Pay for the Skilled Trades Increased (2024)

In April of 2024, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that pay for many skilled trade careers increased in 2023. Many of these same trades are expected to see an increased demand in the next decade, which is great news for trade school students.

Pay for Skilled Trades Increased

If you are one of the many people interested in the trades, you can find a trade school in your area here! To learn more about what some of these professionals made in 2023, read on.

HVAC Technicians

What HVAC Tech’s Do: HVAC stands for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. HVAC technicians install, repair, and maintain components that supply the heating, cooling, ventilation, and/or refrigeration to residential homes and commercial buildings.
How Much Money HVAC Tech’s Make: In 2023, the BLS reported that HVAC technicians earned an average of $59,620, with the top 10 percent making $84,250 or more. The BLS also predicts that demand for HVAC technicians will increase 6 percent by 2032, translating to an added 37,700 job openings each year over the next decade.

Find HVAC technician training near you today!

Welders

What Welders Do: Welding is a great trade that is needed in virtually every industry, including aerospace, automotive, mechanics, and technology, among many others. Welders create structures, or individual parts, through various techniques involving intense heat and pressure to fuse two materials together.
How Much Money Welders Make: In 2023, the BLS reported that welders earned an average of $52,640, with the top 10 percent making $72,970 or more. The BLS also predicts that there will be little to no significant increase or decrease in demand for welders by 2032. However, the trade is still a promising one to pursue. Around 42,600 new welding jobs are expected to open to welders each year over the next decade.

Find schools with welding programs near you today!

Electricians

What Electricians Do: Electricians install, maintain, and repair wiring for electrical work in industrial, residential, or commercial settings. In many cases, electricians install internal wiring systems with the assistance of blueprints and technical diagrams.
How Much Money Electricians Make: The BLS reported that an electrician’s average pay in 2023 was $67,810, with the top 10 percent making $104,180 or more. In addition to an increased pay, electricians can anticipate an in-demand career path. The BLS predicts that demand for electricians will increase 6 percent by 2032. This percentage translates to an added 73,500 job openings for electricians each year over the next decade.

Find schools offering electrical technology programs near you today!

Automotive Service Technicians

What Auto Mechanics Do: Auto mechanics repair and provide maintenance services to many different types of vehicles. Now more than ever, these skilled technicians must be up-to-date with the latest automotive technology for accurate and efficient repairs and diagnoses.
How Much Money Auto Mechanics Make: The BLS states that in 2023, the average pay for automotive technicians was $51,940, with the top 10 percent making $77,630 or more. The BLS also predicts little to no significant increase or decrease in demand for automotive technicians by 2032. However, auto mechanics can still anticipate a great career with an estimated 67,700 new job openings each year over the next decade. Auto mechanics with specializations in electric technology, AI, and green initiatives may have a more competitive edge in the job market.

Find schools with auto mechanic programs near you today!

Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians

What Aircraft Mechanics Do: Aircraft technicians repair and provide maintenance services to aircraft, ensuring the safety and reliability of their components. Work can encompass wings, brakes, electrical systems, defective parts, certain gauges, and the use of diagnostic equipment.
How Much Money Aircraft Mechanics Make: The BLS reports that in 2023, aircraft mechanics earned an average pay of $76,260, with the top 10 percent making $114,750 or more. The BLS also predicts that demand for aircraft technicians will increase 4 percent between now and 2032. This translates to an added 12,800 job openings for aircraft mechanics each year over the next decade.

Find schools with aircraft mechanic programs in your area today!

Find Trade Schools Near You!

The versatility of the skilled trades, along with many of these industries seeing steady wage increases, makes these careers very promising. If a future in the trades sounds right for you, don’t delay. Find a trade school in your area today!

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Want to learn about more trades? Check out “What Programs are Offered at Trade Schools” to explore more possibilities.