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Jan 25, 2026

Question of the Day: What are the top 3 fastest growing careers that don't need a 4-year degree?

Are these fast-growing careers worth the hype?

Answer: 

  1. Wind Turbine Service Technician
  2. Solar Photovoltaic Installers
  3. Physical Therapist Assistant

 

 

Questions:

  • How might the demand for careers without a 4-year degree affect decisions about education and training?
  • What challenges might someone face when choosing a career that doesn’t require a 4-year degree?
  • How important is salary when considering a fast-growing career that doesn’t require a degree?

 

Click here for the ready-to-go slides for this Question of the Day you can use in your classroom.

 

Behind the Numbers (Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Career Outlook)

"Whatever your education level or goal, you have lots of career options. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) can show you which occupations are expected to have the most openings for new entrants with various levels of education...

Across all occupations, BLS projects about 19 million openings each year, on average, from 2024 to 2034. Most openings come from the need to replace workers who leave permanently, either to exit the labor force or to transfer to a different occupation. But others are from employment growth: that is, newly created jobs.

Keep reading to see charts showing projected openings, along with data on median annual wages, at each of the education levels. For comparison, the median annual wage for all occupations was $49,500 in 2024. (A median wage is the point at which half of workers made more than the amount, and half made less.)"

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About the Author

Kathryn Dawson

Kathryn (she/her) is excited to join the NGPF team after 9 years of experience in education as a mentor, tutor, and special education teacher. She is a graduate of Cornell University with a degree in policy analysis and management and has a master's degree in education from Brooklyn College. Kathryn is looking forward to bringing her passion for accessibility and educational justice into curriculum design at NGPF. During her free time, Kathryn loves embarking on cooking projects, walking around her Seattle neighborhood with her dog, or lounging in a hammock with a book.

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