Education is the key to success, and at Advance Financial we take great pride in our community involvement with numerous education programs throughout TN. Learning a specific skill or trade can better oneself, and a lot of times lead to a higher paycheck. Though getting a college degree may be a requirement for some jobs, there are also many career opportunities that only require a certification. Schooling to get one of these certifications can take anywhere from a few weeks to months to complete. Below we have compiled a list of the top paying jobs that only require a certification.
Dental Assistant
Median Hourly Pay: $16.66
The time period required to become a certified dental assistant is relatively low being a nine to eleven month academic program through a community college, vocational school, technical institutes, or dental school. Dental assistance job duties include preparing patients for treatments, teeth cleanings, sterilizing instruments and assisting the dentist during procedures.
Pharmacy Technician
Median Hourly Pay: $13.02
Certified pharmacy technicians work directly with pharmacists to administer prescriptions. Job duties include measuring drug amounts, labeling of pills, and ensuring all necessary customer data is entered into reporting systems accurately. Technicians also answer over-the-counter drug questions as well as answer phone calls pertaining to prescription drug questions. The schooling required to become a Pharmacy Technician takes around 3 months to complete.
Electrical Technician
Median Hourly Wage: $20.82
Electrical technicians install, repair, and maintain electrical equipment in residential households as well as businesses. Most vocational schools offer a certificate program that can be completed in a matter of months. Technicians must have a vast knowledge of federal and state regulations as well as stay up-to-date on all safety practices. Functions of the job include calibrating, troubleshooting, inspecting, cleaning, and modifying electrical equipment. Most electrical technicians work in a factory or production-type environment.
Phlebotomists
Median Hourly Pay: $13.63
Phlebotomists collect blood, urine, and other samples, and prepare them to be sent for analysis. Depending on the program, getting certified can take 4 to 8 months of schooling. Being able to read and follow careful directions is very important for this profession, as it is a Phlebotomist’s responsibility to ensure the accuracy of patients’ test results. Having prior data entry experience and having a basic knowledge of medical software are added bonuses being that a patient’s information must be entered manually following proper protocol.
Licensed Practical Nurse
Median Hourly Wage: $18.82
Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) are responsible for a broad range of nursing tasks and patient-care. Having good communications skills are a must for this job due to the amount of inter-actions nurses have with patients and their families. Organization and being able to multitask is another key skill one must possess to fulfill the role of a Licensed Practical Nurse. It usually takes 12 months to complete the certificate program to become an LPN.
Transportation Security Officer
Median Hourly Wage: $15.45
The Transport Security Administration (TSA) generally hires Transportation Security Officers. Prerequisites for this job are a high school diploma or a GED as well as being a United States citizen and at least 18 years of age. No prior experience is required for this role, as the TSA trains all their employees extensively. In this position, one must be able to identify illegal and hazardous materials during bag screenings while also monitoring people to determine if additional screening is necessary. Good communication skills are a plus as well due to the amount of interactions officers have with travelers. The training program to get your certification is typically one month and begins right after being hired by the TSA.
