Highest-Paying Trade Jobs | Career Education Institute

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	Elevator Technician	$109,910	+5.7%	4–5 years (apprenticeship)	High school diploma or equivalent
2	Electrical Lineworker	$95,320	+10.3%	3–4 years (apprenticeship)	High school diploma or equivalent
3	Transportation Equipment Electrician	$84,890	+5.4%	Training program plus months on the job	Postsecondary nondegree award
4	Avionics Technician	$82,280	+9.4%	12–24 months	Postsecondary nondegree award
5	Construction Foreman	$79,920	+5.0%	5+ years in a trade	High school diploma or equivalent
6	Aircraft Mechanic	$79,870	+5.4%	18–30 months	Postsecondary nondegree award
7	Maintenance Supervisor	$79,860	+4.1%	Several years of hands-on experience	High school diploma or equivalent
8	Boilermaker	$76,410	-1.8%	4–5 year apprenticeship	High school diploma or equivalent
9	Terrazzo Worker	$76,170	-13.0%	3–4 year apprenticeship	High school diploma or equivalent
10	Production Supervisor	$74,450	+1.8%	3–5 years of experience	High school diploma or equivalent
11	Industrial Electronics Repairer	$74,090	+0.3%	Training program plus a year or more on the job	Postsecondary nondegree award
12	Pile Driver Operator	$73,300	-5.7%	Months to years of training	High school diploma or equivalent
13	Commercial Diver	$72,990	+4.8%	Diving school plus tending experience	Postsecondary nondegree award
14	Drywall Taper	$68,270	-1.6%	Months on the job	No formal educational credential
15	CNC Programmer	$68,120	+5.9%	1–2 years plus shop experience	Postsecondary nondegree award
16	Rail Car Repairer	$67,530	+2.6%	1–3 years of training	High school diploma or equivalent
17	Watch Repairer	$67,230	-0.3%	1–2 years of training	High school diploma or equivalent
18	Industrial Engineering Technician	$66,120	+3.1%	2-year degree	Associate's degree
19	Millwright	$65,700	+0.9%	4 years (apprenticeship)	High school diploma or equivalent
20	Heavy Equipment Mechanic	$65,510	+6.7%	1–2 years	High school diploma or equivalent
21	Aircraft Assembler	$65,380	-5.6%	Several months of training	High school diploma or equivalent
22	Industrial Maintenance Technician	$64,520	+17.8%	1–4 years	High school diploma or equivalent
23	Wind Turbine Technician	$64,120	+29.5%	6–24 months	Postsecondary nondegree award
24	Tool and Die Maker	$64,050	-9.2%	4 years (apprenticeship)	Postsecondary nondegree award
25	Metal Layout Worker	$63,870	-3.4%	A few months on the job	High school diploma or equivalent

1. 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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. Maintenance Supervisor

First-line supervisors of mechanics, installers and repairers directly supervise and coordinate the activities of maintenance and repair workers.

Median pay: $79,860 ($38.39/hr)
Training: Several years of hands-on experience: high school diploma or equivalent
Growth: +4.1% (about as fast as average), 48,900 openings/yr

Maintenance Supervisor career guide · Maintenance Supervisor training

8. Boilermaker

Boilermakers construct, assemble, maintain and repair stationary steam boilers and boiler house auxiliaries, as well as large tanks and vats.

Median pay: $76,410 ($36.74/hr)
Training: 4–5 year apprenticeship: high school diploma or equivalent
Growth: -1.8% (a projected decline), 700 openings/yr

Boilermaker career guide · Boilermaker training

9. Terrazzo Worker

Terrazzo workers and finishers apply a mixture of cement, sand, pigment or marble chips to floors, stairways and cabinet fixtures to create durable and decorative surfaces.

Median pay: $76,170 ($36.62/hr)
Training: 3–4 year apprenticeship: high school diploma or equivalent
Growth: -13.0% (a projected decline), 100 openings/yr

Terrazzo Worker career guide · Terrazzo Worker training

10. Production Supervisor

First-line production supervisors oversee manufacturing workers and operations, planning schedules, assigning work, enforcing safety and quality, and solving problems that slow production.

Median pay: $74,450 ($35.79/hr)
Training: 3–5 years of experience: high school diploma or equivalent
Growth: +1.8% (slower than average), 61,000 openings/yr

Production Supervisor career guide · Production Supervisor training

11. Industrial Electronics Repairer

Electrical and electronics repairers, commercial and industrial equipment, repair, test and maintain electrical and electronic equipment used in industrial automated systems.

Median pay: $74,090 ($35.62/hr)
Training: Training program plus a year or more on the job: postsecondary nondegree award
Growth: +0.3% (little or no change), 4,700 openings/yr

Industrial Electronics Repairer career guide · Industrial Electronics Repairer training

12. Pile Driver Operator

Pile driver operators operate pile drivers mounted on skids, barges, crawler treads or locomotive cranes to drive pilings for retaining walls, bulkheads and foundations.

Median pay: $73,300 ($35.24/hr)
Training: Months to years of training: high school diploma or equivalent
Growth: -5.7% (a projected decline), 200 openings/yr

Pile Driver Operator career guide · Pile Driver Operator training

13. Commercial Diver

Commercial divers work below the surface of water, using scuba or surface-supplied air equipment to inspect, repair, remove or install equipment and structures.

Median pay: $72,990 ($35.09/hr)
Training: Diving school plus tending experience: postsecondary nondegree award
Growth: +4.8% (about as fast as average), 400 openings/yr

Commercial Diver career guide · Commercial Diver training

14. Drywall Taper

Tapers seal joints between drywall boards and finish walls to prepare for painting.

Median pay: $68,270 ($32.82/hr)
Training: Months on the job: no formal educational credential
Growth: -1.6% (a projected decline), 900 openings/yr

Drywall Taper career guide · Drywall Taper training

15. CNC Programmer

CNC programmers use CAD/CAM software and G-code to create, test and optimize programs that run computer numerically controlled machine tools such as mills, lathes and routers.

Median pay: $68,120 ($32.75/hr)
Training: 1–2 years plus shop experience: postsecondary nondegree award
Growth: +5.9% (faster than average), 2,700 openings/yr

CNC Programmer career guide · CNC Programmer training

16. Rail Car Repairer

Rail car repairers diagnose, adjust, repair or overhaul railroad rolling stock, mine cars or mass transit rail cars.

Median pay: $67,530 ($32.46/hr)
Training: 1–3 years of training: high school diploma or equivalent
Growth: +2.6% (about as fast as average), 1,600 openings/yr

Rail Car Repairer career guide · Rail Car Repairer training

17. Watch Repairer

Watch and clock repairers repair, clean and adjust mechanisms of timing instruments such as watches and clocks.

Median pay: $67,230 ($32.32/hr)
Training: 1–2 years of training: high school diploma or equivalent
Growth: -0.3% (little or no change), 100 openings/yr

Watch Repairer career guide · Watch Repairer training

18. Industrial Engineering Technician

Industrial engineering technologists and technicians help engineers solve problems affecting manufacturing layout or production by collecting data, studying processes and preparing layouts.

Median pay: $66,120 ($31.79/hr)
Training: 2-year degree: associate's degree
Growth: +3.1% (about as fast as average), 6,600 openings/yr

Industrial Engineering Technician career guide · Industrial Engineering Technician training

19. Millwright

Millwrights install, dismantle, move, align and repair industrial machinery, such as conveyors, turbines, pumps and production lines, with precision measurement and rigging.

Median pay: $65,700 ($31.59/hr)
Training: 4 years (apprenticeship): high school diploma or equivalent
Growth: +0.9% (little or no change), 3,200 openings/yr

Millwright career guide · Millwright training

20. Heavy Equipment Mechanic

Mobile heavy equipment mechanics inspect, repair and maintain construction, mining, forestry and other heavy equipment, including hydraulics, drivetrains, electrical systems and undercarriages.

Median pay: $65,510 ($31.50/hr)
Training: 1–2 years: high school diploma or equivalent
Growth: +6.7% (faster than average), 15,000 openings/yr

Heavy Equipment Mechanic career guide · Heavy Equipment Mechanic training

21. Aircraft Assembler

Aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging and systems assemblers assemble, fit, fasten and install parts of airplanes, space vehicles or missiles.

Median pay: $65,380 ($31.43/hr)
Training: Several months of training: high school diploma or equivalent
Growth: -5.6% (a projected decline), 3,100 openings/yr

Aircraft Assembler career guide · Aircraft Assembler training

22. Industrial Maintenance Technician

Industrial maintenance technicians install, maintain, troubleshoot and repair factory equipment (conveyors, pumps, motors, hydraulics, pneumatics and automated controls) to keep production running safely.

Median pay: $64,520 ($31.02/hr)
Training: 1–4 years: high school diploma or equivalent
Growth: +17.8% (much faster than average), 44,400 openings/yr

Industrial Maintenance Technician career guide · Industrial Maintenance Technician training

23. Wind Turbine Technician

Wind turbine technicians, “wind techs”, inspect, maintain and repair wind turbines, climbing towers to service mechanical, electrical and hydraulic systems in the nacelle and blades.

Median pay: $64,120 ($30.83/hr)
Training: 6–24 months: postsecondary nondegree award
Growth: +29.5% (much faster than average), 1,500 openings/yr

Wind Turbine Technician career guide · Wind Turbine Technician training

24. Tool and Die Maker

Tool and die makers design, machine and assemble the dies, molds, jigs and fixtures that manufacturers use to cut, form and mold metal and plastic parts, working to extremely tight tolerances.

Median pay: $64,050 ($30.79/hr)
Training: 4 years (apprenticeship): postsecondary nondegree award
Growth: -9.2% (a projected decline), 4,300 openings/yr

Tool and Die Maker career guide · Tool and Die Maker training

25. Metal Layout Worker

Layout workers, metal and plastic, lay out reference points and dimensions on metal or plastic stock or workpieces for further processing.

Median pay: $63,870 ($30.71/hr)
Training: A few months on the job: high school diploma or equivalent
Growth: -3.4% (a projected decline), 500 openings/yr

Metal Layout Worker career guide · Metal Layout Worker 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 highest-paying trade jobs?

Elevator Technician, with a median wage of $109,910 per year and about 4–5 years (apprenticeship) 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.