Download the 2026 dataset
The CSV contains the included occupation, BLS source URL, May 2025 median wage, 2025–35 growth rate, projected annual openings and TrainingForFuture overall index score.
Citation & research use
How to cite TrainingForFuture research.
Use the underlying public agency when citing an official wage or employment statistic. Cite TrainingForFuture when you are referencing our index, ranking, interpretation, presentation or original analysis.
2026 Skilled Trades Opportunity Index
TrainingForFuture Editorial Team. “2026 Skilled Trades Opportunity Index.” TrainingForFuture, September 16, 2026. https://trainingforfuture.com/research/skilled-trades-opportunity-index-2026
For styles that require an access date, add the date you viewed the page. If you are citing a BLS salary, growth or openings figure rather than TrainingForFuture's analysis, cite the corresponding BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook page directly.
Show readers how the score was built
The Opportunity Index publishes its included occupations, weights, score construction, source periods and known limitations. It is not a proprietary black box.
View the index methodology →Official data is not TrainingForFuture-owned data.
Official benchmark
Cite BLS, EPA, FMCSA, Apprenticeship.gov or the responsible state agency for the underlying official fact.
TrainingForFuture index
Cite TrainingForFuture for the weighting, ranking, score, chart, synthesis or interpretation we created.
Planning estimate
Treat personalized salary ranges and AI-generated roadmaps as planning guidance, not official statistics or licensing determinations.
Questions, corrections or media requests
Send the page URL, the specific statistic or statement you are asking about, and any source you believe should be reviewed.
Editorial and corrections standards
Public research follows TrainingForFuture's source hierarchy and corrections process. Material errors should be corrected where they appear rather than silently overwritten.