16 Best Jobs That Don't Require a College Degree

May 13, 2014 — -- intro:While the Labor Department's jobs reports repeatedly show pay tends to be higher on average for those with a four-year college degree, there are at least 16 jobs that CareerCast.com says are great jobs without one.

"While there's no doubt that a four-year college degree guarantees higher lifetime earnings, our report shows that there are a range of meaningful careers available for those who can't afford to earn a college degree," Tony Lee, publisher of CareerCast.com said.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average median weekly salary for a worker without a degree was $651, compared to $777 for people with an associate’s degree and $1,108 for those with a bachelor’s degree.

CareerCast pulled these best jobs without a college degree from its 2014 Jobs Rated report, which judges jobs on factors that include environment, income and outlook as forecast by the Labor Department. The outlook figure is expressed as a percentage increase in jobs in a particular career field by 2022.

While a four-year college degree may not be required, these jobs do require at least specialized training or an associate's degree. In a competitive job market, applicants with a college degree often have an advantage. Some individual states have licensing boards for jobs like skincare specialists and hair stylists.

Here are CareerCast's 16 best jobs that don't require a four-year bachelor's degree, in alphabetical order:

quicklist:title: Administrative Assistantcategory: Median Salary: $35,330 text: Hiring Outlook by 2022: 12%

quicklist:title: Appliance Repairer category: Median Salary: $43,640text: Hiring Outlook by 2022: 21%

quicklist:title: Automobile Body Repairer category: Median Salary: $37,680 text: Hiring Outlook by 2022: 13%

quicklist:title: Bookkeepercategory: Median Salary: $35,170text: Hiring Outlook by 2022: 11%

quicklist:title: Carpenter category: Median Salary: $39,940text: Hiring Outlook by 2022: 24%

quicklist:title: Computer Service Techniciancategory: Median Salary: $48,900text: Hiring Outlook by 2022: 17%

quicklist:title: Dental Hygienist category: Median Salary: $70,210text: Hiring Outlook by 2022: 33%

quicklist:title: Electrician category: Median Salary: $49,840text: Hiring Outlook by 2022: 20%

quicklist:title: Hair Stylist category: Median Salary: $22,770text: Hiring Outlook by 2022: 13%

quicklist:title: Medical Records Techniciancategory: Median Salary: $34,160 text: Hiring Outlook by 2022: 22%

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quicklist:title: Paralegal Assistant category: Median Salary: $46,990 text: Hiring Outlook by 2022: 17%

quicklist:title: Registered Nurse category: Median Salary: $65,470 text: Hiring Outlook by 2022: 19%

quicklist:title: Respiratory Therapistcategory: Median Salary: $55,870 text: Hiring Outlook by 2022: 19%

quicklist:title: Skincare Specialist category: Median Salary: $28,640 text: Hiring Outlook by 2022: 40%

quicklist:title: Web Developer category: Median Salary: $62,500 text: Hiring Outlook by 2022: 20%

quicklist:title: Welder category: Median Salary: $36,300 text: Hiring Outlook by 2022: 6%