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11 Skilled Trades Now Paying More Than College Jobs

Many high-paying trade jobs now out-earn traditional degree-required roles, and without the student debt.

By Kristin Hitchcock

Edited by Andrea Basse

Updated Dec. 15, 2025

College degrees still matter, but the idea that a four-year diploma is the only path to strong earnings is fading fast. Across the country, skilled trade workers are out-earning plenty of professionals with bachelor's degrees, and without racking up years of student debt. If you've ever wondered whether a hands-on career might offer the same (or even better) financial stability, the data suggests the answer is often yes.

Below are several trade careers that could help lower your financial stress without requiring a four-year degree.

Editor's note: All salary figures are sourced from the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

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Electricians

Median annual salary: $62,350

Anyone who has ever lost power during a storm instantly understands why electricians remain in demand. These professionals install and maintain electrical systems in homes, businesses, and industrial settings. Most enter the field through an apprenticeship that blends job-site experience with classroom instruction.

While many bachelor's degree holders work in roles paying below $60,000, electricians often surpass that benchmark, especially with overtime or specialized work.

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Plumbers

Median annual salary: $62,970

Plumbers keep water flowing, heating systems working, and entire buildings from descending into chaos. Work ranges from simple home repairs to major industrial installations. Training typically involves a multi-year apprenticeship rather than college.

The median pay beats out several degree-required jobs such as social workers ($61,330) and graphic designers ($61,300), and many plumbers increase their earnings through emergency or evening work.

HVAC technicians

Median annual salary: $59,810

Heating, ventilation, and cooling specialists keep homes livable and businesses operational. The job combines electrical work, mechanical skills, troubleshooting, and customer service. Most HVAC techs train through accredited programs or apprenticeships rather than university coursework.

Though median pay sits just under $60K, experienced techs in high-demand regions often exceed that. Sometimes graduates earn more than graduates working in office-based entry-level roles.

Industrial machinery mechanics

Median annual salary: $63,510

Manufacturing, shipping, and production facilities rely on complex machinery, and this role keeps that equipment running. It's hands-on, problem-oriented work that doesn't require a bachelor's degree, just technical training and a willingness to learn on the job.

With pay topping $63K, these positions compare favorably to roles requiring degrees, such as biological technicians ($52,000) or market research assistants, who often start in the low-$50Ks.

Elevator and escalator installers

Median annual salary: $106,580

If there's one trade career that surprises people every time, it's elevator installation and repair. This field involved electrical systems, hydraulics, mechanical knowledge, and safety protocols. It's one of the highest-paying trade jobs in the country. Many university graduates never reach six figures, yet elevator technicians routinely do, without taking on any student loan debt. This path typically involves an apprenticeship of four to five years.

Radiation therapists

Median annual salary: $101,990

Radiation therapists support cancer treatments in hospital settings. Despite working in a medical facility, these professionals do not need a bachelor's degree. Instead, an associate's degree and licensing are typical. The work is highly specialized and can be emotionally draining, but the pay competes with other white-collar roles that require years of college.

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Dental hygienists

Median annual salary: $94,260

Hygienists work closely with dentists to clean teeth and provide preventative care. The field often requires an associate's degree and state licensure, not a four-year program. With median earnings over 90K, hygienists regularly out-earn graduates in fields like communication or psychology.

Flexible schedules also make this role appealing for people balancing family or other commitments.

Aircraft and avionics mechanics

Median annual salary: $79,140

Aviation maintenance roles require meticulous work and strong attention to detail. Mechanics inspect, repair, and maintain aircraft according to strict safety and regulatory compliance.

Training happens through FAA-approved programs rather than university degrees. Given the specialized skills involved, pay levels often beat bachelor 's-required fields.

Power plant operators

Median annual salary: $103,600

Power plant operators monitor and maintain equipment that keeps electricity flowing. The job can involve long shift work and rigorous safety protocols, but it does not require a bachelor's degree, just a high school diploma and extensive on-the-job training.

With earnings over six figures, these roles surpass many professional roles requiring a degree and most entry-level corporate positions.

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Wind turbine technicians

Median annual salary: $62,580

As renewable energy expands, wind turbine technicians have become crucial. The job requires comfort with heights, mechanical skill, and problem-solving. Most technicians complete a technical school program rather than a traditional college degree.

While the median pay sits in the low-$60Ks, experienced technicians can make significantly more, especially those willing to travel.

Line installers and repairers

Median annual salary: $92,560

These workers maintain and install power lines and telecommunications systems. The role is physically demanding and often involves emergency work during storms or outages, but it doesn't require a four-year degree. Instead, technical training and certification are typically enough. The pay easily surpasses many degree-required careers.

Bottom line

Trade careers can be a powerful alternative to traditional four-year degrees, especially for people who want solid earnings without taking on years of student debt. Many of these roles offer strong median pay and steady demands, which both make them especially appealing in a tight labor market.

Several trade fields are projected to add tens of thousands of new openings each year due to retirements, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That turnover could create even more opportunities for workers looking to get ahead financially without a bachelor's degree.

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