5 Highest-Paying Trades

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Keep scrolling for this week’s main topic: trade jobs 🪠

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Trade jobs are hands-on careers that offer strong pay and job security, with no traditional 4-year degree required. While most people think of roles in construction or manufacturing, trades also include paths in tech, healthcare, and beauty.

So if you’re feeling stuck, want to skip the student debt, or are ready to try something new, our skilled trades career guide is here to help!

Here are the top trade sectors and jobs to explore, and how to get into them 👇

🏗️ Construction

Construction trade roles specialize in hands-on building work, including carpentry, masonry, plumbing, and installation of everything from flooring to structural systems.

• Potential Job Paths: Construction laborer, Construction manager, Electrician, Plumber, Pipefitter, Steamfitter, Carpenter

• Median salary: $58,360 a year

• Highest salary recorded in our database: Construction administrator making $650,000 a year

• Getting started: Start with a high school diploma or GED and then enter an apprenticeship program. Keep reading our guide here for next steps.

⚙️ Manufacturing

Manufacturing trade jobs focus on producing, assembling, and maintaining goods. From welding to machining, these roles are the backbone of how products get made and maintained.

• Potential Job Paths: Welder, Machinist, Assembler, Fabricator, Forklift Operator

• Median salary: $63,510 a year

• Highest salary recorded in our database: Welder making $96,000 a year

• Getting started: Many manufacturing trades offer apprenticeships with the requirement of a high school diploma or GED. Keep reading our guide here for next steps.

🚗 Automotive and Transportation

Automotive and Transportation trades cover the skilled work of repairing, maintaining, and operating vehicles of all kinds — from everyday cars to buses, aircraft, and trains — keeping people and goods moving safely.

• Potential Job Paths: Automotive Service Technician & Mechanic, Diesel Mechanic, Truck Driver, Motorcycle Mechanic, Bus Driver

• Median salary: $58,230 a year

• Highest salary recorded in our database: Aircraft technician making $220,000 a year

• Getting started: These positions typically require a high school diploma or GED, then hands-on training through an apprenticeship or program focused on automotive or diesel technology. Keep reading our guide here for next steps.

⚡ Energy and Utilities

Energy and Utilities trades power the systems we rely on daily, from electricity to water and gas. These jobs require technical expertise in everything from power grid maintenance to the operation of utility equipment.

• Potential Job Paths: Power Plant Operator, Water/Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator, Electrician, Lineworker / Powerline Technician, Gas Utility Technician (on-the-job training; operator qualification required)

• Median salary: $103,600 a year

• Highest salary recorded in our database: $100,000 a year

• Getting started: A high school diploma or GED is a great starting point, then look for specialized training through apprenticeships, technical schools, or utility-sponsored programs. Keep reading our guide here for next steps.

Continue reading our Skilled Trades Career Guide here!

This week, Hannah and James break down the top 5 financial red flags to watch out for in relationships, including financial infidelity and debt denial. Find out what to look out for and how to safely navigate financial conversations with your partner!

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• Which trade job best suits you? 💚 Take our free quiz to find out.

• Want to pivot to tech? ⚾ How this professional baseball player made the switch and became a software tester.

• Jobs you can do anywhere 🌍 Top industries for remote roles.

• Using ChatGPT for your LinkedIn profile? 📑 Don’t make this mistake.

• Boomerang hires are on the rise 🪃 Would you go back? 

Stay tuned for more career-boosting insights and salary data! See you next week! 📩