Top Skilled Trade Jobs & Salaries

If you aspire to garner the most sought-after jobs promising a thriving future, the skilled trades in U.S. are perfect for you. The booming opportunity in the trades industry has made young professionals reconsider their career paths. Since the trade jobs promise a great deal of mobility and never fall short on demand, the boom-and-bust cycles of provincial economies hardly ruffle the feathers of trade workers. For instance, in every state and town across the country, home and commercial owners are always seeking out affordable, reliable workers to cater to their construction, plumbing, renovation, and auto maintenance needs.

The multitude of vocations in the skilled trades offers a host of benefits, since these roles are insulated from being sent off to automation; the two biggest banes of most career paths. Additionally, the United States is predicted to face a shortage of around 1 million skilled trades’ workers by 2020, due to the retirement of many veterans late into their 50s.

 

When it comes to determining the best trade jobs, the choice could be a little subjective. The best trade jobs depend on your residence and what is valuable in your eyes; be it a higher demand, flexibility to work at your own convenience, practical skills, high end salaries, or whatever else that stirs the passion in you. That said, we have compiled a list of some of the most in-demand skilled trade jobs in the U.S currently:

1) HVAC Technician

One of the biggest factor which is driving the young professionals to pursue a career as an HVAC technician is the job growth within the HVAC field. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a growth of up to 21% is expected within the HVAC field, during the years from 2012-2022. With such massive opportunities for growth and development, 267,600 HVAC jobs were claimed in 2014 alone, and as many as 55,900 jobs were added in the last 10 years. With such a high demand, HVAC technicians are enjoying a high job outlook, with careers promising growing salary and a job security.

Most people who talk about HVAC technicians usually mean someone who they call upon to install their air conditioners, but that is far from being the only job responsibility of a HVAC technician. In addition to installing air conditioners, residential HVAC installers are also responsible for installing humid machines; deal with duct work and air quality, as well as offering the support and maintenance that accompany owning such systems.

Technicians are high in demand every season, being called to homes to fix dilapidated and broken equipments which could be water, fuel, or electrical related. Tasks such as, replacing defective and old parts, or electrical rewiring are common responsibilities of a technician. School certifications and on the job trainings not only drill you in to the complexities of these repairs, but also to diagnose those problems in the first place when you arrive on property.

HVAC technicians have to stay abreast of and garner training for any burgeoning systems on the market, including solar powered homes and water based heating systems. Especially when it comes to solar panels, specialized training is needed to familiarize you with the installation and repairs of such systems.

Commercial HVAC installers are also tasked to work on bigger projects, such as the refrigeration systems used in packing plants, hospitals, and restaurants. Often times, these businesses employ full time HVAC technicians, so that their systems run around the clock without any disruption.

2) Auto Mechanics

If you love to be surrounded by cars at all times, your dream job must be to become an auto mechanic. Auto mechanics are responsible for repairing dented body panels, installing accessories and parts, and tuning and repairing engines to maximum running efficiency. The median annual salary for an automotive service technician is estimated to be $36,610, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. With a 9% job growth rate, an extra 60,400 jobs are predicted to be created by 2020. As such, becoming is an automotive mechanic is a rewarding career.

 

Currently the automotive industry is a powerhouse industry, accommodating over 700,000 jobs nationwide, and employing hundreds of thousands of people over the country. Graduates who are aspiring auto mechanics can find work at any respectable RV dealerships, repair shops, private automotive shops, and dealerships. When you get the proper credentials, become specialized, and work closely with your placement or services department at the school you attended, your chances of success are increased manifolds in this industry.

3) Gunsmith

If you nurture a love for guns, are intrigued about the workings of their inner mechanisms, and wish to restore their natural beauty, a career as a gunsmith is perfect for you. In addition to helping you live your dream, the high paying career helps you earn more than a modest living. Since there a plethora of schools in the United States, focused on preparing you for a challenging career in this industry, this is a great chance to be good at something you are interested in.

Gunsmiths are responsible for customizing, repairing, and building shotguns, rifles, and handguns. From performing simple tasks, such as reassembling, inspecting, cleaning, and disassembling a gun, to more intricate tasks of designing custom firearms, engraving designs in metal and wood, and refinishing metal, the tasks that a gunsmith can undertake are far varied.

The work of a gunsmith requires specialized skills and knowledge in a wide array of areas. Gunsmiths must be highly erudite about the different models and types of firearms, so that they are able to customize and design firearms, and revamp them to boost efficiency and performance. Working with metal finishing and metals also entail specialized knowledge in chemistry.

In addition, gunsmiths should possess the know-how of working with computer-aided design software and reading blueprints. Furthermore, Gunsmiths must also know how to work with tools such as mills and lathes, carve, and weld meticulously.

4) Electricians

Electricity is absolutely indispensable to the life we know in the United States. Licensed electricians repair, troubleshoot, test, install, assemble, and layout control devices, fixtures, and electrical wiring in buildings and other structure. Be it the residential, industrial, or commercial spheres, electricians are highly sought-after professionals. Electricians can seek the plethora of positions open with maintenance industries and companies, and electrical contractors, in addition to the ample self-employment opportunities.

 

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for electricians in 2015 was estimated to be $51,880. The growth in employment opportunities has risen by 14% from 2014 to 2024, making it one of the fastest growing occupations of all times. As our dependence on electricity has grew manifolds, businesses and homes are requiring ever more wiring, thus boosting the demand for skilled electricians to install the necessary components, and see to their maintenance. Employers are always on the lookout for qualified applicants, brightening the job prospects for electricians.

Once you meet a suitable level of experience, you can think about advancing your trade skills by taking specific qualifications in order to get into a specialized area of the profession. When you decide to specialize in a certain area of the trade, you can solely dedicate yourself to industrial, commercial, or domestic work or to maintenance or installation for example. Certain other roles Electricians could consider include, Foreman, Electrical Engineer, or an Electrical Supervisor. After you become experienced and fully qualified, you can apply to become a Master Electrician, the most lucrative and highest level of Electrical engineer.

5) Plumber

If you are looking for a varied job that takes you out and about and makes good use of your practical skills, this career could be just the perk you need. Aspiring plumbers learn to clear drainpipes and dismantle a kitchen sink, in addition to a plethora of other complex skills and tasks, during community college programs, technical schools, and apprenticeships. Generally the most preferred forms of training are the apprentice programs, as they offer ample opportunity for training and work alongside seasoned plumbing professionals.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the opportunity of employment for steamfitters, pipefitters, and plumbers is expected to grow between 2008 and 2018 for up to 16%. Depending on whether you work in commercial, industrial locations, or homes, you're likely to:

• find faults in equipments and systems and repair them
• install drainage, heating system, water supplies
• Fix and install domestic appliances like gas fires, cookers, showers, and washing machines
• service oil and gas-fired central heating systems, radiators and boilers
• Attend emergency call-outs to fix leaks, for instance in cold weather
• service ventilation and air conditioning units
• You would use power and hand tools on all jobs, which may include welding equipment.
• fit weather-proof flashings, joints, materials to walls, chimneys, and roof

 

6) Appliance Repair

The average annual wage of home appliance repairers is estimated to be around $37,720 in May 2014, according to the S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. According to BLS reports in 2015, home appliance repairers working in appliance and electronics stores garnered a median wage of $35,180, while those in the household and personal repair industry earned an average of $39,020.

Since the air conditioners, dryers, and washers are in constant need of repair and upkeep, this has increased the demand for Appliance repair technicians. The best part is that the training required for this field is not intensive and most training only needs a few months or weeks. This is a great advantage for people who cannot opt for degreed careers that take years to complete. Once you get kick start in this field, you will discover that there is always something new to explore and learn new gadgets and skills.

The job responsibility of an appliance repair technician involves repairing and installing large household appliances, such as refrigerators, air conditioning units, dryers, washers, and ovens. Depending on your specialty, you may choose to repair smaller home appliances as well, such as vacuum cleaners and microwave ovens. An appliance repair technician must be skilled enough to anything unusual in its operation, diagnose what went wrong with an appliance, and perform the necessary repairs leveraging a wide array of tools and technique.
After graduating from your course of study for appliance repair, a plethora of doors will open for you, from working with local service providers to major companies. If you are daring to work the extra mile, you can become be your own boss, and het a chance to work on your own setting and terms.

7) Locksmith

People are becoming more concerned than ever about security and safety. People are constantly installing and upgrading security systems in their offices and houses to deter intruders from breaching their premises. Since people need locksmiths to install these security systems, the demand for locksmiths has risen beyond doubt. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics report, the median annual wage for locksmiths for May 2015 was predicted to be: $39,160, with over 20,900 positions available for aspiring locksmiths.

 

The income of a locksmith depends on certain factors, such as the number of hours they are willing to devote to their profession, whether they have emergency calls or not, and the sector in which he or she is working. Income potential increases with the experience of the locksmith. In addition to traditional workshop setting, you can also work with emergency services and law enforcement agencies to allow access to a property in case of an emergency.

Your work as a locksmith would typically include:
• Repairing, servicing, selling locks and other security devices
• Fitting locks to windows and doors
• Fitting timing devices and combination devices to safes
• Cutting copies of keys and making new keys
• Offering around the clock call-out service to people locked out of their business or homes
• Repairing locks on motor vehicles
• Advising customers on the most suitable safety devices or locks for their needs.
• Providing an emergency service after break-ins, such as resetting security systems, changing locks, and securing doors.