Looking for a job that pays a good amount of money can be time-consuming. Some jobs ask for specific requirements to be able to apply, like a bachelor’s degree or a master’s. But all hope is not lost, as there are some certificate programs that can get you to a good salary.
In short, these programs are designed as an alternative for people who want to focus on a specific field. These normally take a year or less, but it is necessary for some jobs if you do not have a bachelor’s or an equivalent.
For this reason, we are going to present you with some certificate programs that take 6 months or less. That way, you will know what to expect in the future and decide if you want to apply for it. On top of that, we will show you how much you can gain in the future from these experiences.
Ten Lucrative Certificate Programs
Like we already said, certificate programs are an alternative for some jobs’ requirements. There is a multitude of programs where you can get training and knowledge that can be useful in the future.
However, what is the reason that people are interested in these certificates in the first place? Well, mostly it is because these are not as expensive and time-consuming as a program in a university. These programs open the doors to people who want to specialize in a certain area without a degree in hand.
If you are not convinced yet, think about the opportunities you will have in the future. After doing the program, you can get apply for some profitable jobs easily since you have trained for it. Not only that, but if you decide in the future to invest in a college program in your career, you will start without any trouble.
These are some of the certificate programs that you can apply for and expect a great amount of money in return. Keep in mind that the annual wage is from 2020 according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics:
1. Real Estate Agents and Brokers
- Median annual wage: $49,040 and $60,370 respectively
For those that are in the world of helping clients to buy, sell or rent properties, being a real estate agent or broker is for you. This job’s primary purpose is to lend a helping hand to people when it comes to the real estate market.
They mostly look into the preferences of the buyer or renter to offer them a great deal and show them options of where to live. While with sellers, they discuss details about the property and market, like prices or the mortgage. When the seller is on board with the project, the agents and brokers help in the process by promoting the property.
Although, the main difference is that brokers have the license to work on their own business. On the other hand, agents have to work with brokers. In the end, both need to be licensed, and you need to complete some real estate courses first.
2. Flight Attendants
- Median annual wage: $59,050
Certificate programs about being a flight attendant can be very beneficial for airlines’ security. These jobs provide safety to passengers and the crew in case of an emergency during the flight. You can find these programs in travel academies or flying institutes.
Making sure that the people in the plane feel comfortable is the first thing that you need to maintain. Explain about the safety and emergency equipment, inspect about any trouble and help the passengers if someone gets hurt. If you like traveling so much and make sure that everyone is enjoying the flight, this job is for you.
3. Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT)
- Median annual wage: $36,650
As an EMT, you want to stay active, as at any moment you could receive a call from a medical emergency. Rushing into action to save lives is important in this job, so you cannot stop providing service.
You will have to check the condition of the patient and keep them alive while transporting them safely to a facility. With a high-school diploma and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification, you can apply for the job with no problem. These certificate programs can be tough, but in the future, EMTs are some of the wealthy jobs you can find.
4. Electrician
- Median annual wage: $56,900
These professionals dedicate their daily life to fixing or installing machinery and systems involving electricity. This job is extensive, and you will have a lot to learn from the certification programs. Such things as understanding diagrams of circuitry, applying methods to maintain wires and light sources, or finding the problem that is causing a short circuit.
You will need a high school diploma or an equivalent; we recommend going to a technical school since it covers everything related to electrical systems and practice. Once you obtain your certificate, you are ready for your apprenticeship.
5. HVACR Technicians
- Median annual wage: $50,590
HVACR stands for Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration. These jobs focus on each system mentioned, whether it requires fixing or cleaning the equipment. It is important to industries to have a conditioned area for food, machinery or just having a nice and cozy room.
Sometimes the technicians come to do daily check-ups to the equipment to know if it is working accordingly or there is still a malfunction. But with repetitive scenarios, you will grow accustomed to the world of reparations of these systems’ performance.
Many certificate programs can last from 6 months to 2 years, but it has everything you need to know in this career. Of course, once you are done, you will need on-the-job training too.
6. Firefighters
- Median annual wage: $52,500
Preparing to be a firefighter can be tough, as the certification programs require a lot of physical training. It is commonly known as a dangerous job, as your purpose is to put out fires and take care of emergencies. You will learn how to react to your surroundings since you never know if someone is in trouble apart from the fire.
Some things to know about firefighters are that they also have a protocol, so sticking up with your part is very important. Whether it is to connect water hoses, drive the truck, or save people from buildings, every job is needed.
A good thing to have is an EMT certification, as it is crucial to know about medical treatment in case of an emergency. Once you possess this certification, it is time to start your training as a firefighter.
7. Phlebotomists
- Median annual wage: $36,320
These technicians are in charge of drawing blood for different situations like transfusions, donations, or tests. Taking blood samples can be scary for patients, so phlebotomists have to talk to the person about the process and the reason why, that way they will not fear.
However, it is not only about drawing blood, they also need to label every single one and register them in the database. So, having a list of every blood sample can be helpful to not mix them up with other patients or donors.
Certifications programs regarding this career take less than a year; however, you will have training in anatomy, physiology, and medical terminology. It also includes laboratory work and on-the-job training in the future.
8. Computer Support Specialists
- Median annual wage: $55,510
This tech support job is very common in the industry, as is the people’s safe line when some computer and network problems happen. This job is divided into two, whether you want to maintain network systems, or you want to provide help to customers with malware or broken hardware.
In the end, both support network and computer specialists have to give great and detailed customer support. This job can be time-consuming and require a lot of knowledge regarding information technology (IT).
You can qualify with a high school diploma, but you will need an IT certification. Luckily, these certification programs take less than a year; however, doing also online courses can benefit you.
9. Nursing Assistants
- Median annual wage: $30,830
Being a nursing assistant is a great supporting job since you will be helping nurses by providing basic health care and aiding patients. They help with their daily needs like bathing, eating, or transporting them to beds or places in the facility.
This job’s primary requirement is that you have to complete a state-approved education program and pass the competency exam. So, there are a lot of certificate programs that you can enter to learn more about your clinical duty.
10. Travel Agents
- Median annual wage: $42,350
Their job is to provide support with travel purposes, like booking reservations for hotels, looking for the best fare available, and making great itineraries for travelers. They normally work from their offices, but they can also visit the travel destinations to get information about the places.
If you want to apply for this job, you will need a high school diploma, but employers prefer people with experience in the travel area. Doing courses or a certification program can guarantee you a place in a travel agency.
Certificate programs are a great alternative
We have presented you with a summary of some short-term certificate programs that can help you gain a spot in the industry. There are a lot of jobs that accept these certificates, but that does not mean that you have to stop there.
With the knowledge gained from the programs, we recommend that you keep learning from courses or even in college. That way, you can opt for a better and more profitable job in the career that you desire.