—NUTSHELL:
If you want a job right after high school, projections show many openings will be available. But if you want a job with above-average earnings, you’ll probably need some training before you join the workforce.

—SNIPPET:
Good news for those not planning to earn a 4-year degree: Millions of job openings are projected for high school graduates over the 2004-14 decade, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). 

But jobseekers will probably need training beyond a high school diploma, particularly if they want a job with high pay. That training could include taking a few college courses, getting an associate degree, training on the job in an apprenticeship program, or taking vocational classes at a technical school.

Which occupations should people prepare for? Which are expected to have the best prospects? Read on to discover the occupations that are projected to have the most openings over the 2004-14 decade for people who do not have a bachelor’s degree and which occupations tend to pay well. Next, learn more about career fields—including construction, maintenance and repair, healthcare, and computers—that are expected to provide many opportunities for new workers. A later section of this article describes in detail the methods used to develop this information.
 

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