Top-Paying Trades in the US: Which Skilled Jobs Offer the Best Salaries?

Top-Paying Trades in the US: Which Skilled Jobs Offer the Best Salaries?

Six-figure jobs without a college loan hanging over your head? Not a fantasy. In July 2025, trade careers aren’t just surviving—they’re thriving, thanks to a national shortage of skilled workers and the endless demand for practical know-how. Choosing the right trade isn’t just about the paycheck, but let’s face it: cracking into the top-earning tier can change your life, your family’s savings, and maybe the kind of car you drive (no more backseat stains from spilled paint cans, hopefully).

The Heavy Hitters: Trades That Pay the Most

There’s a lot of talk about ‘the best’ trade, but if you’re laser-focused on your bank account, numbers don’t lie. Right now, elevator and escalator installers top the American charts, pulling in a median annual wage of $106,240, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) as of May 2024. If you’re picturing yourself clutching blueprints in a hard hat inside some glassy new high-rise, you’re close. These pros splice systems, troubleshoot control panels, and keep millions moving in shopping centers, airports, and skyscrapers—one misstep, and someone’s stuck between floors, so the skill level is high. Not far behind, powerline installers (the folks who make sure you have Wi-Fi and can binge-watch your favorite shows) average around $85,000–$107,000, with overtime often pushing numbers higher, especially during storms or emergencies.

Radiation therapists—yep, the medical trade you maybe haven’t thought about—earn about $99,600 yearly. This job isn’t about climbing utility poles or swinging hammers, but precision work in hospitals with cancer patients. Manufacturing’s big dogs (industrial machinery mechanics, instrument technicians) are landing median pay above $70,000, especially in states like California and Texas, where tech and energy drive up demand.

Check out this table comparing top-paying trades with median salaries for 2025:

TradeMedian Salary (2025)Required Training/Certification
Elevator/Escalator Installer$106,240Apprenticeship + License
Radiation Therapist$99,600Associate Degree + License
Powerline Installer$96,500Apprenticeship/Training
Construction Manager$98,890Experience/Certification
Dental Hygienist$81,500Associate Degree + License
Industrial Machinery Mechanic$74,500Technician Program
HVAC Technician$63,500Technical School

It’s true, “Money isn’t everything”—but steady, recession-resistant work with this kind of income can unlock a lot of doors. As Prof. David Autor, an MIT labor economist, said,

“The skilled trades offer financial security, real autonomy, and a real shot at the American dream, even as college costs keep rising.”

How to Climb the Earnings Ladder in a Trade

So, you’ve set your sights on one of these top-paying jobs. How do you actually land one? Contrary to what your uncle might say, getting into a lucrative trade today isn’t about showing up with a wrench and a good attitude—though those help. Unions, technical schools, and government apprenticeships are your allies. Take elevator installers: almost all start with a four-year apprentice program, usually run by the International Union of Elevator Constructors, mixing paid, hands-on training with classroom science and safety lessons. If you want the top jobs in powerline work, expect to spend between two and four years getting trained, often outdoors, sometimes in less-than-fun weather. Dental hygienists and radiation therapists are more about classroom study, nailing certifications, and clinical training.

Want to stand out? Show up on time, triple-check your work, and make friends with the old-timers—they know how to get things done and dodge burnout. Plus, the licensing tests aren’t jokes. States have strict requirements, so research before you commit. Most trades let you start earning while you’re training, which means no monster student loan payments hanging over your head. If you dream about running the show, look at the project management or supervisory certifications later on. These can boost your pay another $10K–$20K a year, especially on major jobs like highways, office towers, or energy tunnels.

But don’t just focus on the dollar signs: find a specialty you're pumped about. Guys on the line stringing cables through thunderstorms know the paycheck’s sweet—but ask them, and they’ll tell you, endurance and guts matter just as much as ambition. The same goes for medical trades: you need a real heart for patient care, not just a thirst for that fat paycheck.

Hot Spots: Where the Highest Paid Trades Thrive

Hot Spots: Where the Highest Paid Trades Thrive

Location, location, location—this old real estate rule fits the trades, too. If you want to cash in, where you live matters. California and New York pay elevator installers and powerline pros the most, sometimes 20% above national averages, thanks to cost of living and a calendar packed with tech or construction. In oil-and-gas states like Texas and North Dakota, industrial mechanics and welders get paid more, often with signing bonuses because industry can’t find enough skilled hands. The push to upgrade America’s infrastructure means states such as Illinois, Florida, and Georgia are shelling out higher wages to electricians and HVAC techs to keep up with new construction.

Some tips: if your trade is in heavy demand but few people are moving to that area, wage wars start. That means, if you’re open to relocating to a less-glamorous city, you might score better pay and help businesses that are desperate for qualified workers. Small towns and rural areas sometimes pay surprisingly well to snag top trade talent (especially in powerline, welding, or plumbing jobs), so don’t just search in the big cities. Check union boards, local job sites, and word of mouth—the hidden gems aren’t always posted online. Also, short-term specialty contracts (think shutdowns or natural disaster repairs) come with per diem pay and crazy overtime, pushing earnings way above median rates if you’re willing to hustle and travel.

And remember, big waves of retirees are shrinking the workforce in these skilled trades, which pushes wages and hiring perks even higher. Employers are offering flexible schedules, tool allowances, and even tuition reimbursement for extra licensing or continuing education—perks that used to be for corporate gigs. This is happening right now, not just in theory.

Future-Proofing Your Trade Career: What to Expect Next

The skilled labor shortage isn’t slowing down—it’s getting worse. BLS projections say the US will add over 400,000 trade jobs by 2032, but fewer people are enrolling in training programs as the older generation retires. That means higher pay, faster promotions, and more choices for those willing to get their hands dirty and stick with it. It also means job security, even in shaky economies, because you can’t offshore electrical repair or welding a bridge. AI and automation are shaking up some sectors, but hands-on trades—especially those dealing with power systems, heavy equipment, or patient care—aren’t going anywhere soon.

One thing’s for sure: the landscape is changing. Green tech is booming; electricians and HVAC techs who know solar, wind, and smart systems are gold. Building and repairing sustainable infrastructure? The federal government has poured billions into upgrades, and companies are desperate for skilled workers. Jump on this, and you set yourself up for decades of high-paying work. Apprenticeships now often include digital skills, blueprint reading on tablets, and training with the latest tech.

Some trade workers are getting creative, too. TikTok is full of welders, linemen, and mechanics showcasing their skills to millions, landing side gigs, and using that online fame to teach and inspire the next wave. It’s not unheard of for a trades pro to land sponsorship deals or remote consulting work simply by showing off top-tier handywork on social platforms. That’s the new era—having a real skill, sharing it, and picking your projects (and price). If you can learn, adapt, and hustle, you can write your own ticket in the skilled trades, no degree required. The path might be tough, but the payoff? That’s hard to beat.