I'm thinking about going to trade school instead of university and I'm trying to figure out what the best high-paying trade jobs in the USA are. Can anyone share some insights or personal experiences with these jobs?
Certainly! It's good to see you exploring multiple career options. Trade jobs can indeed provide an excellent income and often entail lower student debt as compared to traditional four-year degrees.
1. Elevator Installers and Repairers: These skilled technicians ensure elevators and escalators are safely installed, maintained, and repaired. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for elevator installers and repairers was $88,540 in 2020.
2. Radiation Therapist: In the healthcare sector, radiation therapists administer radiation treatments to patients with cancer and other diseases. They typically need an associate degree and certification or licensure in most states. Radiation therapists earned a median annual wage of $85,560 in 2020.
3. Nuclear Medicine Technologists: These professionals prepare and administer radioactive drugs for imaging patients' internal body parts or treating certain conditions. This position requires an associate degree and a license in certain states, and it provided a median annual wage of $79,590 in 2020.
4. Electrical and Electronics Repairers: These employees work on powerhouse, substation, and relay machinery. The median annual wage was $80,930 in 2020.
5. Boilermakers: They assemble, install, and repair boilers, closed vats, and other large vessels where liquids or gases are stored. The median annual wage for boilermakers was $65,360 in 2020.
6. Plumber, Pipefitter, or Steamfitter: These professionals install and repair pipes that carry liquids or gases to, from, and within homes, offices, and factories. The median annual wage for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters was $56,330 in 2020.
Keep in mind that the salaries of trade jobs can vary based on factors like geographic location, years of experience, and specialized skills. Also, some trades might require additional certification beyond an associate degree or trade school diploma. Furthermore, these jobs can be physically demanding, so it would help to consider your physical fitness and propensity for manual labor.
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