Top 5 Skilled Trade Careers: Best Trades To Begin Your Career

Skilled trades in the United States are in high demand, and people are starting to realize that a skilled trade career is the right move for them. Not only is the demand growing, people are realizing how lucrative a skilled career can be, with high opportunity for career growth. In this article, we discuss what skilled trades are and what the top paying skilled trades are below.

What Are Skilled Trades?

Skilled trades are hands-on careers that require specialized training, technical knowledge, and practical expertise. These professions are important to keeping essential systems running and offer strong job stability, competitive pay, and clear paths for career growth.

Why Skilled Trades Are a Smart Career Choice

Skilled trades are excellent career choices because they offer strong job security, lucrative pay, and a strong chance at career growth. Many trades also allow individuals to start earning quickly through apprenticeships while building valuable work experience. With a growing shortage of qualified technicians nationwide, it has never been a better time to get into a career working a skilled trade.

1. Electrical Technician

Electrical technicians are a skilled trade career that has had continuous growth for many years now. Electrical technicians offer some of the best career growth and opportunity for those looking to start their career.Their duties include the installation, maintenance, and repair of electrical systems in both residential and commercial spaces once you complete your electrical technician training program.

Electrical Technician Salary

The median annual salary for electrical technicians is around $60,000 with the top earners getting over $80,000 per year.

2. Plumbing Technician

Plumbing technicians are another skilled trade that are growing in demand and offer career growth for those looking to get into the field. With infrastructure aging and home construction growing, the demand for plumbing technicians has continued to grow. Their duties include building, maintaining, and the repair of residential and commercial plumbing systems. Once you complete your plumbing technician training program, you are ready to begin your career.

Plumbing Technician Salary

The median salary for plumbing technicians is around $63,000 a year with the top earners receiving over $100,000 per year.

3. HVAC Technician

HVAC technicians are offered steady, year round employment with growth in both the residential and commercial space. With HVAC technicians being responsible for the role in heating, ventilation, refrigeration, and air conditioning systems, it is a great opportunity to start your career with an HVAC technician training program.

HVAC Technician Salary

The median salary for HVAC technicians is around $49,500 a year with the top earners receiving over $72,000 a year.

4. Welding Technician

Another top skilled trade is a welding technician. Welding technicians responsibilities include welding on performing welding, cutting, and grinding on metal components, inspecting welds for quality, and maintaining welding equipment and machinery. This is for both commercial and residential.

Welding Technician Salary

The median salary for welding technicians is about $53,000 with the top earners earning over $63,000 per year.

5. Automotive Service Technician

An automotive service technician is a lucrative career choice for many people. With the growth of the automotive industry, automotive service technicians are in demand as well. Their job duties include diagnosing, repairing, and building vehicles.

Automotive Service Technician Salary

The average automotive technician salary is around $64,00 per year with the top earners receiving over $75,000 per year.

Final Thoughts on Skilled Trade Careers

Skilled trades offer a lot of benefits for those who are looking to start their career. From lucrative pay, high demand, and an opportunity for career growth and advancement, now is a great time to get into a career with skilled trades. If you are looking to start your career in skilled trades, then NTI is here for you. Contact us today to learn more about our training programs and how you can start your career today!