What are the Skilled Trades? (2024)

FAQs

What are the skilled trades in the US? ›

Skilled trades generally fall into five broad categories: agricultural, construction, transportation, service, and manufacturing and industrial. Consider the extensive list of skilled trades below for career opportunities.

Apprentice, Journeyman, Master

There are three levels of a skilled tradesperson: apprentice, journeyman and master. As expected, each level requires a higher level of knowledge and skills before you can attain them.

In the United States, demand for skilled workers has skyrocketed—and the unmet need for tradespeople risks putting prosperity and even national security at stake.

Skilled industrial and manufacturing trades, such as welders and machinists. Skilled construction trades, such as plumbers and carpenters. Skilled service trades, such as nursing assistants and hair stylists. Skilled transportation trades, such as train operators and automotive technicians.

Plumbing is one of the easiest high-paying trade jobs to get into, as it requires just a high school diploma and no prior experience. That, coupled with a median salary of around $60,000, makes it another vocation for those who want to learn a skill quickly and start earning just as fast.

A skilled trade job is a position pursued by an employee who either receives schooling to learn a specific skill set for their desired position or they gain these needed skills during on-the-job training. After finishing vocational courses, college classes or training, they may obtain a certificate.

What certification pays the most without a degree? ›

America needs technical workers — and supply isn't measuring up to demand. The big picture: Older workers in the skilled trades are retiring and not enough young people are training up to take their jobs as construction workers, plumbers, electricians and beyond.

What are the most common trade jobs? In 2022, material-moving workers comprised 22.8% of skilled trade workers, amounting to 7.9 million people, making it the most common trade job. Material-moving workers perform jobs such as conveyor, crane, and tractor operation; order filling; and refuse and recyclable collecting.