Highest-Paying Trades in 2026
Ranked by median journeyman hourly wage, based on Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May 2023 data.
Skilled trade careers offer strong wages, low student debt, and durable demand — often without a four-year degree. Pay varies widely by trade, license, union status, and region. This ranking orders the 24 trades we cover by the federal median hourly wage for journeyman-level workers, so you can see where the earning ceiling actually lives.
Top 10 at a Glance
| Rank | Trade | Hourly Wage | Annual Equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Construction Manager Construction Management | $50.15/hr | $104,312 |
| 2 | Elevator Constructor Elevator Technology | $46.56/hr | $96,845 |
| 3 | Network Technician Computer Networking | $42.44/hr | $88,275 |
| 4 | Nurse Nursing | $41.54/hr | $86,403 |
| 5 | Boilermaker Boilermaking | $32.30/hr | $67,184 |
| 6 | Electronics Technician Electronics Technology | $31.03/hr | $64,542 |
| 7 | Plumber Plumbing | $30.46/hr | $63,357 |
| 8 | Chef Culinary Arts | $30.06/hr | $62,525 |
| 9 | Electrician Electrical | $29.61/hr | $61,589 |
| 10 | Ironworker Ironworking | $28.82/hr | $59,946 |
Full Ranking — All 24 Trades
Every trade we cover, ranked by BLS median journeyman wage. Click any trade for our full career guide.
Construction Manager
Construction Management
~$104,312/year at 40 hrs/week
Trade school
1-2 years
Apprenticeship
2-4 years
Construction managers plan, coordinate, and oversee construction projects from start to finish. They manage budgets, schedules, subcontractors, materials procurement, quality control, and regulatory…
Job Outlook
Construction manager employment is projected to grow faster than average, driven by population growth, infrastructure investment, and the increasing complexity of building…
Elevator Constructor
Elevator Technology
~$96,845/year at 40 hrs/week
Apprentice start
$25.00/hr
With experience
$55.00/hr
Trade school
No standard program (see apprenticeship)
Apprenticeship
4 years
Elevator constructors install, maintain, modernize, and repair elevators, escalators, moving walkways, and other vertical transportation equipment. This highly specialized trade combines electrical,…
Job Outlook
Elevator constructor employment is projected to grow faster than average, driven by new high-rise construction, elevator modernization requirements, and building code changes…
Network Technician
Computer Networking
~$88,275/year at 40 hrs/week
With experience
$55.00/hr
Trade school
9-24 months
Apprenticeship
1-2 years
Computer networking professionals design, install, configure, and maintain computer networks including LANs, WANs, intranets, and cloud infrastructure. The field encompasses network administration,…
Job Outlook
Network and computer systems administrator employment remains strong, with cybersecurity roles growing especially fast. Cloud migration, zero-trust security adoption, and the…
Nurse
Nursing
~$86,403/year at 40 hrs/week
Trade school
1-2 years
Apprenticeship
2-3 years
Nursing is a healthcare career path that ranges from licensed practical nurses (LPNs) to registered nurses (RNs). Nurses provide patient care, administer medications, monitor vital signs, assist with…
Job Outlook
Nursing employment is projected to grow much faster than average due to an aging population, increased prevalence of chronic conditions, and ongoing nurse shortages nationwide.…
Boilermaker
Boilermaking
~$67,184/year at 40 hrs/week
Apprentice start
$20.00/hr
With experience
$44.00/hr
Trade school
7-18 months (welding foundation)
Apprenticeship
4 years
Boilermakers assemble, install, maintain, and repair boilers, closed vats, and other large vessels that hold liquids and gases. They work in power plants, refineries, chemical plants, and on ships. The trade…
Job Outlook
Boilermaker employment is tied to energy sector activity, industrial construction, and power plant maintenance. While the workforce is small, demand remains steady due to the…
Electronics Technician
Electronics Technology
~$64,542/year at 40 hrs/week
Apprentice start
$14.00/hr
With experience
$40.00/hr
Trade school
9-24 months
Apprenticeship
3-4 years
Electronics technicians install, test, repair, and maintain electronic equipment and systems. The field covers industrial controls, telecommunications equipment, medical devices, instrumentation, and consumer…
Job Outlook
Electronics technician demand remains solid across manufacturing, healthcare, and telecommunications sectors. The growth of industrial automation, IoT devices, and medical…
Plumber
Plumbing
~$63,357/year at 40 hrs/week
Apprentice start
$15.00/hr
With experience
$43.00/hr
Trade school
9-24 months
Apprenticeship
4-5 years
Plumbers install and repair piping systems that carry water, gas, and waste in residential, commercial, and industrial buildings. The work includes reading blueprints, cutting and fitting pipes, installing…
Job Outlook
Plumber employment is projected to grow steadily, driven by new construction, building renovation, and the need to replace aging water infrastructure. Water efficiency…
Chef
Culinary Arts
~$62,525/year at 40 hrs/week
Trade school
6-24 months
Apprenticeship
2-3 years
Culinary arts professionals prepare food in restaurants, hotels, catering operations, institutional kitchens, and private settings. The career encompasses cooking, baking, pastry arts, food safety, menu…
Job Outlook
Employment for chefs and head cooks is projected to grow in line with the broader economy. The restaurant industry continues to expand, and demand for skilled kitchen…
Electrician
Electrical
~$61,589/year at 40 hrs/week
Apprentice start
$15.00/hr
With experience
$42.00/hr
Trade school
9-24 months
Apprenticeship
4-5 years
Electricians install, maintain, and repair electrical systems in residential, commercial, and industrial settings. The work spans wiring new construction, upgrading electrical panels, installing lighting and…
Job Outlook
Electrician employment is projected to grow significantly, driven by construction activity, renewable energy expansion, and EV infrastructure buildout. The increasing…
Ironworker
Ironworking
~$59,946/year at 40 hrs/week
Apprentice start
$18.00/hr
With experience
$40.00/hr
Trade school
6-12 months
Apprenticeship
3-4 years
Ironworkers install structural and reinforcing iron and steel to form the frameworks of buildings, bridges, and other structures. The trade includes structural ironworkers who erect steel beams and columns,…
Job Outlook
Ironworker employment is tied to large-scale construction activity including commercial buildings, bridges, and infrastructure. Federal infrastructure investment and urban…
Diesel Technician
Diesel Technology
~$55,474/year at 40 hrs/week
Apprentice start
$15.00/hr
With experience
$35.00/hr
Trade school
9-24 months
Apprenticeship
3-4 years
Diesel technicians maintain and repair diesel-powered vehicles and heavy equipment including trucks, buses, construction equipment, and agricultural machinery. The work involves engine diagnostics, fuel…
Job Outlook
Diesel technician employment is projected to grow steadily, driven by the expansion of freight and logistics, construction activity, and the need to maintain increasingly complex…
Sheet Metal Worker
Sheet Metal
~$54,766/year at 40 hrs/week
Apprentice start
$16.00/hr
With experience
$38.00/hr
Trade school
6-18 months
Apprenticeship
4-5 years
Sheet metal workers fabricate, install, and maintain thin metal products used in buildings and infrastructure. The most common application is HVAC ductwork, but the trade also covers metal roofing, gutters,…
Job Outlook
Sheet metal worker employment is expected to grow steadily, driven by HVAC system demand in new construction and energy-efficiency retrofits. The transition to high-efficiency…
HVAC Technician
HVAC
~$53,976/year at 40 hrs/week
Apprentice start
$16.00/hr
With experience
$36.00/hr
Trade school
6-24 months
Apprenticeship
3-5 years
HVAC technicians install, maintain, and repair heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems. This trade is essential to residential, commercial, and industrial buildings, ensuring indoor…
Job Outlook
HVAC technician employment is projected to grow faster than average, driven by new construction, system replacements, and the transition to energy-efficient and environmentally…
Carpenter
Carpentry
~$53,810/year at 40 hrs/week
Apprentice start
$14.50/hr
With experience
$35.00/hr
Trade school
6-18 months
Apprenticeship
3-4 years
Carpenters build, install, and repair structures and fixtures made from wood and other materials. The work spans framing, roofing, trim and finish carpentry, cabinetmaking, and concrete formwork. Carpenters…
Job Outlook
Carpenter employment is projected to grow in line with construction activity. Residential building, commercial renovation, and infrastructure projects all drive demand.…
Mason
Masonry
~$50,315/year at 40 hrs/week
Apprentice start
$15.00/hr
With experience
$33.00/hr
Trade school
6-12 months
Apprenticeship
3-4 years
Masons build structures from brick, concrete block, stone, and other masonry materials. The trade encompasses bricklayers, blocklayers, stonemasons, and cement masons who finish concrete surfaces. Masons work…
Job Outlook
Mason employment is projected to grow moderately, supported by commercial construction and infrastructure investment. Demand is strongest in regions with active building and…
CDL Driver
Commercial Driving (CDL)
~$50,107/year at 40 hrs/week
With experience
$30.00/hr
Trade school
3-8 weeks
Apprenticeship
1-2 years
Commercial truck drivers transport goods across local, regional, and long-haul routes using tractor-trailers, tankers, flatbeds, and other heavy vehicles. A Commercial Driver's License (CDL) is required, with…
Job Outlook
CDL driver demand remains high due to a persistent nationwide driver shortage, retirement of experienced drivers, and continued growth in e-commerce and freight volume. Drivers…
Welder
Welding
~$49,525/year at 40 hrs/week
Apprentice start
$15.50/hr
With experience
$32.00/hr
Trade school
7-24 months
Apprenticeship
3-4 years
Welding is a skilled trade that involves joining metal parts using heat, pressure, or both. Welders work across many industries including construction, manufacturing, shipbuilding, automotive, and aerospace.…
Job Outlook
Employment for welders is projected to remain steady with consistent demand driven by infrastructure spending, manufacturing, and energy sector projects. Aging infrastructure…
Auto Mechanic
Automotive
~$48,693/year at 40 hrs/week
Apprentice start
$14.00/hr
With experience
$32.00/hr
Trade school
6-24 months
Apprenticeship
2-4 years
Automotive technicians diagnose, repair, and maintain cars and light trucks. The role has evolved significantly with modern vehicles relying on complex computer systems, advanced diagnostics, and electronic…
Job Outlook
Automotive technician employment is projected to remain stable as the existing vehicle fleet requires ongoing maintenance and repair. The growing adoption of electric and hybrid…
CNC Machinist
CNC & Machining
~$47,258/year at 40 hrs/week
Apprentice start
$14.50/hr
With experience
$30.00/hr
Trade school
9-24 months
Apprenticeship
4 years
CNC machinists program and operate computer-controlled machine tools to produce precision metal and plastic parts. The trade requires knowledge of G-code programming, blueprint reading, geometric dimensioning…
Job Outlook
CNC machinist employment is expected to remain in demand as advanced manufacturing grows. Reshoring of production, defense spending, and the medical device industry are key…
Painter
Painting & Decorating
~$46,738/year at 40 hrs/week
Apprentice start
$14.00/hr
With experience
$30.00/hr
Trade school
3-12 months
Apprenticeship
3-4 years
Painters and decorators apply paint, stain, varnish, and wallcoverings to interior and exterior surfaces of buildings and structures. The work requires knowledge of surface preparation, paint chemistry, color…
Job Outlook
Painter employment is projected to grow in line with construction and renovation activity. Residential repainting and commercial building maintenance provide steady, recurring…
Roofer
Roofing
~$46,467/year at 40 hrs/week
Apprentice start
$14.00/hr
With experience
$31.00/hr
Trade school
3-12 months
Apprenticeship
2-3 years
Roofers install, repair, and replace roofs on residential and commercial buildings using a variety of materials including asphalt shingles, metal panels, single-ply membranes (TPO, EPDM), built-up roofing,…
Job Outlook
Roofer employment is projected to grow, driven by ongoing roof replacement needs and new construction. Severe weather events and aging building stock create consistent demand for…
Dental Assistant
Dental Assisting
~$43,909/year at 40 hrs/week
Trade school
9-12 months
Apprenticeship
1-2 years
Dental assistants support dentists during examinations and procedures, prepare treatment rooms, sterilize instruments, take X-rays, and manage patient records. Some dental assistants perform expanded…
Job Outlook
Dental assistant employment is projected to grow faster than average, driven by an aging population needing more dental care, growing emphasis on preventive dentistry, and…
Medical Assistant
Medical Assisting
~$38,334/year at 40 hrs/week
Trade school
9-24 months
Apprenticeship
1-2 years
Medical assistants perform both clinical and administrative tasks in physicians' offices, hospitals, and outpatient care centers. Clinical duties include taking vital signs, preparing patients for exams,…
Job Outlook
Medical assistant employment is projected to grow much faster than average, making it one of the fastest-growing occupations in the U.S. The expansion of healthcare facilities,…
Cosmetologist
Cosmetology
~$35,006/year at 40 hrs/week
With experience
$24.00/hr
Trade school
9-15 months
Apprenticeship
2-3 years
Cosmetologists provide hair styling, cutting, coloring, skincare, nail care, and makeup services. The profession requires creativity, interpersonal skills, and knowledge of chemistry, sanitation, and state…
Job Outlook
Cosmetologist employment is projected to grow at an average pace, driven by population growth and demand for personal care services. Stylists who keep up with trends, build…
Highest Wage by Category
Best-paying trade within each broad program category.
Construction Management
Construction Manager
Elevator Technology
Elevator Constructor
Computer Networking
Network Technician
Nursing
Nurse
Boilermaking
Boilermaker
Electronics Technology
Electronics Technician
Plumbing
Plumber
Culinary Arts
Chef
Electrical
Electrician
Ironworking
Ironworker
Diesel Technology
Diesel Technician
Sheet Metal
Sheet Metal Worker
HVAC
HVAC Technician
Carpentry
Carpenter
Masonry
Mason
Commercial Driving (CDL)
CDL Driver
Welding
Welder
Automotive
Auto Mechanic
CNC & Machining
CNC Machinist
Painting & Decorating
Painter
Roofing
Roofer
Dental Assisting
Dental Assistant
Medical Assisting
Medical Assistant
Cosmetology
Cosmetologist
How We Ranked — Methodology
All wages shown are median hourly rates for journeyman-level workers, sourced from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program, May 2023 release. Annual equivalents are calculated at 2,080 hours per year (40 hours/week × 52 weeks) and assume full-time, year-round work.
- Journeyman wage reflects the median for fully trained workers who have completed an apprenticeship or equivalent schooling. This is typically the OEWS 50th-percentile hourly wage for the matched SOC occupation.
- Apprentice starting wage, where shown, is the typical first-period rate — usually 40-60% of journeyman scale per registered apprenticeship standards.
- “With experience” reflects the approximate 75th or 90th-percentile wage for the same SOC code, representing experienced journeymen, foremen, and master-level workers.
- Actual pay varies by region, employer, union vs. non-union status, certifications, and overtime. These figures are national medians, not guarantees.
Cite This Ranking
SkillPlum, “Highest-Paying Trades in 2026,” skillplum.com/rankings/highest-paying-trades, accessed 2026.
Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2023.
Related Resources
All Trade Career Guides
Browse every trade we cover — school vs. apprenticeship paths, wages, and licensing.
Trade Education Statistics
Federal data on US trade schools, programs, and registered apprenticeships.
Best Trade Schools by Program
Schools ranked by quality score, filterable by program category and state.
Registered Apprenticeships
Find DOL-registered apprenticeship sponsors and earn-while-you-learn programs.