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Highest Paying Skilled Trades
The 25 highest-paying careers in construction, installation, maintenance, and production trades.
25
Careers
$86,436
Avg Salary
-2.2%
Avg Growth
High School Diploma
Most Common Ed.
1
$122,610-15.3%
2
Power Distributors and Dispatchers
Some College
$107,240-3.2%
3
Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers
High School Diploma
$106,580+5%
5
Biomass Plant Technicians
High School Diploma
$99,670-11.2%
6
Hydroelectric Plant Technicians
Associate's Degree
$99,670-11.2%
7
Power Plant Operators
High School Diploma
$99,670-11.2%
8
Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers
High School Diploma
$97,540-2.8%
9
Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers
High School Diploma
$92,560+6.6%
10
Signal and Track Switch Repairers
Less Than High School
$83,600+1.7%
11
Gas Plant Operators
High School Diploma
$83,400-8.8%
$82,730+6.1%
13
Avionics Technicians
Some College
$81,390+8.2%
$78,690+5.3%
15
Solar Energy Installation Managers
High School Diploma
$78,690+5.3%
16
Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians
Some College
$78,680+4%
17
First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers
High School Diploma
$78,300+3.1%
18
Roof Bolters, Mining
High School DiplomaDeclining Careers to Pivot Away From
$76,640-34.2%
19
Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators
Some College
$75,190+2.2%
20
Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door
High School Diploma
$74,690+1.3%
21
Chemical Plant and System Operators
High School Diploma
$73,540-6.1%
22
Boilermakers
High School Diploma
$73,340-2.4%
23
Construction and Building Inspectors
High School Diploma
$72,120-0.8%
24
Energy Auditors
High School Diploma
$72,120-0.8%
25
$71,300-0.8%
Education Requirements
High School Diploma15 of 25
Some College7 of 25
Associate's Degree2 of 25
Less Than High School1 of 25
Compare Careers in This Guide
Nuclear Power Reactor Operators vs Power Distributors and DispatchersNuclear Power Reactor Operators vs Elevator and Escalator Installers and RepairersPower Distributors and Dispatchers vs Elevator and Escalator Installers and RepairersPower Distributors and Dispatchers vs Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and RelayElevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers vs Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and RelayElevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers vs Biomass Plant TechniciansElectrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay vs Biomass Plant TechniciansElectrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay vs Hydroelectric Plant TechniciansBiomass Plant Technicians vs Hydroelectric Plant TechniciansBiomass Plant Technicians vs Power Plant OperatorsHydroelectric Plant Technicians vs Power Plant OperatorsHydroelectric Plant Technicians vs Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers
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Frequently Asked Questions
- How many careers are in the Highest Paying Skilled Trades guide?
- This guide covers 25 occupations, including Nuclear Power Reactor Operators, Power Distributors and Dispatchers, Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers, and 22 more.
- What is the salary range for careers in this guide?
- Salaries range from $71,300 (Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment) to $122,610 (Nuclear Power Reactor Operators) median annual wage, based on BLS data.
- Which careers in this guide are growing fastest?
- The fastest-growing careers include Avionics Technicians (+8.2%). Growth rates are projected from 2024 to 2034 by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
- What education is typically needed for these careers?
- The most common entry-level requirement is a High School Diploma (15 of 25 careers). Education requirements vary across the guide.
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