46 High Paying Trade Jobs to Consider

A trade job refers to any type of job that requires advanced skills and training that are obtained in ways other than an associate or bachelor’s degree. Most trade jobs require on-the-job training and significant experience before you can do the job on your own.

Here are some high paying trade jobs for you to consider:

Electrician

Average Base Pay: $47,033 per year

Number of Open Jobs: 9,800

Electricians are responsible for installing, maintaining, and repairing wiring, lighting systems, and electrical controls in buildings.

Plumber

Average Base Pay: $47,596 per year

Number of Open Jobs: 6,100

As a plumber, you will be responsible for installing and maintaining pipes, drainage systems, pipes, fixtures, and fittings in commercial and residential properties. Plumbers are needed to collaborate with electricians, contractors, and other construction professionals when homes and structures are being built. They also perform routine inspections of drainage and plumbing systems and respond to and resolve plumbing emergencies.

Avionics technician

Average Base Pay: $47,791 per year

Number of Open Jobs: 3,100

Avionics technicians are responsible for installing, testing, adjusting, or repairing avionics equipment, including navigation, radio, and radar systems. The avionics technician is responsible for all of the electronics onboard an aircraft, in addition to the wiring. It’s their job to make sure that all of these systems are functioning as designed prior to the time a helicopter or plane takes off. When a problem is found, they are responsible for making the repair so it can be cleared for use again.

Carpenter

Average Base Pay: $53,247 per year

Number of Open Jobs: 7,300

Description: Carpenters are responsible for designing, building, and repairing structures, furniture, and other items using a variety of different materials, including steel and wood. Depending on their area of specialty, some of their specific duties may vary. However, they can include building and installing cabinets, remodeling homes, replacing ceiling tiles and doors, or building or repairing furniture.

Welder

Average Base Pay: $38,166 per year

Number of Open Jobs: 5,000

A welder is responsible for managing the machines that are used to repair tools, equipment, and metal structures. Depending on your area of specialty as a welder, your specific responsibilities may vary. Some welders use welding machines to make repairs while others use them to produce metal products based on customer specifications.

HVAC technician

Average Base Pay: $37,437 per year

Number of Open Jobs: 31,000

As an HVAC technician, you are responsible for installing, repairing, and maintaining ventilation, air conditioning, refrigeration, or heating systems. The specific responsibilities for an HVAC technician can vary depending on whether they specialize in maintenance and repair or in performing installations. Some HVAC technicians also may specialize in one type of system, such as just refrigeration or just air conditioning. In addition to managing the repair and replacement of HVAC systems, these technicians collaborate with the sales team or engineering department to develop services that best meet the needs of customers and opportunities within the market.

Construction equipment operator

Average Base Pay: $45,642 per year

Number of Open Jobs: 8,100

A construction equipment operator, also referred to as a heavy equipment operator, is responsible for driving construction equipment like forklifts, dump trucks, bulldozers, backhoes, and cargo trucks. They ensure that the machines are operated in the right direction and at the right angle to prevent accidents and adhere to strict safety protocols. Depending on the machinery that they’re operating, they may perform excavation work, road work, and other types of lifting work.

Boilermaker

Average Base Pay: $38,166 per year

Number of Open Jobs: 600

As a boilermaker, you would be responsible for making and installing boilers and other containers that house gases and liquids. Some of their primary responsibilities include testing boilers and performing routine maintenance, reading blueprints, casting pieces, and bending them in the right shape to form a boiler. Boilermakers are also responsible for organizing and arranging the parts for pre-made boilers prior to assembly, and for assembling boiler tanks using robotic or automatic welding. When they’re done assembling boilers, they’re responsible for testing the systems to confirm that there are no leaks or defects.

Aircraft mechanic

Average Base Pay: $41,440 per year

Number of Open Jobs: 1,300

An aircraft mechanic is someone who’s responsible for performing routine maintenance and repairs on all different types of aircraft, from airplanes to helicopters. Aircraft mechanics are responsible for repairing brakes, wings, electrical systems, and other components on an airplane. They are also responsible for testing parts with diagnostic equipment and inspecting work when it’s been completed to ensure it meets the required standards.

Construction manager

Average Base Pay: $74,730 per year

Number of Open Jobs: 38,000

Construction managers coordinate and supervise construction projects, including the building of commercial and residential structures as well as bridges, roads, and memorials.

Air traffic controller

Average Base Pay: $41,665 per year

Number of Open Jobs: 200

An air traffic controller is responsible for directing aircraft in and out of airspace safely. They monitor different types of aircraft as they travel from one location to the next and guide the pilots during takeoff and landing.

Logistics manager

Average Base Pay: $58,156 per year

Number of Open Jobs: 17,800

As a logistics manager, you would be responsible for managing the storage and distribution of goods, making sure they’re delivered to the correct locations on time and for a reasonable price. Logistics managers are also involved in stock control, transportation, warehousing, and monitoring the movement of goods.

• Carpet installer
• Painter
• Landscaper
• Insulation installer
• Machinist
• Locksmith
• Steam engineer
• Mechanical drafter
• Ironworker
• Asbestos worker
• Metal fabricator
• Pile-driver operator
• Commercial driver
• Crane operator
• Pipefitter
• Rotary drill operator
• Brick mason
• Diesel mechanic
• Margin department supervisor
• Dental hygienist
• Funeral service worker
• Home inspector
• Landscape artist
• Court reporter
• Floorcovering installer
• Natural gas compression technician
• Sprinkler system installer
• Sheet metal worker
• Motorcycle mechanic
• Metal fabricator
• Electric motor systems technician
• Powerline technician
• Automotive mechanic
• Elevator mechanic