Not sure what to do after high school? Whether you're considering taking a gap year, you want to work right away or you didn’t get enough financial aid, you can start with an entry-level position and move up to a great career! These are the top 10 fields to work in with a high school diploma. 

Before making any big life decision, it’s important to talk with a parent/guardian or trusted educator. They can offer you advice and perspective, and together you can make a decision that works best for you.

Self Enrichment Education Teachers 

Teach or instruct courses that don’t usually lead to a degree. The courses focus on self-improvement and aren’t academic. Look for positions that start as a teacher’s aide or as a volunteer at community centers or schools. You will be good in this career if you: like developing and implementing lesson plans, are great at explaining and teaching hands-on, and are an active listener.

Supervisor of Construction Trades 

Supervise and coordinate activities of constructor workers while maintaining a safe work environment. Look for positions that start as a laborer or someone who does physical labor on construction sites. Try looking at job postings on your local construction companies. You will be good in this career if you: have great leadership skills, are proactive about safety and interested in the construction process. Median Pay: $55,000 to $74,999 Projected Number of Jobs: 50,000 or more

Supervisor of Food Prep and Serving Workers 

Supervise and coordinate activities of food prep and serving workers, usually at a restaurant. They also oversee the cleanliness of the kitchen. Look for positions that start as a restaurant host, server, busboy, line cook. Check out your local restaurants and web job postings of the bigger restaurant chains. People who would be good in this career are: interested in the background workings of the kitchen, have leadership skills, and are proactive about safety and cleanliness Median Pay: $25,000 to $34,999 Projected Number of Jobs: 50,000 or more

Supervisor of Office and Administrative Support 

Supervise and coordinate activities of the clerical workers, usually in an office setting. Look for positions that start as office support, an office assistant, or volunteering. Try at a community center, schools, or local businesses. People who would be good in this career are: interested in clerical work, detail-oriented and comfortable with office machines and learning new technologies. Median Pay: $55,000 to $74,999 Projected Number of Jobs: 50,000 or more

Supervisor of Retail Sales Workers 

Supervise and coordinate retail sales workers in a store or a department within a store. They can also purchase merchandise or set budgets. Look for positions that start as a retail clerk, or support staff. Check with small businesses and the web job postings of bigger retail stores. People who would be good in this career are: customer service oriented with retail experience, good at creating and maintaining budgets and have an eye for setting up displays. Median Pay: $35,000 to $54,999 Projected Number of Jobs: 50,000 or more

Supervisor of Personal Service Workers 

Supervise and coordinate personal service workers (flight attendants, hospitality, catering). Look for positions as a housekeeper or a server with a catering company. Check with the biggest hotel chains in your area and look up the local catering companies. People who would be good in this career are: customer service oriented, detail-oriented, and proactive about safety. Median Pay: $35,000 to $54,999 Projected Number of Jobs: 10,000 to 49,999

Property Managers 

Maintain the different aspects of a property. They make sure the property looks nice and that problems are resolved to preserve the value of the property. Look for positions that want a handyman or a repairman. People who would be good in this career are: willing to learn about building codes, able to travel to see properties or meeting with clients, detail-oriented. Median Pay: $55,000 to $74,999 Projected Number of Jobs: 10,000 to 49,999

Supervisors of Landscaping, Groundskeeping Workers 

Supervise and coordinate landscape and groundskeeping workers. They review contracts and purchase materials. Look for positions that start as a gardener or a maintenance worker. Check with local landscaping and gardening businesses. People who would be good in this career are: able to create and maintain a budget, knowledgeable of different garden equipment and tools, and can build client relationships. Median Pay: $35,000 to $54,999 Projected Number of Jobs: 10,000 to 49,999

Chefs and head cooks 

Supervise the food preparation in the kitchen. They handle anything food-related. Look for positions as a line cook, server, or busboy. Try at smaller restaurants and web job postings of the restaurant chains. People who would be good in this career are: proactive about cleanliness, experienced in cooking and willing to work odd hours. Median Pay: $35,000 to $54,999 Projected Number of Jobs: 10,000 to 49,999

Supervisors of Housekeeping and Janitorial Workers 

Supervise the cleaning personnel in hotels, office buildings, hospitals, etc. Look for positions as a housekeeper or janitor. Check the web job posts of local hospitals and hotels. People who would be good in this career are: proactive about cleanliness, detail-oriented, willing to work odd hours. Median Pay: $35,000 to $54,999 Projected Number of Jobs: 10,000 to 49,999

If you want to check the top jobs with a high school diploma list go here . Make sure for “entry-level education” you have “high school diploma” selected. You can sort the list by “projected number of new jobs” and “median pay”.