What are some of the highest paying trade jobs?

I'm curious about exploring trade jobs after high school and want to know which ones pay the best. Can someone give me a rundown of the top-paying trades and maybe some info on what makes them so lucrative?

Sure, there are quite a few trade jobs that are quite well-paying. Here's a breakdown of some of them:

1. Elevator Installers and Repairers: They are responsible for installing, repairing, and maintaining elevators, escalators, and moving walkways. Their median annual wage is quite high, around $100,000, due to the technical skills required for such a specialized line of work.

2. Nuclear Technicians: These professionals assist physicists, engineers, and other professionals in nuclear research and power production. They need to understand radiation effects, safety protocols, and operate specialized equipment leading to a high median annual wage around $100,000.

3. Radiation Therapists: They work in the healthcare field, often in oncology settings, administering radiation treatments to patients. Their command of high median salaries is due to the high responsibility level in dealing with patients and radiation equipment, with the median pay being over $90,000 annually.

4. Electrical and Electronics Repairers: These technicians repair or install a variety of electrical equipment in telecommunications, transportation, utilities, and more industries. The median pay for this profession is just over $65,000 per year.

5. Boilermakers: They are involved in assembling, installing, and maintaining boilers, vats, and other large containers that hold liquids and gases. The median annual wage can be approximately $70,000, reflecting the physical nature and level of skill required for the job.

6. Electricians: They install and maintain electrical powers, communications, lighting systems, etc., in homes, businesses, factories, etc. The median pay for electricians is roughly $62,000 per year.

7. Plumber, Pipefitter, and Steamfitter: They install and repair pipe systems that carry liquids or gases. The median pay for this sort of trade job is around $61,000 per year.

What makes these trades lucrative are a few factors. First, they often require specialized knowledge and hands-on skills that not everybody possesses. Second, they often involve physical labor, complex problem-solving, and a certain degree of risk, especially for those who work on construction sites. Lastly, these roles are essential to industries such as construction, healthcare, and energy, which are always in demand. The combination of unique skills, risk, and demand make these trades well-compensated. Remember that exact salaries can vary widely based on your geographical location, level of experience, and any additional certifications.