The Best Trade Careers To Go Into

By Nathan Young on February 5, 2021

Thanks to the opportunities that trade careers present, you don’t have to earn a four-year college degree to get a decent job with good pay. However, not all of them have the same income. Below, you’ll discover some of the best trade careers to go into. All of them play critical roles in keeping industries thriving.

Electrician

Residential homes, high-rise apartments, and commercial businesses all use electricity. For that electricity to flow, professional electricians must install, maintain, and repair these systems when necessary. Electricians don’t need a college degree, but they will have to undergo an extensive apprenticeship program. Once making it through the apprenticeship, electricians can make upward of $50,000 a year.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay for electricians in 2019 clocks in at $56,180 per year. Given that the need for electricity doesn’t seem to be going away any time soon, neither will the need for electricians.

Elevator Mechanic

Similar to electricians, elevator mechanics focus on the installation and maintenance of elevators. You’ll have to go through an apprenticeship program to become an elevator mechanic, but it’s certainly rewarding when it comes to the pay. Data from the U.S. BLS states that the median pay for elevator mechanics in 2019 was as high as $84,990 per year. You won’t make that amount right away, but if you’re willing to put in the time and effort, you could get there.

Welder

Welding is among the best trade careers to go into because it pays well and it has ample room for growth. The automobile, aerospace, construction, and manufacturing industries need welders for accomplishing various essential tasks. Just like the trade jobs above, you’ll need to go through a course before becoming a professional welder. There’s some essential welding gear you need before beginning training, and once you obtain it, you can embark on your new career. In 2019, the median pay for welders was $42,490, according to the BLS. Luckily, the industry has kept a good pace since 2019.

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