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Highest paying trade jobs

Skilled trades are the construction, installation, maintenance, repair, production and transport occupations where competence is proved through apprenticeship and licensing rather than a degree. The list is filtered to those trade groups and to occupations that need moderate preparation, then ranked by median pay.

Most trades follow the same shape: a few weeks of classroom safety and theory, then paid work under a licensed journeyworker, then your own licence or certification. You earn throughout.

Ranked by median annual pay

Median annual wage, national, BLS May 2025. Top figure here: $122,890.

Nuclear Power Reactor OperatorsMedium preparation needed · 5,150 employed$122,890median / yrElevator and Escalator Installers and RepairersGrowingMedium preparation needed · 23,790 employed$109,910median / yrPower Distributors and DispatchersMedium preparation needed · 8,520 employed$106,730median / yrElectrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and RelayGrowingMedium preparation needed · 20,720 employed$103,020median / yrPower Plant OperatorsLittle to some preparation needed · 29,320 employed$102,040median / yrBiomass Plant TechniciansLittle to some preparation needed · 29,320 employed$102,040median / yrHydroelectric Plant TechniciansMedium preparation needed · 29,320 employed$102,040median / yrPetroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and GaugersLittle to some preparation needed · 33,160 employed$96,710median / yrElectrical Power-Line Installers and RepairersGrowingLittle to some preparation needed · 131,070 employed$95,320median / yrSignal and Track Switch RepairersMedium preparation needed · 8,720 employed$92,460median / yrGas Plant OperatorsLittle to some preparation needed · 18,030 employed$87,820median / yrElectrical and Electronics Installers and Repairers, Transportation EquipmentGrowingMedium preparation needed · 6,940 employed$84,890median / yrAvionics TechniciansGrowingMedium preparation needed · 18,830 employed$82,280median / yrFirst-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction WorkersGrowingMedium preparation needed · 812,210 employed$79,920median / yrSolar Energy Installation ManagersGrowingMedium preparation needed · 812,210 employed$79,920median / yrAircraft Mechanics and Service TechniciansMedium preparation needed · 138,090 employed$79,870median / yrFirst-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and RepairersMedium preparation needed · 617,500 employed$79,860median / yrStationary Engineers and Boiler OperatorsMedium preparation needed · 28,250 employed$78,620median / yrRoof Bolters, MiningLittle to some preparation needed · 2,160 employed$78,540median / yrChemical Plant and System OperatorsLittle to some preparation needed · 16,610 employed$78,120median / yrBoilermakersLittle to some preparation needed · 10,190 employed$76,410median / yrTerrazzo Workers and FinishersLittle to some preparation needed · 1,180 employed$76,170median / yrConstruction and Building InspectorsMedium preparation needed · 146,720 employed$74,690median / yrEnergy AuditorsMedium preparation needed · 146,720 employed$74,690median / yrLoading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground MiningLittle to some preparation needed · 5,930 employed$74,500median / yrFirst-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating WorkersMedium preparation needed · 673,430 employed$74,450median / yrControl and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical DoorMedium preparation needed · 48,240 employed$74,340median / yrTelecommunications Line Installers and RepairersLittle to some preparation needed · 97,720 employed$74,330median / yrElectrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial EquipmentMedium preparation needed · 65,010 employed$74,090median / yrPile Driver OperatorsLittle to some preparation needed · 2,310 employed$73,300median / yrCommercial DiversGrowingMedium preparation needed · 3,450 employed$72,990median / yrRail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment OperatorsLittle to some preparation needed · 19,580 employed$70,070median / yrTapersLittle to some preparation needed · 12,840 employed$68,270median / yrComputer Numerically Controlled Tool ProgrammersGrowingLittle to some preparation needed · 28,500 employed$68,120median / yrRotary Drill Operators, Oil and GasLittle to some preparation needed · 12,600 employed$67,890median / yrRail Car RepairersLittle to some preparation needed · 21,350 employed$67,530median / yrWatch and Clock RepairersMedium preparation needed · 1,310 employed$67,230median / yrMillwrightsLittle to some preparation needed · 40,330 employed$65,700median / yrMobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except EnginesGrowingMedium preparation needed · 176,600 employed$65,510median / yrAircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems AssemblersLittle to some preparation needed · 34,020 employed$65,380median / yr

How apprenticeships pay

A registered apprenticeship is a job. You start at a percentage of the journeyworker rate — often 40–50% — and step up on a schedule as you complete hours and coursework. Employers or joint labour-management committees usually cover the classroom portion.

Licensing is state by state

Electricians, plumbers, HVAC technicians and elevator installers are licensed at state or local level, with hour requirements and an exam. Check your state's licensing board for the exact hours before signing an apprenticeship agreement.

Where the top of the range comes from

The 90th percentile figures in the trades usually reflect supervisors, foremen, self-employed contractors and heavy overtime work. Progression into supervision or running your own crew is the main route from median to top-decile pay.

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