Rather than attending a four-year college, many high school grads choose certifications to launch their careers. Many certifications can lead to higher income potential than even a college degree, and they are certainly less expensive than an accredited school. If you’re disinclined to pursue a college education but still want to make a future for yourself, you might want to try out one of these top four money-making certifications.
Real Estate Certification
A career as a real estate agent might be up your alley if you enjoy sales and have a gregarious personality. This is one of the top four money-making certifications because it can bring in more than $150,000 per year if you are good at your job. The downside to real estate certifications is that it doesn’t guarantee you a pay check. Realtors work for commissions from the properties they sell, and if you aren’t able to move houses, you won’t get paid.
Real estate license requirements vary by state, but they usually require that you be at least eighteen years of age and that you take a 30-50 hour certification course that normally costs around $300. Once you’ve taken the course, you can sit for your license exam, which is regulated by the state. If you pass, the fee to become a licensed real estate agent is normally around $50 and you might have to be sponsored by a real estate agent in your state.
Many real estate agents choose to pursue their certification on a part-time basis so that their primary needs are met. If you find that you are successful with this money-making certification, you can decide to take it on full-time.
Specialized IT Certification
If you love computers and technology, you might consider pursuing a specialized IT certification, which can return a salary of $70,000 or more. Specialized IT professionals can earn money straight out of high school as long as they have some IT experience. Many of these professionals pursue college courses before sitting for a certification exam, but you can actually learn all you need to know by just checking out the text books. Two of the best certifications in this area are the CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associated) and the MCSE (Microsoft Certified System Engineer).
The CCNA costs about $125 for the certification exam with textbooks that can run about $90. If you choose to take recommended courses before taking the exam, you might end up spending a few thousand dollars, but it all depends on your IT experience. Most entry-level IT professionals earn upwards of $80,000 after they receive their certification.
Plumber Certification
If you’re looking for a job that allows you to grow as you learn, pursuing a plumber certification might be in the cards. This line of work requires that you become an apprentice plumber first before moving on to becoming a journeyman plumber, and then a master plumber. You will work under the tutelage of a licensed master plumber for up to four years before becoming a journeyman, then up to two years before becoming a master.
This certification is one of the least expensive. The licensing fee is between $25 and $50 per year and you don’t have to take a large entrance exam. There may be a test in your state when you move to journeyman or master, but usually your hours of work will suffice. One of the best things about becoming a plumber is that you can support yourself with your trade while you run. An apprentice plumber usually makes between $20,000 and $40,000, while a journeyman will jump to around $50,000 and a master can make in excess of $100,000 per year.
Truck Driver Certification
If you enjoy seeing different areas of the country and if you are happiest while on the road, you might consider getting a truck driver certification and becoming a long-haul driver. Many truck drivers make more than $80,000 per year. All you need to become a driver is to acquire a commercial driver license, costs for which vary by state. You might also have to participate in a training program through the company for which you intend to work, but it is almost always paid training.
Like plumber certification, a truck driver certification offers immediate gratification because you can jump directly into the work force. Depending on how far you are willing to travel, you can start making lots of money as soon as you sign on.
