Top 12 Highest Paying Trade Jobs, 7 of Which Don’t Require a Degree

Highest Paying Trade Jobs

Over the next ten years, there will be a rise in demand for several trade vocations. Skilled crafts are attractive career options for those who enjoy autonomous, hands-on work. Even without a degree or equivalent, you may still make a good living as a skilled tradesperson. At the same time, some jobs call for formal education and professional certification.

Finding a career that you find exciting and fulfilling is one of the most remarkable things about the abundance of job vacancies. Suppose you appreciate deciphering intricate systems and machinery operations and mending them with your hands. In that case, a trade profession could be suitable for you.

1. Construction Manager

Construction managers have rewarding jobs directing residential, commercial, and industrial projects from inception to completion, earning around $97,180 per year.

Key roles include, for instance:

    • scheduling and bringing on new contractors
    • estimating costs and creating bids
    • Problem-solving
    • communication with clients
    • using technical documentation and blueprints

Most roles demand prior on-the-job construction experience, and you’ll need at least an associate’s degree to become a construction manager. However, you may have a successful career as a construction manager, provided you have the required knowledge and abilities.

2. Respiratory Therapist

A respiratory therapist’s yearly wage is around $62,810. In this job, you’ll spend your days helping patients who need specialist respiratory treatment in a medical setting. You can be asked to help during life-threatening crises like heart attacks and diagnose lung and breathing problems.

Although working in respiratory therapy may be financially rewarding and satisfying, knowing all relevant legislation and any unique professional criteria in the nation where you desire to operate is crucial. For instance, you must have at least an associate’s degree plus further licensure to work as a respiratory therapist.

3. Radiation Therapist

Annual compensation of around $86,850 is earned by radiation therapists who administer radiation treatment to patients with life-threatening conditions like cancer.

They are responsible for:

    • Recognizing diagnoses
    • describing therapeutic strategies
    • radiation-generating devices
    • checking on patients
    • preserving records

Being a radiation therapist is challenging, and you’ll frequently be in demand as a resource for many different medical conditions. Like other healthcare occupations, you should study any country-specific employment requirements, such as accreditations or licenses. You must have at least an associate’s degree in your industry to qualify for most jobs in most nations.

4. Elevator Mechanic

Elevator mechanics may make a good living with an annual salary of roughly $97,860. Entry into the field is possible without attending college or acquiring a degree. Your responsibilities as an elevator technician include installing, repairing, and maintaining elevators. One or more of the everyday duties you could complete is:

    • looking at blueprints
    • putting in new elevators
    • testing apparatus
    • Replace components
    • inspecting safety procedures
    • Troubleshooting

Maintaining elevators in functional order is only one aspect of being an elevator technician. It also involves ensuring that everyone using the elevator you worked on will be safe and comfortable.

5. Landscape Architect

You may anticipate making around $67,950 a year as a landscape architect.

You may anticipate splitting your time between a dedicated office and several job sites. Typically, you’ll spend your days fixing models, coming up with ideas, and managing subcontractors. You could work for businesses, associations, mansions, parks, or public gardens.

However, a landscape architect must have at least a bachelor’s degree in their discipline; regular landscapers can enter the business without any prior experience. Of course, prior landscaping expertise is also helpful.

6. Electrician

Electricians guarantee the functionality of the electrical, control, and communication systems. The majority of professionals do an apprenticeship and get work experience. However, anyone looking to further their understanding of electricity can enroll in college classes.

An electrician makes $56,900 a year, making it a secure and lucrative job for someone with a high school diploma. Additionally, it offers some variety because you’ll work in a variety of locations, including homes, businesses, construction sites, and more.

7. Plumber

Like electricians, plumbers are employed in a variety of locations, including both private residences and major corporations. Plumbing is a great method to enter the workforce fast with a starting income of $56,330 and typically just requires a high school certificate. Some of your typical jobs as a plumber will be:

    • clearing clogged drains and sinks
    • A water pressure test
    • Detecting and repairing leaks
    • calculating expenses
    • communication with clients
    • putting in new pipes
    • repairing faulty pipes

Through apprenticeships and on-the-job training, you may hone your talents, and as you get more experience, your pay will rise.

8. Carpenter

Carpenters use wood to create frameworks for buildings, other constructions, and precisely machined materials. Since you need to make exact measurements and cuts as a carpenter, you’ll be utilizing both your hands and your intellect a lot. Carpentry is a well-paying profession with an average annual income of $49,520 and typically accepts on-the-job training in lieu of a college degree.

You can also think about selling your works if you have an entrepreneurial streak and would want to put your skills and knowledge to use somewhere else. If you start a nearby or online business, you’ll find that many customers are willing to spend a little bit extra for handcrafted goods.

9. Aircraft and Avionics Technician

Technicians and mechanics who work on aircraft and avionics undertake maintenance, inspections, and repairs. Finding mechanical and electrical faults is one of the duties and responsibilities.

    • repairing airplane components
    • examining airplane components
    • setting up instrument panels
    • component repair

Occupation as an aviation and avionics technician can be great for you if you like solving challenging puzzles and working with your hands. An associate’s degree or a certificate from a trade school is often required for employment in this area, and the average yearly compensation for those in it is around $69,470.

10. Boilermaker

Boilers and other big vessels used in ships, industries, and structures would be designed, assembled, fixed, and maintained by a boilermaker. Daily tasks consist of the following:

    • Looking at blueprints
    • Changing damaged components
    • sanitizing vessels
    • system testing
    • patching leaks
    • putting in boilers and other related equipment

With an average pay of roughly $69,070 in this position, you may earn a high salary after you have more than five years of experience in the industry.

 Since the majority of boilermakers learn their trade through apprenticeships, a degree is typically not necessary.

11. Building Inspector

Building inspectors keep an eye on building projects to make sure everything is done in accordance with zoning laws, building ordinances, and other rules. You would make around $68,480 a year for spending the majority of your time outside examining water systems, roads, buildings, and bridges.

You need a great eye for detail, excellent communication skills, craft experience, and an understanding of mechanics to succeed as a construction inspector. Since the majority of building inspectors acquire their craft through apprenticeships or company-sponsored training programs, a college degree is typically not necessary.

12. Chef

You would develop menus and recipes, mentor young cooks, and manage social media images and lessons.

With an average yearly pay of $56,920, the atmosphere in which cooks work is challenging yet also rewarding. Due to the enormous surge in demand for the position, there are several openings. No formal education or training is necessary for this employment, however professional certification or culinary school may help you advance more quickly.

Featured Image: Unsplash @ ehmitrich