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Within the last few decades, there’s been a push for people to get four-year degrees due in part to the misconception that a bachelor’s degree is the only ticket to success. However, many of the top-paying skilled trade jobs earn just as much—or more—than jobs that require a four-year university track, and the student loans go with it.
Let’s look at some of the best-paying skilled trade jobs that are out there, plus some details on the skills you’ll need.
As our society grows, we become more dependent on the infrastructure that skilled trades help build. Even more, pipes, electrical lines, and telecom equipment can all break down, and sometimes, only a skilled tradesperson has the skills to fix them.
Needless to say, you can build an entire, lifelong career off of some of these trades—and some places even pay you to learn them!
Median wage: $82,340 per year
If you like building things, prefer working outside, and don’t mind heights, this job may be perfect for you. Electrical powerline installers and repairers lay the cables and wires that power people’s homes and businesses. You might also construct power poles, lights, or the heavy-duty transmission towers that keep America electric (boogie-woogie-woogie).
Training for this career usually involves an apprenticeship—many of which pay you to learn. Along the way, you’ll learn to hone durable skills like critical thinking and problem-solving while mastering equipment maintenance and troubleshooting.
Median wage: $66,390 per year
This is a skill by many names—communications engineer, electronics engineering technician, system technologist, and the list goes on. However, no matter what the official title is, these skilled tradespeople assemble, test, and troubleshoot electrical and electronic devices.
Electrical engineering is a great choice for people who enjoy fixing electronics or electrical systems and love the problem-solving aspects involved in troubleshooting. The training process typically takes less than a year to complete and allows you to work on everything from intercoms to electrical control systems.
Median wage: $61,420 per year
Sometimes called machinery mechanics, these experts repair, adjust, and maintain industrial machinery such as looms, industrial sewing machines, extruders, and other specialized equipment.
Many colleges offer different levels of certificates for these skills. Most of them take less than 12 months to complete before you’re able to combine troubleshooting and critical thinking with the skills to repair equipment that keeps the manufacturing sector running.
Median wage: $61,210 per year
Industrial and manufacturing needs aren’t going away! Industrial engineering technicians help manufacturing production run smoother with better layouts using time and motion studies. This helps companies establish standard production rates.
The ability to teach and communicate effectively is pivotal for industrial engineering technicians. Many technical schools provide courses to train for these positions, but if you have experience in manufacturing, that can also be a huge help for getting into this career track.
Median wage: $60,240 per year
Electricians have been keeping the lights on for over a century—literally! They install, maintain, and repair electrical systems and equipment that allows everything from microwaves to massive manufacturing equipment to run.
Becoming an electrician usually means going through specialized training courses at your local trade school or through local trade unions like the IBEW, which offer apprenticeships. While it can take a few years to become a journeyman or master electrician, most apprentice electrician jobs pay while you learn and get to apply your training in real time.
Median wage: $60,090 per year
When you need a plumber, you need a plumber. The same goes for pipefitters and steamfitters since these trades typically involve gas, steam, or other liquids.
In this line of work, you’ll assemble, install, and repair pipelines or pipe systems. It requires thinking ahead and being able to communicate clearly with both clients and your peers.
Much like electricians, training to become a plumber or pipefitter typically involves attending trade courses at your local trade school, as well as apprenticeships. From there, most plumbing and pipefitting locals pay their apprentices, so you’ll get paid while you learn.
Median wage: $59,960 per year
Not to be confused with lineworkers, these installers and repairers handle switching, distribution, and routing equipment in headends or offices. If you want to work with your hands and fix things but don’t necessarily want to be over 40 feet in the air or working with high-voltage equipment while doing it, this is the job for you.
Courses for this line of work typically take around four months to complete for the most basic certifications. However, the IBEW and other trade unions often offer apprenticeships in this field that can take years but will pay you as an apprentice in the meantime.
Median wage: $58,780 per year
Going into sheet metal work is ideal for people who like to get physical and have a realistic work style. It often involves setting up and operating machines to cut, bend, and form sheet metal to create things like furnace casings, metal ducts, drainpipes, and more.
Many technical and community colleges offer sheet metal fabrication courses to help you learn the basics of the trade for a nominal fee and a few months of work. However, once you’ve ironed out those details, many sheet metal worker locals offer paid apprenticeships that last for 4–5 years and help you achieve your journey-person status.
Median wage: $54,890 per year
In this career, you’re responsible for supplying clean water to your neighbors and treating wastewater. Your decision-making and problem-solving skills will come in handy here, in addition to the specialized training courses you’ll take.
Community colleges across the country offer courses to become a water treatment system operator, many of which take 4–8 months and cost less than many people pay in their monthly rent before they can find stable, well-paying municipal jobs—and the benefits that come with them.
Median wage: $51,390 per year
Carpenters will literally always be in demand—after all, this job is thousands of years old and has withstood the test of time, wars, and the digital age. They have acute mathematics and coordinating skills and have a discerning eye for quality in their work.
Community colleges across the country provide affordable carpentry certificates that you can earn within less than a year. However, many professional training programs and trade unions also offer paid training and apprenticeships so you can get on-the-job training.
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