There is a perception that trade jobs are low-paid; nevertheless, a government census published in 2018 indicated that the median income for persons working in trade jobs is $61,937 greater than the national median income.
You must make a decision that will affect the rest of your life before graduating from high school. That decision is the type of profession you want and how you are going to get there.
For those who thrive at their craft, this article contains a compilation of the 15 best paying trade Jobs in the world. You can make a living out of any of them.
What Is A Trade Job?
In the simplest words, trade jobs are employment that requires training or education beyond high school but usually don’t require a Bachelor’s degree. You might have to head to a vocational school or local community college. There, you will take part in a training program that will provide you with the necessary foundational skills to qualify for the position.
In other situations, you apprentice your way into the profession. You’d work directly with an experienced tradesperson who would show you the ropes with this choice. The approach is more natural, and it usually comes with a salary as well. It’s simply a structured technique to learn on the job, allowing you to meet the criteria of a position without having to go to school.
Additionally, there’s frequently a physical component to the labor. What does that mean? Well, lifting, using hand tools, arranging items by hand, and similar duties are generally part of the equation. That isn’t always the case, but it’s the way it goes more frequently than not
Ultimately, the greatest trade vocations have a ton to offer. They’re worth keeping on the table as long as you’re comfortable with the dangers.
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Why You Should Consider A Trade Job?
Here are a few beneficial reasons why you may want to consider a trade job:
1. Pay is good
The most common misperception about the trades is that they pay badly since they are frequently “blue-collar” jobs. Most tradesmen and women, on the other hand, make more than their college-educated counterparts.
2. Debt reduction
Trade positions necessitate a lower initial educational investment. Typically, only two years of schooling are required to begin working in a trade. Furthermore, the total cost of each year of study is far lower than that of colleges and universities.
One year of trade school at a two-year public institution cost $3,588 on average during the 2017-2018 academic year, compared to $20,790 for one year of in-state tuition at a public four-year university.
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3. High demand
People will always be needed to construct and maintain our society’s infrastructure. The loss of shop class from most U.S. high schools, the stigma surrounding “blue-collar” jobs, and an increase in the percentage of persons with college degrees over the last 25 years are all contributing to the worker shortfall.
Individuals with trade skills, on the other hand, will benefit from this, as the value of their job will likely rise over time as supply decreases.
13 Best Trade Jobs
The category of trade employment is far wider than most people think. As a result, determining which job route is best for you may take some time. But, thankfully, there are a few details that make it easier.
Here are 13 of the highest-paying trade careers available today if you want to locate employment that fulfills your demands on many levels:
1. Technician (HVAC)
An HVAC technician’s profession entails dealing with a variety of heating and cooling systems. Refrigeration systems, heating units, and other machinery and systems fall into this category. Typically, HVAC professionals spend their days in one of two locations.
Many technicians spend their days in shops, which can be hot or chilly depending on the type of workplace and the equipment being worked on. The median income for these types of trade employment is $50,590 per year, according to the US Department of Labor Statistics.
Many HVAC technicians will travel and work on-site during the day. These could include service calls, installations, or repairs in places like schools, houses, workplaces, or offices. While some HVAC technicians learned on the job as an apprentice, with today’s newest technologies and advancements in HVAC, this path to becoming an HVAC technician is becoming increasingly challenging.
2. Plumber
Next on our list of best paying trade jobs is Plumbing. Plumbing service is another one of the high-paying trade jobs that are worth going for this 2022. Basically, the Plumbing service business pays well and has a stable workforce.
Plumbers work in a number of settings, including businesses, houses, industrial and production facilities, and anywhere else where indoor or outdoor plumbing is required. Plumbers earn an average salary of $56,330, according to the US Department of Labor Statistics.
To become a plumber, you can choose one of two paths. Some students enroll in vocational school during their senior year of high school and then go on to acquire on-the-job training.
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3. Electrician
As an electrician, you’ll be in charge of everything from maintaining electrical power to overseeing electrical installations and repairs.
It entails working with a variety of systems, including lighting, communications, power distribution, and control systems.
Electrical systems are serviced in a variety of locations, conditions, and environments, and an electrician can work many overtime hours in a week. While an electrician’s day is never the same, there are numerous advantages and reasons to seek a career as an electrician.
Electricians make an average yearly pay of $56,900, according to the US Department of Labor making it one of the highest paying trade jobs.
4. House inspector
Another trade job with a lot to offer is that of a house inspector, which is on the shortlist of answers to the question, “What are the highest paying trade jobs?” Home inspectors are expected to be able to comprehend and assess a wide range of structures.
To ensure the structural integrity and soundness of buildings, houses, offices, and other structures, home inspectors rely on training, engineering expertise, and sound construction principles. Home inspectors earn an average of $63,150 per year, according to the US Department of Labor Statistics.
Home inspectors benefit from work security, as indicated by a stable employment market and market prediction, in addition to one of the highest trade job earnings. The path to becoming a home inspector begins in trade schools, and it can lead to a productive and gratifying profession.
5. Construction manager
Construction management is one of the most difficult trade school occupations and also one of the best paying trade jobs. A construction manager’s responsibilities entail virtually every facet of a building project.
This covers, among other things, project planning, coordination, and budgeting, as well as construction process oversight. Construction managers earn an average of $97,180 a year, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Construction managers frequently spend their time between an office and job sites where ongoing projects are being built. These roles are also subject to a variety of pressures, including having to answer to several agencies and working long hours.
6. Pipefitter/Steamfitter
Pipefitters do many of the same activities as plumbers, such as installing and repairing existing fixture and piping systems. Pipelayers are a trade that is related to plumbers and pipefitters. Setting piping systems for drains, sewers, and mains is one of these jobs. Pipelayers earn an average yearly income of $43,210, according to the US Department of Labor.
7. Civil Engineer Technologist
Engineering courses and paths to becoming a civil engineer are available at many technical and vocational schools. Civil engineers are in charge of and involved in the development of projects, including infrastructural elements like structural design.
These are also some of the highest-paying tech school positions, with several perks. Civil engineers earn an average of $54,080 per year, according to the US Department of Labor Statistics.
Civil engineers spend a lot of time at the office working on blueprints, designs, and project plans, as well as implementing various construction technologies. Civil engineers will also have to spend time on the job site for various inspections, updates, and other engineering considerations.
Note, an associate’s degree or a certification or certificate from a trade school with courses in civil engineering and engineering technology is usually required to become a civil engineer. Civil engineers have a bright future ahead of them, with moderate growth expected.
8. Telecommunications installer
Telecommunications installers, also known as cable/fiber optics technicians is one of the best trade jobs. They are in charge of all line and equipment repairs as well as the installation of new equipment and lines.
These might include everything from home and business setup and maintenance to major service centers and larger installation facilities. The median wage for cable/fiber optics technicians is $61,470, according to the Department of Labor Statistics.
Long hours and the prospect of working in all types of bad weather are typical requirements for these occupations. Physical tasks such as climbing or crawling may be required by cable technicians at times. These vocations offer a solid employment market, rising prospects with technology, and satisfying careers in addition to good compensation.
The most typical way to start this career is to study electronics and telecommunications as part of a trade school program for telecoms equipment installers. Cable technicians frequently obtain on-the-job training while enrolled in trade school. A career as a cable/fiber optics technician is one of the highest-paying trade school occupations today, with the possibility for even better income in the future.
9. Mechanic for Aircraft
The world of aviation requires mechanics, and an aircraft mechanic’s job is to ensure that everything is in working order before, during, and after each flight.
Aircraft mechanics are frequently employed in repair stations placed in hangers-on airports. Anyone who is mechanically inclined or has a passion for aircraft – or both – should consider this as a prospective career.
Aside from delivering faster-than-average job growth, the US Department of Labor Statistics says that aviation mechanics earn an average of $66,440 per year.
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Aircraft mechanics operate in noisy surroundings and are responsible for a variety of responsibilities, checklists, and maintenance chores. Although emergency calls are a natural part of being an aviation mechanic, the hours of an aircraft mechanic are normally standard full-time schedules. These jobs have traditionally provided work stability and security, making them an even more enticing career choice.
10. Lineman (Electric)
Working as an electric lineman entails dealing with a large volume of power. Installing, maintaining, repairing, and troubleshooting electric lines, electrical power systems, and even telecommunications and fiber optics outages are all jobs for line installers.
Electric line installers’ jobs also entail a lot of travel, the possibility of working in difficult conditions, and the need to climb, haul, or execute physical duties. Electric linemen earn an average of $75,030 per year, according to the US Department of Labor Statistics.
Electric linemen can work in a variety of settings, including office buildings and schools, businesses, and even plants and factories. While there are potentially major risks associated with the profession, as well as long hours and sometimes nighttime shifts.
For those interested in pursuing a career as an electric lineman, trade schools for electricians and linemen are a wonderful place to start, as is looking into apprenticeship programs. Aside from the strong pay, the job outlook is expected to remain stable, which is even better news for anyone seeking a career as an electric lineman.
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11. Dentist/Dental Hygienist
Preventative procedures and hygiene instruction are provided by dental hygienists to help patients maintain good oral health. They remove plaque, tartar, and stains with a variety of hand and ultrasonic equipment, as well as look for indicators of oral disorders like gingivitis and oral cancer.
Depending on the state, these experts can continue their education to become dental therapists, who can extract teeth and place crowns.
Dental hygienist occupations are expected to rise 6% through 2029, bringing 13,300 new employees to the US workforce, according to the BLS. Dental hygienists work in dentist offices more than 9 out of 10 of the time, earning a median yearly pay of $77,090.
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12. Practical Nurse (LPN)
Those who enjoy helping others can choose a career as a licensed practical nurse. LPNs usually work under the supervision of doctors and registered nurses. LPNs work in a variety of settings, including nursing homes and hospitals.
There are also freelance options, as many families are looking for in-home caretakers for sick family members who require special attention.
Licensed practical nurses are also employed by schools and major corporations. Because people require care around the clock, hours in this role are usually flexible. There are also physical requirements that necessitate good health and physical fitness.
13. Diver (commercial)
Commercial divers spend their days working under the water’s surface. These divers are frequently tasked with installing or repairing cracked or broken infrastructure.
An underwater welding procedure is employed to accomplish this. Many of these divers work in the oil business and live on ships. These individuals spend a significant amount of time away from home. Commercial divers, on the other hand, are paid to take skilled images of marine life and underwater structures while working other occupations.
14. Medical Diagnostic Sonographer
This career may be right for you if you’re searching for a low-cost method to get into healthcare. Diagnostic medical sonographers operate ultrasound machines, record patient data, and inform doctors about the results of testing for diagnosis and therapy.
You simply need an associate’s degree and to pass a professional exam to work as a diagnostic medical sonographer (called ARDMS). A diagnostic medical sonographer earns an average of $78,800 per year.
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Conclusion
While not for everyone, trade jobs provide an alternative route to full-time employment and a meaningful, long-lasting career. With a trade job, you can make as much money as many of your college graduate peers (or even more) all while taking on drastically less debt.
References
- creditdonkey.com – Highest Paying Trade Jobs
- wikijob.co.uk – Best 10 Highest Paying Trade Jobs
- indeed.com – Highest Paying Trading Jobs
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