Trade Careers
15 skilled trades with bite-sized micro-lessons, salary data, certifications, and career paths. No degree required.
Electrician
$60,240/yr avg
Install, maintain, and repair electrical systems in homes, businesses, and industrial facilities. One of the most in-demand trades with excellent pay and job security.
Plumber
$59,880/yr avg
Install and repair water supply lines, waste disposal systems, fixtures, and appliances in residential and commercial buildings. Plumbing is essential infrastructure work that's always in demand.
Carpenter
$56,350/yr avg
Build, install, and repair structures and fixtures made of wood and other materials. Carpentry ranges from rough framing to fine finish work and cabinetry.
Welder
$47,540/yr avg
Join metal parts using heat and filler materials. Welders work in construction, manufacturing, automotive, shipbuilding, and pipeline industries.
HVAC Technician
$57,300/yr avg
Install, maintain, and repair heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems. HVAC techs keep buildings comfortable year-round.
Auto Mechanic
$46,880/yr avg
Diagnose, repair, and maintain automobiles including engines, transmissions, brakes, electrical systems, and more. Increasingly involves computer diagnostics.
Mason / Bricklayer
$53,710/yr avg
Build and repair structures using brick, block, stone, and concrete. Masonry is one of the oldest trades and requires both strength and precision.
Painter (Commercial/Residential)
$45,590/yr avg
Apply paint, stain, varnish, and other finishes to interior and exterior surfaces. Professional painting requires surface preparation expertise and a keen eye for detail.
Roofer
$47,110/yr avg
Install, repair, and replace roofs using shingles, metal, tile, or membrane systems. Roofers protect buildings from water damage and weather.
Landscaper
$38,460/yr avg
Design, install, and maintain outdoor spaces including lawns, gardens, hardscaping, irrigation, and outdoor living areas. Combines physical work with creative design.
Diesel Mechanic
$58,350/yr avg
Maintain and repair diesel engines in trucks, buses, construction equipment, and generators. Diesel techs keep the supply chain and infrastructure moving.
Elevator Technician
$97,860/yr avg
Install, maintain, and repair elevators, escalators, and moving walkways. One of the highest-paying trades with specialized skills and licensing requirements.
Solar Panel Installer
$47,670/yr avg
Install, maintain, and repair photovoltaic solar energy systems on residential and commercial buildings. One of the fastest-growing trades in the clean energy sector.
Wind Turbine Technician
$56,260/yr avg
Install, maintain, and repair wind turbines that generate electricity. Wind techs work at heights of 200-400 feet and travel to wind farm locations.
CNC Machinist
$47,940/yr avg
Set up, operate, and program computer-controlled machine tools that cut, shape, and finish metal and plastic parts to precise specifications.