Consider a certificate program to advance your career without earning a college degree. In the short time it takes to complete a certificate program, you can significantly boost your earning potential. Workers with a postsecondary certificate (the typical level of education for those with some college experience but no degree) earn a median weekly salary of $992. Those with only a high school diploma make $899. Over a year, that amounts to a difference of over $4,000.
Remember, however, that not all certificate programs pay equally. To help you maximize your certificate’s value, we ranked the highest-paying occupations that typically require a postsecondary certificate for entry-level jobs below. We also provided additional information on licensure requirements and projected job growth. We included guidance from Blanca Villagomez, a program coordinator and counselor at UC-Irvine, on other factors to consider when selecting a certificate program.
Calculating Return on Investment for Certificate Program
Looking at high-paying jobs that require a certificate is just one way to determine if this educational path is worth it. Several factors affect whether earning a certificate will yield a positive return on investment (ROI).
According to the Foundation for Research on Equal Opportunity (FREOPP), the overall median ROI for subbaccalaureate programs, including certificates, is $18,000. However, the report points out significant variance in ROI depending on the field a student pursues. For example, undergraduate certificates in technical trades and nursing and health have a positive ROI, while those in areas like cosmetology lead to a negative ROI.
Because certificates focus on providing specific career training, students who select a certificate that leads to a high-paying job will often see a positive ROI, while those who choose to go into a low-paying field will not.
According to FREOPP, the type of institution a student attends also matters. Students should consider program cost, retention, and graduation rates when selecting a school for their certificate.
“While students’ ability and motivation affects their likelihood of completion, research shows that college quality also impacts completion rates,” FREOPP’s 2023 report says. “Some institutions have better support systems to help students across the finish line. Other schools have been known to aggressively recruit students unprepared for college, which brings down completion rates. Students who don’t complete their certificate program on time are likelier to see a negative ROI.
Villagomez also reminds students that investment in education isn’t just about money; the time and energy students commit are also important. “It’s not enough to simply attend classes,” she says. “Students must also actively pursue opportunities to develop skills and knowledge outside of the classroom to stand out to employers in the competitive job market. It’s also crucial for students to recognize that, while certain majors may lead to jobs with higher salaries, building a successful career takes time and that financial gain is not always linear.”
The Highest-Paying Jobs You Can Get With a Certificate
Our ranking criteria
To compile our list of the highest-paying certificate programs, we consulted the Bureau of Labor Statistics and CareerOneStop. We ranked certificate programs based on the median annual salary of typical jobs associated with that degree. From there, we researched the best schools to pursue these certificates and collected data on their cost and number of credits required to graduate. We handled the research to save you time and streamline your process.
1. Commercial Pilot
Median Annual Salary: $113,080
What They Do: Pilots are responsible for flying airplanes and helicopters. Their daily responsibilities often include inspecting the condition of aircraft before and after each flight, preparing and submitting flight plans to air traffic control, and using cockpit instruments and visual references to navigate aircraft to their destinations. While airline pilots typically transport passengers and cargo on a fixed schedule, commercial pilots are involved in unscheduled flight activities, such as charter flights, firefighting, and crop dusting.
How to Become One: Even entry-level airline pilot jobs tend to require a bachelor’s degree, but that’s not the case for commercial pilots. This particular occupation typically only requires flight training and a commercial pilot certificate. You must complete at least 250 hours of flight time before earning your commercial pilot license from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). However, any given employer may have higher standards for minimum experience.
- Projected Job Growth, 2022-2032: 4% (as fast as average)
- Highest-Paying States: Connecticut, New York, Texas, Delaware, Georgia
Top Certificate Programs for Commercial Pilots:
| School | Tuition | # Credits to Graduate |
|---|---|---|
| Mt. San Jacinto College | Resident: $46 Non-Resident: $422 |
19 |
| Orange Coast College | Resident: $46 Non-Resident: $388 |
12 |
| Community College of Baltimore County | Resident: $122 – $244 Non-Resident: $245 – $375 |
24 |
2. Ship Engineer
Median Annual Salary: $94,270
What They Do: Ship engineers operate and maintain equipment on water vessels, such as engines, boilers, pumps, and refrigeration systems. They often work in a supervisory role, directing crews to perform maintenance tasks and repairs when needed. Their other day-to-day responsibilities often include ordering supplies, fabricating custom parts with machine tools, and assisting with navigation.
How to Become One: To become a ship engineer, you must complete a postsecondary certificate program or apprenticeship and obtain a U.S. Coast Guard license.
- Projected Job Growth, 2022-2032: 1%
- Highest-Paying States: Mississippi, New York, Maryland, Texas, Hawaii
Top Certificate Programs for Ship Engineers:
| School | Tuition | # Credits to Graduate |
|---|---|---|
| Old Dominion University | Resident: $620 Non-Resident: $1,486 |
9 |
| The College of the Florida Keys | Resident: $73 Non-Resident: $293 |
34 |
| Drexel University | $1,208 | 12 |
3. Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels
Median Annual Salary: $88,730
What They Do: This occupation involves supervising the operations of water vessels such as tugboats and ferryboats (the salary and job growth statistics listed here do not include motorboat operators). Captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels spend much of their time on navigation-related activities, including reading maps, determining geographic coordinates, and planning routes. They are often responsible for diagnosing mechanical issues, performing repairs, and scheduling maintenance.
How to Become One: Many certificate programs can teach you the skills needed to succeed in this occupation, and you should consider seeking an apprenticeship for additional hands-on training. You will also need to obtain a license from the U.S. Coast Guard to operate a water vessel.
- Projected Job Growth, 2022-2032: 2%
- Highest-Paying States: Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, New Jersey, West Virginia
Top Certificate Programs for Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels:
| School | Tuition | # Credits to Graduate |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle Central College | Resident: $76 Non-Resident: $83 |
72.5 |
| Lakes Region Community College | Resident: $215 Non-Resident: $323 – $490 |
16 |
| Tidewater Community College | Resident: $165 Non-Resident: $354 |
25-27 |
4. First-line Supervisor of Firefighting and Prevention Workers
Median Annual Salary: $86,220
What They Do: First-line supervisors of firefighting and prevention workers are responsible for coordinating the activities of firefighters. They design training programs, prepare work schedules, and evaluate employee performance. They may also help respond to fires — directing firefighters on-site during emergencies, operating firefighting equipment, rescuing people from dangerous situations, and performing first aid.
How to Become One: In addition to completing a postsecondary certificate program that covers the personnel management aspects of firefighting operations, you will likely need extensive experience as a firefighter to get hired for this job.
- Projected Job Growth, 2022-2032: 4%
- Highest-Paying States: California, New Jersey, New York, Washington, Illinois
Top Certificate Programs for First-line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers:
| School | Tuition | # Credits to Graduate |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Gateway College | Resident: $84 Non-Resident: $336 |
12 |
| New Mexico State University | In-District: $76 Out-of-District: $93 Non-Resident: $101 – $245 |
30 |
| Columbus State Community College | Resident: $182 Non-Resident: $374 |
7 |
5. Aircraft Mechanic/Service Technician
Median Annual Salary: $75,020
What They Do: Aircraft mechanics and service technicians maintain and repair airplanes, helicopters, and other flying vehicles. This work may include diagnosing mechanical problems, repairing or replacing components as needed, and inspecting completed work to ensure it was done correctly. Some professionals work as generalists, while others specialize in a particular aspect of aircraft maintenance, such as repairing engines or performing inspections.
How to Become One: You’ll need to earn an Aviation Mechanic Technician certification from the FAA to advance in this field (otherwise, you would only be allowed to work under the supervision of an FAA-certified technician). In addition to gaining at least 18 months of practical experience or going to an FAA-approved aircraft maintenance technician school, you must pass a series of knowledge tests to become an FAA-certified technician. You can earn this certificate with an Airframe (A) rating, Powerplant (P) rating, or both (A&P).
- Projected Job Growth, 2022-2032: 4%
- Highest-Paying States: Maryland, New Jersey, Connecticut, New York, Minnesota
Top Certificate Programs for Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians:
| School | Tuition | # Credits to Graduate |
|---|---|---|
| Saint Francis University | $725 | 55 |
| Maricopa Community Colleges | In-County: $97 Out-of-State: $372 – $531 |
32-51 |
| Liberty University | $815 | 45 |
6. Insurance Appraiser (Auto Damage)
Median Annual Salary: $74,520
What They Do: Auto damage insurance appraisers inspect vehicles after accidents to estimate the cost of repairs. They prepare reports for insurance adjusters, who use the estimated cost of repairs to help determine how much an insurance company will pay out to their clients to cover claimed losses. Auto damage insurance appraisers may collaborate with insurance investigators to deal with suspected fraudulent claims.
How to Become One: If you don’t have experience working at an auto shop, you’ll need to complete a postsecondary certificate program that teaches you how to assess auto damage and estimate the cost of repairs to become qualified for this role.
- Projected Job Growth, 2022-2032: -3%
- Highest-Paying States: Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio
Top Certificate Programs for Auto Damage Insurance Appraisers:
| School | Tuition | # Credits to Graduate |
|---|---|---|
| North Shore Community College | $599 (Total program cost) | 60 hours |
| Cerritos College | Resident: $46 Non-Resident: $397 |
18.5 |
| St. Petersburg College | In-State: $111 Out-of-State: $387 |
24 |
7. Fire Inspector/Investigator
Median Annual Salary: $74,160
What They Do: The responsibilities of a fire inspector or investigator may include reviewing blueprints with developers to ensure there are no fire hazards, inspecting buildings for fire code violations, managing fire safety education programs, and collecting and analyzing evidence from the scenes of fires and explosions. Fire investigators often testify in court; some even carry a weapon and work with law enforcement officers to conduct searches and arrests.
How to Become One: Many technical colleges offer programs for learning how to prevent fires and inspect the causes of fires, and you will likely also need to have previous experience as a firefighter to get hired as a fire inspector. You may also need to be a U.S. citizen for positions within law enforcement agencies.
- Projected Job Growth, 2022-2032: 4%
- Highest-Paying States: Washington, Oregon, California, Ohio, Iowa
Top Certificate Programs for Fire Inspectors and Investigators:
| School | Tuition | # Credits to Graduate |
|---|---|---|
| University of Idaho | Resident: $454 Non-Resident: $1,416 |
18 |
| College of the Desert | Resident: $46 Non-Resident: $352 |
19 |
| Chabot College | Resident: $46 Non-Resident: $360 |
27 |
8. Electrical and Electronics Repairers
Median Annual Salary: $67,220
What They Do: This occupation involves testing and repairing electrical equipment. The day-to-day responsibilities of electrical and electronics repairers may include diagnosing issues, disassembling and reassembling equipment as needed, and repairing or replacing defective components. Electrical and electronics repairs tend to specialize in one of the following areas: powerhouse, substation, and relay; transportation equipment; commercial and industrial equipment; motor vehicles; or electric motors and power tools.
How to Become One: While a college degree isn’t necessary, most employers in this industry prefer to hire candidates who have at least completed a postsecondary program that covers topics such as soldering technique, the fundamentals of DC and AC circuits, microcontrollers, and programmable controllers.
- Projected Job Growth, 2022-2032: -2%
- Highest-Paying States: Wyoming, North Dakota, Washington, Alaska, New York
Top Certificate Programs for Electrical and Electronics Repairers:
| School | Tuition | # Credits to Graduate |
|---|---|---|
| North Seattle College | Resident: $127 Non-Resident: $145 – $328 |
53 |
| Terra State Community College | In-State: $199 Out-of-State: $388 |
17 |
| College of Lake County | $7,828 (Total program cost) | 35 |
9. Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners
Median Annual Salary: $63,940
What They Do: Transcription services offer another career path that allows workers to access above-average salaries with relatively little education. Court reporters produce word-for-word transcriptions of legal proceedings such as trials and depositions. This work is vital to the legal system, as judges and lawyers need an accurate and detailed record to do their jobs. Simultaneous captioners provide transcriptions in other settings, such as television productions and college courses, to assist people who are deaf or hard of hearing.
How to Become One: Many postsecondary certificate programs are available for transcription, which will teach you all the skills you need for entry-level positions in this field. Depending on the state you plan to work in, you may also need to obtain a license and become certified through a professional organization such as the National Court Reporters Association or the American Association of Electronic Reporters and Transcribers.
- Projected Job Growth, 2022-2032: 3%
- Highest-Paying States: New York, California, Washington, Texas, Iowa
Top Certificate Programs for Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners:
| School | Tuition | # Credits to Graduate |
|---|---|---|
| Taft College | Resident: $46 Non-Resident: $406 |
46 |
| West Valley College | All courses and certificates are tuition-free and are offered through the School of Continuing Education | 290-400 hours |
| SUNY College of Technology at Alfred | In-State: $295 Out-of-State: $500 |
43 |
10. Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers
Median Annual Salary: $63,440
What They Do: These professionals develop computer programs for controlling automatic machine tools. In addition to programming equipment to perform specific production tasks, their work often involves setting up the equipment, conducting test runs, and performing maintenance as needed.
How to Become One: You can earn a computer numeric control (CNC) programming certificate from a community college or trade school. Due to the highly technical nature of this job, once hired you may need to complete up to a year of on-the-job training before you can work unsupervised.
- Projected Job Growth, 2022-2032: 16%
- Highest-Paying States: Alaska, Connecticut, California, Washington, South Carolina
Top Certificate Programs for Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers:
| School | Tuition | # Credits to Graduate |
|---|---|---|
| Lone Star College System | In-District: $103 Out-of-District: $231 Out-of-State: $290 |
22 |
| SUNY Corning Community College | Resident: $237 Non-Resident: $395 |
32 |
| Grand Rapids Community College | Resident: $124 Non-Resident: $261 – $392 |
19 |
Other Factors to Consider When Choosing a Certificate Program
Employment outlook
Predicting which jobs will see employment growth or decline isn’t an exact science, but it can be helpful for students to consider selecting a major for their bachelor’s degree.
“I recommend that students thoroughly research the job market they’re interested in and pay attention to the projected salaries and available career advancement opportunities for their intended area of study,” Villagomez says. Even if a field offers high salaries, if employment is projected to experience limited growth or decline in the future, it may not be a good option, as opportunities will become more limited.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) publishes an Occupational Outlook Handbook that offers employment projections for hundreds of jobs and career fields. Students can use this as a resource when determining what major and career path works for them.
Location
Where you live can impact what job opportunities are available and how much average salaries are. When selecting a certificate program, consider where you would like to live and if moving is necessary to pursue better job opportunities and higher wages.
Cost-of-living should be factored into deciding what type of job you want to pursue and where you want to reside. Many high-paying industries, like finance or tech, are concentrated in urban areas with a high price tag. While salaries for jobs in these locations are usually commensurate with the cost of living, it’s not always the case, especially for entry-level workers new to the field. Students should also be aware of how education level can impact salary, as those with a four-year degree typically earn more than those with sub-baccalaureate credentials.
Perhaps you want to work remotely, with the freedom to live in a more affordable area, or move from place to place. This can also impact your choice of degree program, as some jobs are more conducive to remote work than others.
Employability
Although employer expectations and requirements for education are changing, with certificates becoming more widely acceptable, it’s helpful for students to research what type of education will make them the most employable following graduation. This will ensure that students invest their time and money into educational paths that will lead to their desired jobs.
“I strongly recommend that students begin by meeting with a college or career counselor to develop an action plan that aligns with their career and educational goals,” Villagomez says. “Working with trained professionals can help alleviate some of the stress and uncertainty that comes with this process.”
Students can also use the BLS’s Occupational Outlook Handbook and job postings on sites like Indeed or ZipRecruiter to learn more about educational requirements for jobs that interest them.
Although educational requirements can shift depending on labor trends and employer needs, a bachelor’s degree is still considered the standard minimum entry-level education requirement for many fields. One of the benefits of a certificate is that it can be a cost-effective and quick way for students to explore a field before committing to an associate or bachelor’s degree.
Work-life balance
Earning a high salary isn’t the only ingredient for a fulfilling life. Before selecting a certificate program and career path, it’s helpful for students to consider how their job will impact their life overall. For example, many high-paying jobs, such as commercial pilots, firefighting supervisors, and water vessel captains and mates, require long or irregular hours, consistent travel, or stressful working conditions, which may not align with students’ other plans for their lives.
Establishing priorities for working hours and settings, stress levels, flexibility, and room for personal growth, hobbies, and relationships can help determine if a high-paying job is the right fit for you.
Personal interests and aptitudes
Students who select a major based solely on salary potential may also find themselves in fields for which they’re not well-suited regarding personal interests, skill level, natural aptitudes, or values and beliefs.
“That’s why, when students are selecting a major, I encourage them to consider what type of work they find fulfilling and aligns with their values,” Villagomez says. Students can use career guides and aptitude tests to help them understand what careers might align with their abilities. They can also explore careers related to academic or extracurricular interests and hobbies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a certificate program?
Certificate programs are relatively short-term (lasting several months to a year), low-cost programs designed to train students in a specific area. The specialized education and training usually prepare students to immediately get an entry-level position in that field after completing the certificate. Trade schools are also another degree alternative, offering specialized training to start directly in a field.
Who should pursue a certificate program?
Certificate programs are an excellent match for students who want to spend a relatively short time and a relatively small amount of money learning skills that translate directly into a specific profession. These certificates can be a quick and easy way to differentiate yourself from other applicants.
When selecting a certificate program, students should consider the differences between undergraduate- and graduate-level certificates. Undergraduate certificate programs are generally open to all students with a high school diploma or GED, although they may have some course prerequisites. Graduate certificates are designed for individuals with a bachelor’s degree and often focus on deepening existing skills within a particular field.
What certificate program pays the most?
With an average salary in the six figures, a commercial pilot is the highest-paying occupation that usually only requires a postsecondary certificate for entry-level jobs. Multiple occupations within the maritime and fire safety industries also offer exceptionally high salaries for this level of education.
How much does a certificate program cost?
Generally, completing a certificate program costs between $1,000 to $5,000. This cost can depend on several factors, such as what subject you study and whether you pay resident or non-resident tuition rates.
Interested in a degree instead?
Learn more about online degrees, their start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.