The Highest-Paying Trade Jobs In America
When leaving high school, we're often told that going to college or university is one of the only ways to become successful. Well, these trade jobs prove that's not always the case. If you're interested in carpentry, plumbing, mechanical things, or industrial machinery—or anything else that falls into the "trade" category—these are some of the highest-paying trade jobs in America.
Electrician
Electricians are responsible for installing and maintaining a wide variety of electrical systems. This can include the electricals you'll find in your home, or larger electric systems like power grids or in large buildings like shopping malls.
To become an electrician in the United States, you'll need to have a high school diploma and have attended a trade school and obtained a certificate. You can also apply for apprenticeships if you don't want to go the trade school route. Your average salary as a certified electrician is $58,800 per year.
Sailor And Marine Oiler
If you've always dreamt of a life on ocean waves, then becoming a sailor and marine oiler might be right up your alley—particularly if you're interested in the mechanics of how things work. Sailors and marine oilers generally complete high school and earn a diploma. Your training is usually done over a period of 12 months on the job.
Sailors and marine oilers are responsible for keeping the various ship mechanisms oiled and running properly, as well as fixing mechanical problems when they arise. The average salary of a marine oiler is $55,681 per year.
Electrical Powerline Maintenance And Installation
Known as "linemen", working the power lines can be a dangerous job, but it's very rewarding when you're the reason why an entire area gets reconnected to the grid following a storm. This subset of the electrician trade usually works for a power company and is responsible for installing new power lines and maintaining the existing above-ground electrical infrastructure.
Electrical powerline maintenance and installation specialists usually make $35.78 per hour, averaging an annual salary of $71,560.
First-Line Landscaping Company Supervisor
If you've been in the landscaping business for a while and are considering making the step up to supervisor—do it! You'll need good people skills and an excellent time and people-management acumen to qualify as a first-line landscaping company supervisor. You just need a high school diploma for this position, but experience is always welcome.
As a first-line landscaping company supervisor, you can expect an annual salary of $54,000 per year.
Construction Trades Worker
If you enjoy construction, why not try a bit of everything as a construction trades worker? You'll sign on with a construction company—not requiring any experience or qualifications beyond a high school diploma—and mostly learn on the job. If you're always looking for the next thing to fix around your home, this may be a natural fit for you!
Construction trades workers typically earn $48,639 per year.
Drywall And Ceiling Tile Installer
If you don't mind getting messy, but enjoy putting the finishing touch on something, then consider this construction trade. Drywall and ceiling tile installation isn't as easy as it sounds and will require a good understanding of math and geometry, but you only need a high school diploma to enter the trade and can learn the rest on the job.
Drywall and ceiling tile installation specialists typically earn $48,042 per year.
Roofer
Roofers are unsung heroes in the construction industry. You'll spend all day outside in most types of weather installing roofs of all types, from older asphalt shingles to metal sheet roofing. As a roofer, you're expected to show up, work hard, and not fall. You don't require any experience and those without a high school diploma are often considered for roofing jobs by roofing companies (although a high school diploma is always a good idea).
Roofers are paid $22.60 per hour, earning an annual salary of $43,000 per year.
HVAC Mechanic
Heating, ventilation and air-conditioning mechanics, otherwise known as HVAC technicians, are responsible for keeping a home's HVAC system running effectively and efficiently, as well as fixing problems that arise. If you're mechanically inclined and enjoy a diverse work environment (as you'll work with both residential and commercial clients), then consider becoming an HVAC mechanic.
HVAC mechanics are generally required to complete a vocational program and have a high school diploma, but you'll be paid $53,414 per year.
José Andrés Pacheco Cortes, Pexels
Elevator/Escalator Installation And Repair Technician
Elevator and escalator repair and installation technicians are responsible for the maintenance and repair of elevators and escalators—of both freight and passenger types. As elevators and escalators become more common, this job will continue to be in high demand, so you'll never be without work.
Elevator and escalator installation and repair technicians typically require just a high school diploma, as you learn on the job through an apprenticeship program. You'll earn an average salary of $59,888 per year.
Refuse & Recyclable Material Collector
Whether you're working for your city or for a private company, if you like keeping your city's streets clean, then a job as a refuse and recyclable material collector might just be your calling. Usually working on a weekly schedule, and not requiring further than a high school diploma, it's a great opportunity to get out there and see your city, while cleaning it up at the same time.
Refuse and recyclable material collectors earn an average salary of $42,619 per year.
Plumber
Plumbers are our saviors when things go wrong with our water supply. Working in a fast-paced environment with a multitude of problems to solve on any given day or week, plumbing is a great profession to get into if you like problem-solving, working with your hands, and being kept busy. Most plumbers work for a company, but some are (or become) self-employed.
Plumbers earn an average annual salary of $61,089 per year.
Welder
Welders build, repair, and replace metal objects or items using flames generated by welding torches. If you like to build things and enjoy an ever-changing work environment, consider becoming a welder. Requiring only a high school diploma, welders learn everything on the job and can be employed in a variety of commercial environments from automotive to industrial.
Welders can earn an average salary of $46,696 per year.
Aircraft Mechanic
If you've always had a thing for flying and love planes, then why not become an aircraft mechanic and make your obsession your profession? Aircraft mechanics can generally work for a wide variety of companies and work at many different airports across America. You'll need a high school diploma and to attend a technical school if you're considering a career as an aircraft mechanic.
Aircraft mechanics earn a great living—averaging a $69,000 per year salary.
Bus Mechanic
If flying isn't your forte, consider taking your mechanical skills to large vehicles like buses. Bus mechanics are generally employed full-time by either a state, city, or municipal bus company or a private bus tour company. Bus mechanics are generally required to have a high school diploma before beginning a vocational school with a focus on large-vehicle mechanics.
Bus mechanics earn an average salary of $52,000 per year.
Automotive Technician
As long as the world is still driving cars, automotive technicians are going to be in very high demand—you'll likely never be out of work as an automotive technician. Automotive technicians should love taking things apart and putting them back together, working with their hands—which they don't mind getting dirty!
To become an automotive technician, you're typically required to have a high school diploma and two years of automotive mechanic training at a vocational school or community college. Automotive technicians earn an average salary of $47,000 per year.
Millwright
Despite the implication of the word "mill", millwrights don't generally work with wood at all. Instead, they're employed in the maintenance and repair of industrial machinery. They're experts with welders or hydraulic bolters and move great big pieces of machinery into place in industrial environments. Millwrights can be employed in a variety of environments.
Millwrights earn an average salary of $57,262 per year.
CNC Tool Operator
CNC (Computer Numerical Control) tool operators work in construction-related fields using computerized machines to cut through stone, wood, metal, or plastic to create usable items. This can also transfer to artistic installations and artistic goods. CNC tool operators often come from a construction or IT background, as CNC machines operate off software.
CNC operators can earn an average salary of $46,737 per year.
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Flickr
Crane Operator
If you don't mind heights and want to work outdoors with minimal physical labor—and have excellent eyesight—then becoming a crane operator might be your perfect job. Working alone in all weather in a heated cab high above a city or building site might be someone's idea of paradise, after all.
Crane operators earn an average salary of $64,000 per year.
Tom Haga, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Construction Site & Building Inspector
If you've been in the construction trade for a while and want to move up to a more managerial level, consider applying for a position as a site or building inspector. Ensuring buildings meet all safety codes and regulations is critical to maintaining a high-quality infrastructure. To become a building inspector, you'll need a college degree in architectural engineering, civil engineering or a construction-related field.
Building and construction site inspectors can earn an average salary of $66,476 per year.
Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver
If you love the open road and that every job can be different, and you enjoy traveling across America or your home state, consider a career as a tractor-trailer truck driver. While you will be away from home a fair bit, you can only drive so many hours in a day and get to see the country while you're at it!
Tractor-trailer truck drivers typically earn an average salary of $48,713 per year.
Computer Network Support Specialist
Information technology jobs are a hot commodity at the moment and if you have a penchant for IT and don't mind working indoors, and have a knack for troubleshooting and multitasking, then maybe a job as a computer network support specialist is right up your... network cable alley.
Computer network support specialists earn an average salary of $71,000 per year.
Police Dispatcher
If you're a people person and are an excellent communicator, then consider a job with your local law enforcement as a civilian dispatcher. Beware that this job is not for the faint-hearted and can be difficult at times. It's long hours and hearing the worst (and best) of humanity is not for everyone, but you don't need anything except for a high school diploma to qualify for the position.
Police dispatchers earn an average salary of $45,000 per year.
Water And Wastewater Treatment Plant System Operator
Water treatment operators are specialists in working to ensure that their communities have clean drinking water and properly-disposed wastewater. If you can work in an industrial environment and make decisions on-the-fly and follow processes and guidelines closely, then working as a water treatment plant system operator might be just the career you're looking for.
Water treatment plant operators earn an average salary of $51,896 per year.
Civil Engineer Technician
If you've got a love of learning how things in your community function on a grand scale, consider a career as a civil engineering technician. Civil engineering technicians are responsible for aiding engineers in planning, drafting, and overseeing civil engineering projects.
As a civil engineer technician, you could earn an average salary of $56,596 per year.
MRI Technician
MRI technicians are always in demand in hospitals across America, as the waiting list for patients who need MRIs is often far too long. MRI technicians are required to have an associate's degree in radiography or MRI technology.
But, with your MRI certification, you can earn an average salary of $74,692 per year.
Locksmith
If you've ever locked yourself out of your house or car, you know how grateful you were when the local locksmith came out and let you back in, all for a reasonable price and without breaking anything. If you've always enjoyed the minutiae of locks and safe systems, then a career as a locksmith may be in your future.
Locksmiths often make an average of $36,000 per year.
Tool And Die Maker
If you enjoy a job with plenty of attention to detail, plenty of problem-solving and a tangible reward at the end of a hard day's work, then consider becoming a tool and die maker—creating jigs and tools that make a machinist's life easier.
Tool and die makers have an average salary of $55,515 per year.
Brendan Kavanaugh, Wikimedia Commons
Dental Hygienist
If you've always taken good care of your teeth and oral health and want to encourage and assist others to do the same, consider a career as a dental hygienist. Working in a dentist's office with full-time hours and a rewarding position with competitive benefits is often the life of a dental hygienist.
Dental hygienists can earn an average salary of $78,000.
Chef
If you're already a dab hand in the kitchen and want to take your cooking skills to the next level, consider a career as a chef. While you will need to complete training at a vocational culinary school, you'll be infinitely employable anywhere in the country. You're not just a cook—you'll also function as a menu-planner and supply ordering guru
Chefs earn an average salary of $58,739 per year.
Instrumentation Technician
If you always wanted to learn how things worked and are interested in keeping industrial machinery functioning properly, then a job as an instrumentation technician may be exactly the career you've been searching for.
Instrumentation technicians can earn an average salary of $67,342 per year.
Defense Visual Information Distribution Service, Picryl
Heavy Equipment Operator
If you've always been interested in big trucks on building sites—and that childhood sense of bewilderment hasn't dimmed in the slightest—then a career as a heavy equipment operator might be the perfect choice for you. Heavy equipment operators can be certified to work with a variety of large tools and can work on building sites, or in quarries or other places where heavy equipment is necessary.
Heavy equipment operators can make an average salary of $74,911 per year.
Gary Nichols, Wikimedia Commons
Carpenter
Carpenters' days are generally full of one-person make-work projects. Whether they're fixing up their own home or are self-employed and fixing up yours, carpenters are rarely out of work. If you've always enjoyed woodworking and are looking to take your career to the next level, then a career in carpentry can be highly rewarding and lucrative.
Carpenters can make an average salary of $54,204 per year.
Pipefitter
Pipefitters are a highly skilled subset of plumbers that install, maintain, and fabricate piping systems that transport water, wastewater, chemicals, and other materials. Pipefitters can be employed by a company or as self-employed persons, working in commercial, industrial, and manufacturing settings.
Pipefitters can earn an average salary of $74.375 per year.
Computer Programmer
If JavaScript, CSS, and HTML mean something to you, then you might enjoy a career as a computer programmer. Writing and repairing broken code to help computers perform specialized functions is a large part of the job of a computer programmer.
Computer programmers earn an average of $95,638 per year.
Software Developer
If you're a computer wizard with a keen eye for software and what makes good software run effectively, consider a career in software development. You can either work as a freelancer, jumping from project to project, or for a company as a full-time employee.
Software developers are sometimes required to go to a technical school of some sort, or have years of experience in place of education. You will need a high school diploma at the very least. Software developers can earn an average salary of $110,000 per year.
Software Engineer
If software developers create software, then engineers iron out the bugs. If you've considered yourself more of a problem-solver than a problem-maker, then the position of a software engineer may be for you.
Software engineers earn an average salary of $114,275 per year.
Web Developer
If you're like a spider and web design is your thing, consider a career as a web developer. Web developers are responsible for the building and maintenance of websites for companies big and small. Like software development, you can either work for yourself, or be hired full-time for a company.
Web developers can earn an average salary of $123,000 per year.
Air Traffic Controller
If you have a high attention to detail and a large attention span, as well as the ability to analyze and interpret codes and data on a screen, and excellent communication skills, then a job as an air traffic controller may be your calling.
Air traffic controllers earn an average salary of $127,441 per year in a high-stress position.
