The highest-paying trade jobs include a wide range of professions, from boilermaking to tattoo artistry, and some of them bring six-figure annual salaries.
One constant in our ever-changing world is the fact that good tradespeople will always be in demand, and that’s especially true today, given the deficit. Therefore, having a trade and knowing how to put it to good use can be rather fruitful and bring you a stable income.
If you’re a tradesperson, stay tuned as we list the trade jobs in demand and the salary for each of them.
Key Takeaways
- Trade jobs are in demand, as essential services such as plumbing are always sought-after.
- The training for these positions requires shorter schooling and smaller tuition than the standard four-year undergraduate program.
- Dental hygienist, nurse, and construction manager are among the highest-paying trade jobs.
- Trade jobs that pay $100k per year are more common than office jobs in the same salary range because fewer people choose an artisan career path nowadays.
- You can start preparing for your chosen trade job in high school by looking into your hobbies or shop classes at school.
What Are Trade Jobs?
Trade jobs are typically positions outside of office settings that generally don’t require higher education. Namely, the level of education needed for a trade job depends on the industry and the role itself, but artisans generally don’t attend a standard four-year undergraduate program. Instead, they acquire and practice their skills in vocational schools or apprenticeships.
Many professionals choose trade jobs for numerous reasons. For starters, there’s job security since essential services, such as plumbing or auto repair, are always in demand. Additionally, many trade jobs are far less competitive than those in other fields.
Another benefit of trade jobs is that, as previously mentioned, most of them require shorter schooling and smaller tuition than standard four-year programs. The training programs for these positions typically last from six months to two years. Moreover, an artisan career generally offers flexible hours, good earning potential, and opportunities for turning a hobby into a job.
Considering all the benefits, having a craft can open many doors for you. Without any further ado, let’s see what they are.
9+ Highest-Paying Trade Jobs
In the following lines, we’ll rank the most lucrative artisan careers, including the highest-paying trade jobs without a degree. Knowing the salary range of different artisan positions can help you choose the perfect career path for yourself according to your competence and needs.
#1. Construction Manager
The highest-paying job on our list is the role of construction manager. The average yearly salary for this job is $104,900, and the job outlook is 9%, which is also faster than average. However, to land a construction manager position, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree.
These professionals work alongside engineers and architects on different construction projects, including residential, federal, and commercial ones. Their main responsibility is monitoring the activities on the construction site and delegating responsibilities to other workers.
Besides that, they evaluate blueprints using their problem-solving and analytical skills to offer cost and time estimates for the completion of the projects. Their responsibilities also include hiring workers, getting building permits, and ensuring everything is in accordance with building regulations.
#2. Dental Hygienist
As one of the highest-paying trade jobs overall, a dental hygienist earns a median salary of $87,530 a year. This job requires an associate degree, and the outlook is 9%, which is considered faster than average.
Dental hygienists work alongside dentists. Their duties include providing patients with preventive dental care, cleaning and polishing their teeth, and educating them on proper oral hygiene, such as correct brushing and flossing. Additionally, dental hygienists’ skills include taking X-rays when they’re needed for diagnostics and managing patients’ dental records.
#3. Nurse
Nurses make $86,070 on average on a yearly basis with a postsecondary nondegree award, and the job outlook for this position is faster than average—6%.
Nurses work alongside doctors and under their direction. They’re responsible for updating patients’ charts and informing their supervisors of changes. Moreover, their duties and skills include bathing and dressing patients, tracking their vital signs, and distributing medications.
#4. Boilermaker
At the moment, boilermakers earn $71,140 a year on average. However, the job outlook is -1%, which means this job will decline in employment over the next ten years. If this trade interests you regardless, the level of education you’ll need is a high school diploma. Additionally, beginner boilermakers acquire job-related skills through apprenticeships.
As for the job description, boilermakers assemble, install, maintain, and repair boilers and other large containers or vessels holding liquids or gases.
#5. Cable Technician
Cable technicians make $62,350 per year on average. The education required for the job is a postsecondary nondegree award, but the job outlook will be declining 3% in the next 10 years.
These professionals are responsible for setting up and repairing cable lines in buildings, including residential and commercial ones. Their duties include informing clients of problems, troubleshooting them, and maintaining or replacing equipment.
Their schedule is usually not fixed, as they need to troubleshoot issues with cable lines and respond to broad outages. For these reasons, they often work overtime or on-call. Additionally, since they often work outside regardless of the weather, they must take safety measures to prevent injuries.
#6. Electrician
Electricians need a high school diploma and have a median salary of $61,590 a year. They’re always in demand, so the job outlook of 11% is not surprising.
Their skills include installing, maintaining, and repairing electrical systems in residential buildings, factories, and businesses. Additionally, their job requires critical thinking skills, as they need to perform diagnostics in case of a malfunction.
Some other duties that come with this profession include reading blueprints, troubleshooting problems, and fixing and replacing faulty components of electrical systems. While doing so, they must comply with local regulations.
#7. Plumber
Plumbers generally begin as apprentices, but they can also go to trade schools, training programs, and vocational schools. They make $61,550 a year on average, and the job outlook is 6%.
Plumbers install, maintain, and fix water supply systems in both residential and commercial buildings. This includes setting up and repairing sinks, pipes, bathtubs, showers, toilets, and water heaters.
Other responsibilities of a plumber include advising clients on limiting service interruptions, obtaining the necessary permits, reviewing equipment to make sure it’s in accordance with regulations, and regularly maintaining customers’ systems.
#8. Tattoo Artist
The job of a tattoo artist brings in $52,910 a year on average. To start working in such a position, you’ll need to take a course or do an apprenticeship. This job, which belongs to crafts and fine arts, has an outlook of 3%, which isn’t surprising given that tattoo art is continuously rising in popularity.
These professionals use their creative skills to apply words or pictures to clients’ skin using needles and ink. They have different styles—some only use black ink, while others do colored tattoos. Additionally, depending on their interests, a tattoo artist may specialize in certain themes, such as flora or fauna.
A tattoo artist’s job begins with consultations with clients and sketches. They’re also responsible for sterilizing equipment in between appointments and offering advice on aftercare.
#9. Welder
Welders make an average of $48,940 on a yearly basis. To practice this trade, you’ll need a high school diploma or GED (general education diploma). As for the job outlook, it’s 2%, meaning that it’s projected to show little to no change over the next decade.
A welder is a manufacturing or construction specialist who uses heat to merge metal objects. Additionally, they interpret blueprints and plans from engineers and use appropriate tools for fusing metals.
Besides that, welders are responsible for maintaining their equipment, determining safe welding temperatures, and taking safety measures to prevent injuries on the job.
#10. Hairstylist
A hairstylist is one of the professions that requires a lot of creativity and precision. It’s always in demand, especially due to ever-changing trends; they earn an average of $35,080 per year, and the job outlook is 8%.
Hairstylists are cosmetology professionals who provide hair services in salons. Their skills include haircuts, hair styling (blow drying, straightening, curling, etc.), partial or full hair coloring, and various conditioning treatments.
They can also be responsible for using and recommending (sometimes even selling) high-quality hair products, offering advice on proper hair care and hygiene, and keeping up with the latest trends in their field. Plus, many hairstylists either run their own businesses or aspire to do so in the future, so they need to have good marketing skills.
How to Find Trade Jobs
There’s no one universal way to find a trade job. Depending on the industry and position, you can either land a job as an entry-level employee and get in-house training or obtain certain certifications before you apply.
To encompass all the different ways to land a trade job, we’ll break the process down into steps.
#1. Finish High School
Most trade jobs require a high school diploma or GED. However, you can begin your preparations for a trade of your choosing while you’re still at school by taking a shop class. Additionally, you may experiment with different crafts at home to see what career path would be most suitable for you.
#2. Choose a Trade
Once you graduate high school, you can choose the trade that piques your interest most. Depending on your talents and competence, you may go for a skilled trade, such as plumbing or welding, or an artsy one, such as tattoo artistry.
One of the great things about trade jobs is that they can correlate with your hobbies. Think of what you like to do in your spare time—your perfect career idea may be right in front of you.
#3. Choose an Educational Program
Now that you know what you want to do, you can select a training program. Depending on your chosen trade, you may need to attend a technical school or certification classes. While not every trade requires formal education, you can gain an advantage in your field by taking formal education classes.
#4. Secure an Apprenticeship
One way to land a trade job is through an apprenticeship. You can secure one through training institutions or employment programs and agencies. Additionally, you may look for an apprenticeship program in professional associations, local trade unions, or private and public sector businesses.
#5. Obtain a License
Depending on the trade, you may need a license to practice it. License exams typically focus on regulations and decrees, so, to prepare for one, you’ll probably have to attend certain classes and complete an on-the-job training program.
#6. Become a Journeyperson
Once you complete all the necessary steps, you can become a journeyperson. That means you can practice your trade under your own license instead of another tradesperson’s license. Depending on the job itself, working as a journeyperson can last from one to five years; afterward, you can become a master tradesperson.
Final Thoughts
Most trade jobs are always in demand because we all need electricians, plumbers, hairstylists, and nurses. Choosing one of them as a career path can prove quite fruitful, especially if you pick one of the highest-paying trade jobs we mentioned above. Moreover, as a tradesperson, you may be able to be self-employed and enjoy various other benefits, such as flexible hours.
Highest-Paying Trade Jobs FAQ
#1. What is the easiest high-paying trade to learn?
One of the easiest high-paying trades to learn is an electrician, as the training to become one typically lasts for about 10 months. Other easy-to-learn trades include flight attendance and truck driving.
#2. What trade jobs pay the most?
Trade jobs that pay the most include dental hygienist, nurse, and construction manager. An average yearly salary for these professions ranges from $90,000 to $100,000.
#3. What trade job is right for me?
Determining what trade job is right for you depends on your interests and competence. You may find the perfect one for you by looking through your hobbies, as they often correlate with trades.
#4. What is the fastest trade to learn?
The fastest trades to learn are those for electrician, truck driver, and flight attendant positions. Training for these jobs usually takes from three months up to 10 months.
#5. Do I need a college degree to do a trade job?
You don’t need a college degree for most trade jobs. However, some of them, such as construction managers, require a bachelor’s degree.
