In the U.S., with a Post-secondary non-degree award, young adults have many profession choices with competitive salaries. Taking a look at jobs that are projected to grow at fast rates as well as those which have large number of requirements of around 50,000 positions or thereabouts in the period through 2026.

Among the professions that have a ‘much-faster-than-average’ projected growth rate in the U.S. for the next decade are Dental assistants, ‘Health technologists and technicians,’ ‘Emergency medical technicians and paramedics,’ and ‘Heating, Air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers.’ At faster-than-average projected growth are ‘Audio and Video Equipment Technicians,’ and ‘Hairdressers, hairstylists and cosmetologists,’

The median pay in the U.S. in 2016 for dental assistants was about $37,000. For Health Technologists and Technicians (Excluding Therapists, Dietetic, Respiratory, Opthalmic and Hearing Aid), the median pay in 2016 was $41,000.

Diatetic Technicians and Respiratory therapy technicians required an Associate’s Degree. Ophthalmic Medical Technicians required a Post-secondary Non-Degree award with 2016 median pay of about $36, 000. Hearing Aid Specialists required a High School Diploma or Equivalent with median pay in 2016 of about $50,000.

Heating, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration mechanics and installers made a median $46,000 in the U.S. 2016.

‘Audio and Video Equipment Technicians,’ along with ‘Sound Engineering Technicians,’ required a Post-Secondary Non-Degree award or certificate and made a median $43,000 in 2016.

Barbers, Hairstylists and Cosmetologists had a median pay in 2016 of about $24,000. The number of jobs in 2016 was around 700,000 with another 60,000-70,000 positions set to be created through 2026.

At ‘As-Fast-as-Average’ growth projection in the U.S. are Firefighters (Medial 2016 pay of $48,000), ‘Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics’ (Median 2016 pay of about $38,000), ‘Heavy and Tractor Trailer Truck Drivers’ (Median 2016 pay of about $41,000). All these three professions require a Post-Secondary Non-Degree Award.

At a lower-volume projected growth(about 7,500 new openings by 2026 over the current 149,500 positions) is ‘Aircraft and Avionics Equipment Mechanic or Technician.’ A Technical Certificate with on-the-job training is enough to get this job in the U.S. while an Associate Degree is also useful.

In the UK, you can absolutely achieve a high-paying role in a professional occupation without the need for a university education, but instead just A-levels. Some of the best paying jobs without qualifications include:

• Journalist (Average pay: £30,998)
• Hazardous-waste manager (Average pay: £36,684)
• HR Manager (Average pay: £38,677)
• Air traffic controller (Average pay: £41,011)
• Mining construction (Average pay: £56,260)
• Equities trader (Average pay: £59,475)

And the list goes on. As the average pay in the UK is just shy of £27k, all the above jobs and more will give you a large pay packet without the need to spend upwards of £40k on a university education beforehand.