Does the thought of spending eight hours a day in a cube farm make you feel a little cringe? 😖 Wanna earn a decent paycheck and get your hands a little dirty? Try a trade on for size! 🧑🔧
Blue collar career paths are on the rise. Between 2022 and 2023, data shows enrollment in vocational schools jumped by 16%. 📈 Let’s look at some popular jobs in trades (and what they pay). 💰
Here’s Five Fast Facts on today’s top trade jobs:
- 🤖 Bot Master - Not scared of robots taking our jobs? As an automation technician, you’ll do everything from design and install to maintain and repair automated equipment and systems used in industrial and manufacturing facilities. For these jobs, employers usually require a high school diploma plus higher education in a field like computer science or engineering. Average base salary: $95,479.
- 🖨️ Made It Myself - Want a career in digital design with a hands-on twist? As a 3-D Printing Technician, you’ll use additive manufacturing techniques to build stuff for all kinds of industries. Make prototypes for aerospace and healthcare companies, or go the artsy route and create unique home decor! Some 3-D printing jobs require a college degree, but others require vocational training and/or an apprenticeship. Average base salary: $51,151.
- ☀️ Sunny Salary - Many homeowners are switching to solar energy to help the environment and save on utilities. As a solar installer, you’ll set up solar panels, perform maintenance, and make repairs. To snag one of these jobs, you’ll need a high school diploma and most likely a degree from a trade school. Solar technician programs range from six weeks to a year in length. You should also be in decent physical shape, since you’ll most likely be hauling around some heavy equipment. Average base salary: $71,632.
- 🧑🏭 Nuts and Bolts - Don’t rage against the machine. Become a CNC machinist instead! Use computer operated mills, lathes, routers and grinders to manufacture a variety of parts and components. Factories big and small hire CNC machinists and most look for some kind of vocational training and apprenticeship experience. Average base salary: $78,003.
- 🛻 Career Driven - As long as there are cars on the road, we’ll need the right people to fix them up. Automotive technicians do everything from inspections and routine maintenance to major repairs. Most automotive tech jobs require a high school diploma or GED. If you want to specialize in electric vehicles (EVs), you may also need automotive electrician training. Pro tip: getting an industry certification is a plus. Average base salary: $62,188.
🔥Bottom line: Jobs in trades offer you a chance to use some real-world skills making a living you’re proud of! Today’s top jobs also come with some sweet paychecks. Speaking of wages, many Americans are getting paid less than $17 an hour. Read all about it here.
Are you pursuing a career in the trades?
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