Best Paying Jobs You Can Get with a GED

Achieving financial stability and career satisfaction doesn’t always require a college degree. For those with a General Educational Development (GED) certificate, there are numerous high-paying job opportunities available. This blog explores ten of the best-paying jobs accessible with a GED, shedding light on the job titles, average salaries, job descriptions, responsibilities, and the required education for each role.

Earth Driller

• Average Salary: $47,000 – $84,000
• Job Description: Earth Drillers operate various drills for soil testing, mineral explorations, and in construction and mining.
• Responsibilities: Operating drilling machines, aligning drills, and handling explosive materials for blasting.
• Required Education: GED or high school diploma is often sufficient.

Postal Service Processor

• Average Salary: $59,000 – $72,000
• Job Description: They handle the processing of incoming and outgoing mail for distribution.
• Responsibilities: Sorting mail, operating mail processing machines, and maintaining records.
• Required Education: GED or high school diploma typically required.

Rail-Track Equipment Operator

• Average Salary: $59,000 – $72,000
• Job Description: These operators maintain and repair railroad tracks for public and private rail services.
• Responsibilities: Inspecting tracks, repairing broken sections, and adjusting track switches.
• Required Education: GED or high school diploma is usually needed.

Postal Service Mail Carrier

• Average Salary: $57,000 – $69,000
• Job Description: Mail Carriers sort and deliver mail on various routes.
• Responsibilities: Sorting mail, delivering it by foot or vehicle, and collecting outgoing mail.
• Required Education: Typically requires a GED or high school diploma.

Sheet Metal Worker

• Average Salary: $51,000 – $62,000
• Job Description: These workers fabricate or install products made from thin metal sheets.
• Responsibilities: Operating metalworking machines and assembling metal parts.
• Required Education: GED or high school diploma, with on-the-job training or apprenticeship.

Mine and Channeling Machine Operator

• Average Salary: $49,000 – $58,000
• Job Description: Operators use machinery to cut coal, stone, or other materials in mines.
• Responsibilities: Operating cutting machinery, ensuring safety, and maintaining equipment.
• Required Education: GED or high school diploma may be required.

Farm Labor Contractor

• Average Salary: $49,000 – $57,000
• Job Description: Contractors recruit and oversee temporary agricultural workers.
• Responsibilities: Managing worker transportation, housing, and pay.
• Required Education: Not always required, but a GED or high school diploma can be beneficial.

Dragline, Excavating, and Loading Machine Operator

• Average Salary: $48,000 – $57,000
• Job Description: Operate machinery for loading or excavating loose materials.
• Responsibilities: Operating equipment, inspecting loads, and ensuring safe digging procedures.
• Required Education: Typically requires a GED or high school diploma.

Trailer Truck Driver

• Average Salary: $46,000 – $74,000
• Job Description: Truck Drivers transport goods across long distances.
• Responsibilities: Driving long hours, maintaining logs, and ensuring cargo safety.
• Required Education: Commercial driver’s license (CDL), with training provided by trucking schools or companies.

Terrazzo Worker/Finisher

• Average Salary: $44,000 – $72,000
• Job Description: Specialize in creating decorative surfaces with marble chips and cement.
• Responsibilities: Mixing and laying terrazzo, grinding and polishing surfaces.
• Required Education: On-the-job training, apprenticeships, or vocational schools.

Final Thoughts

A GED opens doors to a variety of rewarding and well-paying careers across different industries. From operating heavy machinery to handling essential postal services, these jobs offer stability and growth opportunities. As the job market evolves, the value of skilled trades and specialized roles continues to rise, proving that success can be achieved through various educational pathways.

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• See All High-Paying Career Opportunities By Industry

Sources

For more detailed information on these job roles and their salaries, please refer to the original articles:

• https://onsego.com/blog/highest-paying-jobs-with-a-ged/
• https://careerkarma.com/blog/high-paying-jobs-without-a-degree/

Frank Gogol

I’m a firm believer that information is the key to financial freedom. On the Stilt Blog, I write about the complex topics — like finance, immigration, and technology — to help immigrants make the most of their lives in the U.S. Our content and brand have been featured in Forbes, TechCrunch, VentureBeat, and more.

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