1. Trade & Vocational Schools
Certificates, Licenses &
Associates Degree

2. Skipping the “4 year college”
Many people who do not complete 4 years of college are still able to hold high earning jobs.
After high school many people enroll themselves into trade or vocational schools to earn:
Certificates – nondegree awards for completing an educational program of study. These show that a worker has attained competency in an occupation. Schools or professional or industry organizations issue certificates.
Licenses – are required to practice in certain occupations. They are based on professional certification standards. States or other governments issue licenses.

3. Areas of interest Trade/ Industrial/ Construction Precision Production
Business & Marketing Sciences
Transportation/
Material Moving
Maintenance/repair workers
Automotive technicians
Mechanics
Heating/air conditioning
Refrigeration mechanics
Motorboat mechanics
Service technicians
Home entertainment equipment installers
Electrical installers
Carpenters
Plumbers
Pipefitters
Steamfitters
Electricians
Elevator installers
Segmental pavers
Stonemasons
Boilermakers
Machinists
Welders
Cutters
Solderers
Brazers
Machine tool operator
Machine tool setter
Patternmakers
Gas plant operators
Model makers
Jewelers
Claims adjustors
Examiners
Investigators
Industrial production managers
Property managers
Real estate managers
Community association managers
Farm products buyer & purchasing agent
Medical or legal secretary
Assessors
Tax preparer
Ship engineers
Crane & tower operators
Motorboat operators
Ship mate
Boat mate
Barge mate
Transportation vehicle inspector
Equipment inspector
Systems inspector

4. Areas of interest Health Occupations Public Safety & Security
Technology/
Engineering
Personal & Culinary Services
Nurses
Medical assistants
Pharmacy technicians
Phlebotomists
Home health aides
Dispensing opticians
Endoscopy technicians
Medical equipment preparers
Diagnostic medical sonographers
Police Officers
Sheriff Officers
Correctional Officers
Jailers
Firefighters
Detectives/criminal investigators
Fire inspectors
Surveillance officers
Lifeguards
Ski patrol
Bailiff
Computer support specialist
Computer programmers
Information security analysts
Web developers
Computer network architects
Security analysis
Network/computer system administrator
Computer systems analysts
System software developers
Geospacial information scientist & technologists
Electrical drafter
Civil engineering technicians
Electromechanical technicians
Surveying/mapping technicians
Electromechanical engineering technologist
Personal care aides
Fitness trainers
Aerobic instructors
Childcare workers
Hairdressers
Hairstylist
Cosmetologists
Skincare Specialists
Private cooks
Barbers
Theatrical/performance makeup artists

5. 2014-2024 Occupations with the most job openings (Riverside/San Bernardino)
Title
Openings
Median Hourly
Median Annually
Entry Edu. Level
Heavy & Tractor Trailer Truck Drivers
10K
$22.75
$47K
Postsecondary Non-degree award
Supervisors of office and Admin. Support workers 4K
$25.71
$53K
High school diploma
Sales reps: wholesale, manufacturing, technical, science
$26.84
$55K
Licensed nurse 3K
$22.66
Electrician
$27.22
$56K
Carpenters 8K
$21.91
$45K
Maintenance & repair workers
$18.16
$37K
Maintenance workers with machinery
Est. 1K by 2024
$19.72
$41K
Industrial Machinery Mechanics
Est. 2.5 K by 2024
$24.25
$50K

6. 2014-2024 Occupations with the most job openings (Riverside/San Bernardino)
Title
Openings
Median Hourly
Median Annually
Entry Edu. Level
Reinforcing Iron & Rebar Workers
Est. 1.5K by 2024
$32.57
$67K
High school diploma
Glaziers
Est. 930 by 2024
$19.26
$40K
Heating, Air Conditioning, Refrigeration mechanics and installers
Est. 4K by 2024
$22.95
$47K
Postsecondary Non-degree award
Paving, surfacing, tamping equipment operators
Est. 860 by 2024
$40.49
$84K
Structural Iron and Steel Workers
Est by
$35.14
$73K
Plumbers, Pipefitters and Steamfitters
Est. 5K by 2024
$24.22
$50K
First-line Supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers
Est. 6K by 2024
$32.47

7. Other occupations that require a certification or license
Title
Median Annually
Vet Assistants/laboratory animal caretakers
$22K
Radiologic technologists/technicians
$55K
Childcare workers
$19K
Fitness Trainers
$31K
Correctional Officers/Jailers
$38K
Detectives/Investigators
$71K
General maintenance/repair workers
$35K
Telecommunications equipment installer
$53K
Electromechanical equipment assembler
Tool and die makers
$46K
Procurement clerks
$37K
Industrial production manager
$88K
Architectural/Civil Drafters
$47K
Engineering technicians
$58K

8. Other occupations that require a certification or license
Title
Median Annually
Computer support specialist
$47K
Computer occupations
$79K
Helpers of pipe layers, plumbers, steamfitters
$27K
Pipe layers, plumbers, steamfitters
Automotive and watercraft service attendants
$19K
First-line supervisors of transportation and material moving machine and vehicle operators
$52K
Teacher assistants
$24K
Dental hygienists
$71K
Paralegals and legal assistants
$48K

9. I only need a High school diploma???
Yes, for some careers
Getting a certification, license or even a college degree can push your pay scale up!

10. How do I find out what I need to get?
Step 1 – Find out what is typically required to get a job in the occupation you hope to enter.
Private for-profit schools and public community colleges award most certificates.
Step 2 – Find a school/program that offers this accreditation and research it!
Compare cost and make sure that this school has a good reputation and is accredited!
Any school can be accredited, but only legitimate ones are accredited by valid, independent, third-party organizations.
Check: U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
Step 3 – Enroll yourself

11. Websites to check out
Education, outlook, wage and more info about occupations:
Search for certificate or other programs that take less than 2 years:
Explore careers and see relevant credentials in single occupational reports:
Find community colleges that offer 2-year certifications:
To check the accreditation of a school: