Skilled trades careers: pay, training and career paths
Career guides for 21 hands-on careers: what each trade involves, how to get started, what it pays in every state, the job outlook and where it can lead. Every figure comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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Electrical
Power homes, businesses and industry, and keep them running safely.
U.S. median pay $63,190 · Growth +9%
Electrician career guide →HVAC
Keep people warm, cool and breathing clean air.
U.S. median pay $61,010 · Growth +11%
HVAC technician career guide →Plumbing
Keep water, gas and heat flowing in every building.
U.S. median pay $63,800 · Growth +7%
Plumber career guide →Aircraft Maintenance
Keep planes and helicopters safe to fly.
U.S. median pay $80,180 · Growth +6%
Aircraft mechanic career guide →Automotive Repair
Diagnose and fix the cars and trucks people rely on.
U.S. median pay $50,620 · Growth +5%
Auto mechanic career guide →Boilermaking
Build and repair the giant boilers and tanks that power industry.
U.S. median pay $76,410 · Growth −2%
Boilermaker career guide →Carpentry
Build the frames, forms and finishes of every structure.
U.S. median pay $60,580 · Growth +4%
Carpenter career guide →Diesel Mechanics
Keep trucks, buses and heavy equipment on the road.
U.S. median pay $61,770 · Growth +4%
Diesel mechanic career guide →Elevator & Escalator
Keep people moving safely up and down every tall building.
U.S. median pay $109,910 · Growth +6%
Elevator mechanic career guide →Glazing
Install the glass that lets light into buildings.
U.S. median pay $57,080 · Growth +2%
Glazier career guide →Heavy Equipment Operation
Run the machines that build roads, sites and cities.
U.S. median pay $59,600 · Growth +4%
Heavy equipment operator career guide →Ironwork
Raise the steel skeletons of buildings and bridges.
U.S. median pay $61,910 · Growth +1%
Ironworker career guide →Line Work
Build and repair the power lines that keep the lights on.
U.S. median pay $95,320 · Growth +10%
Lineworker career guide →Machining
Make precision metal parts to the thousandth of an inch.
U.S. median pay $59,620 · Growth −1%
Machinist career guide →Masonry
Build with brick, block and stone that lasts for generations.
U.S. median pay $58,270 · Growth +1%
Mason career guide →Roofing
Keep homes and buildings protected from the weather.
U.S. median pay $55,440 · Growth +5%
Roofer career guide →Sheet Metal
Shape and install the metal behind heating, cooling and building exteriors.
U.S. median pay $61,800 · Growth +3%
Sheet metal worker career guide →Solar Installation
Put clean energy on rooftops across the country.
U.S. median pay $53,140 · Growth +37%
Solar installer career guide →Truck Driving
Move the goods the whole country runs on.
U.S. median pay $58,640 · Growth +4%
Truck driver career guide →Welding
Join the metal that holds everything together.
U.S. median pay $53,750 · Growth +2%
Welder career guide →Wind Turbine Service
Keep wind turbines turning, hundreds of feet up.
U.S. median pay $64,120 · Growth +30%
Wind turbine technician career guide →
Highest-paying skilled trades, compared
U.S. median annual pay, projected job growth and yearly openings for each trade, sorted by pay.
| Career | Median pay | Growth 2025–35 | Openings a year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevator mechanic | $109,910 | +6% | 1,900 |
| Lineworker | $95,320 | +10% | 10,900 |
| Aircraft mechanic | $80,180 | +6% | 13,100 |
| Boilermaker | $76,410 | −2% | 700 |
| Wind turbine technician | $64,120 | +30% | 1,500 |
| Plumber | $63,800 | +7% | 42,000 |
| Electrician | $63,190 | +9% | 72,700 |
| Ironworker | $61,910 | +1% | 6,800 |
| Sheet metal worker | $61,800 | +3% | 9,800 |
| Diesel mechanic | $61,770 | +4% | 24,400 |
| HVAC technician | $61,010 | +11% | 40,600 |
| Carpenter | $60,580 | +4% | 62,800 |
| Machinist | $59,620 | −1% | 30,400 |
| Heavy equipment operator | $59,600 | +4% | 42,500 |
| Truck driver | $58,640 | +4% | 214,500 |
| Mason | $58,270 | +1% | 18,400 |
| Glazier | $57,080 | +2% | 3,900 |
| Roofer | $55,440 | +5% | 12,000 |
| Welder | $53,750 | +2% | 40,300 |
| Solar installer | $53,140 | +37% | 4,200 |
| Auto mechanic | $50,620 | +5% | 66,200 |
Find careers by what you like
Electricity and wiring
Electricians, HVAC technicians, Aircraft mechanics, Elevator mechanics, Lineworkers, Solar installers, Wind turbine technicians
Building structures
Boilermakers, Carpenters, Glaziers, Heavy equipment operators, Ironworkers, Masons, Roofers, Sheet metal workers
Machines and equipment
Elevator mechanics, Heavy equipment operators, Machinists, Wind turbine technicians
Figuring out and fixing problems
Electricians, HVAC technicians, Plumbers, Aircraft mechanics, Auto mechanics, Diesel mechanics, Elevator mechanics, Wind turbine technicians
Working outdoors
Carpenters, Heavy equipment operators, Ironworkers, Lineworkers, Masons, Roofers, Solar installers, Welders, Wind turbine technicians
Working mostly indoors
Electricians, HVAC technicians, Plumbers, Aircraft mechanics, Auto mechanics, Elevator mechanics, Machinists
Comfortable with heights
Glaziers, Ironworkers, Lineworkers, Roofers, Solar installers, Wind turbine technicians
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