I'm considering pursuing a trade skill job after high school instead of college and I'm curious about potential salaries. How much can you generally earn with various trade skills? Is it a stable source of income?
The earning potential for trade skill jobs can vary greatly depending on the specific trade, location, and level of expertise. On the whole, however, jobs in the skilled trades can definitely provide a solid, stable income.
For instance, electricians earn on average $61,500 a year, with the highest 10% earning more than $90,000, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Similarly, plumbers earn an average of $61,000 a year, with a potential earning power of over $90,000 for the top 10% of earners.
HVAC technicians are another example - they earn around $57,300 on average, with the highest earners taking in more than $76,000 annually. If we look at construction managers, it's even higher - an average of $104,000 a year, with the highest 10% bringing in over $165,000.
Those are just a few examples. Some other high-paying trade jobs include industrial machinery mechanics, boilermakers, and elevator installers and repairers.
However, it's important to note that these figures can vary depending on location, years of experience, certifications, level of expertise, and the market demand for a given skill.
Also, while trade skill jobs can certainly be stable, keep in mind that there may be periods of lesser activity such as seasonal downtimes in certain industries like construction. However, many tradespeople work year-round and enjoy a good level of job security. Furthermore, the demand for skilled trade workers is on the rise, bolstering the long-term career stability for many in the trades.
In summary, if you're drawn to hands-on, technical work, a trade skill job can certainly offer a good salary and stable career path. It's important to do some research into which trades you're interested in and what the salary and job prospects look like in your specific geographical area.
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