Top Highest Paid Trade Jobs- No College Degree Required!
Searching for the Highest Paid Trade Jobs which are lucriative and don’t require the traditional college degree, then this article is for you. Here we list the top highest paying trade jobs available without having to attend higher education. Typically all you need to do to secure one of these skilled trade jobs is to complete an apprenticeship program. So, if you want to make more money than other people in your field, these are some of the trade school jobs available to you!
The Highest Paid Trade Jobs are;
1. Ultrasound Technician (Highest Paid Trade Jobs)
Description: Ultrasound technicians are the health care professionals who use ultrasound technology to create images of a patient’s internal organs. These images can be used for diagnostic purposes by physicians, allowing them to detect any abnormalities in the patients’ anatomy.
Salary – $65,450 per year
Requirements/Education – High school diploma or equivalent; ultrasound training program
Hiring Outlook – 33% growth in employment from 2012-2022 (for all ultrasound techs)
2. Metal Worker (Highest Paid Trade Jobs)
Description: Metalworkers build products out of many metals, including aluminum and steel. Apprentices usually go on to work as Pipefitters.
Salary – $64,500 per year
Requirements/Education – High school diploma or equivalent; on-the-job training
Hiring Outlook – 14% growth rate in employment from 2012-2022 (all metal workers)
Hireability – Metalworkers are in high demand.
3. Radiologic Technologist (Highest Paid Trade Jobs)
Description: Radiologic technologists operate equipment to create images of patients’ anatomy. Some radiologic technologists are responsible for administering the radiation treatment for the radiation therapy provided for cancer patients and radioactive drugs that are used in special imaging tests, such as bone scans, X-rays or CT scans.
Salary – $63,170 per year
Requirements/Education- Associate’s degree; on-the-job training
Hiring Outlook – 19% growth in employment from 2012-2022 (all radiologic technologists)
Hireability – Radiologic technologists are also in high demand.
H/T to thebalancecareers.com for the above salary information and job descriptions. All salaries were found on Indeed, and all job growth information was found on the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Description: If you’re looking for a career with job stability and high pay, then one of these trade jobs might be perfect for you! Take some time to research each different career option to see if it’s right for your personality and interests. Don’t forget that having an education is always beneficial, but it’s not required for some of these high-paying trade jobs.
4. Dental Hygienist (Highest Paid Trade Jobs)
Description: Dental hygienists are responsible for providing a supportive role to dentists in looking after patients’ teeth. Responsibilities usually include preventative dental care, assist with x-rays, teeth cleaning and plaque removal from patients’ teeth. They also educate patients about proper oral health care at home.
Salary – $73,470 per year
Requirements/Education- Associate’s degree; on-the- job training
Hiring Outlook – 31% growth in employment from 2012-2022 (all dental hygienists)
Hireability – Dental hygienists are also in high demand.
Description: If you’re looking for a career with job stability and high pay, then one of these trade jobs might be perfect for you ! Take some time to research each different career option to see if it’s right for your personality and interests. Don’t forget that having an education is always beneficial, but it’s not required for some of these high-paying trade jobs.
5. Electrician (Highest Paid Trade Jobs)
Description: Electricians work in all types of buildings, including offices and schools. They install the wiring needed for electricity to power lights and equipment throughout a building.
Salary – $52,250 per year
Requirements/Education- High school diploma or equivalent; on-the-job training
Hiring Outlook – 14% growth in employment from 2012-2022 (all electricians)
Hireability – Electricians are also in high demand.
6. Sail Maker (Highest Paid Trade Jobs)
Description: Sail makers are responsible for the design, creation, and repair of sails. Sailors constantly need new sails to replace old ones. Sail makers must know how to use sewing machines and industrial equipment, as well as how to operate different tools like axes and knives for cutting fabric.
Salary – $53,510 per year
Requirements/Education- High school diploma or equivalent; on-the-job training
Hiring Outlook – 26% growth in employment from 2012-2022 (sailmakers)
Hireability – Sailmakers are in high demand.
7. Electrical Apprenticeship (Highest Paid Trade Jobs)
Description: Electrical apprentices help electricians by completing various tasks related to electrical installations. They are sometimes called ‘journeymen,’ because they become fully qualified after four-year degree training and work experience in the field of electronics.
Salary – $37,830 per year
Requirements/Education- High school diploma or equivalent; on-the-job training; license
Hiring Outlook – 27% growth in employment from 2012-2022 (all electrical apprentices)
Hireability – Electrical apprentices are also in high demand.
8. Automotive Mechanic (Highest Paid Trade Jobs)
Description: Automotive mechanics work in a wide variety of areas, including the service and repair shops found at car dealerships. They also maintain vehicles for corporations, governments, and individuals.
Salary – $38,200 per year
Requirements/Education- High school diploma or equivalent; on-the-job training
Hiring Outlook – 22% growth in employment from 2012-2022 (all automotive mechanics)
Hireability – Automotive mechanics are also in high demand.
9. Metal Fabricator (Highest Paid Trade Jobs)
Description: Metal fabricators use a variety of machines and tools to create, modify, repair, or replace metal parts. The two most common types of metal fabrication jobs are sheet-metal workers and structural iron and steel workers.
Salary – $38,100 per year
Requirements/Education- High school diploma or equivalent; on the -job training
Hiring Outlook – 32% growth in employment from 2012-2022 (all sheet metal workers)
Hireability – Sheet metal workers and pipefitters are also in high demand.
10. Heating/Air Conditioning Technician (Highest Paid Trade Jobs)
Description: Heating and air conditioning technicians install, repair, maintain, or replace heating and cooling equipment in buildings.
Salary – $43,680 per year
Requirements/Education- High school diploma or equivalent; on the job training
Hiring Outlook – 27% growth in employment from 2012-2022 (all HVAC technicians)
Hireability – Heating and air conditioning technicians along with Steamfitters are also in high demand.
11. Boilermaker/Ironworker
Description: Boilermakers and ironworkers build boilers, pressure vessels, tanks, structural steel support systems for buildings and bridges; fabricate or repair any structure made of iron or steel that is made in sections.
Salary – $48,150 per year
Requirements/Education- High school diploma or equivalent; on the job training
Hiring Outlook – 26% growth in employment from 2012-2022 (all boilermakers and ironworkers)
Hireability – Boilermakers are also in high demand.
12. Welder
Description: Welders use a variety of welding techniques, equipment and materials to join or cut metals that are heated into molten form for this process. The many types of welders include rope (flux) arc, gas metal arc (stick), submerged arc (TIG/MIG), electron beam, laser beam, resistance, and plasma arc.
Salary – $38,140 per year
Requirements/Education- High school diploma or equivalent; on the job training
Hiring Outlook – 25% growth in employment from 2012-2022 (all welders)
Hireability – Welding is also a career with high demand for workers.
13. Elevator Installer and Repairer
Description: An elevator installer and repairer (EIR) or elevator mechanic works on elevators, escalators, moving walkways and people movers in every type of building. EIRs work for contractors who specialize in installing these machines or subcontractors that service them after they are installed.
Salary – $60,000 per year
Requirements/Education- High school diploma or equivalent; on the job training
Hiring Outlook – 13% growth in employment from 2012-2022 (all elevator installers and repairers)
Hireability – Elevator installer is a career with high demand for workers.
14. Plumber
Description: A plumber installs and maintains pipes that carry liquids or gases to, from, and within businesses, residences, and industrial settings. Many plumbers also install plumbing fixtures such as bathtubs, toilets, sinks and showers in residential areas for individual homeowners or a contractor who specializes in installing these machines.
Salary – $46,900 per year
Requirements/Education- High school diploma or equivalent; on the job training
Hiring Outlook – 18% growth in employment from 2012-2022 (all plumbers)
Hireability – Plumbing is a career with high demand and widely regarded as one of the best trade jobs.
15. Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers
Description: Cement masons mix concrete, spread it to form a slab or another type of surface (such as cement board), and smooth the surfaces of those forms with trowels. After the concrete has hardened, these workers remove their handiwork by breaking up the structure using hammers, pneumatic chippers, and saws. Concrete finishers apply concrete in thin layers to walls or other surfaces by spraying it onto the surface or troweling it into place.
Salary – $49,140 per year
Requirements/Education- High school diploma or equivalent; on the job training
Hiring Outlook – 16% growth in employment from 2012-2022 (all cement masons and concrete finishers)
Hireability – Cement finishing is a career with high demand for workers.
16. Millwright
Description: A millwright works on machinery such as saws, processing equipment, printing presses and conveyor systems that move materials and products through various stages of production. The millwright installs and repairs equipment, including automated machines that make mass quantities of a product.
Salary – $49,860 per year
Requirements/Education- High school diploma or equivalent; on the job training
Hiring Outlook – 12% growth in employment from 2012-2022 (all millwrights)
Hireability – Millwright is a career with high demand for workers.
17. Glazier
Description: A glazier installs glass in windows, skylights and other fixtures. They use hand tools to cut the glass according to measurements given by architects or designers of buildings. Glaziers install new panes when replacing broken ones. They also remove old putty from joints between windowpanes so they can be replaced with weather proof sealant.
Salary – $36,830 per year
Requirements/Education- High school diploma or equivalent; on the job training
Hiring Outlook – 11% growth in employment from 2012-2022 (all glaziers)
Hireability – Glazing is a career with high demand for workers.
18. Aircraft Mechanic
Description: An aircraft mechanic overhauls or repairs aircraft engines and assemblies. Aircraft mechanics, also called avionics technicians, inspect the interior of airplanes to locate any defects in equipment such as electrical systems that may need repair. Using specialized tools and diagnostic testers they remove faulty units from planes so replacement components can be installed.
Salary – $49,140 per year
Requirements/Education- High school diploma or equivalent; on the job training
Hiring Outlook – 14% growth in employment from 2012-2022 (all aircraft mechanics)
Hireability – Aircraft mechanic is a career with high demand for workers.
19. Real Estate Appraiser
Description: A real estate appraiser evaluates the value of homes, land and other properties. Appraisers consider many factors when they determine a property’s value including location, size and condition of the home or property as well as recent sales prices in the neighborhood.
Salary – $64,800 per year
Requirements/Education – High school diploma or equivalent; on the job training
Hiring Outlook – 21% growth in employment from 2012-2022 (all real estate appraisers)
Hireability – Real estate appraisal is a career with high demand for workers.
20. Home Inspectors
Description: Home inspectors inspect buildings and systems in homes, such as electrical wiring, plumbing and air conditioning. They advise home buyers of any defects they find with the structure or its major systems that may need attention to prevent future problems.
Salary – $62,790 per year
Requirements/Education- High school diploma or equivalent ; on the job training
Hiring Outlook – 22% growth in employment from 2012-2022 (all residential and commercial inspectors)
Hireability – Home inspection is a career with high demand for workers.
21. Power Line Installer and Repairer
Description: Power line installers and repairers set up, install and repair cables for power lines, trams or trolley wires. They also erect poles to hold up transmission towers and connect the wires with electrical equipment.
Salary – $60,560 per year
Requirements/Education- High school diploma or equivalent; on the job training
Hiring Outlook – 19% growth in employment from 2012-2022 (all power line installers and repairers)
Hireability – Powerline installation is a career with high demand for workers.
22. Paralegal
Description: A paralegal works with lawyers to help attorneys prepare for court cases. The work of a paralegal varies depending on the lawyer they are working for, but generally includes preparing legal documents and filing them in courts as well as other administrative tasks such as maintaining files and records.
Salary – $52,290 per year
Requirements/Education- Associate’s degree; on the job training
Hiring Outlook – 26% growth in employment from 2012-2022 (all paralegals and legal assistants)
Hireability – Paralegal is a career with high demand for workers.
23. Hvac Technicians
Description: Hvac technicians install, maintain and repair heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. They also provide preventive maintenance like changing filters or cleaning coils to reduce energy use by keeping the system working efficiently.
Salary – $46,340 per year
Requirements/Education- High school diploma or equivalent ; on the job training
Hiring Outlook – 21% growth in employment from 2012-2022 (all Hvac technicians)
Hireability – HVAC technician is a career with high demand for workers.
24. Commercial Divers
Description: Commercial divers perform underwater work in jobs such as inspecting, maintaining, repairing and installing structures that are located underwater. They may work in a variety of conditions, including fresh or salt water, deep or shallow depths.
Salary – $44,360 per year
Requirements/Education- High school diploma or equivalent; on the job training
Hiring Outlook – 21% growth in employment from 2019 -2021 (all commercial divers)
Hireability – Commercial diving is a career with high demand for workers.
25. Refuse Collectors
Description: Refuse collectors collect and dispose of trash from commercial, industrial and residential areas. They may use a truck or other vehicle to haul waste to a dump site for processing or recycling.
Salary – $44,360 per year
Requirements/Education- High school diploma or equivalent; on the job training
Hiring Outlook – 16% growth in employment from 2012-2022 (all refuse and recyclable material collectors)
Hireability – Refuse collector is a career with high demand for workers.
26. Carpenters
Description: Carpenters construct, repair and install wooden structures and fixtures of buildings. They may work on a variety of projects including new construction or remodeling.
Salary – $40,760 per year
Requirements/Education- High school diploma or equivalent; on the job training
Hiring Outlook – 22% growth in employment from 2012-2022 (all carpenters)
Hireability – Carpenter is a career with high demand for workers.
27. Bus and Truck Mechanics
Description: Bus and truck mechanics work on buses, trucks or other large vehicles to make sure they are in good condition before putting them into service. Some of the tasks they perform are checking the oil, tires and brakes, putting in new parts or replacing old ones.
Salary – $39,200 per year
Requirements/Education- High school diploma or equivalent; on the job training
Hiring Outlook – 15% growth in employment from 2012-2022 (all automotive service technicians and mechanics)
Hireability – Bus and truck mechanic is a career with high demand for workers.
28. Massage Therapists
Description: A massage therapist uses touch to help heal injuries, reduce pain and improve circulation by massaging patients’ muscles, tendons or other tissues. They may perform Swedish massage (relax ing) or deep tissue massage (to release tension and pain).
Salary – $39,200 per year
Requirements/Education- Associate’s degree; on the job training
Hiring Outlook – 38% growth in employment from 2012-2022 (all massage therapists)
Hireability – Massage therapist is a career with high demand for workers.
29. Landscape Architect
Description: Landscape architects plan and design land areas for projects like parks, playgrounds, office buildings or shopping malls. They may prepare drawings or computer models of their designs.
Salary – $38,380 per year
Requirements/Education- Bachelor’s degree; on the job training
Hiring Outlook – 18% growth in employment from 2012-2022 (all landscape architects)
Hireability – Landscape architect is a career with high demand for workers.
30. Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics
Description: An emergency medical technician, also called an EMT, provides basic life support to people who are injured or sick until they get to the hospital. They may drive an ambulance or helicopter, perform CPR and use automated defibrillators (AEDs). A paramedic is a type of EMT who has more training than most emergency medical technicians.
Salary – $37,480 per year
Requirements/Education- High school diploma or equivalent; on the job training
Hiring Outlook – 17% growth in employment from 2012-2022 (all emergency medical technicians and paramedics)
Hireability – EMT is a career with high demand for workers.
31. Brickmasons, Blockmasons and Stonemasons
Description: Brickmasons, blockmasons or stonemasons use bricks, concrete blocks or stones to build walls. They may lay out and prepare building sites and handle the masonry tools used by stonemasons.
Salary – $36,840 per year
Requirements/Education- High school diploma or equivalent; on the job training
Hiring Outlook – 17% growth in employment from 2012-2022 (all masons)
Hireability – Mason is a career with high demand for workers.
32. Construction and Building Inspectors
Description: Construction and building inspectors make sure construction projects follow state, local or federal laws before they are approved to be built. They may also help contractors comply with regulations.
Salary – $36,630 per year
Requirements/Education- High school diploma or equivalent; on the job training
Hiring Outlook – 17% growth in employment from 2012-2022 (all construction and building inspectors)
Hireability – Building inspector is a career with high demand for workers.
33.Travel agent
Description: A travel agent sells plane tickets, hotel rooms and tour packages to people who want to go on vacation. They may also sell car rentals, cruise packages or theme park admission passes.
Salary – $35,930 per year
Requirements/Education- High school diploma; vocational training
Hiring Outlook – 14% growth in employment from 2012-2022 (all travel agents)
Hireability – Travel agent is a career with high demand for workers.
34. Animal Scientists and Technologists
Description: Animal scientists and technologists study ways to improve the health, growth and production of farm animals or other types of animals such as pets or zoo animals.
Salary – $35,220 per year
Requirements/Education- Bachelor’s degree; on the job training
Hiring Outlook – 25% growth in employment from 2012-2022 (all animal scientists and technologists)
Hireability – Animal scientist is a career with high demand for workers.
35. Maitre d’s and Hosts
Description: Maitre d’s or hosts work in restaurants, hotels or other places that serve food. They greet customers as they enter the restaurant and show them to a table, seat or booth. Then they take orders from guests for drinks and meals, make reservations for parties and sometimes recommend dishes to eat. If necessary, maitres d’s or hosts may help customers with special requests such as food allergies.
Salary – $36,140 per year
Requirements/Education- High school diploma; on the job training
Hiring Outlook – 13% growth in employment from 2012-2022 (all host and maitre d’s)
Hireability – Maitre d’ is a career with high demand for workers.
36. Computer Programmers
Description: Computer programmers write and test code that allows computer applications to function properly. They turn the program designs created by software developers and engineers into instructions a computer can understand.
Salary – $79,680 per year
Requirements/Education- Bachelor’s degree; on the job training or apprenticeship
Hiring Outlook – 12% growth in employment from 2012-2022 (all computer programmers)
Hireability – Computer programmer is a career with high demand for workers.
37. Printing Press Operators and Tenders
Description: Printing press operators and tenders perform several tasks that help printers produce printed products such as newspapers, magazines or books .
Salary – $35,640 per year
Requirements/Education- High school diploma; on the job training or apprenticeship
Hiring Outlook – 14% growth in employment from 2012-2022 (all printing press operators and tenders)
Hireability – Printing press operator is a career with high demand for workers.
38. Firefighters
Description: Firefighters are responsible for preventing fires and protecting people, property and the environment from fire damage. They also respond to car crashes, hazardous material spills or other emergencies where they must rescue victims or provide medical care.
Salary – $45,250 per year
Requirements/Education- High school diploma; vocational training
Hiring Outlook – 12% growth in employment from 2012-2022 (all firefighters)
Hireability – Firefighter is a career with high demand for workers.
39.Construction Supervisors
Description: Construction supervisors oversee the construction of new buildings or other projects. They meet with clients, architects and engineers to determine project goals and help develop blueprints for a building’s layout. Then they direct workers in teams during each stage of construction until the project is complete.
Salary – $68,970 per year
Requirements/Education- High school diploma; on the job training
Hiring Outlook – 13% growth in employment from 2012-2022 (all construction, supervisory)
Hireability – Construction supervisor is a career with high demand for workers.
40. First-Line Supervisors of Nonretail Sales Workers
Description: First-line supervisors of nonretail sales workers supervise the activities of staff who sell products or services to customers. They coordinate with other employees, such as retail store managers or department heads, in order to meet organizational expectations for revenue and customer satisfaction.
Salary – $61,590 per year
Requirements/Education- High school diploma; on the job training or apprenticeship
Hiring Outlook – 12% growth in employment from 2012-2022 (all first line supervisors of nonretail sales workers)
Hireability – First line supervisor is a career with high demand for workers.
41.Geotechnical Engineer
Description: Geotechnical engineers monitor construction projects, such as highways and buildings, to make sure the project meets environmental impact requirements. They typically work with other engineering professionals who develop solutions like soil stabilization or erosion control for the site of a future building .
Salary – $90,060 per year
Requirements/Education- Bachelor’s degree; on the job training or apprenticeship
Hiring Outlook – 12% growth in employment from 2012-2022 (all geotechnical engineers)
Hireability – Geotech engineer is a career with high demand for workers.
