15 Trade School Subjects for High-Paying Jobs

Trade schools are well known for specific skills acquisition. It may not come as a surprise, but there are trade school subjects for high-paying jobs. Read through this article to find out more!

There are lots of high-paying jobs one can get and earn well like trade school jobs for graduates, even teachers have alternative high-paying jobs that they can take and earn. When opportunities to earn high come up, no one can neglect them, because no one wants to be poor. High-paying jobs are well sought after. California is a humble abode for high-paying jobs.

There are high-paying medical jobs that you can get with little schooling such as a receptionist or registered nurse and a host of others. All these entail that high-paying jobs are highly sought after.

Among the list of high-paying jobs, there are trade school subjects that you can learn and get high-earning jobs. Based on the data collected from the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), a lot of trade subjects have very high pay upon employment. This article has been written to talk about these subjects. Since trade schools are majorly for vocational skills, which are in high demand, getting a job after learning a particular subject will always guarantee high pay. These trade school subjects will be talked about briefly in the next heading.

Trade School Subjects

Trade School Subjects

There are numerous trade school subjects that one can learn, and earn very high. I will be making a list of them and also talk briefly about them. Emphasis will be made on their annual salary, their job outlook in the nearest years to come, and what they are all about. They are as follows;

  • Dental Hygiene
  • Web Development
  • Respiratory Care
  • Electrical Training
  • Rotary Drill Operations
  • Licensed Practical Nursing
  • Air Traffic Control
  • Elevator Mechanics
  • Construction and Building Inspection
  • Petroleum Technology
  • Radiation Therapy
  • Information Technology
  • Paralegal or Legal Assistant Studies
  • Diagnostic Medical Sonography
  • Fashion Designer

1.      Dental Hygiene

Every day, people experience one tooth or gum problem or another ranging from children to adults, so dental hygienists do not run out of clients. The job is a trade school subject that guarantees high pay.

As well as assisting in dental surgery, a dental hygienist’s duties include examining a patient’s mouth for ailments, cleaning teeth, applying fluoride or sealants, taking x-rays, and administering anesthetics. To be qualified to become a dental hygienist, you must have an associate degree in the subject and get your license.

Average Pay Annually: $77,000 to $104,000

Apprenticeship Necessary: No

Job Outlook 2020-2030: 11 percent increase

2.      Web Development

Tons of businesses are working and improving their online presence through web development. This job is a trade school subject that guarantees high pay and is highly sought after. These businesses are looking for web developers who can create, design, and optimize websites based on client specifications. You can get a bachelor’s degree or high school diploma and the basic programming skills to start.

Average Pay Annually: $77,000 to $146,000

Apprenticeship Necessary: No

Job Outlook 2020-2030: 13 percent increase

3.      Respiratory Care

Our respiratory system is a very delicate aspect of humans. Without it, we are as good as dead. Whether it is asthma, pneumonia, sleep apnea, or coronavirus, respiratory therapists play an essential role in patient care.

They also conduct diagnostic tests and guide patients on how to use prescribed medication and equipment. Trade schools that offer this subject must be accredited to for their students to be licensed.

Average Pay Annually: $62,000 to $89,000

Apprenticeship Necessary: No

Job Outlook 2020-2030: 23 percent increase

4.      Electrical Training

Almost everything we do in everyday life involves electricity.  Kitchen appliances, lights, computers, heaters, and now, even cars need electricity. Complicated power grids and apparatuses require expert electricians to keep the lights on. An electrical training job is a trade school subject that guarantees high pay.

While you only need a high school diploma (or equivalent) to qualify to enter this career, most electricians undergo a four-to five-year apprenticeship. If you attend and graduate from a technical school, you usually receive credit toward your apprenticeship.

This training could span a year or longer since electricians are called on to install, test, maintain, and repair power-based systems.

Average Pay Annually: $56,000 to $98,000

Apprenticeship Necessary: Yes

Job Outlook 2020-2030: 9 percent increase

5.      Rotary Drill Operations

Oil and gas drilling and extraction have always been a profitable career path. Becoming a rotary drill operator involves using drilling equipment, counting sections of the drill rod to measure the depth of boreholes, and connecting sections of the drill pipe. It is one of the trade school subjects that guarantees high pay.

Sometimes, it only takes a high school diploma to get into this industry, but most employers prefer operators to have more in-depth education and training by studying the subject at a trade school.

Average Pay Annually: $53,000 to $90,000

Apprenticeship Necessary: Yes

Job Outlook 2020-2030: 26 percent increase

6.      Licensed Practical Nursing

Becoming a licensed practical nurse puts you on the path of providing basic medical care for patients and assisting registered nurses. On a normal workday, you dress wounds, monitor blood pressure, bathe patients, and report changes to supervisors.

With the knowledge of nursing care, you can get a rewarding job at hospitals, clinics, and nursing homes to take care of infants, injured or disabled people, and the elderly. The job is a trade school subject that guarantees high pay

Average Pay Annually: $48,000 to $65,000

Apprenticeship Necessary: No

Job Outlook 2020-2030: 9 percent increase

7.      Air Traffic Control

Airplanes effortlessly take off and land at an airport, as a result of the work of air traffic controllers. Their work is a very important one to avoid unnecessary plane crashes.

This is a high-pressure job that not many can do, but the return on investment is extremely high. Degrees are needed to become an air traffic controller, but three years of impeccable work experience may also be considered.

You need to have great communication skills to give clear instructions and information to your pilots. This job requires utmost concentration as several things can happen at once Controllers need to be able to make decisions and solve problems on the spot.

Average Pay Annually: $130,000 to $184,000

 Apprenticeship Necessary: Yes

Job Outlook 2020-2030: 4 percent increase

8.      Elevator Mechanics

With all the high-rise buildings and apartments all over the country, elevators (and escalators) save people from long walks up the stairs every day. Installing and maintaining these contraptions requires an extensive skill set, such as knowing the basics of electrical and mechanical systems, which you can gain through apprenticeship and certification programs.

Elevator technicians mainly focus on preventive maintenance, working to make sure each unit functions properly. The usual tasks required are oiling, greasing, and replacing parts, and performing emergency repairs.

Average Pay Annually:  $88,000 to $128,000

Apprenticeship Necessary: Yes

Job Outlook 2020-2030: 6 percent increase

9.      Construction and Building Inspection

 With this career, you will assess homes, apartments, and commercial spaces to check their overall condition and safety. You have to learn about residential construction and how to evaluate the conditions of these spaces, including fire hazards, structural integrity, plumbing, and electrical work. It is another trade school subject that guarantees high pay

Average Pay Annually: $62,000 to $101,000

Apprenticeship Necessary: No

Job Outlook 2020-2030: 3 percent decrease

10.  Petroleum Technology

Notwithstanding the growing demand for renewable energy, most countries still depend on fossil fuels. Petroleum technicians work with engineers to explore more efficient ways to extract natural resources like oil and gas, which will be refined into commercial products.

You need to have an associate’s degree in petroleum technology to get started, but going to a trade school after could be an excellent option since training is needed for the job.

Average Pay Annually: $50,000 to $109,000

Apprenticeship Necessary: Yes

 Job Outlook 2020-2030: 9 percent increase

11.  Radiation Therapy

A radiation therapist handles the equipment used by oncologists to cure cancer or tumors. This equipment either shrinks or destroys tumors.

People in this field are going to be trained to read diagnoses and prescriptions and correctly administer radiation doses to patients.

Once you get your associate’s degree, you can apply for a position at private, public, or state hospitals. Though completing a certificate program in an accredited trade school can boost your options.

Average Pay Annually: $86,000 to $132,000

Apprenticeship Necessary: Yes

 Job Outlook 2020-2030: 9 percent increase

12.  Information Technology

This subject allows you the opportunity to learn about computer systems, such as WANs, LANs, and cyber security. You will also develop excellent communication skills since you can expect to perform customer support roles. It is a highly sought-after trade school subject that guarantees a high pay.

Since businesses are going digital today, there are a lot of future jobs waiting for an IT technician upon completing trade school. Earning an IT certificate or an associate’s degree could help you be a computer support specialist, an information research scientist, or a software programmer.

Average Pay Annually: $91,000

Apprenticeship Necessary: No

 Job Outlook 2020-2030: 13 percent increase

13.  Paralegal or Legal Assistant Studies

Paralegals and legal assistants play an essential role in the justice system by relieving lawyers of much of the administrative work that comes with their job.

Choosing this trade prepares you to craft legal documents, such as motions, contracts, mortgages, and memos, as well as communicate with witnesses and law enforcement.

In some cases, a high school diploma is all you need to become a legal assistant (while paralegals need an associate’s degree). But firms and practicing lawyers are more comfortable if you’ve completed a certificate program.

Average Pay Annually: $52,000 to $85,000

Apprenticeship Necessary: No

Job Outlook 2020-2030: 12 percent increase

14.  Diagnostic Medical Sonography

This trade school subject cannot be neglected, as it is used majorly on pregnant women. Diagnostic Medical Sonographers use ultrasound machines to read images with sound waves. These important healthcare workers report their findings to determine medical conditions or the proper treatment to be used.

Many technicians work in obstetrics to view a developing fetus for signs of any abnormal condition and also to determine the baby’s sex and approximate age. While many schools offer an associate or bachelor’s degree in sonography, as well as cardiovascular and vascular technology, some hospitals and community colleges offer one-year certificate programs

Average Pay Annually: $75,000 to $105,000

Apprenticeship Necessary: No

 Job Outlook 2020-2030: 14 percent increase

15.  Fashion Designer

Becoming a fashion designer is not an easy feat, but it is one of the trade school subjects that guarantees high pay. Most in the business have earned a bachelor’s degree in fashion design or fashion merchandising.

 They have an extensive portfolio of their work and have worked their way up the corporate ladder through on-the-job training and apprenticeship opportunities.

Fashion Designers create new designs for clothing or implement designs that are already popular or in style. Some designers work only on one design for a shoe, designer bag, or clothing item, while others design a whole line of clothing. Designers may work alone or with a team.

Average Pay $75,810 Annually

Apprenticeship Necessary: Yes

 Job Outlook 2020-2030: 3 percent

Conclusion

Now that you have seen these trade school subjects that guarantee high pay, do not hesitate and apply for any one of them and begin your journey toward earning big!

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