$35 an hour without a degree? See 5 metro-east jobs that don’t require a college diploma
If you’re looking for a new job in the metro-east that doesn’t require a college education, there are a variety of positions available. Only 28% of Belleville residents have a bachelor’s degree, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Unemployment saw a slight decline from 5.3 to 5.2% in the Land of Lincoln in December, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The rate had previously held steady at 5.3% from August to November.
The greater St. Louis metropolitan area’s unemployment rate is lower than Illinois’ statewide number, at 3.2% in December, according to the BLS. The local unemployment rate declined slightly each month from October to December.
Many updated and new laws went into effect in Illinois in January, including several affecting employment rights. One major update was a pay transparency amendment to the Illinois Equal Pay Act of 2003, requiring employers with more than 15 workers to include pay scale and benefit information in job postings. Illinois state government positions have already included pay range information, but many private businesses will now do so, as well.
Although the metro-east’s unemployment rate is lower than the state’s, seven southern Illinois counties are among the 10 poorest statewide, according to a recent SmartAsset analysis. St. Clair County was named the 29th wealthiest county, and the Census Bureau reports the county’s median household income is $70,178.
Here’s a roundup of five job postings in southwestern Illinois that state they don’t require a college degree, plus what they pay. Other requirements, such as technical training or field experience, may apply.
Body shop technician
Employer: Truck Centers, Inc.
Location: Troy
Job type: Full-time
Wage: $23.50 to $35.24 per hour
Required qualifications for this position include a high school diploma or equivalent, a driver’s license, mechanical knowledge and more.
Job responsibilities include, according to the listing:
“Review each repair order (RO) and estimator’s notes to understand the repairs needed prior to beginning work on the vehicle.
Perform vehicle teardown, repairs of all types, welding, and painting as instructed.
Identify parts necessary for repair completion and work in conjunction with Parts department to reduce downtime.
Maintain thorough knowledge of heavy-duty operating systems and OEM technical repair processes.
Maintain a clean, organized, and safe workspace according to company and Elite Support guidelines.”
You can apply for the body shop technician position online.
School bus driver
Employer: First Student
Location: Cahokia
Job type: Part-time
Wage: $22 to $26 per hour
Required qualifications for this position include a valid driver’s license you’ve had for at least three years and a 21-year age minimum. The listing encourages applications from candidates who do not have a college degree or high school diploma, those with military experience, retirees and people looking to jump start a new career.
Bus driver experience is not required, the listing says, and the job schedule involves a split-shift with before-school pickups and after-school dropoffs.
You can apply for the school bus driver position online.
Personal banker
Employer: Commerce Bank
Location: Belleville
Job type: Full-time
Wage: $19.50 to $23.75 per hour
Required qualifications for this position include a high school diploma or equivalent and at least one year of experience in sales or customer service, the listing says. Additionally, experience working in an environment with individual and team sales goals is preferred.
Job responsibilities include, the listing says:
“Interact with customers both in person and over the phone to ensure their financial needs are being met through needs-based conversations and sales fulfillment
Actively listen, understand, and make recommendations of products and services based on customer needs to ensure individual and team sales and services goals are achieved.
Educate customers on a variety of retail products and digital solutions that enhance the customer experience and contribute to achieving sales goals
Ensure financial transactions are completed accurately and efficiently, while complying with all policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements
Identify complex financial needs and refer customers to bank specialists when appropriate.
Perform other duties as assigned”
You can apply for the personal banker position online.
Office assistant
Employer: Behrmann Meats & Processing
Location: Albers
Job type: Full-time
Wage: Starts at $18.50 per hour
Qualifications for this position include a high school diploma or equivalent, one to three years of relevant experience in an office setting, preferably in an administrative or clerical role, Microsoft Suite experience and more.
Job responsibilities include, the listing says:
“Provide administrative support to VP Operation
Data Entry and Record Keeping
Scheduling interviews, onboarding, administrative work
Maintain Employee Filing System
Verify hours worked
Flexibility and the ability to prioritize new tasks as they come in
Operate a personal computer to draft basic correspondence
Ability to understand and follow specific instructions and procedures
Use of operating basic office equipment
Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned”
You can apply for the office assistant position online.
Food service worker
Employer: Riverbend Head Start & Family Services
Location: Granite City
Job type: Full-time
Wage: $16.78 per hour
Qualifications for the position include a high school diploma or equivalent, possess or be able to obtain a food handler’s certificate and the ability to provide their own transportation to and from work, and one year of related experience is preferred, according to the listing.
Job responsibilities include, the listing says:
“Support internally and externally, verbally and in action, the mission of Riverbend Head Start & Family Services.
Demonstrate commitment to the total Agency and its strategic direction through collaboration with other programs and department to further organizational goals.
Takes temperatures of foods delivered and records those temperatures on food quality forms turning in forms monthly according to policies and procedures.
Orders all paper products and utensils for food consumption, as needed.
Orders food for field trips.
Stores all food and paper products in an orderly fashion.
Serves and delivers A.M. and P.M. meals to each classroom.
Cleans tabletops after each serving, following guidelines of sanitizing with soap and water.
Empties, rinses out and stacks all foodservice pans after each lunch.
Cleans inside and outside of microwave oven daily.
Cleans refrigerator weekly.
Cleans outside of food warmer daily and the inside of the unit weekly.
Wipes down walls where food service tables are directly affected.
Assist teachers in planning and securing food items for cooking activities.
Provide clerical support to site and staff.
Other duties as assigned.”
You can apply online for the food service worker position.
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