faster than the national average. The median annual wage for radiation therapists in May 2020 was $86,850. However, California radiation therapists have the highest average salary at roughly $119,800 with New York trailing at $115,150. Overall, the top 10 best paying states for radiation therapists tend to be in western or northeast states such as Oregon and Rhode Island with averages well over $100,000.
Radiation therapists do not need to possess a bachelor’s degree and instead can pursue an associate’s degree from an accredited institution from a community or technical college. Radiation Therapy School tuition costs depend on the program structure, but on average range between $9,700 and $12,000 per semester. The course length in a radiation therapy program ranges from 12 months to two years. Once an individual has completed their respective degree, they must then become certified with the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT), where you must apply and pass the national exam. The exam costs roughly $200 and the applicant must pass all parts of the exam.
3. Nuclear Technician
Nuclear Technicians assist physicists and professionals in nuclear research and nuclear energy production. As of May 2020, the national median salary for nuclear technicians was $84,190. Though the industry is projected to decline 12% from 2020 to 2030, there are roughly 7000 openings each year. California has the highest average Nuclear technician salary with $101,730 followed by Florida with an average annual salary of $93,830 though vary widely depending on education, certifications, and additional skills.
Nuclear Technicians usually need an associate’s degree which many community colleges and technical institutes offer associate’s degrees in nuclear science or related fields. Nuclear Technician program costs in 2021 on average costs $13,839 for undergraduates per academic year. Overall, it takes roughly 2 years to obtain the respective associate degree and another year of job experience to qualify for the nuclear reactor operator license exam.
4. Nuclear Medicine Technologists
Nuclear medicine technologists prepare radioactive drugs and administer them to patients for imaging or treatment. As of May 2020, the national median salary for nuclear medicine technologists was $79,590. The industry is expected to grow 8% from 2020 to 2030 with over 1,500 job openings for nuclear medicine technologists every year. California pays the highest mean salary for Nuclear Medicine Technologists with $115,390 followed by Rhode Island ($102,700), and Hawaii ($98,480).
Most Nuclear Medicine Technologists have an associate degree or higher and are urged to enroll in program accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Educational Program In Nuclear Medicine Technology (JRCNMT). As an example, the Bellevue college (BC) in Washington state, provides an NMT associate degree program typically takes 18 months to complete. On average it costs $6,820 for state residents and $19,293 for out of state students per academic year.
5. Dental Hygienists
Dental Hygienists conduct initial patient screenings and ultimately examine signs of oral diseases and provide preventative care. Dental Hygienists on average make roughly $77,090 per year. The employment in the industry is expected to grow 11% from 2020 to 2030 with over 15,000 job openings per year. Alaska pays the highest mean salary for Dental Hygienists with $114,790 followed by California ($106,240), and District of Columbia ($102,380).
Prospective Dental hygienists need to enroll in and complete an accredited dental hygienist program that is recognized by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). Program length depends on the type of institution and the degree, but it is common place for programs to take less than two years to complete. On average, the total cost of an instate hygienist associate program is $22,692.
Final Thoughts
I’m a proponent of education and not necessarily going to a 4-year university especially if it doesn’t make any financial sense. Going to a trade school or completing an associate’s degree may yield higher returns in the long run since an individual usually pays less to enroll in a certified program and is able to join the workforce quicker. Some of the notable trade jobs that are not on the list include programs for plumbing, electrical technicians, and home inspection. The pressure for high school students to go to a 4-year college usually comes with good intentions, but it shouldn’t be frowned upon if individuals are not able to or choose to pursue careers in trade. In fact, choosing a career in trade can in some cases be well worth the cost and put you in a better financial position that those that go to traditional 4-year universities.
