Highest Paying Trade Jobs - Salary Breakdown by Industry

Considering trade school but worried about the cost?

There are several skilled trade careers fields that can offer increased pay potential and projected growth that do not require a two-year or four-year degree.

Stability, opportunity for growth, and salaries matter when deciding which career to pursue. It is important to consider the availability of jobs within the industry you choose, and how that can impact your career longevity.

Why choose a skilled trade career? The skilled trades offer some of the most rapidly growing occupations without the requirement of a bachelor’s degree. Skilled trades training programs typically cost less compared to a traditional two-year or four-year college degree and can be completed in significantly less time. That means not only can you enter the workforce sooner, but you can also do so with less student loan debt than the average college grad.

The Fastest Growing Skilled Trades Jobs

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the percent change in employment projected 2022-32 for all occupations is just 3%.

That means not only are several careers within the skilled trades industry growing more than the average for all occupations, but some trades occupations also have high earning potential.

Here’s the fastest-growing skilled trades occupations across the next decade (2022-32):

Source: BLS

Where do you start when researching salaries for skilled trades jobs?

When making a career choice, earnings are often a huge deciding factor. You invest in your education, so it’s important to consider the potential return on your investment. However, it’s also important to keep in mind there are many aspects that can impact pay potential, such as experience level, credentials and certifications, work location, employer, industry, etc.

If you’re looking for industry statistics for additional occupations, you can find projected median wages and employment growth for many careers from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Other helpful resources include:

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What are the highest paying skilled trade jobs? A breakdown by industry

Here’s a few of the highest paying trade jobs based on BLS data for median annual wages as of May 2022:

Electricians: $60,240
Plumbers, Pipefitters and Steamfitters: $60,090
HVAC/R Technicians: $51,390
CDL Truck Drivers: $49,920
Massage Therapists: $49,860
Medical Records Specialists: $47,180

Many of the skilled trade jobs listed above can pay much more for workers with more experience. For example, the top 10% of electricians earn more than $102,300. According to Forbes, their list of highest paying trade jobs bring home more than $59,000 a year.

All the skilled trades jobs listed above are projected to grow about as fast or faster than the national average for all occupations (3%) through 2032.

If you’re interested in a specific sector in the skilled trades, for example healthcare or trucking, here’s a breakdown by industry.

Healthcare Support Occupations

Occupational Therapy Assistants: $64,250
Physical Therapist Assistants: $62,770
Massage Therapists: $49,860
Dental Assistants: $44,820
Medical Equipment Preparers: $41,480
Phlebotomists: $38,530
Medical Assistants: $38,270
Occupational Therapy Aides: $37,060
Psychiatric Aides: $37,160
Nursing Assistants: $35,760
Medical Transcriptionists: $34,730

Source: Healthcare Support Occupations (Major Group)

Specialty Trade Contractors

First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers: $73,550
Electricians: $59,240
Plumbers, Pipefitters and Steamfitters: $59,890
Carpenters: $51,630
Construction Laborers: $40,680

Source: Specialty Trade Contractors

Trucking and Transportation

First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers: $64,650
Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists: $48,940
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers: $52,800
Light Truck Drivers: $45,980
Laborers and Freight, Stock and Material Movers, Hand: $38,910

Source: Truck Transportation

Personal Care

These occupations are reported by median hourly wage.

Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance: $46.33/hour
Skincare Specialists: $18.30/hour
Barbers: $16.82/hour
Hairdressers, Hairstylists and Cosmetologists: $16.01/hour

How to start a career in the skilled trades

Careers in the skilled trades industry have the potential for high earnings and they can offer a path to a life-long, rewarding career. Not only do most skilled trades training programs take less time to complete, but they typically require less student loan debt than traditional college programs.

At Midwest Technical Institute (MTI), most programs can be completed in less than a year, and all qualified MTI graduates receive career placement assistance.

If you’re interested in learning more, request more information and a member of the MTI team will reach out.

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