51³Ô¹ÏÍø

Considering trade school but worried about the cost?Ìý

There are several skilled trade careers fields that can offer increased pay potential and projected growth that do not require a two-year or four-year degree.Ìý Ìý Ìý

Stability, opportunity for growth, and salaries matter when deciding which career to pursue. It is important to consider the availability of jobs within the industry you choose, and how that can impact your career longevity.Ìý

Why choose a skilled trade career? The skilled trades offer some of the most rapidly growing occupations without the requirement of a bachelor’s degree. Skilled trades training programs typically cost less compared to a traditional two-year or four-year college degree and can be completed in significantly less time. That means not only can you enter the workforce sooner, but you can also do so with less student loan debt than the average college grad.

The Fastest Growing Skilled Trades JobsÌý

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the percent change in employment projected 2022-32 for all occupations is just 3%.Ìý

That means not only are several careers within the skilled trades industry growing more than the average for all occupations, but some trades occupations also have high earning potential.Ìý

Here’s the fastest-growing skilled trades occupations across the next decade (2022-32):

• : 45%
• : 22%
• : 21%
• : 20%

Source:

Where do you start when researching salaries for skilled trades jobs?ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý

When making a career choice, earnings are often a huge deciding factor. You invest in your education, so it’s important to consider the potential return on your investment. However, it’s also important to keep in mind there are many aspects that can impact pay potential, such as experience level, credentials and certifications, work location, employer, industry, etc.

If you’re looking for industry statistics for additional occupations, you can find projected median wages and employment growth for many careers from the .Ìý

Other helpful resources include:

• Ìý

What are the highest paying skilled trade jobs? A breakdown by industry

Here’s a few of the highest paying trade jobs based on for median annual wages as of May 2022:

1. Electricians: $60,240Ìý
2. Plumbers, Pipefitters and Steamfitters: $60,090
3. HVAC/R Technicians: $51,390Ìý
4. CDL Truck Drivers: $49,920Ìý
5. Massage Therapists: $49,860
6. Medical Records Specialists: $47,180Ìý

Many of the skilled trade jobs listed above can pay much more for workers with more experience. For example, the . According to Forbes, bring home more than $59,000 a year.Ìý

All the skilled trades jobs listed above are projected to grow about as fast or faster than the national average for all occupations (3%) through 2032.Ìý

If you’re interested in a specific sector in the skilled trades, for example healthcare or trucking, here’s a breakdown by industry.

Healthcare Support Occupations

• Occupational Therapy Assistants: $64,250
• Physical Therapist Assistants: $62,770
• Massage Therapists: $49,860
• Dental Assistants: $44,820
• Medical Equipment Preparers: $41,480
• Phlebotomists: $38,530
• Medical Assistants: $38,270
• Occupational Therapy Aides: $37,060
• Psychiatric Aides: $37,160
• Nursing Assistants: $35,760
• Medical Transcriptionists: $34,730

Source:

Specialty Trade Contractors

• First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers: $73,550
• Electricians: $59,240
• Plumbers, Pipefitters and Steamfitters: $59,890
• Carpenters: $51,630
• Construction Laborers: $40,680

Source:

Trucking and Transportation

• First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers: $64,650
• Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists: $48,940
• Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers: $52,800
• Light Truck Drivers: $45,980
• Laborers and Freight, Stock and Material Movers, Hand: $38,910

Source:

Personal CareÌý

These occupations are reported by median hourly wage.

• $46.33/hour
• : $18.30/hour
• : $16.82/hour
• : $16.01/hour

How to start a career in the skilled trades

Careers in the skilled trades industry have the potential for high earnings and they can offer a path to a life-long, rewarding career. Not only do most skilled trades training programs take less time to complete, but they typically require less student loan debt than traditional college programs.Ìý

At 51³Ô¹ÏÍø (MTI), most programs can be completed in less than a year, and all qualified MTI graduates receive career placement assistance.

If you’re interested in learning more, request more information and a member of the MTIÌý team will reach out.

Helpful Links:Ìý

• Financial AidÌý
• ScholarshipsÌý
• What is a trade school?
• AdmissionsÌý

Sources

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