Great Second Careers That Don't Require More School

If you're on the fence about a career change, consider this: 88% of career changers say they're happy they made the leap, according to an Indeed survey, a previous survey showed around one-third reporting less stress. And while it always makes sense to mine your existing skillset, if you're pining for a fresh start, there are plenty of jobs that don't require more formal schooling (though some may require certification courses or on-the-job training). Here are 20 great second careers that won't require you to hit the books too hard. The salary figures come from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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Average annual salary: $29,260
If you'd love to help people with special medical needs but don't want to take on nursing school or specialized training for similar roles, consider becoming a home health aide. You'll work with seniors, the disabled, and others who need assistance in their day-to-day life. Training typically takes place on the job, but you'll need state certification to work with agencies that take Medicare and Medicaid, according to Learn.org.

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Average annual salary: $33,200
A friendly demeanor and a love of history and geography are essentials for tour guides, who can get their training on the job instead of through formal schooling. But as Learn.org notes, you'll need to get licensed to work in certain popular destinations, including Washington, D.C., and New York City. Some employers may run a formal training program.

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Average annual salary: $32,100
Got an eye for color and texture? Love fresh flowers? Floral designers who construct artful bouquets and other arrangements typically learn their trade via on-the-job training such as an apprenticeship, according to The Art Career Project. Completing a certificate program or earning an associate's degree in floral design may help you advance more quickly, though, especially if you'd like to open your own floral business. Looking for more inspiration to venture out on your own?

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Average annual salary: $32,910
If you consider yourself an ultra-organized people person, there are openings for receptionists — though the field is projected to grow by only 4% through 2030, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. While most employers won't require additional formal education beyond high school, completing a certificate program at a vocational school or seeking specific training in common office software can make you a more attractive candidate.

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Average annual salary: $37,520
If friends always come to you for a restaurant recommendation or help deciding on the best dry cleaner, you might be a natural as a concierge for hotel or resort guests. Intimate knowledge of your city and experience in hospitality are key to landing this job, which typically doesn't require a specific degree, according to Learn.org. A certificate in a related hospitality field may help.

Average annual salary: $38,750
Like kids? Does having the summer off sound appealing? Many districts are searching constantly for reliable drivers. The first step will be getting a commercial driver's license with a special school-bus endorsement, a process that requires you to pass a written exam, road test, and medical exam, according to DMV.org. A clean driving history is also a must. School districts will likely require a background check.

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Average annual salary: $39,070
A good library technician is essentially a librarian's right-hand person: You'll help patrons find materials, catalog materials, retrieve online reference information, and perform other duties as assigned, according to the American Library Association. While some libraries look for specialized schooling, many are open to on-the-job training, the ALA says.

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Average annual salary: $48,310
If you're ultra-organized and discreet, a job managing health records could be an appealing career path. Though some employers will want to see an associate's degree in health information management, completing a certificate program may be enough to get your foot in the door, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Average annual salary: $45,140
If you're detail-oriented and comfortable with math, consider becoming a bookkeeper who helps companies keep finances in order. Bookkeepers usually learn their trade on the job under a more experienced colleague, but ultimately earn a certification after a couple of years' experience, according to Study.com. Opportunities for further specialization in certain industries such as health care are available later on.

Average annual salary: $45,460
If the open road feels like home, driving a truck could be your ideal second career. Forbes notes that it's increasingly common for new drivers to be over age 50. You won't need a special degree to get started. What you will need is a commercial driver's license, and training is offered by trucking lines and many for-profit schools or community colleges — especially now that companies are having trouble keeping workers on the job and supply chains continue to be a mess. Forbes cautions that entry-level drivers are often tasked with the longest hauls, but the industry is in some chaos.

Average annual salary: $54,650
If you're a people person who's passionate about fitness, personal training can be an ideal second career. To get started, you'll need to get certified through an accredited program: Well-known options include the American Council on Exercise and the National Academy of Sports Medicine, according to VeryWell. After that, you'll need to decide whether you want to work at an established gym or studio, or go it alone building your own client base.

Related: Essential Exercises for Older Adults

Average annual salary: $49,230
Got a passion for yoga? Gardening? Cooking? If you have deep experience in a non-academic subject that others want to learn, you can make a good living teaching them. As Kiplinger notes, self-enrichment teaching is especially popular among retirees who aren't ready to hang up their hat completely. In some formal settings (for instance, teaching dance at a dance academy), you may be required to hold certain certifications or demonstrate your expertise.

Average annual salary: $51,080
No, you don't have to have a math degree, and you don't have to be an accountant to help people file their taxes — though being comfortable with numbers is an obvious pro. According to How to Become, you'll typically need to take a training course offered by a tax-prep company and apply for a Preparer Tax Identification Number from the IRS. To file more than basic returns, you'll need to become an "enrolled agent," which involves an exam and tax-history compliance check.

Average annual salary: $54,370
You don't need any school beyond a high-school diploma to become a mail carrier for the U.S. Postal Service. What you do need: A safe driving record, as well as a background check, drug screening, and medical exam. Selected applicants will be invited to take an aptitude test that helps identify whether you have the skills you'll need on the job.

Average annual salary: $58,400
Lucky enough to be bilingual? Consider a career as a translator. Though a bachelor's degree is usually expected by prospective employers, if you already have one, it doesn't have to be language-specific, according to Learn.org. Prospective translators need to get certified through an organization such as the American Translators Association.

Average annual salary: $60,550
If you're comfortable with technology and like helping others, a career as a computer user support specialist — someone who helps others work through computer problems — could be a good bet. As Kiplinger notes, experience counts much more than a college degree in this field. Certifications for various skills such as desktop support can be obtained online.

Average annual salary: $69,340
No special degree is required to sell insurance, but you will have to check on your state's specific requirements. As with real estate, a training course and licensing exam will be required. After that, job seekers will need to highlight their entrepreneurial spirit to snag their first job with an insurance company, Investopedia advises. One more thing: You're likely working on commission, not guaranteed salary.

Average annual salary: $80,570
Many loan officers have a bachelor's in business, finance, or another related field. Others simply work their way up by taking a position in banking and learning the ropes, according to Study.com. You'll need to sit for the mortgage loan originator exam in your state; further specialized certification is optional, but may help with advancement.

Average annual salary: $81,470
Writing is a flexible and wide-ranging field in which experience is key. Technical writers — those who write instruction manuals, training documents, and other specialized technical materials — are always in demand. While a bachelor's is preferred, you can bolster educational experience with a technical writing certificate.

Average annual salary: $86,490
You won't need more formal schooling to help others buy and sell their homes, but in most states, you need to take a pre-licensing course and a licensing exam to get started, according to Realtor.com. Once you're official, joining a brokerage that is welcoming new agents is an essential step, but take note: You'll probably be paid by commission only, so get out there and sell, sell, sell.

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