School before you apply
How much classroom education are you prepared to complete before applying?Compare BLS typical entry education with the actual programs used by nearby employers.
Career routes that typically do not require a bachelor’s degree
“No bachelor’s required” does not mean “no training required.” Use the BLS typical-entry field as a national reference, then inspect apprenticeship, licensing, equipment, and supervised-experience requirements for the jurisdiction and employer you actually plan to enter.
| What to compare | Solar Photovoltaic Installer | HVAC Technician | Electrician | Welder, Cutter, Solderer, and Brazer | Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver | Medical Equipment Repairer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BLS typical entry educationSeparates the national occupation benchmark from provider marketing. | High school diploma or equivalent | Postsecondary nondegree award | High school diploma or equivalent | High school diploma or equivalent | Postsecondary nondegree award | Associate's degree |
| Estimated preparation timeHelps compare time commitments without presenting an official duration. | Up to 12 months* (PathGauge estimate) | Up to 24 months* (PathGauge estimate) | Up to 60 months* (PathGauge estimate) | Up to 12 months* (PathGauge estimate) | Up to 3 months* (PathGauge estimate) | Up to 24 months* (PathGauge estimate) |
| BLS on-the-job trainingShows whether learning continues after entry. | Moderate-term on-the-job training | Long-term on-the-job training | Apprenticeship | Moderate-term on-the-job training | Short-term on-the-job training | Moderate-term on-the-job training |
| Credential checkpointsFlags legal and voluntary credentials that need separate verification. | NABCEP PV Associate (North America) | EPA Section 608 Technician Certification (United States); Canadian Red Seal Endorsement (Canada) | Canadian Red Seal Endorsement (Canada) | Canadian Red Seal Endorsement (Canada) | Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) (United States) | No credential listed for this profile |
| Work settingPrevents choosing a path that conflicts with indoor, outdoor, or field preferences. | Mostly outdoor | Indoor and field | Indoor and field | Indoor and field | Indoor and field | Mostly indoor |
* Preparation time is a PathGauge estimate, not an official program duration.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–34 projections and 2024 median wages · Reviewed July 16, 2026
Questions the table cannot answer
Check these details with local programs and employers before choosing between the options.
Time in supervised training
Are you willing to spend several years progressing under supervision?Apprenticeship-scale routes can be paid but still require documented instruction and work experience.
License or credential required?
Does the work require a license or federal credential where you live?Verify the regulator first; a school’s completion certificate may not authorize the work.
Bottom line
- Filter first by legal eligibility and work conditions, then compare cost and time.
- Treat every training duration on PathGauge as a planning estimate unless the linked authority states otherwise.
- Ask employers which entry route they actually hire from before buying optional credentials.