CollegeRanker · Trades
Trades Careers — Salary, Growth & Degrees
Not every career needs a four-year degree — and the numbers prove it. Trade and vocational careers offer strong salaries, fast entry, and reliable demand. We mapped the programs and schools with the best outcomes.
- 13
- Trades careers
- 8
- Related degrees
- $75,020
- Top median salary
- 4
- Rankings
What the Scorecard Says
Trades careers span a wide range of earning potential and educational requirements. Of the 13 careers we track in this field, the average median salary is $57,315, with an average difficulty score of /100. The highest-rated career overall is Wind Turbine Technician with a grade of B-.
AI disruption risk varies across this field. 2 careers have projected growth of 20% or higher, indicating strong demand.
- $57,315
- Avg median salary
- NaN /100
- Avg difficulty
- 60 /100
- Avg AI Resilience
- B- 66
- Top-rated career
Highest-Paying Trades Careers
Median salary from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. These are the roles where the credential pays for itself fastest.
- C-
Aircraft Mechanic
$75,020 median 6% growth
Difficulty: AI: 60
- C-
Electrician
$65,280 median 6% growth
Difficulty: AI: 60
- D+
Plumber
$65,190 median 2% growth
Difficulty: AI: 60
- C-
Crane Operator
$65,000 median 4% growth
Difficulty: AI: 60
- B-
Wind Turbine Technician
$61,770 median 45% growth
Difficulty: AI: 60
- D+
Diesel Mechanic
$58,570 median 3% growth
Difficulty: AI: 60
Fastest-Growing Trades Careers
BLS projected growth rates for 2023–2033. The roles where demand is outpacing supply.
- B-
Wind Turbine Technician
$61,770 median 45% growth
AI: 60 Difficulty:
- C+
Solar Panel Installer
$48,800 median 22% growth
AI: 60 Difficulty:
- C-
Dental Lab Technician
$46,050 median 7% growth
AI: 60 Difficulty:
- C-
Electrician
$65,280 median 6% growth
AI: 60 Difficulty:
- C-
HVAC Technician
$57,300 median 6% growth
AI: 60 Difficulty:
- C-
Aircraft Mechanic
$75,020 median 6% growth
AI: 60 Difficulty:
All Trades Careers
What the work pays, how fast it’s growing, and the degrees that lead there.
- C-
Electrician
$65,280 salary 6% growth
AI: 60 Difficulty:
1 linked degrees →
- D+
Plumber
$65,190 salary 2% growth
AI: 60 Difficulty:
1 linked degrees →
- C-
HVAC Technician
$57,300 salary 6% growth
AI: 60 Difficulty:
1 linked degrees →
- D+
Welder
$48,000 salary 2% growth
AI: 60 Difficulty:
1 linked degrees →
- D+
Carpenter
$56,350 salary 2% growth
AI: 60 Difficulty:
1 linked degrees →
- C-
Dental Lab Technician
$46,050 salary 7% growth
AI: 60 Difficulty:
1 linked degrees →
- B-
Wind Turbine Technician
$61,770 salary 45% growth
AI: 60 Difficulty:
2 linked degrees →
- C+
Solar Panel Installer
$48,800 salary 22% growth
AI: 60 Difficulty:
2 linked degrees →
- D+
Automotive Technician
$46,970 salary 2% growth
AI: 60 Difficulty:
1 linked degrees →
- C-
Aircraft Mechanic
$75,020 salary 6% growth
AI: 60 Difficulty:
2 linked degrees →
- C-
Crane Operator
$65,000 salary 4% growth
AI: 60 Difficulty:
1 linked degrees →
- D+
Diesel Mechanic
$58,570 salary 3% growth
AI: 60 Difficulty:
1 linked degrees →
- D+
Machinist
$50,800 salary 2% growth
AI: 60 Difficulty:
2 linked degrees →
Trades Rankings
Schools and programs ranked by real outcomes — earnings, mobility, and value. Not reputation.
-
Trades
Best Trade Schools
50 schools · #1 Northwest Iowa Community College -
Trades
Best Vocational & Technical Schools
50 schools · #1 Fashion Institute of Technology -
National
Best Community Colleges
50 schools · #1 Western Texas College -
Value
Most Affordable Colleges
50 schools · #1 CUNY Hunter College
Related Degree Programs
The degrees that lead into trades careers — with school-level outcomes data.
-
Mechanical Engineering
Bachelor's · $99,510 median · 10% growth
-
Electrical Engineering
Bachelor's · $108,170 median · 5% growth
-
Industrial Engineering
Bachelor's · $99,380 median · 12% growth
-
Environmental Science
OnlineBachelor's · $76,480 median · 6% growth
-
Aerospace Engineering
Bachelor's · $130,720 median · 6% growth
-
Dental Hygiene
Associate's/Bachelor's · $87,530 median · 7% growth
-
Construction Management
OnlineBachelor's · $104,900 median · 5% growth
-
Aviation / Aeronautics
Bachelor's · $99,640 median · 4% growth
Explore Other Career Fields
Explore More on CollegeRanker
Find the trades program that fits
Use our program finder to explore accredited degrees that lead to trades careers — ranked by what graduates earn and achieve.
