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Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN/LVN): 1-2 Year Training, $52k Median Pay, 3% Growth

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  Published in Business and Finance on Wednesday, December 3rd 2025 at 14:07 GMT by Investopedia

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How to Build a High‑Paying Career Without a Four‑Year Degree: The Top Certificate & License Jobs

For many people, the idea of spending four (or more) years in a college dorm and graduating with a degree is either financially or personally impractical. Yet, a growing number of professions prove that a certificate or license can open doors to lucrative, stable, and even fast‑growing career paths. Investopedia’s “Top Jobs You Can Get With a Certificate or License Instead of College” pulls together the most promising options, the qualifications needed, and the earning potential you can expect. Below is a thorough summary of each featured career, the steps to qualify, and the data that gives these jobs their appeal.

1. Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) / Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN)

• Certification Path: LPN/LVN programs typically take 1–2 years and culminate in passing the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX‑LPN).
• Typical Employers: Hospitals, long‑term care facilities, assisted‑living homes, and home‑care agencies.
• Earnings: Median annual wage is around $52,000, with a range from $42,000 to $66,000 depending on state and employer.
• Growth Outlook: A projected 3% increase through 2030, reflecting the steady demand for nursing staff in a population that is aging rapidly.

Investopedia links to the LPN salary guide for a deeper dive into regional variations and the impact of certification on pay.

2. Dental Hygienist

• Certification Path: An associate degree (often 2–3 years) followed by the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination. State licensing boards may also require a clinical component.
• Typical Employers: Dental offices, community health centers, and private practices.
• Earnings: Median pay is roughly $77,000 per year; top earners can make over $90,000.
• Growth Outlook: A 4% increase projected through 2030.

The linked Dental Hygienist salary article details how advanced certifications—such as Periodontics or Implantology—can boost wages.

3. HVAC Technician (Heating, Ventilation, & Air Conditioning)

• Certification Path: Completion of a 1‑year trade school or apprenticeship, and certification through the HVAC Excellence or North American Technician Excellence (NATE).
• Typical Employers: Residential and commercial HVAC firms, construction companies, and utility providers.
• Earnings: Median salary of $50,000, with a range from $40,000 to $66,000.
• Growth Outlook: An 18% jump through 2030, driven by new construction and increased demand for energy‑efficient climate control systems.

Investopedia’s HVAC Technician training link expands on the specific certifications and explains how NATE scores can affect job prospects and starting wages.

4. Real Estate Broker / Agent

• Certification Path: Most states require a 60‑hour pre‑licensing course and a passing exam. Continuing education keeps the license active.
• Typical Employers: Real‑estate agencies, brokerage firms, and some independent operations.
• Earnings: Highly variable; median sales commissions range from $40,000 to $70,000, with top performers exceeding $150,000.
• Growth Outlook: A 7% increase projected through 2030, in line with the broader real‑estate market trends.

The Real Estate Agent career page provides case studies illustrating how market conditions and niche specializations (luxury homes, commercial property) influence income.

5. Commercial Pilot

• Certification Path: Start with a Private Pilot License (PPL), then progress to a Commercial Pilot License (CPL) and the Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate if you aim for major airlines. Training typically spans 12–18 months, depending on flight hour accumulation.
• Typical Employers: Regional carriers, cargo airlines, corporate fleets, and charter services.
• Earnings: Entry‑level salaries start around $60,000, while senior regional pilots can earn $120,000+.
• Growth Outlook: An 7% rise through 2030, with increased demand for cargo and regional routes.

Investopedia links to Commercial Pilot salaries that break down pay by airline size and region, highlighting the premium for dual‑engine and multi‑crew certifications.

6. Medical Assistant (MA)

• Certification Path: A 1‑year program culminating in either the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) or Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) exam.
• Typical Employers: Clinics, hospitals, urgent‑care centers, and dental offices.
• Earnings: Median wage around $37,000, with a range of $30,000–$47,000.
• Growth Outlook: 11% growth through 2030, largely due to the expansion of outpatient services.

The linked Medical Assistant salary guide also explains how specialization in areas like phlebotomy or lab tech can lift earnings.

7. Pharmacy Technician

• Certification Path: Completion of an accredited program and passing the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE). State licensure may be required.
• Typical Employers: Pharmacies, hospitals, and pharmaceutical manufacturing.
• Earnings: Median pay is roughly $35,000; high‑paying positions in specialty pharmacies can exceed $45,000.
• Growth Outlook: A 16% increase through 2030, tied to a rise in prescription demand.

Investopedia’s Pharmacy Technician training article details the differences between the National Pharmacy Technician Exam (NPhTE) and PTCE, and how each impacts job prospects.

8. Radiologic Technologist

• Certification Path: An associate degree (often 2 years) followed by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) exam.
• Typical Employers: Hospitals, diagnostic imaging centers, and outpatient clinics.
• Earnings: Median salary about $61,000; can range from $48,000 to $78,000.
• Growth Outlook: 9% increase through 2030, with a heightened need for imaging in oncology and orthopedics.

The Radiologic Technologist salary link discusses how sub‑specialty certifications—such as MRI or CT—can provide a wage bump.

9. Construction Project Manager (Certified)

• Certification Path: Completion of a construction management program and the Certified Construction Manager (CCM) credential.
• Typical Employers: Construction firms, real‑estate developers, and municipal agencies.
• Earnings: Median pay about $87,000; top earners can approach $120,000.
• Growth Outlook: 5% increase through 2030, as infrastructure projects grow.

Investopedia’s Construction Manager career article highlights the importance of project‑management certifications like PMP in addition to CCM.

10. Paralegal / Legal Assistant

• Certification Path: An associate degree or certificate program (often 1 year) and passing the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) exam.
• Typical Employers: Law firms, corporate legal departments, and government agencies.
• Earnings: Median salary around $50,000, with a range of $38,000–$67,000.
• Growth Outlook: 7% rise through 2030.

The Paralegal salary page provides deeper insight into how experience, area of law (corporate, litigation, real‑estate), and geographic region affect earnings.

Why Certificates and Licenses Work

1. Shorter Time to Entry: Most of these credentials can be earned in 1–3 years, often part‑time, and sometimes while you’re working.
2. Lower Debt Burden: Many certificate programs cost a fraction of a bachelor's degree and do not carry the same student‑loan load.
3. High Demand & Good Pay: Because these jobs fulfill specific, labor‑intensive functions, employers are willing to pay a premium.
4. Opportunities for Advancement: Many roles offer pathways to higher‑level positions (e.g., LPN → RN, MA → Clinical Coordinator, HVAC Technician → Service Manager) or even entrepreneurship (real‑estate broker, contractor).

Investopedia also references articles on how to choose the right trade and the impact of apprenticeships on earnings, providing useful decision‑making tools for aspiring professionals.

Getting Started

1. Research the State Requirements: Licensure laws differ by state—verify local prerequisites via your state board’s website.
2. Choose Accredited Programs: Accreditation from bodies such as the National Association of Schools of Radiography (NASR), HVAC Excellence, or the American Society for Training & Development (ASTD) ensures quality training.
3. Leverage Financial Aid & Grants: Many trade schools offer need‑based aid, scholarships, or employer‑sponsored tuition reimbursement.
4. Plan for Continuous Learning: Even after certification, pursuing additional credentials (e.g., NATE Advanced, CMA in Periodontics, or PMP) can boost job prospects and earnings.

Bottom Line

The Investopedia article underscores that a college diploma isn’t the sole gateway to a successful, well‑paid career. By harnessing targeted certificates and professional licenses, you can enter high‑demand fields, avoid the pitfalls of student debt, and build a robust career trajectory—all within a few years. Whether you’re a high‑school graduate, a career‑shift seeker, or a professional looking to pivot, the list of top certificate jobs offers a practical roadmap to the workforce.