The Best Trade Careers for Your Future

Are you looking for a rewarding career that doesn’t require a four-year college degree? Do you enjoy working with your hands, solving problems, and creating something useful? If so, you might want to consider a trade career.

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A trade career is a job that requires specialized skills and training, usually obtained through vocational school, apprenticeship, or on-the-job experience. Trade careers offer many benefits, such as:

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• High demand: Many trade jobs are in high demand and have a positive outlook for the future. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), some trade jobs are expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations from 2021 to 2031.

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• High pay: Many trade jobs pay well above the national average salary of $58,260 per year. Some trade jobs can even earn six-figure incomes with experience and certification.

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• Variety: Many trade jobs depend on your interests and abilities. You can work in different industries, such as construction, healthcare, manufacturing, technology, or transportation.

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• Satisfaction: Trade jobs can provide a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment, as you can see the results of your work and make a difference in people’s lives.

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If you are interested in pursuing a trade career, here are some of the most popular and in-demand options to consider:

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Building Trades

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Building trades encompass a variety of construction jobs, such as carpentry, flooring, masonry, and plumbing. These jobs involve building, repairing, or maintaining structures, such as houses, offices, bridges, or roads. Building trades need physical strength, manual dexterity, and attention to detail. Some building trades also require certification or licensing.

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Some examples of building trades are:

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• Carpenter: Carpenter constructs and repairs wooden structures, such as frames, floors, cabinets, or furniture. They use tools such as saws, hammers, drills, and levels. The average salary for carpenters is $53,850 per year, and the job outlook is 6%, according to the BLS.

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• Electrician: Electricians install and maintain electrical systems in buildings, such as wiring, lighting, outlets, or appliances. They use tools such as pliers, screwdrivers, testers, and meters. The average salary for electricians is $58,128 per year, and the job outlook is 7%, according to Indeed.com.

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• Plumber: Plumbers install and repair pipes and fixtures that carry water, gas, or sewage in buildings. They use tools such as wrenches, cutters, snakes, and torches. The average salary for plumbers is $57,070 annually, and the job outlook is 8%, according to the BLS.

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Mechanical Trades

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Mechanical trades involve working with machines or vehicles that have moving parts. These jobs require technical knowledge, problem-solving skills, and mechanical aptitude. Some mechanical trades also require certification or licensing.

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Some examples of mechanical trades are:

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• Aircraft mechanic: Aircraft mechanics inspect and repair aircraft components, such as engines, wings, landing gear, or instruments. They use tools such as wrenches, screwdrivers, gauges, and scanners. The average salary for aircraft mechanics is $77,773 per year, and the job outlook is 6%, according to Indeed.com.

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• Automotive technician: Automotive technicians diagnose and fix problems with cars or trucks. They use tools such as wrenches, jacks, scanners, and computers. The average salary for automotive technicians is $45,970 annually, and the job outlook is 5%, according to the BLS.

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• HVAC technician: HVAC technicians work on heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems in buildings. They use tools that measure temperature, pressure, and gas. The average pay for HVAC technicians is $51,420 per year, and the job future is 12%, according to the BLS.

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Industrial Trades

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Industrial trades are jobs that make or use machines, equipment, or products. These jobs need math skills, technical skills, and carefulness. Some industrial trades also need certification or licensing.

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Some examples of industrial trades are:

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• Welder: Welders stick metal parts together using heat and force. They use tools that make fire, sparks, and pressure. The average pay for welders is $44,190 per year, and the job future is 4%, according to the BLS.

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• Machinist: Machinists make or fix metal parts using machine tools, like lathes, milling machines, or grinders. They use tools that measure size, shape, and quality. The average pay for machinists is $46,120 per year, and the job future is 6%, according to the BLS.

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• Electrician: Electricians put in and keep up electrical systems in buildings, like wiring, lighting, outlets, or appliances. They use tools like pliers, screwdrivers, testers, and meters. The average pay for electricians is $58,128 per year, and the job future is 7%, according to Indeed.com.

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Medical Trades

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Medical trades are jobs that help people or animals with their health. These jobs need to know about body parts, their work, and medical words. Some medical trades also need certification or licensing.

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Some examples of medical trades are:

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• Dental hygienist: Dental hygienists clean teeth, check gums, and teach patients how to care for their mouths. They use tools like scrapers, polishers, and X-ray machines. The average pay for dental hygienists is $96,298 per year, and the job future is 9%, according to Indeed.com.

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• Respiratory therapist: Respiratory therapists help patients with trouble breathing, like asthma, COPD, or COVID-19. They use equipment like machines that help breathe, tanks that give oxygen, and devices that make mist. The average pay for respiratory therapists is $98,674 per year, and the job future is 14%, according to Indeed.com.

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• Veterinary technician: Veterinary technicians help veterinarians take care of animals. They take blood samples, give medicines and get ready for surgery. They use tools like needles, stethoscopes, and microscopes. The average pay for veterinary technicians is $36,260 annually, and the job future is 15%, according to the BLS.

These are some of the many trade careers you can pick from. If you want to know more about these or other trade careers, you can look online for trade schools near me or vocational programs that teach you what you want to learn. You can also find online trade schools that let you learn at your own pace and place. Trade careers can be an excellent way to start or grow your career in something you like and that pays well.