5 Top-Paying New Collar Jobs

When it comes to the American job market, we typically think of things as either white collar or blue collar. The folks that sit behind the desks and the folks who go out there and get their hands dirty. It’s a helpful delineation when it comes to the work being done, but that line is getting more and more blurry as time goes on.

Enter the new collar worker.

I’ve written about new collar jobs in the past, but here’s a refresher in case you missed it: New collar jobs are in fields that have been historically considered white collar, like tech, healthcare, and the mortgage industry. They are classified by their soft-skills and vocational training, and don’t necessarily have to include a four-year degree.

And here’s the kicker: According to an article from ZipRecruiter, some of these jobs can pay well over six figures. And some companies are actively removing things like minimum education requirements in an effort to get more of these workers.

Today, we’re going to look at a few of the highest-earning new collar jobs.

Ruby on Rails Developer

Average Salary: $115,514

Job Description: Ruby on Rails developers write server-side web applications in Ruby using the Rails framework. Developers build back-end components to help their applications interact with third-party web services and help front-end developers integrate their interfaces with the application.

Education Requirements: More than 75% of Ruby on Rails have bachelor’s degrees, according to Zippia, but it’s not a requirement to enter the field.

If you’d like to learn Ruby on Rails, you can visit CodeAcademy, Go Rails, or check out this great list on Medium.

Nuclear Power Reactor Operators

Average Salary: $111,220

Job Description: Nuclear Power Reactor Operators control nuclear reactors by adjusting control rods, which affects the amount of electricity the reactor generates. They monitor other critical systems like turbines, generators, and cooling systems and adjust as needed and record any data produced.

Education Requirements: According to Indeed, the job doesn’t require advanced schooling past a high school diploma or GED. They do recommend attending a vocational school with relevant programs to the field, and all Nuclear Power Reactor Operators are required to be licensed through the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

For a list of vocational schools by state, check out Real Work Matters. And for more information on the NRC licensing program, check out the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission website.

Senior Web Developer

Average Salary: $99,632

Job Description: Senior Web Developers design, build, and optimize websites and other online applications. They’re familiar with various programming languages and search engine optimization best practices, and can work as a part of a larger team or on a freelance basis.

Education Requirements: While more than 67% of Senior Web Developers have a bachelor’s degree, according to Zippia, most programmers are actually self-taught. If you’d like to learn to become a Senior Web Developer from the comfort of your own home, check out Code Academy or check out this extensive list from Learn To Code With Me.

Mortgage Protection Specialist

Average Salary:$92,074

Job Description: Mortgage Protection Specialists sell homeowners protection products like final expense insurance and mortgage protection insurance.

Education Requirements: According to ZipRecruiter, most Mortgage Protection Specialists have a bachelor’s degree but it isn’t required to enter the field. The minimum requirements for the field are a high school diploma, a current life insurance license, and a valid driver’s license. Previous sales or marketing experience is also a plus!

For more information on life insurance licensing by state, visit the National Insurance Producer Registry.

Medical Sonographers

Average Salary:$75,380

Job Description: Medical sonographers use imaging equipment called ultrasounds to form images of various parts of the body. They are trained to acquire and analyze these sonographic images.

Education Requirements: There are several different options for education to become a Medical Sonographer, but the most common is a two-year degree from an accredited sonography training program. There are also bachelor’s degrees available, as well as one-year programs for folks that are already in the healthcare field.

To find more information on accredited ultrasound technician programs near you, visit Ultrasound Schools Info.

So if you’re not going to college and a blue collar job isn’t in your future, don’t worry. There are plenty of other options out there to help you live your best life without a four-year degree.