I monitor air pollution. Cool job, but it took a hard science degree and the amount I can make depends on government regulations. So, four year degree and significant loans for a poor white boy like me.
My wife got her LPN license in half the time, it was almost free, and she makes almost what I do. If she were male, she'd make more. If she took a week long certificate course for a specialty or two, she'd make a lot more. I think travel nurses do alright, too.
