What are the highest paying trade skill jobs near me?

I'm a high school junior thinking about going into a trade after graduation. I want to stay local, so I'm curious about the highest paying trade skill jobs available in my area. Any advice on how to find this information?

Finding local information about the highest-paying trade skill jobs typically involves a little investigative work. While I can't provide specifics without knowing your exact location, here are some steps you can take:

1. Employment Statistics: Check the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) website. They offer comprehensive employment data at the state and metropolitan level for various occupations, including trades. You can often see average wages or income ranges for different skilled trades in your area, which can give you a sense of which trades are the highest paying.

2. Online Job Boards: Websites like Indeed, LinkedIn, or Glassdoor often have location-based job listings that show salary ranges. Cross-checking those postings with what you found on the BLS can further narrow down your options.

3. Local Trade Schools and Community Colleges: Speak with advisors or instructors at local trade schools or community colleges. Often, they're very familiar with job demands and salary ranges in the area and may even be able to point you toward local companies hiring in the trades.

4. Networking: Speaking with people who work in the trades in your area can provide first-hand experience and insight. Perhaps a local HVAC technician, plumber, or electrician might have some advice.

Remember, job satisfaction is important as well, so think about what you enjoy and what you're good at, not just the salary potential. You could also consider how quickly you could enter the workforce and begin earning, or if the trade is in high demand in your area, which could improve job security and advancement.