7 fastest-growing, well-paying Georgia jobs that don't require a four-year degree

If you're looking for a job but don't have a college degree, all it takes is a GED to qualify for these jobs Electrician: $45,150 Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters: $44,410 Property, real estate and community associate managers: $72,480 Real estate sales agents: $45,620 Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing: $63,710 Supervisor of construction trades and extraction workers: $58,040 Supervisor of helpers, laborers and mat movers (hand): $50,900 Supervisor of landscaping lawn service and g

Looking for a new career in Georgia? While you might assume you need a four-year degree to compete for in-demand jobs with good pay, that's not necessarily true. There are a number of professions that fit these criteria and require only an associate degree or, in some cases, only a high school diploma or the equivalent.

They range from health care professions to the auto repair field, and when an associate degree is required, you can get the education you need in Atlanta in many cases.

The following are seven of the fastest-growing jobs in Georgia that don't require a four-year degree, according to the Georgia Department of Labor:

Respiratory therapist

What you'll do: care for patients – ranging from infants to older adults – who have trouble breathing

Education required: associate degree

Annual wage: $54,300, according to the 2016 edition of the Georgia Wage Survey

Annual openings: 160

Job growth: expected to grow nationally by 23 percent (much faster than the average occupation), according to the United States Department of Labor's Bureau of Statistics.

What else you need to know: Many respiratory therapists work in hospitals, so you may work at any time of day. Gwinnett Technical College offers a respiratory therapist degree.

Supervisors of office and administrative support workers

What you'll do: directly supervise and coordinate workers' activities at sites such as doctors' offices, stores, manufacturing facilities and more

Education required: high school diploma or equivalent

Annual wage: $56,800

Annual openings: 1,160

What else you need to know: The Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell area was ranked seventh nationally among metropolitan areas with the highest employment level in this occupation, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Sales representatives – wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products

What you'll do: sell products related to such areas as electronics, engineering and biology

Education required: high school diploma or equivalent, or possibly an associate degree

Annual wage: $64,400

Annual openings: 1,730

What else you need to know: Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell was ranked sixth nationally among metropolitan areas with the highest employment levels in this occupation, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Lyric Wardlow, 19, talks with dental hygienist Richardeen Bowden during her exam at Rose Dental Group through Capital Area Dental Foundation. Deborah Cannon / For American-Statesman

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Dental hygienist

What you'll do: clean teeth, examine patients for oral disease, provide and explain other preventative dental care

Education required: associate degree

Annual wage: $63,800

Annual openings: 200

What else you need to know: This profession is expected to grow by 20 percent by 2026, which is much faster than average. Atlanta Technical College and Georgia State University Perimeter College offer two-year dental hygiene degrees.

Computer user support specialist

What you'll do: provide help and advice to computer users and organizations

Education required: Some college, no degree

Annual wage: $52,700

Annual openings: 570

What else you need to know: Job prospects should be good in the Atlanta area, since it ranks second among metro areas with the highest employment in this profession.

Automotive body and related repairer

What you'll do: repair and refinish auto vehicle bodies and frames

Education required: High school diploma or equivalent

Annual wage: $47,900

Annual openings: 150

What else you need to know: Job prospects could be particularly good in the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell metro area, since it's ranked fourth among metro areas for employment in this occupation.

Paralegal and legal assistant

What you'll do: support lawyers by performing tasks such as conducting legal research, drafting documents and maintaining files

Education required: associate degree or completion of a certificate program

Annual wage: $54,600

Annual openings: 280

What else you need to know: The job outlook for this profession is expected to grow 15 percent by 2026, which is much faster than average. You can earn your associate's degree in paralegal studies at Atlanta Technical College.