Finding a well-paying career path shouldn’t feel like winning the lottery. While popular programs such as dental hygiene and apprenticeships in the skilled trades offer strong pay, they often have far more applicants than seats, leaving many capable students in limbo.
The good news? You don’t have to fight through a crowd of thousands to find a well-paying career. A handful of lesser-known programs offer a clear path to a lucrative career and are accessible to students with modest academic records who apply directly from high school.
Opticianry Associate Program at Franklin Cummings Tech
If you’re interested in healthcare but want a faster and more accessible path than nursing or dental hygiene, opticianry may be worth exploring. Think of an optician as a mix between a technician and a personal stylist. Beyond dispensing and repairing eyewear, they use design principles to curate the perfect look for your face shape and personality, and they make a median salary of $63,810 in Massachusetts!
Franklin Cummings Tech (FCT) is the only college in Massachusetts that offers an Opticianry program. This two-year associate degree does not require prerequisite college classes or an entrance exam. That makes it a strong option for students who are ready for hands-on learning. The program focuses on practical, skills-based training that prepares students for state licensure. More than 90% of graduates pass their licensing exams on the first attempt, which is well above national averages. Graduates go on to work with healthcare providers and optical retailers throughout Massachusetts.
Students also gain real-world experience while enrolled through paid externships and co-op placements, allowing them to earn money and build professional connections before graduating. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, so students who apply early can secure a seat without competing in a highly selective process.
HVAC and Building Automation Technician Programs
If you like working with your hands and getting paid sooner rather than later, HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) is one of the few skilled trades that offer strong pay without requiring acceptance into a selective union apprenticeship. In Massachusetts, HVAC technicians earn an average annual salary of $79,390, and demand for these workers is expected to remain strong over the next decade (BLS).
Training for HVAC is available through community colleges and other low-cost postsecondary institutions, including Franklin Cummings Tech and Southeastern Technical Institute. The majority of programs have modest admissions requirements: typically, a high school diploma or GED, and some may require a basic assessment to demonstrate readiness for college-level work.
Most HVAC programs are certificate-based and can be completed in nine months to one year, allowing students to enter the workforce quickly. For those interested in advancing their careers, HVAC can also serve as a pathway into higher-paying roles in building automation.
Building automation technicians install and maintain computer-based systems that control a building’s heating, cooling, and energy use. Franklin Cummings Tech offers advanced training in this growing field: after completing a 9-month HVAC program, students can continue for three additional semesters of hands-on coursework in building automation systems, computer networking, and renewable energy technology, culminating in an associate degree.
Aircraft Mechanic Program at Cape Cod Community College
Have you thought about becoming an aircraft mechanic? Aircraft maintenance is one of the highest-paying careers that does not require a bachelor’s degree, with a median salary of $87,270. To enter the field, students must complete a training program approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
In Massachusetts, Cape Cod Community College (CCCC) is the only public college offering an FAA-approved aircraft repair and maintenance program. Based at the Plymouth Airport training facility, the 48-credit training allows students to complete specialized aviation maintenance coursework and become eligible to sit for the FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) certification exams. Students can also choose to complete additional general education credits to earn an associate degree.
Admissions are open to all students who attend a mandatory information session and demonstrate college-ready English skills through high school coursework, an assessment exam, or an introductory college English course. The program admits up to 75 students each semester, with seats filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Once capacity is reached, applicants are placed at the top of the list for the following semester rather than turned away.
Massachusetts has one other FAA-approved aircraft maintenance program, offered by the National Aviation Academy (NAA) in Concord. However, NAA is a for-profit institution with significantly higher tuition, making CCCC the most affordable public option for students in the state.
Key Takeaways
Well-paying careers don’t all follow the same four-year college blueprint. Programs like opticianry, HVAC, building automation, and aircraft maintenance offer direct pathways into high-paying, high-demand jobs. For students who want hands-on learning, faster entry into the workforce, and strong earnings, these hidden gems provide a clear and practical path forward.
Susan Goldberger is a co-founder of NextGen Talent and provides pro bono product management services for NextGen’s data products. She also serves as a Senior Project Manager at the Burning Glass Institute, a non-profit data analytics firm focused on advancing the goals of equity and inclusion in the new economy. Susan holds a Ph.D. in Social Policy from the Heller School and a Bachelor of Arts from Brown University.
