There is no single best trade job for everyone. Current BLS data shows major differences between occupations: some trades pay more, others add far more workers each year, and others are growing at a much faster percentage rate from a smaller base. Electricians have one of the largest annual-opening totals of any trade. Solar photovoltaic installers and wind turbine technicians have among the fastest projected growth rates in the entire U.S. labor market. Elevator installers and electrical power-line installers have among the highest median wages in this comparison. Which one is “best” depends on what you’re optimizing for.
This guide compares 10 skilled and technical trade career paths, using current BLS occupational groups and detailed occupations where BLS reports them separately. All wage figures below are national medians unless otherwise noted, and all growth and openings figures cover the 2025 to 2035 projection period unless stated otherwise.
We use “trade careers” broadly in this article to include hands-on skilled occupations commonly entered through apprenticeships, technical certificates, specialized training, or on-the-job training rather than a bachelor’s degree. That includes traditional building trades like electrical and plumbing work as well as technical careers such as aircraft maintenance and avionics, which follow a different, FAA-regulated certification path.
If your main question is simply which trade pays the most, see Highest Paying Trade Careers in 2026 for a ranking focused strictly on wages. This article takes a broader view of pay, growth, openings, training, and work environment together.
Quick Takeaway
- Highest median pay: Elevator and escalator installers — $109,910.
- Most projected annual openings: Electricians — ~72,700.
- Fastest projected growth: Solar PV installers — 37%.
- Strong growth + technical work: Industrial machinery mechanics — 18% projected growth.
- Higher-paying infrastructure work: Electrical power-line installers — $95,320 median pay and 10% projected growth.
- Renewable-energy options: Solar PV and wind turbine technicians.
- Aircraft-focused technical paths: Aircraft mechanics and avionics technicians.
Comparison Tables
Pay, Growth, and Demand
| Trade / Technical Career | 2025 Median Pay | 2025-35 Growth | Annual Openings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevator & Escalator Installers/Repairers | $109,910 | 6% | ~1,900 |
| Electrical Power-Line Installers/Repairers | $95,320 | 10% | ~10,900 |
| Avionics Technicians | $82,280 | 9% | Part of ~13,100 combined |
| Aircraft Mechanics & Service Technicians | $79,870 | 5% | Part of ~13,100 combined |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanics/Millwrights (combined) | $64,100 | 14% (combined) | ~51,900 |
| Wind Turbine Service Technicians | $64,120 | 30% | ~1,500 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters & Steamfitters | $63,800 | 7% | ~42,000 |
| Electricians | $63,190 | 9% | ~72,700 |
| HVAC/R Mechanics & Installers | $61,010 | 11% | ~40,600 |
| Solar Photovoltaic Installers | $53,140 | 37% | ~4,200 |
Sorted by 2025 median annual wage. Sources: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook and OEWS, May 2025; BLS Employment Projections, 2025-2035.
Aircraft mechanics and avionics technicians are reported together by BLS for overall growth and annual openings; their individual growth rates are 5% and 9%, respectively.
Industrial machinery mechanics, machinery maintenance workers, and millwrights are reported as a combined group for the 14% growth and ~51,900 annual openings figures; individual growth rates differ substantially.
Entry Path and Key Considerations
| Career | Typical Entry Path | Typical Training | Key Consideration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevator & Escalator Installers/Repairers | High school diploma | Apprenticeship, about 4 years | Highest pay here, but few annual openings |
| Electrical Power-Line Installers/Repairers | High school diploma + technical training | Apprenticeship, 3 to 4 years | Storm response and high-voltage risk |
| Avionics Technicians | Postsecondary program | FAA-related certification path | Narrower job market tied to aviation |
| Aircraft Mechanics & Service Technicians | Postsecondary FAA-approved program | A&P certification path | Federal certification, not state licensing |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanics/Millwrights | High school diploma | On-the-job training; millwrights often apprentice | Growth varies by specific occupation within the group |
| Wind Turbine Service Technicians | Postsecondary nondegree award | Certificate plus on-the-job training | Small, geographically concentrated occupation |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters & Steamfitters | High school diploma | Apprenticeship, 4 to 5 years | On-call/emergency work is common |
| Electricians | High school diploma | Apprenticeship, 4 to 5 years | Largest hiring pool of any trade here |
| HVAC/R Mechanics & Installers | Postsecondary nondegree award | Certificate plus apprenticeship or OJT | Seasonal workload spikes |
| Solar Photovoltaic Installers | High school diploma | On-the-job training | Fastest growth, but lowest median pay here |
How to Read Trade Job Data
A few terms recur throughout this article, and mixing them up leads to bad conclusions.
Median annual wage is the point where half of workers earn more and half earn less. It is not a starting salary.
10th and 90th percentile wages show the lower and upper ends of the wage distribution. The 90th percentile can help illustrate higher-end wage potential, but it represents roughly the top 10% of workers and is not a typical or guaranteed outcome. The 10th percentile likewise should not be treated as a standard starting wage or apprentice wage.
Projected employment growth (2025-35) is a percentage change in the size of the occupation over the decade. A high percentage from a small starting occupation, like wind turbine technicians, can still mean a small number of actual jobs.
Projected annual openings are not the same as current job vacancies. BLS openings figures combine positions created by growth with openings that come from workers retiring or transferring to other occupations, averaged out over the projection period. An occupation can show modest growth and still generate a large number of annual openings simply because it’s a large occupation with routine turnover, which is exactly what happens with electricians and industrial machinery mechanics in this comparison.
Where BLS reports a combined figure for multiple related job titles, such as industrial machinery mechanics, machinery maintenance workers, and millwrights, or aircraft mechanics and avionics technicians, we label it “combined” and give the individual breakdowns where BLS publishes them separately.
Top 10 Trade and Technical Careers to Consider
1. Electrician
What they do: Electricians install, maintain, and repair electrical power, lighting, communications, and control systems in homes, businesses, and industrial facilities.
Pay and job outlook: The median annual wage was $63,190 in May 2025. The lowest 10 percent earned less than about $42,640, and the highest 10 percent earned more than about $108,510. BLS projects 9 percent employment growth from 2025 to 2035, with about 72,700 openings projected annually, the largest hiring pool of any trade in this comparison, driven mostly by the need to replace retiring or transferring workers.
Training and licensing: Most electricians learn through a registered apprenticeship that combines paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction. Most states require electricians to hold a license, although the requirements vary by state and sometimes by locality. Therefore, check your state or local licensing authority for the current requirements.
Work environment: A mix of indoor and outdoor work depending on specialty. Overtime is common, particularly for service and industrial electricians on call for emergencies.
Who this career may suit: Someone who wants the largest number of actual job openings among the occupations compared here, a well-established apprenticeship system, and, eventually, the option to pursue licensing as a contractor.
2. Electrical Power-Line Installer and Repairer
What they do: Lineworkers install, maintain, and repair the cables and equipment that carry electricity from power plants and substations to homes and businesses. Distribution lineworkers handle lower-voltage neighborhood lines; transmission lineworkers handle higher-voltage, longer-distance lines.
Pay and job outlook: The median annual wage was $95,320 in May 2025, with the lowest 10 percent earning less than $51,470 and the highest 10 percent earning more than $128,690. BLS projects 10 percent growth from 2025 to 2035, with about 10,900 annual openings, one of the larger opening totals among the higher-paying trades in this comparison.
Training and licensing: Apprenticeships are common, often combining technical instruction with paid on-the-job training. There is no universal state license, but a commercial driver’s license is commonly required, along with employer- or union-administered climbing and safety certifications.
Work environment: Genuinely hazardous, physically demanding work involving high-voltage electricity, significant heights, and outdoor exposure in all weather. Storm and emergency restoration work can mean extended hours and travel away from home.
Who this career may suit: Someone comfortable with heights, high-voltage risk, and unpredictable on-call schedules in exchange for one of the higher median wages in this comparison and a widely available apprenticeship path.
3. Industrial Machinery Mechanic and Millwright
What they do: Industrial machinery mechanics, machinery maintenance workers, and millwrights install, maintain, troubleshoot, and repair the machinery used in factories and industrial facilities. Millwrights commonly focus on installing, moving, aligning, and maintaining heavy industrial equipment, while industrial machinery mechanics and machinery maintenance workers are more focused on troubleshooting, preventive maintenance, and keeping production equipment operating.
Pay and job outlook: BLS reports these three job titles together as one occupational group. The combined median annual wage was $64,100 in May 2025, and the combined 90th percentile wage was more than $94,530. Within the group, millwrights had a median of $65,700, industrial machinery mechanics had a median of $64,520, and machinery maintenance workers had a median of $60,850.
Growth also differs substantially within this combined BLS group. Industrial machinery mechanics are projected to grow 18% from 2025 to 2035, while machinery maintenance workers are projected to decline 2% and millwright employment is projected to grow 1%. The combined group is projected to grow 14%, with about 51,900 openings projected annually. These figures show why the combined occupational-group rate should not be treated as the expected growth rate for every job title within the group.
Training and licensing: Industrial machinery mechanics and machinery maintenance workers typically need a high school diploma or equivalent plus on-the-job training. Millwrights commonly enter through an apprenticeship, which may take several years to complete. Licensing requirements vary by state and employer, while employer- or equipment-specific certifications may be required for particular types of machinery or work.
Work environment: These workers typically work in manufacturing plants and other industrial facilities, often around large machinery and production equipment. The work may involve protective equipment, standing for extended periods, lifting, climbing, and working in noisy environments. Some positions require night, weekend, on-call, or overtime work.
Who this career may suit: This career path may appeal to people who enjoy mechanical troubleshooting, hands-on equipment maintenance, and working with industrial machinery. The specific training path varies: industrial machinery mechanics and machinery maintenance workers commonly enter through employer-provided training, while millwrights more often follow a formal apprenticeship.
Read More: Essential Industrial Safety Equipment List for Your Worksite
4. HVAC/R Technician
What they do: HVAC/R technicians install, maintain, and repair heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems in homes and businesses, covering both residential and commercial or industrial climate-control work.
Pay and job outlook: The median annual wage was $61,010 in May 2025, with the lowest 10 percent earning less than $40,050 and the highest 10 percent earning more than $95,210. BLS projects 11 percent growth from 2025 to 2035, with about 40,600 annual openings.
Training and licensing: Typical entry-level education is a postsecondary nondegree award; program length varies by school, and apprenticeships also exist in this field, often combining a certificate with employer-based on-the-job training. Technicians who perform work involving refrigerants generally must hold EPA Section 608 certification under the Clean Air Act, with an exemption for apprentices who are closely and continually supervised by a certified technician. Some states and localities also require a separate HVAC license, which is a different requirement from EPA certification and varies by jurisdiction.
Work environment: Work includes attics, crawl spaces, and rooftops, and call volume spikes during extreme heat and cold, which can mean long hours during peak seasons.
Who this career may suit: Someone interested in a certificate-based entry path shorter than a multi-year apprenticeship, with a clear federal certification (EPA 608) as a recognized credential and a common eventual path toward licensed contracting.
5. Plumber, Pipefitter, and Steamfitter
What they do: Plumbers install and repair residential and commercial water, drainage, and gas piping systems. Pipefitters and steamfitters do related, often higher-pressure piping work in industrial and commercial settings such as power plants and refineries. These are related but distinct paths within the same BLS occupational group.
Pay and job outlook: The combined median annual wage was $63,800 in May 2025, with the lowest 10 percent earning less than $44,150 and the highest 10 percent earning more than $108,420. BLS projects 7 percent growth from 2025 to 2035, with about 42,000 annual openings, one of the larger opening totals in this comparison.
Training and licensing: Most plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters learn through a multi-year apprenticeship, typically 4 to 5 years. Most states require plumbers to be licensed; pipefitters and steamfitters may face separate credentialing depending on the systems they work on, and requirements vary by state and locality.
Work environment: Plumbers are frequently on call for emergency repairs, so evening and weekend work is common. Pipefitters and steamfitters more often work scheduled shifts in industrial settings, sometimes with more travel for large projects.
Who this career may suit: Someone who wants steady demand, a well-worn apprenticeship path, and a realistic route to licensed contracting later on.
6. Elevator and Escalator Installer and Repairer
What they do: These workers install, maintain, and repair elevators, escalators, moving walkways, and other vertical-transportation equipment in commercial and residential buildings.
Pay and job outlook: The median annual wage was $109,910 in May 2025, the highest of any trade in this comparison. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $59,270, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $158,890. BLS projects 6 percent growth from 2025 to 2035, but the occupation is small, so only about 1,900 openings are projected each year, many of them from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or leave the labor force. A high median wage does not mean easy entry; this is one of the more competitive occupations in this comparison relative to its size.
Training and licensing: Apprenticeship is the primary training route, typically about 4 years, and many programs run through the International Union of Elevator Constructors (IUEC) in partnership with the National Elevator Industry Educational Program (NEIEP), though non-union training paths exist in some markets. Most states require a license to work as an elevator mechanic, with requirements varying by state.
Work environment: Confined machine rooms and elevator shafts, work at height, and frequent on-call availability, since a stuck elevator is generally treated as an emergency.
Who this career may suit: Someone who can secure an apprenticeship slot and is comfortable with confined-space and height work in exchange for the highest median wage in this comparison.
7. Wind Turbine Service Technician
What they do: Wind turbine service technicians, sometimes called windtechs, inspect, maintain, troubleshoot, and repair wind turbines, working at height inside and on top of the nacelle, the housing atop the tower that contains the equipment generating electricity.
Pay and job outlook: The median annual wage was $64,120 in May 2025, with the lowest 10 percent earning less than $49,230 and the highest 10 percent earning more than $92,460. BLS projects 30 percent growth from 2025 to 2035, though the occupation is small, so only about 1,500 annual openings are projected. On BLS’s current fastest-growing occupations list, wind turbine technicians have a 30% projected growth rate, behind nurse practitioners, solar photovoltaic installers, and data scientists
Training and licensing: Most windtechs complete a postsecondary certificate or associate degree in wind energy technology, often at a community college with an on-site turbine, followed by employer- or manufacturer-provided on-the-job training. There is no universal license, though safety certifications for climbing, electrical work, and self-rescue are commonly required by employers.
Work environment: Outdoor work at significant height, sometimes in the confined space of the nacelle, in variable weather. Offshore wind work can mean being away from home for extended periods, and jobs are concentrated in specific wind-resource regions.
Who this career may suit: Someone drawn to renewable-energy work who is comfortable with height and confined-space work and open to relocating toward wind-heavy regions.
8. Solar Photovoltaic Installer
What they do: Solar photovoltaic (PV) installers assemble, set up, and maintain rooftop and ground-mounted systems that convert sunlight into electricity.
Pay and job outlook: The median annual wage was $53,140 in May 2025, with the lowest 10 percent earning less than $41,600 and the highest 10 percent earning more than $79,970, the lowest wage range of any trade in this comparison. BLS projects 37 percent growth from 2025 to 2035, the second-fastest of any occupation BLS tracks in any field, behind only nurse practitioners. About 4,200 annual openings are projected. This is a clear example of a broader point: the fastest-growing occupation in this comparison also has the lowest median pay, so growth rate and pay level should be treated as separate questions.
Training and licensing: Among the occupations covered here, solar photovoltaic installation has one of the shortest formal entry pathways. BLS lists a high school diploma as the typical entry-level education, combined with on-the-job training; program length varies by employer. Some states require a license, and a driver’s license is commonly required since installers travel to job sites.
Work environment: Outdoor rooftop and ground-mounted work, often at height, in variable weather.
Who this career may suit: Someone who wants one of the shortest formal entry pathways in this comparison and is comfortable trading a lower median wage for strong projected demand.
9. Aircraft Mechanic and Service Technician
What they do: Aircraft mechanics and service technicians inspect, test, adjust, and repair aircraft engines, brakes, and other mechanical systems.
Pay and job outlook: The median annual wage was $79,870 in May 2025, with the lowest 10 percent earning less than $48,780 and the highest 10 percent earning more than $128,890. BLS reports aircraft mechanics and avionics technicians together for growth and openings: the combined group is projected to grow 6 percent from 2025 to 2035, with about 13,100 annual openings for both specialties together. Within that combined figure, aircraft mechanics specifically are projected to grow more slowly, about 5 percent, than avionics technicians.
Training and licensing: Most aircraft mechanics complete an FAA-approved Aviation Maintenance Technician program, a postsecondary certificate track that can substitute for the FAA’s standard work-experience requirement. Aircraft maintenance must generally be performed by, or under the direct supervision of, a mechanic holding the appropriate FAA certificate, commonly an Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) certificate. This is a federal certification process distinct from state trade licensing.
Work environment: Hangar and repair-station work, sometimes outdoors on the flight line in variable weather. Shifts commonly include nights, weekends, and holidays, and strict adherence to FAA-mandated procedures is a defining feature of the job.
Who this career may suit: Someone interested in aviation who wants a postsecondary-certificate entry path (rather than a bachelor’s degree) leading to a federally recognized certification.
10. Avionics Technician
What they do: Avionics technicians specialize in an aircraft’s electronic systems, including radio communications, navigation, and radar equipment, distinct from the mechanical and engine work aircraft mechanics typically handle.
Pay and job outlook: The median annual wage was $82,280 in May 2025, with the lowest 10 percent earning less than $49,410 and the highest 10 percent earning more than $113,680. As noted above, avionics technicians are counted within the same combined 6 percent growth and roughly 13,100 combined annual openings that BLS reports for aircraft mechanics and avionics technicians together, and avionics technicians specifically show faster growth within that group, about 9 percent, than aircraft mechanics.
Training and licensing: Avionics technicians typically complete postsecondary training with an electronics focus, often at an FAA-approved school. Certification requirements can differ from the standard A&P path used by aircraft mechanics; avionics work involving communications equipment may also require a separate Federal Communications Commission license. Specific certification requirements should be confirmed against current FAA guidance rather than assumed to be identical to a general aircraft mechanic’s path.
Work environment: Similar to aircraft mechanics: hangar and shop-based work with occasional flight-line time, irregular shifts, and strict procedural requirements tied to aviation safety.
Who this career may suit: Someone interested in the electronics side of aviation specifically, rather than engine and airframe mechanics, and comfortable with a training path that includes FAA and, in some cases, FCC requirements.
Read more: 5 Skills You Need Before Choosing a Career in Aviation
Compare Trade Careers by Your Priorities
This table maps common priorities to relevant evidence from this comparison. It is not a ranking, and more than one career can reasonably fit each row.
| If your priority is… | Careers to examine | Relevant evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Higher median pay | Elevator & escalator installers, electrical power-line installers, avionics technicians | BLS May 2025 median wage |
| Faster projected growth | Solar photovoltaic installers, wind turbine technicians, industrial machinery mechanics (specific job title) | BLS 2025-35 employment growth |
| More annual openings | Electricians, industrial machinery mechanics/millwrights (combined), plumbers/pipefitters/steamfitters | BLS projected annual openings |
| Paid apprenticeship route | Electricians, plumbers/pipefitters/steamfitters, elevator installers, lineworkers, millwrights | Apprenticeship.gov, BLS training pathways |
| Less formal schooling | Solar photovoltaic installers, industrial machinery mechanics/machinery maintenance workers | BLS typical entry-level education |
| Indoor work | Industrial machinery mechanics/millwrights (largely shop/factory floor) | BLS occupational work environment |
| Outdoor work | Electrical power-line installers, wind turbine technicians, solar photovoltaic installers | BLS occupational work environment |
| Technical/automation-heavy work | Avionics technicians, industrial machinery mechanics/millwrights | BLS occupational duties and outlook |
What Does “High Demand” Actually Mean?
Searches for “highest demand trade jobs” can mean several different things, and it’s worth separating them:
- Projected percentage growth measures how fast an occupation’s size is expected to change, regardless of how large it already is.
- Projected annual openings measures how many positions, combining growth and replacement needs, are expected to come open each year nationally.
- Total occupation size measures how many people currently work in the field, which affects how easy it is to find an employer at all.
- Local hiring demand is what actually matters when you’re job hunting, and it can differ substantially from national figures.
A national BLS projection does not tell you which trade has the most openings in your specific city or state. For that, check BLS state and area wage and employment data, CareerOneStop’s local career information tools, and current listings on Apprenticeship.gov, rather than relying on the national figures in this article alone.
How AI and Automation Could Affect Trade Careers
It would be inaccurate to claim any of these trades is “AI-proof” or “automation-proof.” It would be equally inaccurate to assume automation will simply eliminate them. What the available evidence supports is more specific and occupation-dependent.
Electricity and infrastructure demand.
Growing electricity use, including from data centers supporting AI and cloud computing, is widely discussed as a factor in rising demand for grid maintenance and expansion. This is a reasonable contributing factor to electrical power-line installer demand rather than a BLS-stated cause; BLS’s own growth projection for the occupation reflects overall industry trends without isolating any single driver like AI-related data center construction.
Automated manufacturing equipment.
As manufacturers adopt more automated and robotic production equipment, industrial machinery mechanics and millwrights increasingly install, troubleshoot, and repair complex machinery. Rather than replacing these workers, automation can shift more of their work toward maintaining and repairing advanced equipment.
BLS also expects continued adoption of automated manufacturing machinery to create jobs for industrial machinery mechanics, machinery maintenance workers, and millwrights. These workers help keep automated production equipment operating safely and efficiently.
Digital diagnostics within existing trades.
Diagnostic software, remote monitoring, and digital tools are already changing specific tasks across HVAC, electrical, and industrial maintenance work, often by helping technicians identify problems faster rather than removing the need for a technician to perform the physical repair. This is a reasonable interpretation of how these fields are evolving, not a specific BLS prediction about AI’s future impact.
Overall, current BLS projections suggest that automation is more likely to change the tasks and skills required in these occupations than to eliminate the occupations entirely. However, the effect will vary by occupation, technology, employer, and industry. Therefore, current projections do not guarantee how these jobs will evolve over the next decade.
Trade School vs Apprenticeship vs On-the-Job Training
There are generally three paths into a skilled trade, and none is universally better; the right one depends on the occupation, your finances, and your timeline.
Trade school or technical college.
Students pay tuition that varies by school, program, and state and receive classroom and lab instruction, typically leading to a certificate or associate degree. This pathway is common for occupations such as HVAC/R, wind turbine technology, and FAA-approved aircraft maintenance programs. Program length varies, and some graduates may still need additional on-the-job experience before reaching full competency.
Registered apprenticeship.
According to Apprenticeship.gov, a Registered Apprenticeship combines paid employment with structured on-the-job training, related classroom instruction, progressive wage increases as skills develop, and a portable, nationally recognized completion credential.
This is the standard or near-standard path for electricians, plumbers/pipefitters/steamfitters, elevator and escalator installers, electrical power-line installers, and millwrights. Program length, wages, and specific requirements vary by sponsor and state, so check current listings directly at Apprenticeship.gov rather than assuming a single national standard.
Employer-based on-the-job training.
Some occupations, including solar photovoltaic installer and entry-level industrial machinery mechanic and machinery maintenance worker roles, rely primarily on this path: a new hire with a high school diploma is trained by experienced coworkers over a period of weeks to about a year. This is often the fastest and least expensive way into a trade, though it can be less standardized than a registered apprenticeship, with wage progression and training quality varying more by individual employer.
Trade Careers vs. Four-Year College
This is a general comparison of pathways, not an argument that one is better than the other; the right fit depends on the specific career, your finances, and your goals.
| Factor | Typical Trade Career Path | Typical Four-Year College Path |
|---|---|---|
| Typical training time | Several months to about 5 years, depending on occupation and path | 4 years for a bachelor’s degree, often longer in practice |
| Cost structure | Often lower out-of-pocket cost; registered apprenticeships pay a wage during training | Tuition, fees, and living costs, often financed partly through loans |
| Work style during training | Hands-on, frequently paid (apprenticeships) or unpaid (trade school) | Primarily classroom and independent study, often unpaid |
| Degree requirement | Not required for any occupation in this article | Bachelor’s degree required by definition |
| Career flexibility | Generally occupation-specific; some overlap between related trades | Often broader, though outcomes vary significantly by major and field |
| Earnings variability | Varies by occupation, licensing, location, and experience, as detailed throughout this article | Varies significantly by major, institution, and field entered |
Trade Jobs You Can Enter Without a Bachelor’s Degree
None of the 10 occupations covered here lists a bachelor’s degree as the typical entry-level education requirement. This is based on current BLS data.
That does not mean no training is required. Every occupation involves some form of preparation. This may include on-the-job training, a postsecondary certificate, a registered apprenticeship, or a licensing or certification exam.
Solar photovoltaic installation has one of the shortest formal entry pathways in this group. BLS lists a high school diploma as the typical entry-level education. Workers also receive on-the-job training. A multi-year apprenticeship or postsecondary certificate is not typically required.
Industrial machinery mechanics and machinery maintenance workers follow a similar entry path. These roles typically require a high school diploma and on-the-job training. This differs from the millwright pathway.
At the other end, several occupations typically require longer formal training. Elevator and escalator installers commonly complete multi-year apprenticeships. Electrical power-line installers also typically enter through apprenticeship programs. Millwrights commonly follow a formal apprenticeship.
Aircraft mechanics and avionics technicians typically require specialized postsecondary training. They must also meet applicable federal certification requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best trade jobs to get into in 2026?
There is no single best trade; it depends on what you’re optimizing for. Electricians and industrial machinery mechanics/millwrights offer the largest number of annual job openings. Solar photovoltaic installers and wind turbine technicians show the fastest projected growth. Elevator and escalator installers and electrical power-line installers offer the highest median pay among the trades compared here.
What trade pays the most?
Among the occupations in this comparison, elevator and escalator installer and repairer has the highest median wage, $109,910 in May 2025, though it is a small occupation with limited annual openings.
Which trade has the highest projected job growth?
Solar photovoltaic installers have the highest projected growth rate among the trade occupations covered in this article, at 37% from 2025 to 2035. They rank second among all occupations in BLS’s current fastest-growing occupations table.
Which trade has the most annual job openings?
Electricians, with about 72,700 projected annual openings, followed by industrial machinery mechanics, machinery maintenance workers, and millwrights combined, at about 51,900.
What trades can you enter without a bachelor’s degree?
All 10 occupations covered in this article. Entry paths range from a high school diploma plus on-the-job training (solar photovoltaic installer) to a multi-year registered apprenticeship (electrician, plumber, elevator installer, lineworker, millwright) to a postsecondary FAA-approved certificate program (aircraft mechanic, avionics technician).
How long does it take to learn a trade?
It varies significantly by occupation and pathway. Registered apprenticeships for electricians, plumbers, elevator installers, and lineworkers typically run 3 to 5 years. Millwright apprenticeships can run up to 4 years. Solar installer and some industrial machinery mechanic roles rely on shorter on-the-job training, sometimes under a year. HVAC/R and wind turbine technology certificate programs vary by school. Where an exact duration is not published by BLS or a program sponsor, the honest answer is that it depends on the specific employer, school, or apprenticeship program.
Is trade school or an apprenticeship better?
Neither is universally better. Trade school can provide a relatively short classroom-and-lab pathway into some occupations, but program length and cost vary. Registered apprenticeships combine paid employment with structured training but commonly take several years. A registered apprenticeship pays a wage from day one and usually takes longer, but you finish with both a portable credential and real job experience.
Can trade jobs pay six figures?
Yes, several trade occupations can offer six-figure earning potential. However, this is not the typical or median outcome. For example, the 90th-percentile wage exceeds $100,000 for several occupations in this comparison. These include elevator and escalator installers, electrical power-line installers, aircraft mechanics, and avionics technicians, based on May 2025 BLS data. In addition, higher earnings may reflect experience, specialization, licensing, or overtime. For some trades, self-employment can also affect income. However, BLS wage data does not directly measure self-employed or business-owner income. Therefore, six-figure wages should be viewed as higher-end earning potential rather than a typical trade salary.
Are trade careers a good option for the future?
Based on current BLS projections, several of these occupations show growth well above the roughly 3 percent projected across all U.S. occupations, including solar photovoltaic installer, wind turbine technician, industrial machinery mechanics specifically, electrical power-line installer, HVAC/R technician, and electrician. That said, BLS projections are estimates based on current trends, not guarantees, and local demand can differ from national figures.
Primary Sources
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/
- BLS Fastest Growing Occupations, 2025-35: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/fastest-growing.htm
- BLS: Electricians: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/construction-and-extraction/electricians.htm
- BLS: Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/installation-maintenance-and-repair/line-installers-and-repairers.htm
- BLS: Industrial Machinery Mechanics, Machinery Maintenance Workers, and Millwrights: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/installation-maintenance-and-repair/industrial-machinery-mechanics-and-maintenance-workers-and-millwrights.htm
- BLS: Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/installation-maintenance-and-repair/heating-air-conditioning-and-refrigeration-mechanics-and-installers.htm
- BLS: Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/construction-and-extraction/plumbers-pipefitters-and-steamfitters.htm
- BLS: Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/construction-and-extraction/elevator-installers-and-repairers.htm
- BLS: Wind Turbine Technicians: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/installation-maintenance-and-repair/wind-turbine-technicians.htm
- BLS: Solar Photovoltaic Installers: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/construction-and-extraction/solar-photovoltaic-installers.htm
- BLS: Aircraft and Avionics Equipment Mechanics and Technicians: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/installation-maintenance-and-repair/aircraft-and-avionics-equipment-mechanics-and-technicians.htm
- U.S. Department of Labor, Apprenticeship.gov: https://www.apprenticeship.gov/
- EPA Section 608 Technician Certification Requirements: https://www.epa.gov/section608/section-608-technician-certification-requirements
- Federal Aviation Administration, Become a Mechanic: https://www.faa.gov/mechanics/become
- CareerOneStop: https://www.careeronestop.org/
