13% of these careers already have a full profile page; the rest publish with the next tranche and show the same bank data here in the meantime.
The 30 Highest-Paying Skilled Trades (2026)
Nuclear Power Reactor Operator tops this list at $122,890 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), with -15.3% projected employment change over 2024–2034. Below are 30 careers that meet the criteria, each with its real median wage, outlook and entry requirement.
Skilled construction, installation, repair, production and transport occupations entered without a bachelor’s degree, ranked by national median wage.
- Careers on this list
- 30
- Median pay on the list
- $79,895
- Projected to grow
- 15 of 30
- Openings a year
- 365,500
From 923 in the bank
BLS OEWS, May 2025
BLS EP, 2024–2034
Combined, BLS EP
How we built this list
- Included when the occupation sits in the construction, installation/maintenance/repair, production or transportation SOC groups and is entered without a bachelor’s degree.
- Ranked by national median annual wage from BLS OEWS.
- Occupations with no BLS wage or projection data are excluded rather than estimated.
- The list is regenerated from source data on every bank refresh. It is not hand-picked and no editorial ranking is applied.
The top 30 highest-paying trades
1. Nuclear Power Reactor Operator
Production
- Median pay
- $122,890
- Growth
- -15.3%
- Openings / yr
- 400
- Education
- High school
Operate or control nuclear reactors.
Profile coming in the next tranche.
2. Elevator Installer
Construction and Extraction
- Median pay
- $109,910
- Growth
- +5.0%
- Openings / yr
- 2,000
- Education
- High school
Assemble, install, repair, or maintain electric or hydraulic freight or passenger elevators, escalators, or dumbwaiters.
Profile coming in the next tranche.
3. Power Distributor and Dispatcher
Production
- Median pay
- $106,730
- Growth
- -3.2%
- Openings / yr
- 800
- Education
- High school
Coordinate, regulate, or distribute electricity or steam.
Profile coming in the next tranche.
4. Electrical and Electronics Repairer, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair
- Median pay
- $103,020
- Growth
- +5.5%
- Openings / yr
- 2,000
- Education
- Certificate
Inspect, test, repair, or maintain electrical equipment in generating stations, substations, and in-service relays.
Profile coming in the next tranche.
5. Power Plant Operator
Production
- Median pay
- $102,040
- Growth
- -11.2%
- Openings / yr
- 2,500
- Education
- High school
Control, operate, or maintain machinery to generate electric power.
Profile coming in the next tranche.
6. Biomass Plant Technician
Production
- Median pay
- $102,040
- Growth
- -11.2%
- Openings / yr
- 2,500
- Education
- High school
Control and monitor biomass plant activities and perform maintenance as needed.
Profile coming in the next tranche.
7. Hydroelectric Plant Technician
Production
- Median pay
- $102,040
- Growth
- -11.2%
- Openings / yr
- 2,500
- Education
- High school
Monitor and control activities associated with hydropower generation.
Profile coming in the next tranche.
8. Petroleum Pump System Operator, Refinery Operator, and Gauger
Production
- Median pay
- $96,710
- Growth
- -2.8%
- Openings / yr
- 3,200
- Education
- High school
Operate or control petroleum refining or processing units.
Profile coming in the next tranche.
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair
- Median pay
- $95,320
- Growth
- +6.6%
- Openings / yr
- 10,700
- Education
- High school
Install or repair cables or wires used in electrical power or distribution systems.
10. Signal and Track Switch Repairer
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair
- Median pay
- $92,460
- Growth
- +1.7%
- Openings / yr
- 800
- Education
- High school
Install, inspect, test, maintain, or repair electric gate crossings, signals, signal equipment, track switches, section lines, or intercommunications systems within a railroad system.
Profile coming in the next tranche.
11. Gas Plant Operator
Production
- Median pay
- $87,820
- Growth
- -8.8%
- Openings / yr
- 1,300
- Education
- High school
Distribute or process gas for utility companies and others by controlling compressors to maintain specified pressures on main pipelines.
Profile coming in the next tranche.
12. Electrical and Electronics Installer and Repairer, Transportation Equipment
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair
- Median pay
- $84,890
- Growth
- +6.1%
- Openings / yr
- 600
- Education
- Certificate
Install, adjust, or maintain mobile electronics communication equipment, including sound, sonar, security, navigation, and surveillance systems on trains, watercraft, or other mobile equipment.
Profile coming in the next tranche.
13. Avionics Technician
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair
- Median pay
- $82,280
- Growth
- +8.2%
- Openings / yr
- 1,800
- Education
- Certificate
Install, inspect, test, adjust, or repair avionics equipment, such as radar, radio, navigation, and missile control systems in aircraft or space vehicles.
Profile coming in the next tranche.
14. First-Line Supervisor of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers
Construction and Extraction
- Median pay
- $79,920
- Growth
- +5.3%
- Openings / yr
- 74,400
- Education
- High school
Directly supervise and coordinate activities of construction or extraction workers.
Profile coming in the next tranche.
15. Solar Energy Installation Manager
Construction and Extraction
- Median pay
- $79,920
- Growth
- +5.3%
- Openings / yr
- 74,400
- Education
- High school
Direct work crews installing residential or commercial solar photovoltaic or thermal systems.
Profile coming in the next tranche.
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair
- Median pay
- $79,870
- Growth
- +4.0%
- Openings / yr
- 11,300
- Education
- Certificate
Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul aircraft engines and assemblies, such as hydraulic and pneumatic systems.
17. First-Line Supervisor of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair
- Median pay
- $79,860
- Growth
- +3.1%
- Openings / yr
- 52,400
- Education
- High school
Directly supervise and coordinate the activities of mechanics, installers, and repairers.
Profile coming in the next tranche.
18. Stationary Engineer and Boiler Operator
Production
- Median pay
- $78,620
- Growth
- +2.2%
- Openings / yr
- 3,800
- Education
- High school
Operate or maintain stationary engines, boilers, or other mechanical equipment to provide utilities for buildings or industrial processes.
Profile coming in the next tranche.
19. Roof Bolter, Mining
Construction and Extraction
- Median pay
- $78,540
- Growth
- -34.2%
- Openings / yr
- 100
- Education
- High school
Operate machinery to install roof support bolts in underground mine.
Profile coming in the next tranche.
20. Chemical Plant and System Operator
Production
- Median pay
- $78,120
- Growth
- -6.1%
- Openings / yr
- 1,600
- Education
- High school
Control or operate entire chemical processes or system of machines.
Profile coming in the next tranche.
21. Boilermaker
Construction and Extraction
- Median pay
- $76,410
- Growth
- -2.4%
- Openings / yr
- 800
- Education
- High school
Construct, assemble, maintain, and repair stationary steam boilers and boiler house auxiliaries.
Profile coming in the next tranche.
22. Terrazzo Worker and Finisher
Construction and Extraction
- Median pay
- $76,170
- Growth
- -11.1%
- Openings / yr
- 100
- Education
- High school
Apply a mixture of cement, sand, pigment, or marble chips to floors, stairways, and cabinet fixtures to fashion durable and decorative surfaces.
Profile coming in the next tranche.
Construction and Extraction
- Median pay
- $74,690
- Growth
- -0.8%
- Openings / yr
- 14,800
- Education
- High school
Inspect structures using engineering skills to determine structural soundness and compliance with specifications, building codes, and other regulations.
Construction and Extraction
- Median pay
- $74,690
- Growth
- -0.8%
- Openings / yr
- 14,800
- Education
- High school
Conduct energy audits of buildings, building systems, or process systems.
25. First-Line Supervisor of Production and Operating Workers
Production
- Median pay
- $74,450
- Growth
- +1.2%
- Openings / yr
- 67,700
- Education
- High school
Directly supervise and coordinate the activities of production and operating workers, such as inspectors, precision workers, machine setters and operators, assemblers, fabricators, and plant and system operators.
Profile coming in the next tranche.
26. Control and Valve Installer and Repairer, Except Mechanical Door
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair
- Median pay
- $74,340
- Growth
- +1.3%
- Openings / yr
- 3,900
- Education
- High school
Install, repair, and maintain mechanical regulating and controlling devices, such as electric meters, gas regulators, thermostats, safety and flow valves, and other mechanical governors.
Profile coming in the next tranche.
27. Telecommunications Line Installer and Repairer
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair
- Median pay
- $74,330
- Growth
- -3.1%
- Openings / yr
- 8,900
- Education
- High school
Install and repair telecommunications cable, including fiber optics.
Profile coming in the next tranche.
28. Electrical and Electronics Repairer, Commercial and Industrial Equipment
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair
- Median pay
- $74,090
- Growth
- -0.8%
- Openings / yr
- 4,700
- Education
- Certificate
Repair, test, adjust, or install electronic equipment, such as industrial controls, transmitters, and antennas.
Profile coming in the next tranche.
29. Pile Driver Operator
Construction and Extraction
- Median pay
- $73,300
- Growth
- +4.3%
- Openings / yr
- 300
- Education
- High school
Operate pile drivers mounted on skids, barges, crawler treads, or locomotive cranes to drive pilings for retaining walls, bulkheads, and foundations of structures such as buildings, bridges, and piers.
Profile coming in the next tranche.
30. Commercial Diver
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair
- Median pay
- $72,990
- Growth
- +8.5%
- Openings / yr
- 400
- Education
- Certificate
Work below surface of water, using surface-supplied air or scuba equipment to inspect, repair, remove, or install equipment and structures.
Profile coming in the next tranche.
Highest-Paying Trades: FAQ
What is the top career on the highest-paying trades list?
Nuclear Power Reactor Operator leads the list with a median wage of $122,890 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025) and projected employment change of -15.3% over 2024–2034. Typical entry-level education is high school.
How was this list put together?
Skilled construction, installation, repair, production and transport occupations entered without a bachelor’s degree, ranked by national median wage. Included when the occupation sits in the construction, installation/maintenance/repair, production or transportation SOC groups and is entered without a bachelor’s degree. Ranked by national median annual wage from BLS OEWS. Every figure comes from BLS OEWS May 2025, BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 and O*NET 30.3 Database.
How much do highest-paying trades pay?
Across the 30 careers on this list the middle occupation pays $79,895 a year, from $72,990 at the bottom to $122,890 at the top (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The median across all US occupations is $50,980.
How many of these careers can you enter without a degree?
30 of the 30 careers on this list have a typical entry requirement below an associate's degree: a high school diploma, a postsecondary certificate, or no formal credential (BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034).