Find a Job You Really Want In
Having a job that will train you while you work can be beneficial because training and obtaining education for a job can be difficult. You don’t have to try to focus on training and working another job.
Many jobs that train you in-house or pay for you to attend classes while paying you an income to work for them at the same time. In this article, we’ll cover ten such jobs. We’ll discuss the skills and duties they entail, how you can obtain them, as well as the career advancement opportunities they provide.
Key Takeaways:
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Great jobs that pay while you train include truck driver, electrician, and dental assistant.
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Between 2021 and 2031, the HVAC career is expected to grow 5% and produce 20,200 job opportunities across the U.S.
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On-the-job training is similar, but not exactly the same as an apprenticeship.
Top 10 jobs that train you while you work
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Truck Driver
Average Annual Salary: $51,000
Job Outlook: Truck driving jobs are projected to grow 4% and produce 90,900 job opportunities across the U.S. between 2021 and 2031, according to the BLSWorking as a truck driver is one of the high paying jobs that will train you while you work. Most employers will provide you with paid CDL training, allowing you to improve your trucking skills and earn certifications while working and earning income.
CDL training programs typically last three weeks and cover the basics of operating your rig and the trucking-specific rules of the road. This opportunity will also serve as a launchpad for your career if you want to continue in the industry.
Truck drivers are a crucial component of commerce in the United States, transporting shipments and packages across the country. However, the industry has experienced a severe shortage of drivers in the last few years, making it an extremely lucrative and high-growth career to start.
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Licensed practical nurse and Vocational Nurse (LPN/LVN)
Average Annual Salary: $45,000
Job Outlook: Licensed practical nurse and vocational nurse jobs are projected to grow 6% and produce 41,300 job opportunities across the U.S. between 2021 and 2031, according to the BLSThe medical industry, including the fields of licensed practical and vocational nursing (LPN/LVN), offers a wide variety of well-paying and high-growth jobs that train you as you work. These jobs will allow you to enter paid training programs that earn you income and clinical experience while obtaining certification.
These programs typically involve 500-750 hours of work and take approximately a year to complete. Afterward, you’ll be able to specialize in numerous well-paying subfields, such as geriatric, hospice, and long-term care.
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Phlebotomist
Average Annual Salary: $34,000
Job Outlook: Phlebotomist jobs are projected to grow 10% and produce 13,900 job opportunities across the U.S. between 2021 and 2031, according to the BLSPhlebotomy, the drawing and preparing of a patient’s blood, is another medical field that offers many paid training opportunities. There isn’t any particular training program that you need to enroll in. You’ll earn your certification whenever you’re able to pass your state’s licensing exam(s).
Your employer will typically train you in-house, usually by shadowing more experienced medical staff or through an apprenticeship.
Common types of facilities you can find phlebotomy work include hospitals, medical offices, and testing facilities.
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Food Service worker
Average Annual Salary: $22,000
Job Outlook: Food service worker jobs are projected to grow 9% and produce 372,900 job opportunities across the U.S. between 2021 and 2031, according to the BLSFood service jobs will offer on-the-job training and is a great option if you’re seeking temporary employment and have little experience.
While becoming a chef often requires culinary experience and schooling, there is a wide range of support staff roles such as food prep assistant and cleaner that require none.
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Electrician
Average Annual Salary: $49,000
Job Outlook: Electrician jobs are projected to grow 7% and produce 50,200 job opportunities across the U.S. between 2021 and 2031, according to the BLSBeing an electrician is one of the best jobs that train you and pay well. Many organizations and programs such as Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC) offer paid vocational training opportunities for you to work during the day and learn in the classroom at night.
You’ll learn how to install, repair, and maintain all types of electrical equipment used by residential homes and businesses. If you stick with a company that offers training programs and shows promise, they may even offer to pay for you to attend vocational school and obtain full licensure.
In addition to the job’s relatively high pay compared with other jobs that don’t require a college degree, electricians also enjoy incredibly high job security in nearly any economy.
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Plumber
Average Annual Salary: $56,000
Job Outlook: Plumber jobs are projected to grow 2% and produce 9,100 job opportunities across the U.S. between 2021 and 2031, according to the BLSThe most common method for entering the plumbing industry is completing an apprenticeship that will train you in a four-year process that pairs you with an experienced plumber to learn and work under.
Pay typically starts at 45% the first year, increasing to 50%, 60%, and then 70% each successive year.
Upon finishing your apprenticeship, you’ll now be a journeyman plumber. Most plumbers choose to work under the same company that trained them until they eventually become master plumber, allowing them to start their own business.
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Carpenter
Average Annual Salary: $41,000
Job Outlook: Carpenter jobs are projected to grow 2% and produce 20,500 job opportunities across the U.S. between 2021 and 2031, according to the BLSMost carpenters enter the industry through two routes, both typically provide paid training by an employer or other benefactor.
Apprenticeships are also a great way to receive on-the-job training and income at the same time. You’ll be paired with a much more experienced carpenter who you’ll work alongside and learn from.
One of the great benefits of entering a carpentry apprenticeship is that you’ll often have an easy time transitioning into a full-time job after completion, as you can simply work at the same company as you did during the program.
The job traditionally has enjoyed relatively high job security in the United States, especially during housing booms such as the current one in 2021. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics also anticipates higher than average growth in the carpentry industry than most other occupations.
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HVAC Technician
Average Annual Salary: $48,000
Job Outlook: HVAC jobs are projected to grow 5% and produce 20,200 job opportunities across the U.S. between 2021 and 2031, according to the BLSBecoming an HVAC technician doesn’t require a college degree or even certification and most apprenticeship programs will even offer to pay for your courses, as long as you’re able to pass them.
HVAC technicians perform a variety of duties relating to Heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC) systems, such as:
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Installation
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Maintenance
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Repair
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Evaluation
Another benefit to becoming an HVAC technician is the number of specialization options, and therefore higher income, available to choose from.
A few popular specialization options include:
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Metal fabrication
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Residential boilers
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Commercial furnaces
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Heat pump pool heaters
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Mason
Average Annual Salary: $45,000
Job Outlook: Masonry jobs are projected to decline by 2% and lose 5,900 job opportunities across the U.S. between 2021 and 2031, according to the BLSMany masonry jobs don’t often require any degrees other than GED and you can get most of your training from a three-four year apprenticeship that allows you to work and train simultaneously.
You’ll learn about common topics during such a program, including building code requirements, blueprints, and mathematics. The field also offers several specialization options to increase your income.
Many masons will focus on mastering construction using a specific type of material, adopting titles such as stonemason, block mason, and brick mason.
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Dental Assistant
Average Annual Salary: $38,000
Job Outlook: Dental assistant jobs are projected to grow 8% and produce 30,100 job opportunities across the U.S. between 2021 and 2031, according to the BLSMost established dentistry offices, dental clinics, and specialty practices pay for you to enroll in advanced programs to further your skills in the field. Additionally, many other paid-training opportunities will open up to you once you do obtain your first job.
To become a dental assistant, you need to meet different training, certification, and licensure processes depending on the state.
Each state offers different programs accredited by the Commission of Dental Accreditation (CODA), each typically lasting between one-two years.
Unlike many other jobs on this list, most dental practices, unfortunately, won’t hire you before you complete these programs.
However, most of these programs offer externship programs that are essentially the same thing – opportunities to work to obtain experience and income at the same time.
What’s the difference between an apprenticeship and on-the-job training?
The difference between an apprenticeship and on-the-job (OTJ) training is that an apprenticeship is usually organized as a define period of time where a new worker learns under the guidance of an experienced professional, while OTJ training is less formal.
It is easy to confuse the two. You may think that because you are receiving OTJ training that you are an apprentice, but this is not the case if your training does not meet the formal requirements.
However there are some similarities between both apprenticeships and OTJ training. Many OTJ training programs have testing requirements to recruit qualified candidates, just like in apprenticeships. Also, in both cases you are still paid while you work and learn.
Jobs that train you while you work FAQ
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Are there jobs that will pay for your training?
Yes, there are jobs that will pay for your training, or reimburse you for it once it is completed. Some jobs that will pay for your training include electrician, HVAC technician, and plumber.
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What is an example of on-the-job training?
Shadowing is an example of on-the-job training. When you shadow someone, you will follow an experienced employee around and observe what they are doing. Most of the time you are not allowed to do any tasks, only take notes and learn what to do.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Occupational Outlook Handbook.” Accessed on September 18, 2022.
Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
