Highest Paying Trade Jobs
Trades are ranked here by national median annual pay from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Median means half the workers in that occupation earn more and half earn less, so treat it as the middle of the range rather than a starting wage — the top-10% column is a better picture of where the trade can go.
| Trade | Median pay | Top 10% | Openings per year | Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer network support specialists (closest BLS category) | $73,340 / year | Telecommunications employers paid a median of $78,710 | About 50,500 openings per year across computer support specialist roles | 2% growth for network support specialists, 2024–2034 |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters | $62,970 / year | Top 10% earn over $105,150 | About 44,000 openings per year nationally | 4% growth, 2024–2034 |
| Heavy vehicle and mobile equipment service technicians | $62,740 / year | Mobile heavy equipment mechanics specifically median $63,980 | About 21,700 openings per year nationally | 6% growth, 2024–2034 |
| Electricians | $62,350 / year | Top 10% earn over $106,030 | About 81,000 openings per year nationally | 9% growth, 2024–2034 |
| Sheet metal workers | $60,850 / year | Top 10% earn over $102,680 | About 10,600 openings per year nationally | 2% growth, 2024–2034 |
| Heating, air conditioning and refrigeration mechanics and installers | $59,810 / year | Top 10% earn over $91,020 | About 40,100 openings per year nationally | 8% growth, 2024–2034 |
| Solar photovoltaic installers | $51,860 / year | Top 10% earn over $80,150 | About 4,100 openings per year nationally | 42% growth, 2024–2034 |
| Welders, cutters, solderers and brazers | $51,000 / year | Top 10% earn over $75,850 | About 45,600 openings per year nationally | 2% growth, 2024–2034 |
Wage figures are U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook national data for May 2024. Job-opening and growth figures are BLS projections for 2024–2034. Pay in the Dallas–Fort Worth market varies by employer, union agreement and overtime.