These are the easiest careers to get into.
These careers require little or no previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience to get into. These careers need anywhere from a few days to a few months of training. For example, a person can become a waiter or waitress even if he/she has never worked before.
Other careers by difficulty to get in:
Easiest (You are here) | Easy | Medium | Hard | Hardest
Continuous Miner Operators
operate self-propelled mining machines that rip coal, metal and nonmetal ores, rock, stone, or sand from the mine face and load it onto conveyors, shuttle cars, or trucks in a continuous operation.
$58340
No degree required
Personality Match
Models
model garments or other apparel and accessories for prospective buyers at fashion shows, private showings, or retail establishments. May pose for photos to be used in magazines or advertisements. May pose as subject for paintings, sculptures, and other types of artistic expression.
$54050
No degree required
Strong job growth
Oil and Gas Derrick Operators
rig derrick equipment and operate pumps to circulate mud or fluid through drill hole.
$50280
No degree required
Strong job growth
Fabric Menders
repair tears, holes, and other defects in fabrics, such as draperies, linens, parachutes, and tents.
$49650
No degree required
High job satisfaction
Personality Match
Bridge and Lock Tenders
operate and tend bridges, canal locks, and lighthouses to permit marine passage on inland waterways, near shores, and at danger points in waterway passages. May supervise such operations. Includes drawbridge operators, lock operators, and slip bridge operators.
$49610
No degree required
Fallers
use axes or chainsaws to fell trees using knowledge of tree characteristics and cutting techniques to control direction of fall and minimize tree damage.
$49520
No degree required
Septic Tank Servicers
clean and repair septic tanks, sewer lines, or drains. May patch walls and partitions of tank, replace damaged drain tile, or repair breaks in underground piping.
$43930
No degree required
Strong job growth
Logging Equipment Operators
drive logging tractor or wheeled vehicle equipped with one or more accessories, such as bulldozer blade, frontal shear, grapple, logging arch, cable winches, hoisting rack, or crane boom, to fell tree; to skid, load, unload, or stack logs; or to pull stumps or clear brush. Includes operating stand-alone logging machines, such as log chippers.
$43570
No degree required
Oil and Gas Roustabouts
assemble or repair oil field equipment using hand and power tools. Perform other tasks as needed.
$42160
No degree required
Strong job growth
Quarry Rock Splitters
separate blocks of rough dimension stone from quarry mass using jackhammers, wedges, or chop saws.
$38430
No degree required
Strong job growth
Sales Floor Stock Clerks
receive, store, and issue sales floor merchandise. Stock shelves, racks, cases, bins, and tables with merchandise and arrange merchandise displays to attract customers. May periodically take physical count of stock or check and mark merchandise.
$37210
No degree required
Personality Match
Stockroom and Warehouse Clerks
receive, store, and issue materials, equipment, and other items from stockroom, warehouse, or storage yard. Keep records and compile stock reports.
$37210
No degree required
Personality Match
Furniture Finishers
shape, finish, and refinish damaged, worn, or used furniture or new high-grade furniture to specified color or finish.
$35040
No degree required
High job satisfaction
Personality Match
Counter and Rental Clerks
receive orders, generally in person, for repairs, rentals, and services. May describe available options, compute cost, and accept payment.
$34700
No degree required
Strong job growth
Personality Match
Hand Grinding And Polishing Workers
grind, sand, or polish, using hand tools or hand-held power tools, a variety of metal, wood, stone, clay, plastic, or glass objects. Includes chippers, buffers, and finishers.
$34380
No degree required
Personality Match
Taxi Drivers and Chauffeurs
drive automobiles, vans, or limousines to transport passengers. May occasionally carry cargo. Includes hearse drivers.
$34360
No degree required
Strong job growth
High job satisfaction
Fishers and Related Fishing Workers
use nets, fishing rods, traps, or other equipment to catch and gather fish or other aquatic animals from rivers, lakes, or oceans, for human consumption or other uses. May haul game onto ship.
$34330
No degree required
Personality Match
Hunters and Trappers
hunt and trap wild animals for human consumption, fur, feed, bait, or other purposes.
$34330
No degree required
Crossing Guards
guide or control vehicular or pedestrian traffic at such places as streets, schools, railroad crossings, or construction sites.
$34220
No degree required
High job satisfaction
Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers
landscape or maintain grounds of property using hand or power tools or equipment. Workers typically perform a variety of tasks, which may include any combination of the following: sod laying, mowing, trimming, planting, watering, fertilizing, digging, raking, sprinkler installation, and installation of mortarless segmental concrete masonry wall units.
$33800
No degree required
Strong job growth
High job satisfaction
Helpers of Painters
help painters, paperhangers, plasterers, or stucco masons by performing duties requiring less skill. Duties include using, supplying, or holding materials or tools, and cleaning work area and equipment.
$33520
No degree required
Strong job growth
Personality Match
Helpers Of Production Workers
help production workers by performing duties requiring less skill. Duties include supplying or holding materials or tools, and cleaning work area and equipment.
$32000
No degree required
Personality Match
Slaughterers And Meat Packers
perform nonroutine or precision functions involving the preparation of large portions of meat. Work may include specialized slaughtering tasks, cutting standard or premium cuts of meat for marketing, making sausage, or wrapping meats. Work typically occurs in slaughtering, meat packing, or wholesale establishments.
$31210
No degree required
Personality Match
Farmworkers
attend to live farm, ranch, open range or aquacultural animals that may include cattle, sheep, swine, goats, horses and other equines, poultry, rabbits, finfish, shellfish, and bees. Attend to animals produced for animal products, such as meat, fur, skins, feathers, eggs, milk, and honey. Duties may include feeding, watering, herding, grazing, milking, castrating, branding, de-beaking, weighing, catching, and loading animals. May maintain records on animals; examine animals to detect diseases and injuries; assist in birth deliveries; and administer medications, vaccinations, or insecticides as appropriate. May clean and maintain animal housing areas. Includes workers who shear wool from sheep and collect eggs in hatcheries.
$31060
Associate's degree
Meat Cutters
use hands or hand tools to perform routine cutting and trimming of meat, poultry, and seafood.
$30800
No degree required
Personality Match
Nursery Workers
work in nursery facilities or at customer location planting, cultivating, harvesting, and transplanting trees, shrubs, or plants.
$30140
No degree required
Crop Farmworkers and Laborers
manually plant, cultivate, and harvest vegetables, fruits, nuts and field crops. Use hand tools, such as shovels, trowels, hoes, tampers, pruning hooks, shears, and knives. Duties may include tilling soil and applying fertilizers; transplanting, weeding, thinning, or pruning crops; applying pesticides; cleaning, packing, and loading harvested products. May construct trellises, repair fences and farm buildings, or participate in irrigation activities.
$30140
No degree required
Agricultural Graders
grade, sort, or classify unprocessed food and other agricultural products by size, weight, color, or condition.
$29620
No degree required
Personality Match
Sewing Machine Operators
operate or tend sewing machines to join, reinforce, decorate, or perform related sewing operations in the manufacture of garment or nongarment products.
$29420
No degree required
Personality Match
Animal Caretakers
feed, water, groom, bathe, exercise, or otherwise provide care to promote and maintain the well-being of pets and other animals that are not raised for consumption, such as dogs, cats, race horses, ornamental fish or birds, zoo animals, and mice. Work in settings such as kennels, animal shelters, zoos, circuses, and aquariums. May keep records of feedings, treatments, and animals received or discharged. May clean, disinfect, and repair cages, pens, or fish tanks.
$28380
No degree required
Strong job growth
Automotive Service Attendants
service automobiles, buses, trucks, boats, and other automotive or marine vehicles with fuel, lubricants, and accessories. Collect payment for services and supplies. May lubricate vehicle, change motor oil, refill antifreeze, or replace lights or other accessories, such as windshield wiper blades or fan belts. May repair or replace tires.
$28150
No degree required
Strong job growth
Parking Lot Attendants
park vehicles or issue tickets for customers in a parking lot or garage. May park or tend vehicles in environments such as a car dealership or rental car facility. May collect fee.
$27910
No degree required
Waiters and Waitresses
take orders and serve food and beverages to patrons at tables in dining establishment.
$27470
No degree required
Personality Match
Nonrestaurant Food Servers
serve food to individuals outside of a restaurant environment, such as in hotel rooms, hospital rooms, residential care facilities, or cars.
$27460
No degree required
Strong job growth
Personality Match
Short Order Cooks
prepare and cook to order a variety of foods that require only a short preparation time. May take orders from customers and serve patrons at counters or tables.
$27030
No degree required
Personality Match
Food Preparation Workers
perform a variety of food preparation duties other than cooking, such as preparing cold foods and shellfish, slicing meat, and brewing coffee or tea.
$26820
No degree required
Personality Match
Ushers and Lobby Attendants
assist patrons at entertainment events by performing duties, such as collecting admission tickets and passes from patrons, assisting in finding seats, searching for lost articles, and helping patrons locate such facilities as restrooms and telephones.
$26390
No degree required
Personality Match
Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants
facilitate food service. Clean tables; remove dirty dishes; replace soiled table linens; set tables; replenish supply of clean linens, silverware, glassware, and dishes; supply service bar with food; and serve items such as water, condiments, and coffee to patrons.
$26300
No degree required
Personality Match
Personality Match
Cashiers
receive and disburse money in establishments other than financial institutions. May use electronic scanners, cash registers, or related equipment. May process credit or debit card transactions and validate checks.
$25710
No degree required
Personality Match
Amusement and Recreation Attendants
perform a variety of attending duties at amusement or recreation facility. May schedule use of recreation facilities, maintain and provide equipment to participants of sporting events or recreational pursuits, or operate amusement concessions and rides.
$25610
No degree required
Strong job growth
High job satisfaction
Personality Match
Dishwashers
clean dishes, kitchen, food preparation equipment, or utensils.
$25600
No degree required
Personality Match
Restaurant Hosts and Hostesses
welcome patrons, seat them at tables or in lounge, and help ensure quality of facilities and service.
$24800
No degree required
Personality Match
Fast Food Preparation Workers
perform duties which combine preparing and serving food and non-alcoholic beverages.
$24540
No degree required
Strong job growth
Personality Match
Personality Match
Fast Food Cooks
prepare and cook food in a fast food restaurant with a limited menu. Duties of these cooks are limited to preparation of a few basic items and normally involve operating large-volume single-purpose cooking equipment.
$24300
No degree required
Personality Match