November 27, 2018

Working at a trade gives you the opportunity to put your skills to the test. And you can take steps to ensure you’re earning a good living in your field.

Take a look at these top seven high-paying skilled trade positions to determine if you’re on track, or may want to tack on some additional education and training to bump up your pay grade. If you’re thinking of entering a trade school, you might want to gain training for one of these positions:

  1. Construction Manager: $43.93 per hour, or $91,370 annually. In this role, you’ll be expected to perform specific functions that help ensure construction projects are completed accurately and on time, including planning, coordinating and budgeting. You’ll likely work in a field office, with frequent visits to worksites. In terms of job availability, this position is growing faster than average according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
  2. Boilermaker: $29.93 per hour, $62,260 annually. By earning a high school diploma and completing an apprenticeship, you’ll be on your way to a career as a boilermaker. You’ll be required to assemble, install, maintain and repair boilers and other large vessels that contain liquids and gases.
  3. Pile Driver Operator: $30.66 per hour. Your role in this position is to help retain the foundations of structures such as buildings, bridges and piers using a pile driver to retain walls and bulkheads.
  4. Plumber: $25.28 per hour, or $52,590 annually. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports plumbing positions are growing much faster than average—as a plumber, you can rest assured you’ll always have work. Education requirements are a high school diploma and apprenticeship.
  5. Electrician: $26.01 per hour, $54,110 annually. The world runs on electricity, and electricians support this through installation, maintenance and repair of electrical systems. In this role, you have the opportunity to work in a home, business or factory setting.
  6. Crane Operator: $26.78 per hour. In this role, you’ll use a crane to lift and move or excavate materials, products and machines.
  7. Industrial Machinery Mechanic: $24.25 per hour or $50,440 annually. With a high school diploma and on-the-job training, you can become an industrial machinery mechanic. You’ll be required to maintain and repair large scale industrial machinery, such as production and packaging equipment.

How to advance your skilled labor career

If you’re currently working in a skilled trade and want to advance your career (and your earning potential), talk to your recruiter. He or she can give you suggestions and may even offer training you can take to move ahead.

Check out Inter-Connect

We place qualified candidates with light industrial and administrative work. To learn more, contact us today!

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