Best vocational jobs

The best vocational jobs include dental hygienists, solar installers, and licensed practical nurses. Vocations are highly specialized jobs that usually require either an apprenticeship or a two-year degree at a vocational school. While there's less education involved in these careers, the fact that they're so specialized means that you can make a good living at them - and many of them are in high demand. If you're considering making a career of a vocational job, then here are ten of the best options:

1. Dental Hygienist

   Average Salary: $88,432

   Dental hygienists are professionals who provide preventative oral care under a dentist's supervision. They are concerned mostly in treating minor oral health conditions. They clean teeth, examine any signs of damage and oral diseases and provide dental recommendations and after-care treatment. They educate patients with proper oral hygiene and counseling about how good nutrition impacts oral health. They also teach them ways to improve and maintain good oral health.

2. Solar Installer

   Average Salary: $37,239

   A solar installer is responsible for installing solar panels on building and household locations, ensuring that the methods and tools adhere to safety regulations and practices. Solar installers manage the maintenance and repair of the solar panels, requiring them to perform fieldwork and travel often. They also identify the measurement and compatibility of solar panels to the clients' locations before the installment proper. A solar installer must have excellent knowledge of the solar services to respond to the clients' inquiries and concerns accurately and resolve complaints.

3. Licensed Practical Nurse

   Average Salary: $52,912

   Licensed practical nurses are considered leading front liners in the clinic or hospital setting. They assist nurses and doctors in conducting various activities related to sick or injured patients. Licensed practical nurses are primarily expected to provide routine care for patients and assist registered nurses in creating care plans. They maintain and update medical records, prepare patients for medical examinations, help patients dress, bath, or eat, take vital signs, administer and monitor medicine intake, monitor patients and update nurses and doctors on patient status, and assist during medical examinations.

4. Marine Technician

   Average Salary: $40,769

   A marine technician specializes in repairing and maintaining water vessels such as ships, boats, and yachts. Among their responsibilities include addressing the clients' issues and concerns, troubleshooting problems, inspecting and fixing electrical and mechanical equipment, installing new systems, and assessing existing ones to identify areas needing improvement, conducting upgrades as required. Furthermore, as a marine technician, it is essential to maintain an active communication line with team members while adhering to the safety policies and regulations.

5. Home Inspector

   Average Salary: $51,264

   A home inspector is primarily in charge of performing inspections and assessments to identify problem areas and potential risks. Although the extent of their responsibilities depends on their line of work or company of employment, it usually includes studying and assessing the structural elements of houses such as its floors and ceilings, testing the alarm or fire detecting equipment, inspecting drainage and pipe systems, and checking appliances should there be any. Moreover, a home inspector produces detailed reports along with recommendations to help the clients in making decisions.

6. Commercial Diver

   Average Salary: $47,356

7. Automotive Mechanic

   Average Salary: $42,864

   An automotive mechanic is responsible for inspecting the vehicle's engine, identifying defects and inconsistencies, and repairing malfunctioning components through diagnostic tests. Automotive mechanics diagnose problems and inform the customers of troubleshooting procedures and provide cost estimates for maintenance. They may also offer additional services to boost the engine's optimal performance and efficiency, at the same time, to generate more revenues for the business. An automotive mechanic must have excellent knowledge of the automotive industry, especially in responding to the inquiries and concerns of the customers regarding their vehicles and schedule regular repairs as necessary.

8. Carpenter

   Average Salary: $41,748

   A carpenter is a skilled worker responsible for different areas of construction. Carpenters perform fabrication from raw materials. They use tools to create a successful finished product on their client's request. Carpenters must be able to multi-task, resolve any possible complications, strictly follow safety standards, and ensure that the project adheres to protocols without compromising quality and accuracy of work. Since carpentry is physical labor, carpenters are expected to be physically fit to accomplish various maintenance and production tasks.

9. Tractor Trailer Driver

10. Welder

    Average Salary: $39,696

    Welders are skilled workers who primarily work on metals and other metalworks. One of the most commonly known activities that welders do is fusing materials that are made of metal. They usually work on buildings, large pipes, and cars. They also fix holes or any other imperfection on metal materials. They do these by applying heat using welding torches or any other special tools that they have. Welders are also responsible for studying blueprints related to the items they will work on, ensuring that all needed materials are available, practicing occupational safety and health protocols, and maintaining the welding tools they use.