For a nuclear power reactor operator, which of the following statements is CORRECT?

M: The concept that to earn a big salary without having a college degree may seem impossible, but according to one group, there are jobs out there where you can make six figures without higher education. CNBC’s personal finance correspondent Sharon Epperson is here with details. Good morning, Sharon.
W: Good morning, Tamron.
M: Obviously, we’re not saying not to pursue college if that is an option.
W: Absolutely not.
M: But in the real world, that is not the case for anyone, so you have a list of jobs, but I would guess there are stipulations.
W: There are stipulations. We talked to pay scale, and they said these are the jobs where you could potentially make six figures, over $100,000, but you need to be a top performer. This is not some job you’re going to get right out of high school. You’re probably going to have to get some training.
M: Highly training, well skilled. Let’s start with a nuclear power reactor operator. That sounds like you have to be well trained.
W: Definitely. You can get median pay, average pay of $103,000 a year.
M: Wow.
W: But up to $142,000 for the top 10% in that field.(1)And you just need a high school diploma, convict strictly speaking. I talked to the nuclear regulatory committee and they say you need training, at least three years of service just at the power plant where you work. You need to go through an exam administered by the nuclear regulatory commission. They offer the operating licenses. And there is extensive training while you’re on the job to make sure you’re still up to speed on those skills.
M: I would imagine also background checks for the jobs.
W: Background checks, drug testing, alcohol testing, medical exams, and of course, again, getting your license every six years or so, making sure that you’re up to date.
M: Okay, on the list as well, which is interesting, the health care industry, but specifically personal trainers. And I think of that as a luxury, but apparently, people pay up for it.
W: People pay up and they pay a lot more to, and particularly for specialized training.(2)The median pay is $51,000, but you could get up to $141,000 a year. Now, how is this possible? Again, you’re at the upper end of your field, but also, if you have a lot of specialized training. Some yoga instructors have to have training for at least two years to become certified, and some may even require more. It depends on the facility: it depends on the type of training that you’re doing.
M: All right, this next one is an executive pastry chef that is tempting to me. even though I can’t cook.
W: Yes.
M: Wow! Is the salary gradually raised?
W:(3)Yeah, the salaries can really escalate and the median pay there is probably the lowest on our list, $45,000 or so, but you can earn six figures at the top of your game, and here’s how you do it. You have to have three years’ experience as a pastry chef. You have to have had employees working under you for several years as well, working for yourself, and this is according to the American culinary foundation. And of course, you need to have worked in the field and have ongoing training, but it’s possible.
M: So, this doesn’t mean you have to be a famous pastry chef. Is that what it boils down to?
W: It doesn’t necessarily mean you have to be famous, but you’re probably working at a luxury hotel or restaurant and you’ve had at least 150 hours of training.
M: Okay. On the list as well, handyman in certain fields, six figures.
W: Six figures is possible, again, it varies widely. You could start at $53,000 or so, that’s the median salary, but up to $104,000.(4)And if you’re an electrician, not necessarily a licensed electrician, but somebody who does home appliance work, we get a lot of the statistics from the bureau of labor statistics, and that’s what they say, that there is a potential if you don’t have a high school diploma, you can get the training.
M: And last on the list, massage therapist.
W:(5)Now, this requires a post-secondary nondegree award, 500 hours or so of training and educational programming. It could be at a community college or a four-year institution as well. You don’t need an actual associate’s degree necessarily, but you do need extensive training. It varies by the location and the type of facility, but it’s possible.
M: A wide-ranging list of things there, very interesting.
W: Yeah, interesting. Not saying doesn’t go to college, but consider other options out there.
M: Yes, depend on different conditions. Thank you for your information, Sharon.
W: Pleasure.