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Five high-paying jobs for high school graduates

Americans have a near-religious belief that you have to go to college to be successful, but the post-recession, still-evolving U.S. economy is testing that conviction. Here are five jobs that offer high school graduates a chance to earn more than that, according to Debt.org, sometimes much more:

3. Construction manager

Ted S. Warren/AP/File
Juan Garnero, a construction manager with Seattle Tunnel Partners, gives a tour in July of the control room of 'Bertha,' the massive tunnel boring machine that is expected to spend the next 14 months drilling a two-mile tunnel to replace the 60-year-old Alaskan Way Viaduct.

  • By Bill Fay Contributor

If you’re ambitious, and just starting in the construction industry, being a project manager could be an achievable goal. The construction manager is responsible for overseeing projects, scheduling work hours, hiring contractors, and budgeting for the project. The median salary is $83,860 with the top managers making $150,000. Some large companies feel the position requires a bachelor’s degree, but long-time experience in all areas of either residential or commercial construction is still considered the best ticket to getting the job. And you only need a high school education to get started.

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