Published April 6, 2026 · Updated annually
Highest Paying Trade Jobs 2026: No Degree Required
Skilled trades are experiencing a renaissance. With a growing shortage of qualified workers, electricians, plumbers, and other tradespeople are earning more than ever — many surpassing $80,000 in top markets. Here is how trade salaries compare across 25 cities, using verified BLS data.
Trade Salary Rankings
Here is how the five major trade occupations compare nationally, ranked by median salary:
| Rank | Trade | National Median | Top City | Lowest City | Total Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Electrician | $73,317 | $102,070 | $53,790 | 301,510 |
| 2 | Plumber | $70,862 | $100,110 | $52,280 | 182,540 |
| 3 | Carpenter | $62,464 | $80,950 | $48,400 | 283,690 |
| 4 | Automotive Technician | $56,837 | $77,260 | $48,310 | 250,390 |
| 5 | Welder | $56,534 | $67,560 | $48,790 | 112,560 |
Electricians: The Highest-Paying Trade
Electricians earn the highest median salary among major trades at $73,317 nationally. With growing demand from EV charging infrastructure, solar installation, and data center construction, electrician shortages are driving wages higher.
| City | Median | 90th Pctl | COL-Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portland, OR | $102,070 | $126,560 | $78,455 |
| Seattle, WA | $101,600 | $139,230 | $68,005 |
| Chicago, IL | $99,540 | $120,770 | $92,768 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $95,090 | $115,410 | $89,539 |
| San Jose, CA | $95,020 | $169,770 | $48,529 |
Why Trades Are Booming
Several structural forces are driving trade wages upward:
- Retirement wave — the average age of a skilled tradesperson is over 55. As baby boomers retire, the talent pool is shrinking faster than it is being replenished.
- Infrastructure spending — the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act are pouring billions into construction, EV charging, and clean energy — all requiring skilled trades.
- College alternative narrative — with rising student debt and uncertain ROI on degrees, more young people are choosing apprenticeships over four-year colleges.
- No AI replacement risk — unlike many white-collar roles, skilled trades require physical presence and manual dexterity that cannot be automated.
Trades vs College-Degree Careers
The trade vs degree debate has real numbers behind it. Consider:
- An electrician apprentice starts earning immediately (typically $15-25/hour), while a college student takes on an average of $30,000+ in debt.
- By age 25, a tradesperson may have 4-5 years of paid experience and zero debt, while a college graduate is often starting at entry-level with loan payments.
- At the 90th percentile, top electricians in high-cost metros earn over $126,560 — competitive with many degree-requiring professions.
Best Cities for Trade Workers
Cities with high construction activity, strong unions, and infrastructure projects offer the best trade wages. But cost of living matters: a plumber earning $85K in Houston has more purchasing power than one earning $100K in San Francisco. Use our salary calculator to compare, or explore rankings:
Frequently Asked Questions
Electricians earn the highest median salary among major trades at $73,317 nationally. Plumbers and welders follow closely. At the 90th percentile in top cities, all trades can exceed $100,000.
Yes. Electricians, plumbers, and welders in top-paying metro areas regularly earn $80K-$110K+ at the 75th-90th percentile. Overtime, specialty work (e.g., industrial welding, commercial electrical), and self-employment can push earnings even higher.
For many people, yes. Trades offer immediate earning potential, zero student debt, strong job security, and salaries competitive with many degree-requiring jobs. The key factors are aptitude for physical work, geographic flexibility, and long-term career goals.