Fast-Growing Jobs That Don't Require A 4-Year Degree

By Jason Lovelace, president of CareerBuilder Healthcare

Many industries were hit hard by the recession and are still struggling to rebound. Yet the health care sector not only made it through the economic downturn relatively unscathed, it experienced growth. This growth has no sign of slowing down -- the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that the U.S. will add 5.6 million health care jobs from 2010 to 2020, the largest projected increase of any industry.

Why the industry is booming: Americans are living longer than ever before, and as the population ages, the demand for medical care will only continue to increase. Also, since at its core health care is about patient care, most jobs need to be performed in person and can't be automated or replaced by technology.

Employers need workers at all levels: Yet even though health care workers are in demand, employers often struggle to find the right people to fill open positions. This may be in part due to a misconception that all health care jobs require decades of education and training, potentially discouraging job seekers from entering the field. The fact is that employers are in need of workers across all levels and functions.

The following 11 heath care jobs don't require a four-year college degree to enter the profession and have experienced the most growth in the field since 2010*. For some of the jobs listed, two-year degrees or other certifications may be necessary, while others call for various levels of on-the-job training (such as short term or moderate term).