College isn't always the answer — some blue collar jobs pay better

One of the curious outcomes of the recession and slow recovery is that Americans are beginning to rethink their careers and how they go about training for them, says Forbes Magazine. “While attending and graduating from a four-year college has long been billed as the golden ticket to a quality life, there are signs that this may be changing” the Forbes article says.

Higher education is plagued by several problems. First and foremost, the growing cost of four-year post secondary degrees. Studies show that the cost of attending college outstrips inflation by a considerable margin. But affordability is just part of the problem; many degrees just aren't as profitable as they used to be writes Adam Davidson for the New York Times.

This unique set of circumstances has led to a renewed interest in skilled labor, often referred to as blue collar work. There is a shortage of skilled labor and people who have these skills are, in some cases, making a killing. In North Dakota, due to an oil boom, truck drivers are making $80,000 a year says CNN.

But truckers in North Dakota aren’t the only blue collar workers earning high wages. Financial Ledge, a money management website, complied a list of the top paying blue collar jobs. Elevator repair persons top the list earning an average of $87,000 dollars a year. Gas plant operators, who control compressors to keep gas flowing through pipelines, also do well, earning just under $64,000 per year.

Other jobs that do not require a degree but pay well include the following:

Air Traffic Controllers

Though new recruits start at $17,800 per year, they can finish their career making nearly $140,000 annually.

Transportation Inspectors

They start their careers at $61,000 and can earn as much as $103,000 after just a few years on the job.

elevator repair people make a lot of money