A well-paying, rewarding career doesn't have to mean a four-year slog through college. There are plenty of jobs that pay nicely with less education, ranging from certificate courses just a few months long to two-year community college programs. Education costs for most of these careers are modest -- you might even pay nothing at all. If you're from a low-income family and between 18-24, you may qualify to receive up to three years of free job training, housing and support services through the federal program Job Corps. National program director Esther Jacobs says Job Corps serves roughly 100,000 students a year.
"We're the best-kept secret in this country," she says.
Otherwise, technical and vocational schools or private training companies are a great choice, and many offer financial aid. Most training programs will help you with job placement when you're done, too.
Here's a look at some of the best-paying jobs you can get into fast, listed with their median annual pay rate for someone with three to five years' experience, according to PayScale.com.
Solar energy systems installer - $44,460.
This and many other "green" jobs are hot now, as the recently signed federal stimulus bill put billions into alternative energy and energy conservation. Albrecht reports classes in this field are filling up fast at his college, as a boom in installing solar panels is expected.
Network installers / administrators - $49,801.
Court reporter - $47,275.
Clinical laboratory technologist - $47,081.
HVAC installer - $44,814.
Computer numerical control - $44,629.
Security and fire-alarm installers - $41,417.
Aircraft mechanic - $39,584.
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