What is a middle-skill job?

Middle-skill jobs require some training beyond high school, but not a four-year degree. Despite the current economy, many employers report that they need middle- and high-skilled workers to fill vacant jobs.

Examples of Middle-Skill Jobs

This table lists some common middle-skill jobs in Maryland, along with their average salaries. Click on the education requirements to find training in Maryland for that career.

The green job / bright outlook column identifies jobs with green occupations (leaf icon) and bright outlooks (sun icon).

• Green occupations will likely change as a result of the green economy. Green economy activities and technologies are increasing the demand for occupations, shaping the work and worker requirements needed for occupational performance, or generating new and emerging occupations.
• Bright outlook occupations are expected to grow rapidly in the next several years, will have large numbers of job openings, or are new and emerging occupations.

Occupation	Common Education & Training Requirements	CURRENT JOB OPENINGS
Registered Nurses $74,000	Associate's or Bachelor's Degree	Maryland Workforce Exchange
Computer Support Specialists $48,300	Associate's or Bachelor's Degree WIA State List Post-secondary vocational award	Maryland Workforce Exchange
Heating, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Mechanics & Installers $45,900	Apprenticeship WIA State List Post-secondary vocational award	Maryland Workforce Exchange
Dental Hygienists $72,500	Associate's Degree or Post-secondary certificate	Maryland Workforce Exchange
Bus/Truck Mechanics & Diesel Engine Specialists $43,300	Post-secondary certificate WIA State List Post-secondary vocational award	Maryland Workforce Exchange
Respiratory Therapists $62,000	Associate's Degree WIA State List	Maryland Workforce Exchange
Electrical & Electronic Engineering Technicians $60,000	Associate's Degree WIA State List Post-secondary vocational award Post-secondary vocational award	Maryland Workforce Exchange
Auto Service Technicians & Mechanics $39,600	Post-secondary vocational award WIA State List	Maryland Workforce Exchange
Medical & Clinical Laboratory Technicians $43,000	Associate's or Bachelor's Degree WIA State List Post-secondary vocational award	Maryland Workforce Exchange
Bookkeeping, Accounting, & Auditing Clerks $37,200	Associate's Degree WIA State List Post-secondary vocational award	Maryland Workforce Exchange
Electricians $49,000	Apprenticeship	Maryland Workforce Exchange
Police & Sheriff's Patrol Officers $54,700	Associate's or Bachelor’s Degree; Plus Police Academy Training (Check with local police agencies about their academy trainings.)	Maryland Workforce Exchange
Plumbers, Pipefitters, & Steamfitters $49,400	Apprenticeship	Maryland Workforce Exchange
Pharmacy Technicians $28,300	Associate's Degree WIA State List Post-secondary vocational award	Maryland Workforce Exchange
Fire Fighters $48,600	Associate's or Bachelor’s Degree; plus Fire Academy Training (Check with local fire departments about their academy trainings.)	Maryland Workforce Exchange
Paralegals & Legal Assistants $47,400	Associate's or Bachelor’s Degree WIA State List	Maryland Workforce Exchange
Automotive Body & Related Repairers $40,900	Associate's Degree or Post-secondary certificate WIA State List	Maryland Workforce Exchange
Surgical Technologists $46,300	Associate's Degree WIA State List Post-secondary vocational award	Maryland Workforce Exchange
Legal Secretaries $41,400	Associate's Degree or Post-secondary certificate WIA State List	Maryland Workforce Exchange
Telecommunications Line Installers & Repairers $57,600	Associate's Degree or Post-secondary certificate WIA State List WIA State List	Maryland Workforce Exchange

Source: United States Department of Labor