{
 "site": "https://highpayingtrades.com",
 "generated": "2026-11-03",
 "license": "CC BY 4.0 (attribute HighPayingTrades.com and original sources)",
 "wage_bar": {
  "mean_min": 65000,
  "basis": "BLS OEWS May 2025 national annual mean wage (all experience levels)"
 },
 "headline": "Skilled trades with $65k+ average pay (all experience levels)",
 "every_listed_trade_mean_at_least": 65000,
 "groups": {
  "mean_65k": "Average pay (mean, all experience levels) of $65,000 or more"
 },
 "field_descriptions": {
  "mean_annual": "Average pay (all experience levels): BLS OEWS annual MEAN wage across every worker in the occupation. Not starting pay; not a median.",
  "median_annual": "BLS OEWS annual MEDIAN wage (half earn more, half less). Not an average.",
  "pct10_annual": "BLS OEWS annual 10th-percentile wage, labeled entry-level / bottom 10%: 90% of workers earn more. Closest BLS figure to new-worker pay.",
  "pct90_annual": "BLS OEWS annual 90th-percentile wage (top 10% earn more).",
  "a_*": "Raw BLS OEWS fields: a_mean = annual mean, a_median = annual median, a_pct10..a_pct90 = annual percentiles, h_* = hourly."
 },
 "sources": {
  "built": "2026-11-03",
  "bls": {
   "name": "U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)",
   "release": "May 2025 estimates",
   "release_date": "2026-05-15",
   "news_release": "https://www.bls.gov/news.release/archives/ocwage_05152026.htm",
   "news_release_id": "USDL-26-0725",
   "tables_url": "https://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm",
   "national_xlsx": "https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm25nat.zip",
   "state_xlsx": "https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm25st.zip",
   "metro_xlsx": "https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm25ma.zip",
   "sha256": {
    "oesm25nat.zip": "b5855a37f3e03e779f6fbf173d3bbc94aeeff33426aef32fa95ce6d025bab1af",
    "oesm25st.zip": "74d5be0e1df865517d22dc3bd1fc3a8af5f6f9e3052a2163143021505d8e04c6",
    "oesm25ma.zip": "cc3e6fa80edf64ab8fd0e8a6472ef1b513a6bcaef2f5018e9649c485793b0b99"
   },
   "api_cross_check": {
    "endpoint": "https://api.bls.gov/publicAPI/v2/timeseries/data/",
    "checked": "2026-11-03",
    "all_match": true
   }
  },
  "onet": {
   "name": "O*NET OnLine (U.S. Department of Labor, ETA; National Center for O*NET Development)",
   "url": "https://www.onetonline.org/",
   "retrieved": "2026-11-03",
   "license": "CC BY 4.0",
   "db_version": null
  },
  "dol": {
   "name": "U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Apprenticeship: partner sponsors file",
   "url": "https://www.apprenticeship.gov/sites/default/files/wps/oa_partner_sponsors.csv",
   "finder": "https://www.apprenticeship.gov/partner-finder",
   "retrieved": "2026-10-29",
   "sha256": "e8f7ea6943c9077b0ff7fe478a2fa2a9c5612458f3286a90c5adaf9c8df3a69c"
  },
  "ipeds": {
   "name": "U.S. Department of Education, NCES IPEDS Completions 2023-24 (C2024_A) and Institutional Characteristics (HD2024)",
   "url": "https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/datacenter/data/C2024_A.zip",
   "hd_url": "https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/datacenter/data/HD2024.zip",
   "crosswalk": "https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/Files/CIP2020_SOC2018_Crosswalk.xlsx",
   "year": "2023-24",
   "retrieved": "2026-11-03",
   "method": "First-major sub-baccalaureate awards (certificates and associate degrees) at active institutions, matched to each trade by 6-digit CIP code",
   "sha256": {
    "C2024_A.zip": "03234cc27fe4e7eb835a66d4f37aaec11bdac8dfa278f971584e1b20d03e1159",
    "HD.zip": "d98425c123d7c0e872aec6e83960dfb501884818bf17385c340790f3d1f28345",
    "xw.xlsx": "ba3d59a191b9d977a5c457a66b9348c4f2f7963aafacf72c0b80113b46bf0ab8"
   }
  },
  "scorecard": {
   "name": "U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard (Most Recent Cohorts: Institution + Field of Study)",
   "url": "https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/data/",
   "updated": "2026-10-15",
   "retrieved": "2026-10-25"
  },
  "geonames": {
   "name": "GeoNames US postal codes",
   "url": "https://download.geonames.org/export/zip/",
   "license": "CC BY 4.0"
  }
 },
 "trades": [
  {
   "slug": "elevator-mechanic",
   "name": "Elevator Mechanic",
   "soc": "47-4021",
   "onet": "47-4021.00",
   "onet_title": "Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers",
   "url": "https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/elevator-mechanic/",
   "api": "https://highpayingtrades.com/api/trades/elevator-mechanic.json",
   "national": {
    "tot_emp": 23790,
    "a_mean": 109820,
    "a_pct10": 59270,
    "a_pct25": 79290,
    "a_median": 109910,
    "a_pct75": 135720,
    "a_pct90": 158890,
    "h_median": 52.84,
    "h_mean": 52.8,
    "top_coded": false,
    "area_title": "U.S."
   },
   "mean_annual": 109820,
   "median_annual": 109910,
   "pct10_annual": 59270,
   "pct90_annual": 158890,
   "qualifies_on": "mean",
   "group": "mean_65k",
   "programs": 128,
   "school_programs": 0,
   "apprenticeship_sponsors": 128,
   "graduates_2023_24": 0,
   "cip6": [],
   "states_with_programs": 38
  },
  {
   "slug": "lineworker",
   "name": "Lineworker",
   "soc": "49-9051",
   "onet": "49-9051.00",
   "onet_title": "Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers",
   "url": "https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/lineworker/",
   "api": "https://highpayingtrades.com/api/trades/lineworker.json",
   "national": {
    "tot_emp": 131070,
    "a_mean": 91970,
    "a_pct10": 51470,
    "a_pct25": 67270,
    "a_median": 95320,
    "a_pct75": 109740,
    "a_pct90": 128690,
    "h_median": 45.83,
    "h_mean": 44.22,
    "top_coded": false,
    "area_title": "U.S."
   },
   "mean_annual": 91970,
   "median_annual": 95320,
   "pct10_annual": 51470,
   "pct90_annual": 128690,
   "qualifies_on": "mean",
   "group": "mean_65k",
   "programs": 376,
   "school_programs": 305,
   "apprenticeship_sponsors": 71,
   "graduates_2023_24": 5219,
   "cip6": [
    "46.0303",
    "46.0301",
    "46.0399"
   ],
   "states_with_programs": 43
  },
  {
   "slug": "process-operator",
   "name": "Refinery & Process Operator",
   "soc": "51-8093",
   "onet": "51-8093.00",
   "onet_title": "Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers",
   "url": "https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/process-operator/",
   "api": "https://highpayingtrades.com/api/trades/process-operator.json",
   "national": {
    "tot_emp": 33160,
    "a_mean": 90630,
    "a_pct10": 57110,
    "a_pct25": 77510,
    "a_median": 96710,
    "a_pct75": 106320,
    "a_pct90": 115880,
    "h_median": 46.5,
    "h_mean": 43.57,
    "top_coded": false,
    "area_title": "U.S."
   },
   "mean_annual": 90630,
   "median_annual": 96710,
   "pct10_annual": 57110,
   "pct90_annual": 115880,
   "qualifies_on": "mean",
   "group": "mean_65k",
   "programs": 209,
   "school_programs": 209,
   "apprenticeship_sponsors": 0,
   "graduates_2023_24": 3165,
   "cip6": [
    "41.0301",
    "41.0303",
    "15.0903"
   ],
   "states_with_programs": 36
  },
  {
   "slug": "aircraft-mechanic",
   "name": "Aircraft Mechanic",
   "soc": "49-3011",
   "onet": "49-3011.00",
   "onet_title": "Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians",
   "url": "https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/aircraft-mechanic/",
   "api": "https://highpayingtrades.com/api/trades/aircraft-mechanic.json",
   "national": {
    "tot_emp": 138090,
    "a_mean": 84740,
    "a_pct10": 48780,
    "a_pct25": 62630,
    "a_median": 79870,
    "a_pct75": 99130,
    "a_pct90": 128890,
    "h_median": 38.4,
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    "top_coded": false,
    "area_title": "U.S."
   },
   "mean_annual": 84740,
   "median_annual": 79870,
   "pct10_annual": 48780,
   "pct90_annual": 128890,
   "qualifies_on": "mean",
   "group": "mean_65k",
   "programs": 499,
   "school_programs": 499,
   "apprenticeship_sponsors": 0,
   "graduates_2023_24": 10861,
   "cip6": [
    "47.0607",
    "47.0608"
   ],
   "states_with_programs": 48
  },
  {
   "slug": "electrical-engineering-technician",
   "name": "Electrical & Electronic Engineering Technician",
   "soc": "17-3023",
   "onet": "17-3023.00",
   "onet_title": "Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians",
   "url": "https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/electrical-engineering-technician/",
   "api": "https://highpayingtrades.com/api/trades/electrical-engineering-technician.json",
   "national": {
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    "a_mean": 80680,
    "a_pct10": 49510,
    "a_pct25": 61610,
    "a_median": 78190,
    "a_pct75": 97650,
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    "top_coded": false,
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   },
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   "median_annual": 78190,
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   "pct90_annual": 115700,
   "qualifies_on": "mean",
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   "school_programs": 662,
   "apprenticeship_sponsors": 0,
   "graduates_2023_24": 5552,
   "cip6": [
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   ],
   "states_with_programs": 47
  },
  {
   "slug": "industrial-automation-technician",
   "name": "Industrial Automation Technician",
   "soc": "17-3024",
   "onet": "17-3024.00",
   "onet_title": "Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians",
   "url": "https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/industrial-automation-technician/",
   "api": "https://highpayingtrades.com/api/trades/industrial-automation-technician.json",
   "national": {
    "tot_emp": 15520,
    "a_mean": 76420,
    "a_pct10": 47840,
    "a_pct25": 59780,
    "a_median": 73900,
    "a_pct75": 88540,
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    "h_median": 35.53,
    "h_mean": 36.74,
    "top_coded": false,
    "area_title": "U.S."
   },
   "mean_annual": 76420,
   "median_annual": 73900,
   "pct10_annual": 47840,
   "pct90_annual": 109890,
   "qualifies_on": "mean",
   "group": "mean_65k",
   "programs": 663,
   "school_programs": 602,
   "apprenticeship_sponsors": 61,
   "graduates_2023_24": 5281,
   "cip6": [
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    "15.0405",
    "15.0406",
    "15.0407"
   ],
   "states_with_programs": 49
  },
  {
   "slug": "industrial-electronics-technician",
   "name": "Industrial Electronics Technician",
   "soc": "49-2094",
   "onet": "49-2094.00",
   "onet_title": "Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment",
   "url": "https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/industrial-electronics-technician/",
   "api": "https://highpayingtrades.com/api/trades/industrial-electronics-technician.json",
   "national": {
    "tot_emp": 65010,
    "a_mean": 75570,
    "a_pct10": 46840,
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    "a_median": 74090,
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    "h_median": 35.62,
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   "school_programs": 222,
   "apprenticeship_sponsors": 0,
   "graduates_2023_24": 3026,
   "cip6": [
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   "states_with_programs": 32
  },
  {
   "slug": "pipefitter",
   "name": "Pipefitter & Steamfitter",
   "soc": "47-2152",
   "onet": "47-2152.00",
   "onet_title": "Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters",
   "url": "https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/pipefitter/",
   "api": "https://highpayingtrades.com/api/trades/pipefitter.json",
   "national": {
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    "a_mean": 72170,
    "a_pct10": 44150,
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   "group": "mean_65k",
   "programs": 509,
   "school_programs": 318,
   "apprenticeship_sponsors": 191,
   "graduates_2023_24": 3393,
   "cip6": [
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    "46.0503"
   ],
   "states_with_programs": 50
  },
  {
   "slug": "crane-operator",
   "name": "Crane Operator",
   "soc": "53-7021",
   "onet": "53-7021.00",
   "onet_title": "Crane and Tower Operators",
   "url": "https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/crane-operator/",
   "api": "https://highpayingtrades.com/api/trades/crane-operator.json",
   "national": {
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   "school_programs": 0,
   "apprenticeship_sponsors": 35,
   "graduates_2023_24": 0,
   "cip6": [
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   "states_with_programs": 19
  },
  {
   "slug": "electrician",
   "name": "Electrician",
   "soc": "47-2111",
   "onet": "47-2111.00",
   "onet_title": "Electricians",
   "url": "https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/electrician/",
   "api": "https://highpayingtrades.com/api/trades/electrician.json",
   "national": {
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    "a_pct10": 42640,
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   "apprenticeship_sponsors": 461,
   "graduates_2023_24": 30349,
   "cip6": [
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   "states_with_programs": 52
  },
  {
   "slug": "operating-engineer",
   "name": "Operating Engineer",
   "soc": "47-2073",
   "onet": "47-2073.00",
   "onet_title": "Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators",
   "url": "https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/operating-engineer/",
   "api": "https://highpayingtrades.com/api/trades/operating-engineer.json",
   "national": {
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    "h_median": 28.78,
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   "school_programs": 87,
   "apprenticeship_sponsors": 97,
   "graduates_2023_24": 1131,
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 ],
 "excluded": [
  {
   "soc": "51-4121",
   "name": "Welder",
   "mean_annual": 56760,
   "median_annual": 53750,
   "pct10_annual": 39240,
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 ]
}