Trades workers are in short supply and employers are competing hard for qualified people. Many skilled-trade jobs require physical presence, licensing, or hands-on troubleshooting. If you're comparing a trade career in 2026, current BLS wage and outlook data gives you a better starting point than broad salary claims.
10 Trade Careers to Compare Using Current BLS Data
National median wages: May 2025. Employment outlook: 2025 to 2035. Updated September 13, 2026.
1. Elevator Installer/Repairer: $109,910 median
📈 Growth: +6% (2025 to 2035)🎓 Training: Apprenticeship
2. Power-Line Installer/Repairer: $95,320 median
📈 Growth: +10% (2025 to 2035)🎓 Training: Technical instruction + OJT/apprenticeship
3. Wind Turbine Technician: $64,120 median
📈 Growth: +30% (2025 to 2035)🎓 Training: Postsecondary certificate + OJT
4. Industrial Machinery Mechanic / Millwright: $64,100 median
📈 Growth: +14% (2025 to 2035)🎓 Training: OJT / apprenticeship
5. Plumber / Pipefitter: $63,800 median
📈 Growth: +7% (2025 to 2035)🎓 Training: Apprenticeship
6. Electrician: $63,190 median
📈 Growth: +9% (2025 to 2035)🎓 Training: Apprenticeship
7. HVAC Technician: $61,010 median
📈 Growth: +11% (2025 to 2035)🎓 Training: Certificate + OJT / apprenticeship
8. Carpenter: $60,580 median
📈 Growth: +4% (2025 to 2035)🎓 Training: OJT / apprenticeship
9. CDL Heavy Truck Driver: $58,640 median
📈 Growth: +4% (2025 to 2035)🎓 Training: Driving school + CDL
10. Welder: $53,750 median
📈 Growth: +2% (2025 to 2035)🎓 Training: Technical + on-the-job training
How to Choose Your Trade Career
Picking the right trade comes down to a few practical things:
- Do you want to work indoors or outdoors?
- How physical is the work and can your body handle it long-term?
- What's the demand like in your state?
- How fast do you need to hit your income target?
- Do you want to eventually run your own business?
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