25 careers
Best Hands-On Jobs for People Who Like to Build and Fix
Not built for a desk? These careers keep your hands busy (building, repairing, operating equipment or caring for people) and none typically requires a four-year degree.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| # | Career | Median pay | Growth 2025–35 | Training time | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Commercial Pilot | $123,220 | +5.2% | 1–2 years of flight training | Postsecondary nondegree award |
| 2 | Nuclear Technician | $110,240 | +1.1% | 2 years + plant training | Associate's degree |
| 3 | Elevator Technician | $109,910 | +5.7% | 4–5 years (apprenticeship) | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 4 | Ship Engineer | $109,530 | +2.7% | Years of sea time and credentials | Postsecondary nondegree award |
| 5 | Radiation Therapist | $105,310 | +2.8% | 2–4 years | Associate's degree |
| 6 | Substation Technician | $103,020 | +9.7% | 1–2 years + experience | Postsecondary nondegree award |
| 7 | Power Plant Operator | $102,040 | -5.1% | 1–3+ years on the job | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 8 | Nuclear Medicine Technologist | $101,370 | +4.4% | 2–4 years | Associate's degree |
| 9 | Dental Hygienist | $98,100 | +8.0% | About 3 years | Associate's degree |
| 10 | Registered Nurse | $97,550 | +5.6% | 2–4 years | Bachelor's degree |
| 11 | Makeup Artist | $97,150 | +6.1% | 3–12 months | Postsecondary nondegree award |
| 12 | Refinery Operator | $96,710 | -1.9% | 6–18 months on the job | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 13 | Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $96,590 | +13.9% | 18–24 months | Associate's degree |
| 14 | MRI Technologist | $95,480 | +7.7% | 2–3 years | Associate's degree |
| 15 | Electrical Lineworker | $95,320 | +10.3% | 3–4 years (apprenticeship) | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 16 | Railroad Signal Technician | $92,460 | +1.8% | Railroad training plus months on the job | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 17 | Farm Manager | $89,900 | -3.4% | 5+ years of farm experience | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 18 | Gas Plant Operator | $87,820 | -6.0% | 1–2+ years on the job | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 19 | Transportation Equipment Electrician | $84,890 | +5.4% | Training program plus months on the job | Postsecondary nondegree award |
| 20 | Aerospace Engineering Technician | $82,890 | +11.9% | 2-year degree | Associate's degree |
| 21 | Respiratory Therapist | $82,280 | +8.5% | 2 years | Associate's degree |
| 22 | Avionics Technician | $82,280 | +9.4% | 12–24 months | Postsecondary nondegree award |
| 23 | Radiologic Technologist | $80,110 | +5.0% | 2 years | Associate's degree |
| 24 | Construction Foreman | $79,920 | +5.0% | 5+ years in a trade | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 25 | Aircraft Mechanic | $79,870 | +5.4% | 18–30 months | Postsecondary nondegree award |
1. Commercial Pilot
Commercial pilots fly aircraft for hire outside the major airlines, including charter, corporate, cargo, aerial tours, crop dusting, medical transport and flight instruction.
- Median pay: $123,220
- Training: 1–2 years of flight training: postsecondary nondegree award
- Growth: +5.2% (faster than average), 5,200 openings/yr
Commercial Pilot career guide · Commercial Pilot training
2. Nuclear Technician
Nuclear technicians assist physicists, engineers and other professionals in nuclear research and power generation, monitoring radiation, operating equipment and running tests.
- Median pay: $110,240 ($53.00/hr)
- Training: 2 years + plant training: associate's degree
- Growth: +1.1% (slower than average), 900 openings/yr
Nuclear Technician career guide · Nuclear Technician training
3. Elevator Technician
Elevator and escalator installers and repairers assemble, install, test, maintain and repair elevators, escalators, moving walkways and lifts, working with electrical, mechanical and hydraulic systems.
- Median pay: $109,910 ($52.84/hr)
- Training: 4–5 years (apprenticeship): high school diploma or equivalent
- Growth: +5.7% (faster than average), 1,900 openings/yr
Elevator Technician career guide · Elevator Technician training
4. Ship Engineer
Ship engineers supervise and coordinate the activities of crew in operating and maintaining engines, boilers, deck machinery and electrical, sanitary and refrigeration equipment aboard ships.
- Median pay: $109,530 ($52.66/hr)
- Training: Years of sea time and credentials: postsecondary nondegree award
- Growth: +2.7% (about as fast as average), 900 openings/yr
Ship Engineer career guide · Ship Engineer training
5. Radiation Therapist
Radiation therapists treat cancer and other diseases by giving radiation treatments, operating machines called linear accelerators under the direction of radiation oncologists.
- Median pay: $105,310 ($50.63/hr)
- Training: 2–4 years: associate's degree
- Growth: +2.8% (about as fast as average), 700 openings/yr
Radiation Therapist career guide · Radiation Therapist training
6. Substation Technician
Electrical and electronics repairers for powerhouses, substations and relays inspect, test, repair and maintain transformers, breakers, relays and control systems.
- Median pay: $103,020 ($49.53/hr)
- Training: 1–2 years + experience: postsecondary nondegree award
- Growth: +9.7% (much faster than average), 1,800 openings/yr
Substation Technician career guide · Substation Technician training
7. Power Plant Operator
Power plant operators control and monitor the boilers, turbines, generators and auxiliary equipment that produce electricity at gas, coal, hydro, solar and other plants.
- Median pay: $102,040 ($49.06/hr)
- Training: 1–3+ years on the job: high school diploma or equivalent
- Growth: -5.1% (a projected decline), 2,300 openings/yr
Power Plant Operator career guide · Power Plant Operator training
8. Nuclear Medicine Technologist
Nuclear medicine technologists prepare and give radioactive drugs to patients and operate imaging equipment that shows how organs and tissues function.
- Median pay: $101,370 ($48.74/hr)
- Training: 2–4 years: associate's degree
- Growth: +4.4% (about as fast as average), 800 openings/yr
Nuclear Medicine Technologist career guide · Nuclear Medicine Technologist training
9. Dental Hygienist
Dental hygienists remove plaque and tartar, take X-rays, screen for gum disease and oral cancer, apply preventive treatments and teach patients good oral hygiene.
- Median pay: $98,100 ($47.16/hr)
- Training: About 3 years: associate's degree
- Growth: +8.0% (much faster than average), 15,000 openings/yr
Dental Hygienist career guide · Dental Hygienist training
10. Registered Nurse
Registered nurses (RNs) assess patients, plan and deliver nursing care, give medications and treatments, monitor for changes, and educate patients and families, in hospitals, clinics, schools, home health and many other settings.
- Median pay: $97,550 ($46.90/hr)
- Training: 2–4 years: bachelor's degree
- Growth: +5.6% (faster than average), 180,800 openings/yr
Registered Nurse career guide · Registered Nurse training
11. Makeup Artist
Makeup artists apply makeup and prosthetics for performers in film, television and theater, and for clients at events and photo shoots.
- Median pay: $97,150 ($46.71/hr)
- Training: 3–12 months: postsecondary nondegree award
- Growth: +6.1% (faster than average), 600 openings/yr
Makeup Artist career guide · Makeup Artist training
12. Refinery Operator
Petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators and gaugers control refinery units, pumps and tanks that process and move crude oil and petroleum products.
- Median pay: $96,710 ($46.50/hr)
- Training: 6–18 months on the job: high school diploma or equivalent
- Growth: -1.9% (a projected decline), 2,700 openings/yr
Refinery Operator career guide · Refinery Operator training
13. Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
Diagnostic medical sonographers use ultrasound equipment to capture images of the body’s organs, tissues, blood flow and developing babies, and give physicians a technical summary of their findings.
- Median pay: $96,590 ($46.44/hr)
- Training: 18–24 months: associate's degree
- Growth: +13.9% (much faster than average), 6,000 openings/yr
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer career guide · Diagnostic Medical Sonographer training
14. MRI Technologist
MRI technologists operate magnetic resonance imaging scanners to create detailed images of organs and tissues for physicians to diagnose medical problems.
- Median pay: $95,480 ($45.91/hr)
- Training: 2–3 years: associate's degree
- Growth: +7.7% (much faster than average), 2,300 openings/yr
MRI Technologist career guide · MRI Technologist training
15. Electrical Lineworker
Electrical lineworkers install, maintain and repair the overhead and underground power lines that carry electricity from power plants to homes and businesses, often working at heights on energized equipment and restoring power after storms.
- Median pay: $95,320 ($45.83/hr)
- Training: 3–4 years (apprenticeship): high school diploma or equivalent
- Growth: +10.3% (much faster than average), 10,900 openings/yr
Electrical Lineworker career guide · Electrical Lineworker training
16. Railroad Signal Technician
Signal and track switch repairers install, inspect, test, maintain or repair electric gate crossings, signals, signal equipment, track switches and related equipment.
- Median pay: $92,460 ($44.45/hr)
- Training: Railroad training plus months on the job: high school diploma or equivalent
- Growth: +1.8% (slower than average), 800 openings/yr
Railroad Signal Technician career guide · Railroad Signal Technician training
17. Farm Manager
Farmers, ranchers and agricultural managers run establishments that produce crops, livestock and dairy, managing operations, workers, finances and marketing.
- Median pay: $89,900 ($43.22/hr)
- Training: 5+ years of farm experience: high school diploma or equivalent
- Growth: -3.4% (a projected decline), 70,800 openings/yr
Farm Manager career guide · Farm Manager training
18. Gas Plant Operator
Gas plant operators distribute or process gas for utilities and industry, controlling compressors, pipelines and processing equipment at plants and stations.
- Median pay: $87,820 ($42.22/hr)
- Training: 1–2+ years on the job: high school diploma or equivalent
- Growth: -6.0% (a projected decline), 1,400 openings/yr
Gas Plant Operator career guide · Gas Plant Operator training
19. Transportation Equipment Electrician
Electrical and electronics installers and repairers, transportation equipment, install, adjust or maintain electrical systems in trains, ships, buses and other transportation equipment.
- Median pay: $84,890 ($40.81/hr)
- Training: Training program plus months on the job: postsecondary nondegree award
- Growth: +5.4% (faster than average), 500 openings/yr
Transportation Equipment Electrician career guide · Transportation Equipment Electrician training
20. Aerospace Engineering Technician
Aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians run and maintain equipment used to develop, test, produce and sustain aircraft and spacecraft.
- Median pay: $82,890 ($39.85/hr)
- Training: 2-year degree: associate's degree
- Growth: +11.9% (much faster than average), 1,100 openings/yr
Aerospace Engineering Technician career guide · Aerospace Engineering Technician training
21. Respiratory Therapist
Respiratory therapists evaluate and treat patients with breathing problems, giving oxygen and aerosol treatments, managing mechanical ventilators, testing lung function and responding to emergencies.
- Median pay: $82,280 ($39.56/hr)
- Training: 2 years: associate's degree
- Growth: +8.5% (much faster than average), 8,600 openings/yr
Respiratory Therapist career guide · Respiratory Therapist training
22. Avionics Technician
Avionics technicians install, inspect, test and repair aircraft electronic systems, including navigation, communication, flight controls, radar, autopilot and electrical systems.
- Median pay: $82,280 ($39.56/hr)
- Training: 12–24 months: postsecondary nondegree award
- Growth: +9.4% (much faster than average), 1,700 openings/yr
Avionics Technician career guide · Avionics Technician training
23. Radiologic Technologist
Radiologic technologists position patients and operate X-ray and other imaging equipment to produce diagnostic images, while protecting patients and themselves from unnecessary radiation.
- Median pay: $80,110 ($38.52/hr)
- Training: 2 years: associate's degree
- Growth: +5.0% (faster than average), 13,000 openings/yr
Radiologic Technologist career guide · Radiologic Technologist training
24. Construction Foreman
First-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers directly supervise and coordinate the activities of construction or extraction workers.
- Median pay: $79,920 ($38.42/hr)
- Training: 5+ years in a trade: high school diploma or equivalent
- Growth: +5.0% (faster than average), 67,000 openings/yr
Construction Foreman career guide · Construction Foreman training
25. Aircraft Mechanic
Aircraft mechanics inspect, maintain and repair airplanes and helicopters (engines, airframes, landing gear, hydraulics and systems) following FAA regulations so every aircraft is airworthy.
- Median pay: $79,870 ($38.40/hr)
- Training: 18–30 months: postsecondary nondegree award
- Growth: +5.4% (faster than average), 11,400 openings/yr
Aircraft Mechanic career guide · Aircraft Mechanic training
Methodology
Rankings use national data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025; BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35)) for the 709 careers profiled on Career Education Institute. Lists are not exhaustive of all U.S. occupations. Data checked October 15, 2026.
About this list
What is #1 on the list of hands-on jobs?
Commercial Pilot, with a median wage of $123,220 per year and about 1–2 years of flight training of training.
How was this list made?
We ranked careers from our 709 profiles using BLS May 2025 wage data and 2025–35 employment projections, applying the criteria described on this page.