Skilled trades continue to provide some of the highest-paying career opportunities in the United States without requiring a four-year college degree.
However, earning potential varies significantly depending on specialization, licensing requirements, apprenticeship pathways, industry demand, and geographic location.
This ranking evaluates the highest-paying skilled trades using government labor data and a transparent ranking methodology developed by CareerInTrades.
Ranking Methodology
Data Sources & Verification Date
This ranking uses publicly available labor market data from the following authoritative sources:
1. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
Source:
- Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
Data Used:
- Median annual wage
- Top 10% wage estimates
- Employment data
- Job outlook information
Data Year: 2024 BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Verification Date: July 2026
2. O*NET Online
Source:
- O*NET Database Version 30.2
Data Used:
- Occupation classification
- Required skills
- Training requirements
- Work characteristics
Verification Date: July 2026
3. CareerOneStop
Sponsored by:
- U.S. Department of Labor
Data Used:
- Career profiles
- Salary ranges
- Training pathways
Verification Date: July 2026
Ranking Formula
CareerInTrades calculates the Highest Paying Skilled Trades Score using five weighted indicators.
Total Ranking Score: 100 Points
Swipe horizontally to view the complete ranking data table.
| Ranking Factor | Weight |
|---|---|
| Median Annual Wage | 40% |
| Experienced Worker Earnings (Top 10%) | 25% |
| Wage Growth Potential | 15% |
| Licensing and Skill Barrier | 10% |
| Employment Opportunity | 10% |
Ranking Factor Explanation
Median Annual Wage (40%)
Median salary represents the largest portion of the ranking because it reflects typical earnings for workers in the occupation.
Higher median wages receive higher scores.
Experienced Worker Earnings (25%)
This category evaluates long-term earning potential using upper wage percentiles, including experienced worker salaries and top wage estimates.
Wage Growth Potential (15%)
Careers receive higher scores when workers can significantly increase earnings through:
- Experience
- Advanced certifications
- Specialization
- Union opportunities
Licensing and Skill Barrier (10%)
Trades requiring:
- State licenses
- Registered apprenticeships
- Specialized certifications
receive additional points because higher entry barriers often support stronger wages.
Employment Opportunity (10%)
This factor considers:
- Current employment size
- Industry demand
- Future job opportunities
Inclusion and Exclusion Rules
Included Occupations
A career must meet all of the following requirements:
- Primarily involves hands-on technical work
- Does not normally require a bachelor’s degree
- Requires vocational education, apprenticeship, certification, or technical training
- Recognized as a skilled trade occupation by BLS or O*NET
Examples of included careers:
- Electrician
- Elevator Installer and Repairer
- Plumber
- HVAC Technician
- Pipefitter
- Lineworker
- Industrial Maintenance Technician
Excluded Occupations
The ranking excludes:
- Physicians
- Engineers
- Software developers
- Management occupations
- Careers normally requiring a bachelor’s degree
Original Salary Dataset
The following table shows the original salary data used to create this ranking.
Swipe horizontally to view the complete ranking data table.
| Rank | Occupation | Median Salary | Top 10% Salary | Typical Training |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Elevator Installer and Repairer | $106,580 | $150,000+ | Apprenticeship |
| 2 | Electrical Power-Line Installer | $92,560 | $125,000+ | Technical Training |
| 3 | Industrial Maintenance Technician | $61,890 | $90,000+ | Technical Training |
| 4 | Plumber and Pipefitter | $61,550 | $100,000+ | Apprenticeship |
| 5 | Electrician | $62,350 | $104,000+ | Apprenticeship |
| 6 | HVAC Technician | $57,300 | $90,000+ | Certification |
| 7 | Heavy Equipment Operator | $56,140 | $85,000+ | Training Program |
| 8 | Diesel Mechanic | $58,970 | $80,000+ | Technical Training |
| 9 | Sheet Metal Worker | $58,430 | $90,000+ | Apprenticeship |
| 10 | Welder | $51,000 | $80,000+ | Technical Training |
Highest Paying Skilled Trades Ranking
1. Elevator Installer and Repairer
Ranking Score: 92/100
Elevator installers and repairers rank first because the occupation combines advanced electrical systems, mechanical repair, safety regulations, and specialized apprenticeship training.
The occupation has one of the highest median salaries among skilled trades.
Experienced elevator technicians can earn significantly higher wages, especially in large metropolitan markets.
Typical Training:
4-year apprenticeship program.
Common Employers:
- Elevator companies
- Building maintenance contractors
- Transportation equipment companies
2. Electrical Power-Line Installer (Lineworker)
Ranking Score: 89/100
Lineworkers earn high wages because they work with high-voltage electrical systems and often perform emergency restoration during storms and outages.
Additional overtime and hazard pay can significantly increase annual earnings.
Major employers include:
- Utility companies
- Electrical contractors
- Renewable energy companies
3. Industrial Maintenance Technician
Ranking Score: 84/100
Industrial maintenance technicians maintain and repair modern manufacturing equipment.
Demand continues to grow because factories increasingly rely on:
- Automation systems
- Robotics
- Advanced manufacturing equipment
4. Plumber and Pipefitter
Ranking Score: 82/100
Licensed plumbers and pipefitters benefit from strong wages because licensing requirements create higher barriers to entry.
High-paying industries include:
- Industrial construction
- Manufacturing facilities
- Power plants
5. Electrician
Ranking Score: 81/100
Electricians remain one of the most stable skilled trades in the United States.
Demand is driven by:
- Residential construction
- Commercial buildings
- Electric vehicle charging systems
- Renewable energy projects
6. HVAC Technician
Ranking Score: 77/100
HVAC technicians benefit from consistent demand because every residential and commercial building requires heating, cooling, and refrigeration systems.
Workers with EPA certification and commercial HVAC experience often earn above-average wages.
7. Heavy Equipment Operator
Ranking Score: 74/100
Heavy equipment operators support major construction and infrastructure projects.
Income varies depending on:
- Location
- Union membership
- Equipment specialization
8. Diesel Mechanic
Ranking Score: 72/100
Diesel mechanics maintain trucks, construction equipment, and commercial fleets.
Demand continues because transportation and logistics industries require skilled technicians.
9. Sheet Metal Worker
Ranking Score: 70/100
Sheet metal workers support HVAC installation, industrial fabrication, and commercial construction.
Union positions often provide stronger wage packages and benefits.
10. Welder
Ranking Score: 68/100
Welding remains an important skilled trade, but wages vary significantly by specialization.
Higher-paying welding specialties include:
- Pipeline welding
- Aerospace welding
- Industrial welding
Key Findings
Highest Salary Potential
The strongest earning potential is found in:
- Elevator Installer and Repairer
- Lineworker
- Pipefitter
- Electrician
Best Balance of Pay and Opportunity
For most career seekers, these trades provide the strongest combination of salary, demand, and career stability:
- Electrician
- HVAC Technician
- Plumber
- Industrial Maintenance Technician
Explore Career Guides
Learn more about these high-paying skilled trades:
Editorial Note
CareerInTrades rankings are independently created using publicly available labor-market data.
Salary estimates may vary depending on:
- State and local market conditions
- Employer type
- Certification level
- Union membership
- Years of experience
Last Updated: July 2026
Written by Career In Trades Editorial Team