Spending four years in college is not for everyone – especially if you just spent four years or more serving in the military. You are anxious to get out into the world and start your post-military career. While spending four years going to school might not be in your future, going to school for two years or less might be a great alternative.
7 Lucrative Careers Requiring Two Years or Less of College Education
Here are seven great career choices that require only two years or less of school.
1. Drafters
Don’t let the negative projected growth steer you away from this field … especially if you like to draw using a computer. While the field is expected to overall shrink by 4,300 jobs by the end of 2032, there is still a projected need of 16,600 each year every year to replace those either retiring or moving to different career fields. Those working in this field use CAD and other software to convert designs created by engineers and architects into technical drawings and blueprints.
- Projected Growth: -2% (Decline)
- Median Pay (2022): $60,400
2. Funeral Service Workers
People in this career field assist funeral service directors in the managing and organizing of the funeral ceremony honoring the deceased person. Most in this field are employed in either funeral homes or crematories. They are also on call on weekends, and holidays and may work irregular hours including evenings. At the projected growth rate, the number of openings each year should be around 5,700 with an overall growth rate of around 1,700 over the next 10 years.
- Projected Growth: 3% (as fast as average)
- Median Pay (2022): $58,820
3. Fire Inspectors and Investigators
Not only do those in this field investigate the cause of a fire, but they also look for fire hazards, recommend prevention methods, and ensure compliance with state and local fire regulations. Most work out of an office but spend much of their time in the field. Because they must be ready to respond at all times, they can work weekends, evenings and holidays. At the 5% projected growth rate, the job openings per year each year over the next 10 years is projected to be around 1,600 resulting in an overall employment change of 700 by 2032.
- Projected Growth: 5% (Faster than average)
- Median Pay (2022): $65,800
4. Avionics Technician
If you like working with electronics, being an avionics technician may be the job for you. Their job is to diagnose, repair, and maintain the different gauges, navigation, and radar systems on aircraft. Most work in hangers, repair stations, or on airfields; most likely in a noisy environment. At the projected growth rate, this field will need about 12,800 new people per year each year over the next decade; that will account for an overall growth in the field by about 7,000 technicians by 2032.
- Projected Growth: 4% (As fast as average)
- Median Pay (2022): $70,740
5. Web Developer
As a web developer, you create and maintain websites. Some branch out into digital designing in which they develop, create, and test website interface layouts and navigation to make the user experience the best it can be. At a 16% growth rate, there is an anticipated 19,000 job openings each year on average; overall, the field is expected to grow by about 34,700 between now and 2032.
- Projected Growth: 16% (Much faster than average)
- Median Pay (2022): $80,730
6. Air Traffic Controller
This is the highest paying field in this list – and the most stressful. ATCs are responsible for coordinating the movement of aircraft both on the ground and in the air. Most work in control towers or en route centers. Because aircraft fly at all times of the day, night shifts and working weekends and holidays are the norm. The field is not staged for a lot of growth overall, but there are projected to be about 2,000 openings each year, with an overall growth of around 300 in this field over the next 10 years.
- Projected Growth: 1% (Little to no change)
- Median Pay (2022): $132,250
7. Electrician
This is a trade field that is expected to have 73,500 job openings per year each year over the next decade with the field growing overall by 49,200 jobs by 2032. Those working in this field install, maintain, and repair electrical power, communications, lighting, and electrical control systems. Work can be residential or commercial. Many large companies hire their own electricians instead of calling one every time they need something done.
- Projected Growth: 6%
- Median Pay (2022): $60,240
Any of the careers in this list would make for a rewarding and fulfilling post-military career that doesn’t require spending the next four years in school. Knowing that you could use Tuition Assistance, Tuition Top-Up, or only two years of your Post 9/11 GI Bill, you could transfer while still serving some of your education benefits to your spouse or dependent child(ren). It all begins with making a plan and then working on that plan.
