BoilermakerNo, not a shot and a beer. Skip college and get certified as a boilermaker, installing and repairing large containers that hold liquids and gases.No, not a shot and a beer. Skip college and get certified as a boilermaker, installing and repairing large containers that hold liquids and gases.Jamie Squire/Getty ImagesTransportation InspectorWere you the kid who loved to play with toy cars and trains? Channel that love by inspecting trains, planes, and automobiles and making an average of $63K per year.Were you the kid who loved to play with toy cars and trains? Channel that love by inspecting trains, planes, and automobiles and making an average of $63K per year.Larry W. Smith/Getty ImagesTransportation InspectorWere you the kid who loved to play with toy cars and trains? Channel that love by inspecting trains, planes, and automobiles and making an average of $63K per year.Were you the kid who loved to play with toy cars and trains? Channel that love by inspecting trains, planes, and automobiles and making an average of $63K per year.Larry W. Smith/Getty ImagesPrecision Instrument and Equipment RepairerIf you love taking apart your watch to see how it works, this is the job for you. Repair everything from heavy machinery to electronics to musical instruments — all with just a high-school degree.If you love taking apart your watch to see how it works, this is the job for you. Repair everything from heavy machinery to electronics to musical instruments — all with just a high-school degree.Andreas Rentz/Getty ImagesElectricianTurn your how-a-light-bulb-works science project into a career. Electricians install, maintain, and repair electrical wiring, equipment, and fixtures, including everything from streetlights to intercoms.Turn your how-a-light-bulb-works science project into a career. Electricians install, maintain, and repair electrical wiring, equipment, and fixtures, including everything from streetlights to intercoms.Paula Bronstein/Getty ImagesPlumber and PipelayerEven when construction slows, repair and maintenance for aging properties and septic systems keeps plumbers employed. Median hourly wage is about $22, and average salary is $50,360, with top earners raking in nearly $80K.Even when construction slows, repair and maintenance for aging properties and septic systems keeps plumbers employed. Median hourly wage is about $22, and average salary is $50,360, with top earners raking in nearly $80K.Jason Merritt/Getty ImagesPlumber and PipelayerIt doesn’t get much cooler than this. Avionics technicians install, inspect, test, adjust, or repair equipment such as radar, radio, navigation, and missile control systems in aircraft or space vehicles (read: you get to play with spaceships).It doesn’t get much cooler than this. Avionics technicians install, inspect, test, adjust, or repair equipment such as radar, radio, navigation, and missile control systems in aircraft or space vehicles (read: you get to play with spaceships).USAF/Getty ImagesPlumber and PipelayerIt doesn’t get much cooler than this. Avionics technicians install, inspect, test, adjust, or repair equipment such as radar, radio, navigation, and missile control systems in aircraft or space vehicles (read: you get to play with spaceships).It doesn’t get much cooler than this. Avionics technicians install, inspect, test, adjust, or repair equipment such as radar, radio, navigation, and missile control systems in aircraft or space vehicles (read: you get to play with spaceships).USAF/Getty ImagesNuclear Power Reactor OperatorTurns out Homer Simpson’s gig is one of the most lucrative ones around.Turns out Homer Simpson’s gig is one of the most lucrative ones around.Sean Gallup/Getty Images
