Top Vocational Skilled Jobs?

I'm trying to figure out the best career paths for someone interested in vocational skilled jobs. What are some of the top options in terms of pay and job satisfaction? Would love to hear about your experiences or suggestions.

Regarding vocational or skilled trade jobs, there are multiple high-paying and highly satisfying options. By choosing a vocational career path, an individual can reap the benefits of high demand, good wages, and often, a faster training period than a traditional college degree might demand. Here are few notable options:

1. Electricians: They install, maintain and repair electrical power, communications, lighting, and control systems. The median wage in 2020 was around $56,180 per year, and employment is projected to grow at a rate of 8% from 2019 to 2029, much faster than most occupations.

2. Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters: These professionals are responsible for installing and repairing piping fixtures and systems. As of 2020, the median pay was approximately $56,330 per year. Jobs in this field are expected to grow by 4% from 2019 to 2029.

3. HVAC Technicians: HVAC technicians maintain and repair heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems. They have a median pay of around $50,590 per year as of 2020, and job growth is predicted at 4% between 2019 and 2029.

4. Welders: Welders have a critical role in various industrial areas, from car racing to construction. As of 2020, the median pay for welders was about $44,190 per year. The job outlook from 2019-2029 is expected to grow by 3%.

5. Elevator Installers and Repairers: These are the highest paid in the construction and extraction occupations. They earn a median pay of $88,540 per year, with a projected job growth of 7% from 2019-2029.

6. Wind Turbine Technicians: Also known as wind techs, these individuals install, maintain, and repair wind turbines. The median wage in 2020 was $56,230 per year. This profession has the most substantial projected growth rate, with a jaw-dropping increase of 61% from 2019 to 2029.

When considering job satisfaction, it greatly varies from individual to individual based on their interests and the work environment. While some may derive satisfaction from completing an installation or repair properly, others might take joy in the troubleshooting process. Generally, however, these occupations receive high satisfaction ratings due to their balance of physical and mental work and the visible results of their labors.

But do keep in mind that while these jobs pay well, they do come with their set of challenges such as physically demanding work, varying work hours, and in some cases, the need to be on-call for emergencies. Nevertheless, vocational jobs indeed do offer rewarding career pathways.