Editor’s note: This is part of a series spotlighting promising career paths that are filled with opportunity — yet don’t require a four-year college degree.

Is your high school student eager to earn a salary? Does an AA degree, technical training, certificate, apprenticeship, or on-the-job training fit your family budget better than four years of college tuition?

If the answer is yes, there’s no need to panic about your child’s financial future. Dozens of high-paying jobs are available for high school graduates without a four-year college degree — and there’s an increasing need for all of the positions on this list.

Check out our 40 top career choices below, and present them to your daughter or son. All earn about $50,000 per year or more and have projected future job growth.

The list is followed by 9 low-paying “disappearing” occupations it might be wise for your teen to avoid. Data was obtained from the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics.

  1. Radiation Therapist Providing radiation treatment to cancer patients pays, on average, $82,790 per year, with projected job growth at 6 percent between 2021 and 2031. For this career, an AA degree is a must; plus, in most states a license and/or certification is required.
  2. Elevator Installer and Repairer Salaries to assemble, install, repair, and maintain elevators and escalators are a top-floor average of $97,860, with job openings creeping up 3 percent between 2021 and 2031. To enter this field, apprenticeship and earning a license are both typically required.
  3. Dental Hygienist
    Smile! The bright news is that job growth is projected to be 9 percent from 2021 to 2031 in this teeth cleaning, oral health occupation that pays a salivating $77,810 per year on average. For this career, an AA degree and a license are required. Read our profile of a dental hygienist to learn more.
  4. Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
    Operating imaging equipment that depicts, for example, an embryo wiggling in a womb, offers an illuminating $75,380 average salary, with a lively 10 percent job growth projected between 2021 and 2031. An AA degree and a certificate are required to embark on this career path.
  5. Registered Nurse
    An AA degree in nursing leads to an average annual salary of $77,600, with 6 percent job growth projected between 2021 and 2031. This enormous field employs workers in hospitals, schools, doctor’s offices, nursing homes, prisons, and military bases.
  6. MRI Technologist
    Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners produce detailed images of our body’s interior. Operators earn, on average, $61,980 per year, with job growth between 2021 and 2031 projected at 6 percent. To become an MRI Tech, candidates need an AA degree, certification, and additional training.
  7. Web Developer
    Can your teen create fabulous websites? This programming and graphic design skill garners an average of $78,300 per year. What’s more, projected job growth between 2021 and 2031 is an eye-popping 23 percent. Entry-level jobs typically require an AA degree, though self-employment is a viable option in this field. Read our profile of a web developer to learn more.
  8. Line Installer and Repairer
    Fixing cables on the top of telephone and utility poles earns a lofty $74,530 per year on average. What’s more, job growth is projected to be 6 percent between 2021 and 2031. Prep for this career path involves long-term, on-the-job training and technical training.
  9. Wholesale and Manufacturing Sales Representatives
    Is your teen a charmer who can get you to buy anything? People currently employed as wholesale and manufacturing sales reps earn an average salary of $62,890 per year with projected job growth of 4 percent between 2021 and 2031. A high school diploma is typically sufficient for entry-level positions.
  10. Occupational Therapy Assistant
    Helping patients regain the skills they need for work and daily living is the goal of this vocation that pays an average of $61,500 per year and anticipates an astonishing 25 percent job growth from 2021 to 2031. Newbies need an AA degree and a license to get started.
  11. Respiratory Therapist
    Does your teen want to help infants with undeveloped lungs, adolescents with asthma, elderlies with emphysema, and patients suffering from shock, heart attacks, or drowning? The average annual salary is a vigorous $61,830 per year, with a heart-racing 14 percent job growth projected between 2021 and 2031. Typically, an AA degree is required for entry-level respiratory therapists.
  12. Radiologic Technologist
    Operating x-ray machines earns, on average, $61,980 per year — and the field is projected to expand at a rate of 6 percent between 2021 and 2031. This position requires an AA degree and a license or certification. Read our profile of a radiology technologist to learn more.
  13. Physical Therapist Assistant
    PTAs help patients recover from injuries and illness by regaining movement and managing pain. An AA degree and certification are required for this job, which averages $49,180 per year and is projected to grow by an astonishing 24 percent between 2021 and 2031.
  14. Real Estate Broker or Agent
    Real estate brokers and sales agents earn, on average, $48,770 per year — though both can earn substantially more depending on their commissions. There are currently 421,300 brokers and agents. Typically, these professions require a high school diploma, real estate courses, and passing licensing exams. Growth is 4 percent.
  15. Geological and Petroleum Technician
    Salaries average $50,080 per year and job growth is projected to be 4 percent between 2021 and 2031 for these technicians who help scientists and engineers locate and extract minerals, oil, and natural gas. Applicants often need just an AA degree in applied science or a science-related technology, and on-the-job training.
  16. Funeral Service Workers
    Embalmers, morticians, undertakers, and funeral directors earn about $58,900 annually in this predictable-as-death business. Entering these roles, which are projected to grow 8 percent between 2021 and 2031, typically requires an AA degree.
  17. Commercial Diver
    Scuba divers build, inspect, and repair submerged structures, conduct experiments, rig explosives, and photograph sea creatures. The average salary is $85,630. Training to be a commercial diver requires only “a few months” at schools accredited by the Association of Commercial Diving Educators.
  18. Hearing Aid Specialist
    Say what? Selecting and fitting the ideal hearing aid for customers earns an average of $49,180 per year. Expected growth in this field is a phenomenal 24 percent between 2021 and 2031.Entry is possible with an AA degree in Hearing Instrument Science.
  19. Electrician
    Installing, maintaining, and repairing electrical power in houses, factories, and business is the day-to-day work in this $60,040-per-year (on average) occupation, 7 percent job growth projected between 2021 and 2031. Both technical schools and apprenticeships count as preparation for a career in this handy, growing trade.
  20. Wind Turbine Technician
    Windtechs, who install and repair wind turbines, enjoy a breezy $56,260 annual salary (on average), with job growth that blows away all competition: 44 percent growth is projected between 2021 and 2031, making this America’s fastest growing profession. Technical school and on-the-job training are both required. Warning: this career is unsuitable for people with fear of heights.
  21. Computer Support Specialist
    Does your teen solve all your IT problems? Providing help professionally earns, on average, $57,910 annually, 6 percent job growth projected between 2021 and 2031. Positions are open to applicants with an AA degree or relevant post-secondary classes.
  22. Plumber, Pipefitter, and Steamfitter
    Installing and repairing pipes that carry liquids and gasses earns an average annual salary of $59,800, but growth between 2021 and 2031 is only a slow-dripping 2 percent. Training for this field is either on-the-job, via apprenticeship, or going to a technical school.
  23. Clinical Laboratory Technician
    Analyzing body fluids and cell tissue in hospitals, doctor’s offices, and laboratories generally requires an AA degree or a certificate. Projected job growth between 2021 and 2031 is 7 percent, with a robust median salary of $57,800 per year.
  24. Insurance Sales Agent
    Insurance sales is a huge field that’s projected to secure a safe 6 percent job growth between 2021 and 2031 and an average salary of $49,840 per year. In terms of education, a high school diploma, plus studying for and earning the appropriate license, is usually sufficient.
  25. Civil Engineering Technician
    Assistants to civil engineers spend their time planning and designing highways, bridges, and other infrastructure projects. On average, they collect $58,320 per year in this occupation, with growth a stagnant 0 percent between 2021 and 2031. For this field, an AA degree in civil engineering technology is preferred.
  26. Environmental Engineering Technician
    Conducting pollution surveys and cleaning up the environment is the task of these workers who earn, on average, $48,390 annually, with projected job growth 4 percent between 2021 and 2031. Entering this career path requires an AA degree in environmental engineering technology or a related field.
  27. Industrial Machinery Mechanic and Machinery Maintenance Worker
    The average salary is $59,380 annually in this occupation that keeps factories running by fixing industrial machines involved in conveying, production, and packaging. Projected job growth is a brisk 14 percent between 2021 and 2031. Getting started in this career requires a year or more of training either on the job or through a technical school.
  28. Occupational Health and Safety Technician
    Measuring hazards to safeguard workers, property, the public, and the environment, earns and average of $63,230 per year. Projected job growth is 5 percent between 2021 and 2031. What it takes to enter the profession can vary, from on-the-job training to a certificate or an AA degree.
  29. Medical Equipment Repairer
    The critical, potentially stressful job of maintaining patient care equipment earns, on average, $49,910 per year. Projected job growth between 2021 and 2031 is a whopping 17 percent. To embark on this career path, employers prefer candidates with AA degrees in biomedical technology or engineering.
  30. Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer
    HVAC technicians help control the air quality and temperature in buildings for a median annual wage of $48,630. Job growth between 2021 and 2031 is projected to be 5 percent. Employers look for high school graduates with postsecondary or apprenticeship training.
  31. Diesel Service Technician and Mechanic
    People in this career maintain and repair diesel engines in buses and trucks and earn, on average, $48,690 per year. Job growth is projected to be 4 percent between 2021 and 2031. Employers prefer applicants who’ve completed a diesel engine repair training program.
  32. Surgical Technologist
    Pay averages $48,510 per year for hospital technicians who prepare operation rooms, arrange equipment, and assist physicians during surgeries. Projected job growth is 6 percent between 2021 and 2031, and an AA degree is required.
  33. Environmental Science and Protection Technician
    Workers in this occupation investigate sources of pollution and contamination impacting public health, and enforce environmental regulations. The average annual wage is $48,690, and projected job growth between 2021 and 2031 is 4 percent. To embark on this career, an AA degree is typically required.
  34. Carpenter
    Is your teen a wizard in wood shop? On average, carpenters earn $48,260 annually, with projected job growth between 2021 and 2031 calculated at 2 percent. No classroom education is required, as construction is typically learned on the job as a helper or apprentice.
  35. Broadcast and Sound Engineering Technician
    Is your teen skilled at calibrating your audio-visual system to produce the best picture and sound? Your teen’s aptitude could lead to a career in setting up equipment for television, cinema, radio, concerts, and recordings. Pay averages $48,790 per year, with job growth projected to be a high volume 10 percent between 2021 and 2031. The prerequisite for this type of employment is typically postsecondary classes or an AA degree.
  36. Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installer
    Hanging and taping wallboard in buildings takes home an average of $48,350 per year, and job growth is projected to be 3 percent between 2021 and 2031. No license, credential, or education is required — just on-the-job training.
  37. Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver
    Does your teen want to drive a long haul big rig? Transporting cargo in massive vehicles pays, on average, $48,310 annually. Job growth is projected to be a mid-level 4 percent between 2021 and 2031. To hit the road on this career path, a commercial driver’s license (CDL) and attendance at a professional truck-driving school are required.
  38. Solar Photovoltaic Installer
    PV installers place solar panels on roofs. On average, the salary is a bright $47,670; projected job growth is a brilliant 27 percent between 2021 and 2031. Training in this field is gained via technical school, community college, apprenticeship, or on the job.
  39. Travel Agent
    Schedule this journey! Job opportunities in this field are projected to increase by 20 percent between 2021 and 2031. The pay averages $43,810 per year and only a high school diploma is needed to get started.
  40. Jeweler
    The future of this profession is semi-sparkly, with an average annual salary of $46,6400, but only 1 percent growth in opportunities is anticipated between 2021 and 2031.

9 low-paying and disappearing jobs

Metal and Plastic Machine Workers

Foreign competition and new technology is crippling this factory profession that employs more than 1 million people. High school graduates with a few months of training can earn an average of $38,040 per year, but a projected decline of 5 percent between 2021 and 2031 is anticipated.

Bank Teller

Handling money might be thrilling for high school grads, and only one month of training is required for entry-level tellers, but the pay averages a mediocre $36,310 per year. What’s more, the projected job “growth” is 12 percent between 2021 and 2031.

Agricultural Workers

Farm and ranch labor has long been an option for rural high school graduates, but these job positions are projected to increase by only 1 percent between 2021 and 2031 and the pay averages just $29,680 per year.

Logging Worker

Lumberjacks need only a high school diploma and moderate on-the-job training to land this dangerous work, which pays a healthy average of $46,330 annually. But employment opportunities are crashing like timber and projected “growth” is negative 4 percent between 2021 and 2031.

Florist

Blooms are beautiful, and selling them requires only a high school diploma, but this occupation is wilting. Pay averages about $29,880 per year, and the job outlook is poor with job “growth” projected to be negative 21 percent between 2021 and 2031.

Shoemaker and Leather Worker

Cutting, tanning, and stitching hide in this craft with an average salary of $34,600 per year is limping downhill. Plus, long on-the-job training is required at a trade school or community college is a prerequisite to launching this career.

Claims Adjuster, Appraiser, Examiner, and Investigator

About 300,000 workers evaluate insurance claims, earning an average of $64,710 per year. Only a high school diploma is required for most entry-level positions, but job growth between 2021 and 2031 is a negative 6 percent.

Boilermaker

Pay is a hot $64,290 per year on average for workers who assemble and repair closed vats, boilers, and other large containers of liquids and gasses, but the projected job decline is negative 5 percent between 2021 and 2031 in this dangerous, physically demanding occupation. Many enter the field via apprenticeship programs, after attaining welding skills.

Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operator

Treating and transporting water and wastewater earns an average salary of $47,800 — but the job is evaporating with negative 7 percent growth expected between 2021 and 2031. Employees need a high school diploma, professional license, and on-the-job training.

This is part of a series highlighting post-high school pathways to success for teens whose plans don’t include four-year college. These are careers with great growth potential that don’t require a four-year degree. Read our career spotlights on dental hygienist, web developer, photography director, and radiology technologist.