Science and medical careers account for all but one of the top ten highest paying jobs in the Birmingham-Hoover region according to a Stacker study released last year using data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

This is due in part to the fact that the UAB school and hospital system has remained the largest employer for the region over the last three decades.

But there’s good news for those who aren’t looking to undergo several years of advanced education to earn a decent paycheck, according to the Birmingham Business Alliance (BBA).

“There has been a noticeable trend across industries, particularly in the technology sector, where the emphasis on requiring a formal degree for job postings has diminished,” said Trevor Sutton –partner of existing business and talent solutions at the BBA.

“More companies are now looking directly at specific skills and certifications. We have seen that companies are now providing their own learning and development programs to train employees accordingly. Tquila Automation, which was recently recruited to Birmingham, is a prime example of a company that has embraced this approach, allowing them to broaden their pool of potential hires.”