Recently, I was a bit surprised to hear about the starting salary for air traffic controllers in the U.S. It was said to exceed $140,000 even without a college degree. At first, I couldn't believe it, but upon checking, it turned out to be true statistics.

In Korea, the perception that "you need to graduate from college first" is so strong that this kind of information might feel unfamiliar. However, looking at the U.S. labor market, there are many jobs where certifications and training programs are more important than degrees.

If you ask how to achieve this, the answer is surprisingly specific. Just looking at a few job types gives you a good idea.

A prime example is air traffic controllers. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median salary for air traffic controllers in 2024 was $144,580.

However, the educational requirement for this job is not a four-year degree but an associate degree, which is a two-year degree level. The rest is filled by training at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) training centers.

While no prior work experience is required, extensive on-the-job training is necessary. Passing exams and practical evaluations is much more important than educational background.

Of course, it's not a job just anyone can do. The workload of coordinating multiple aircraft in real-time is quite intense, and many say that if you can't manage stress, it's hard to last long in this role.

The second notable job is commercial pilots. The same BLS data shows that the median salary for commercial pilots in 2024 was $122,670.

If you include pilots for major airlines, the median salary rises to $226,600. However, it's worth noting that larger airlines are increasingly preferring candidates with a bachelor's degree, so it's cautious to say that a degree is not needed at all.

The key path to becoming a pilot is flight hours and certifications. You obtain commercial pilot certification and instrument rating in succession, accumulating flight hours, which makes your logbook more important than your school transcript.

However, it's essential to point out that the training costs and time are significant. The high initial investment means that the barrier to entry has shifted from tuition fees to training costs.

The third job that might be a bit surprising is elevator installers and repairers. According to BLS, the median salary for this job in 2024 was $106,580.

This profession typically goes through a four-year apprenticeship program. You can apply with just a high school diploma, and the unique aspect is that you earn a salary while learning from the very first day of training.

This means you can build skills while earning money without student loans. From a practical standpoint, this structure seems quite reasonable.

The fourth job to mention is power plant operators. The median salary for this role in 2024 was $103,600.

This job also allows applications with just a high school diploma. However, you must pass several years of on-the-job training and certification exams to officially take on the role.

When you line up these four job types, a commonality emerges. Instead of a college degree, licenses, certifications, and apprenticeship training are taking their place.

The reason why a degree is not necessary is simple. These jobs are ones where skills can be directly verified through exams or practical tests.

Conversely, this means that in fields where practical evaluations are clearer than theoretical knowledge, the power of a degree diminishes. This is different from fields like accounting or law, where certification exams take a long time.

Traditional skilled trades like electricians, plumbers, and welders follow a similar trend. If you go through an apprenticeship program run by a union, you can earn skilled worker wages in just a few years.

The reason these jobs are gaining attention lately is that while many skilled workers are retiring, there is a shortage of young talent to fill those positions.

Personally, I think this trend is not a bad thing. Not everyone needs to flock to a four-year college, and I believe it's more practical to choose a path that fits one's aptitude and circumstances.

Of course, there are policy debates about government support or free college, but knowing the immediate options in front of you is more urgent than that big picture. Ultimately, the more information individuals have at their disposal, the better.

So, let's return to the question of how to proceed. If you have a job in mind, the first step is to check the requirements on the website of the relevant governing body.

For air traffic controllers, look at the FAA job postings and the list of training institutions. For pilots, compare the curriculums and costs of flight schools. For elevator or power plant jobs, keep an eye on the apprenticeship program recruitment periods run by local unions or companies.

It's also a good idea to see if there are linked programs at local community colleges. There are often many programs that allow you to obtain necessary certifications in a short period.

However, it's important to note that all these jobs have significant entry barriers in common. Most require physical exams, background checks, and the willingness to endure shift work or irregular schedules.

Many people jump in just looking at the salary, only to quit due to the workload. It's essential to check the realistic conditions behind the numbers before making a decision.

Still, I believe there's no need to completely eliminate options just because you don't have a college degree. There are multiple paths, and the U.S. labor market shows this fact through numbers.

If you have the opportunity to discuss career paths with children or younger individuals, it's worth mentioning these job types as well. Just showing that college is not the only answer, but one of several options, can be quite helpful.