DO YOU KNOW ABOUT PHILADELPHIA WORKS?!

LUCRATIVE CAREERS THAT DON’T REQUIRE COLLEGE

Skilled trades (an occupation that requires specialized knowledge, technical skills, and often hands-on experience gained through apprenticeships or vocational training rather than a four-year college degree)

• Electrician: Installs and maintains electrical systems in residential, commercial, and industrial settings.

• Plumber: Installs and repairs pipes, drainage systems, and water heaters.

• HVAC Technician: Installs, maintains, and repairs heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems.

• Welder: Joins metal pieces to create various structures like pipelines, buildings, and vehicles.

• Aircraft Mechanic: Inspects, maintains, and repairs aircraft.

• Elevator and Escalator Installer: Installs and repairs elevators and escalators. 

Construction and infrastructure (a skilled profession focused on the hands-on building, maintenance, and repair of physical structures and systems, including buildings, roads, bridges, and public utilities)

• Construction Supervisor/Superintendent: Oversees construction projects and ensures they are completed on time and to code.

• Heavy Equipment Operator: Operates heavy machinery at construction sites, quarries, and industrial areas.

• Construction and Building Inspector: Ensures that construction projects comply with building codes and regulations.

• Boilermaker: Assembles, installs, and repairs boilers and large vessels. 

Healthcare 

• Surgical Technologist: Assist surgeons during operations by preparing the operating room and handling instruments.

• Diagnostic Medical Sonographer: Operate ultrasound equipment to create diagnostic images of a patient's body.

• Dental Hygienist: Provide dental care, such as cleaning teeth and examining patients for oral diseases.

• Nuclear Medicine Technologist: Administer radioactive medications to help diagnose and treat diseases.

• Radiation Therapist: Treat cancer and other diseases by using radiation to destroy cancer cells. 

• Medical Assistant: Support physicians by performing clinical duties like taking vital signs and preparing patients for exams.

• Pharmacy Technician: Assist pharmacists in dispensing prescriptions, managing inventory, and other pharmacy-related tasks.

• Medical Coder and Biller: Translate medical diagnoses and procedures into standardized codes for insurance billing.

• Phlebotomist: Draw blood from patients for medical testing, transfusions, or donations.

• Licensed Practical Nurse: Provide basic nursing care under the supervision of a registered nurse or doctor. 

• Massage Therapist: Use touch to manipulate the soft tissues of the body to treat ailments and relieve pain.

• Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) / Paramedic: Provide emergency medical treatment at the scene of an accident or illness before a patient reaches the hospital.

• EKG Technician: Perform diagnostic tests on patients' hearts to monitor for abnormalities.

• Home Health Aide: Assist elderly, disabled, or chronically ill patients with daily living activities in their homes.

• Medical Biller and Coder Specialist: Ensure healthcare providers are properly reimbursed for their services. 

Other notable trades

• Truck Driver: Transports goods over land.

• Power Plant Operator: Manages and controls machinery in power plants.

• Wind Turbine Technician: Installs and maintains wind turbines. 

How to get started

• Apprenticeship programs: Many of these trades offer apprenticeship programs that provide on-the-job training while you earn a wage.

• Trade schools: Vocational or trade schools can provide the necessary technical training and certifications to get started.

• Entry-level positions: You can start in an entry-level or labor position to gain experience and work your way up.

• Certifications: Some roles, like welding, may require specific certifications which can be obtained through training and experience.