#83. In 2005, high school graduation rates for women (ages 25 years and older) exceeded those of men, 85.4 percent and 84.9 percent, respectively. On the other hand, men had a greater proportion of the population with a bachelor's degree or higher (28.9 percent compared with 26.5 percent of women).
No College Degree Required for These Jobs
You don’t always need a college degree to make a decent salary. Although a higher education can open doors, CareerBuilder.com has identified some occupations that pay reasonably well without requiring a college diploma.
Keep in mind, though, that you don’t typically start at the top of the pay scale. Also, notice that the salaries listed are averages—so some will be higher and some will be lower. Still, it doesn’t hurt to look at some of the jobs that are available without a college degree.
| Job |
Duties | Average Salary |
| Assembly supervisor | Supervise workers putting together products with power tools or other dangerous equipment | $59,926 |
| Construction equipment operator | Operate large tools and equipment for construction projects; inspect equipment for safety and performance issues | $50,783 |
| Electrical repairer | Disassemble and repair electrical equipment and components | $58,741 |
| Illustrator | Design images and typefaces for Web sites, print campaigns, video, and more; typically employed by ad agencies, or as a freelancer | $54,995 |
| Locomotive engineer | Drive trains (electric, diesel-electric or gas-turbine electric) to transport passengers or freight | $70,116 |
