Highest-Paying Trade Jobs: BLS Data on the Best-Paid Skilled Trades

At a Glance

• #1 — Elevator & Escalator Installers: $106,580 median
• #2 — Electrical Power-Line Installers: $92,560 median
• #3 — Construction & Building Inspectors: $71,120 median
• #4 — Industrial Machinery Mechanics: $64,700 median
• #5 — Plumbers: $62,970 median
• #6 — Electricians: $62,350 median
• #7 — HVAC Technicians: $59,810 median
• Most have top-10% pay over $90,000–$130,000

What Counts as This Kind of Degree?

Skilled trades are occupations requiring specialized training — typically apprenticeship or trade-school — but generally not a four-year college degree. The highest-paying trades combine high training investment (4–5 year apprenticeship), licensure gatekeeping, and safety-critical or high-stakes work that rewards precision.

Pay in the trades also scales with specialty, geography, union representation, overtime, and business ownership. Median numbers below come from the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, May 2024.

Who These Programs Suit

• Career starters seeking strong earnings without four-year-degree debt
• Career changers drawn to physical, hands-on work
• Applicants willing to complete multi-year apprenticeships
• Aspiring small-business owners (self-employment is common in trades)
• Geographically mobile workers willing to chase infrastructure projects

Degree and Credential Levels

The table below summarises the main credential levels for this field.

CredentialTypical LengthWhat You Can DoElevator installer / repairer4-year NEIEP apprenticeship$106,580 medianPower-line installer / repairer1–3 years training + apprenticeship$92,560 medianConstruction inspectorExperience + certification$71,120 medianIndustrial machinery mechanicOn-the-job + associate optional$64,700 medianPlumber / electrician / HVAC tech4–5 year apprenticeship$59,810–$62,970 median

Online, Hybrid, and Campus Options

None of these trades is learnable online — hands-on apprenticeship hours are required. A few have excellent trade-school theory programs that can compress later apprenticeship time, but in-person practical work is the core.

Career Paths, Salaries, and Job Outlook

Figures below are May 2024 national median wages from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook unless otherwise noted. Actual pay varies by state, specialty, employer, and experience.

RoleMedian Annual Wage (May 2024)Projected Growth 2024–2034Elevator & Escalator Installers/Repairers$106,580+6%Electrical Power-Line Installers$92,560+8%Construction & Building Inspectors$71,120+0%Industrial Machinery Mechanics$64,700+15%Plumbers, Pipefitters, Steamfitters$62,970+6%Electricians$62,350+11%HVAC Mechanics & Installers$59,810+9%Solar Photovoltaic Installers$51,860+48%

Elevator installers' premium comes from a long 4-year apprenticeship with strict quality requirements, powerful union representation (IUEC), and safety-critical work. Power-line workers earn premiums for hazard, travel, and emergency response.

What Programs Cost

Most of these trades cost very little to train for — apprenticeships pay a wage from day one. Optional trade school programs run $3,500–$25,000. License fees $100–$500 per renewal cycle. Personal tools $1,000–$5,000 depending on trade.

How to Choose the Right Program

1. Look at apprenticeship availability locally. Elevator and power-line slots are limited.
2. Evaluate physical demands realistically — line work and elevator work are strenuous.
3. Weigh union vs merit-shop. Unions typically pay more; merit-shop often hires faster.
4. Consider travel tolerance. Power lines and pipelines require mobility.
5. Track projected growth. Solar PV (+48%) and industrial mechanics (+15%) are outliers.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Picking the highest-paying trade without checking local apprenticeship availability
• Underestimating the physical demands of line or elevator work
• Ignoring growth projections (solar and industrial mechanics beat base trades)
• Overpaying for trade school when apprenticeship is free and paid
• Not considering self-employment as a long-term earnings lever

Key Terms Glossary

• NEIEP — National Elevator Industry Educational Program — the elevator apprenticeship
• IUEC — International Union of Elevator Constructors
• Lineman — Electrical power-line installer/repairer
• Journeyman — Licensed tradesperson eligible for independent work
• Master — Top licensure tier; qualifies for permit-pulling and supervisory work
• Merit-shop — Non-union apprenticeships through ABC, IEC, etc.
• BLS OOH — Occupational Outlook Handbook — the main source for trade wage and growth data
• PV — Photovoltaic — solar electricity

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the highest-paying trade?

Elevator and escalator installers/repairers lead at $106,580 median. Specialty welders and line workers can exceed this.

Do trades pay as much as degrees?

Often yes — and without the debt. Many trades match or exceed median bachelor's earnings when self-employment and overtime are factored in.

Which trade is easiest to enter?

HVAC has a short training runway (6 months–2 years). Solar PV installer is even faster with rapid job growth.

Which trade is hardest?

Elevator and power-line work require long apprenticeships and tolerate minimal error.

Can I make $100,000 in the trades?

Yes — elevator, line, pipeline welding, and master-licensed plumbers/electricians all routinely exceed $100,000.

Is union or non-union better?

Union pays more on average but has stricter apprenticeship windows. Merit-shop hires faster with somewhat lower pay.

Key Takeaways

• Elevator installers are the highest-paid core trade at $106,580 median
• Power-line, plumbing, electrical, and HVAC all pay strongly with free paid apprenticeships
• Solar PV is the fastest-growing specialty (+48% through 2034)
• Self-employment is the biggest long-run earnings lever in most trades
• BLS data — not school marketing — is the best way to rank opportunities