What's the highest paying job in the trades?

I'm considering a career in the trades after high school, and I'm curious about which jobs offer the highest salaries. I'd love to know what's considered the most lucrative option these days!

Since you're considering a career in the trades, it's always a good initiative to understand the earning potential in different fields. The trades offer a wide variety of well-paying jobs, and they generally pay competitively compared to other sectors, especially with the current demand for skilled labor. Below are a few trades that are known to offer higher salaries:

1. Elevator Technician: This career is one of the highest paying in the trades, with experienced technicians earning a median annual salary of over $80,000. They install, repair, and maintain elevators and similar machinery.

2. Power Line Technician: These individuals are responsible for installing and maintaining electrical power systems, and their median salary is around $75,000 per year.

3. Boilermaker: As a boilermaker, you would construct, assemble, maintain, and repair boilers. The average salary for an experienced boilermaker is about $63,000.

4. Plumber: Plumbers play a crucial role in maintaining and installing water supply lines, and the median salary for plumbers is also in the $50,000 range but can increase significantly with experience and additional certifications.

5. Electrician: As an electrician, you'd install, maintain and repair electrical systems. An experienced electrician can earn a median salary of over $58,000.

These figures do vary depending on your location, level of experience, and further certifications. Some trade jobs might start with lower salaries but potentially increase significantly as you gain additional skills and experience or specialize in a niche area within the trade. Trade School programs are also quite valuable as they can provide you with hands-on skills and industry-recognized certifications which might allow you to push your salary even higher over time.