How a GED Can Help You Get a Job

Are there jobs you can get without a high school diploma or GED? Yes, but more and more employers are requiring a GED or high school diploma. In fact, only about 27 percent of US jobs don’t require a GED or diploma, which means that the vast majority of jobs do require one.

Getting a GED can open the door to many new opportunities. And with great online resources, you can get a GED and start applying for better jobs that will get you started down an exciting new career track.

Jobs You Can Get with a GED

The majority of industries have some types of jobs available for people with a high school education. Here is a list of some of the industries and types of jobs you can get with a GED.

Administrative Office Support

These jobs let you work in an office and use your general computer and literacy skills. Roles include: 

• Administrative assistants or secretaries
• Bill collectors
• Customer service representatives
• Financial clerks
• Information clerks
• Receptionists
• Tellers

Arts

Artists can pursue work in crafts, fine art, or floral design.

Building and Grounds Cleaning

A GED can help get you work in: 

• Grounds maintenance
• Cleaning and janitorial roles
• Pest control

Community and Social Services

A GED can help to get you a job as a: 

• Community health worker
• Social service assistant
• Counselor (in some areas)

Construction, Installation, and Repair

You can work in and around land and buildings in many roles with a GED, including as a(n): 

• Construction laborer
• Carpenter
• Glazier (window setter)
• Ironworker
• Sheet metal worker
• Woodworker
• Equipment operator
• Installer of insulation, drywall, tile, or security systems 
• Machinist
• Masonry worker
• Electrician

Look for apprenticeships and on-the-job training programs to learn a valuable trade.

Food Service and Preparation

Restaurants and catering companies often don’t even require a GED, so you might be ahead of some of your coworkers if you have one. Roles include: 

• Bartender
• Baker
• Cook
• Food prep worker
• Waiter or other staff member

Forestry, Fishing, and Farming

These industries involve being outside and working with natural systems. Roles include: 

• Farming equipment operator
• Animal breeder
• Hunter’s working hand or apprentice
• Fishing deckhand

Healthcare and Personal Care 

You can assist in healthcare, which is one of the biggest industries in the US, with a GED. Roles include: 

• Childcare worker
• Nurse or healthcare assistant 
• Aide in home health, occupational or physical therapy, personal care, or psychiatric settings

Legal

Legal professionals usually have a higher education, but you can work in the legal industry with a GED as a:

• Title abstractor
• Title examiner
• Title searcher

Management

Managing others is a great way to earn more and experience greater responsibility. Start with a GED at an entry-level position, work hard, and learn a lot, and you may rise to a management role in industries such as: 

• Food service
• Agriculture or ranching
• Real estate
• Property management
• Lodging

Protection

With a GED, you can apply for job roles that are responsible for protecting people, including: 

• Bailiff
• Correctional officer
• Private detective
• Security guard
• Surveillance officer
• Police officer (in some locations)

Sales

Motivated workers have been attracted to sales for centuries. It’s a way of directly affecting the income of companies. You can become quite valuable as a(n): 

• Insurance salesperson
• Manufacturing or wholesale salesperson
• Retail sales representative
• Cashier

Transportation

Meet a variety of people and see different areas with a transportation job, which can include: 

• Aircraft cargo handling supervisor
• Bus driver
• Delivery truck driver
• Taxi driver
• Chauffeur
• Marine oiler or sailor

The Sky is the Limit with a GED

If nothing on the list above is appealing to you, don’t worry. When you get your GED, you are opening doors for your future. Earning a GED can be a stepping stone to allow you to continue on to a college education or a certificate that may lead you to any job you want. The first step to all of this begins with earning your GED.