Trades that pay $100k
1 trade we track averages $100k or more: Elevator Mechanic ($109,820). In 11 trades, top earners (top 10%) make $100k+. Typical pay is lower; the median is shown beside each figure.
Average pay across all experience levels (BLS OEWS May 2025). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025 estimates, released 2026-05-15.
Average $100k+
Trades with a $100k+ national average
| Trade | Average | Median | Top 10% earn over (90th percentile) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevator Mechanic | $109,820 | $109,910 | $158,890 |
Top 10% earn $100k+
Trades where top earners (top 10%) make $100k+
The 90th percentile is the pay level the top 10% of workers earn above. It is not what a typical worker makes; compare the median.
| Trade | Average | Median | Top 10% earn over (90th percentile) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevator Mechanic | $109,820 | $109,910 | $158,890 |
| Aircraft Mechanic | $84,740 | $79,870 | $128,890 |
| Lineworker | $91,970 | $95,320 | $128,690 |
| Refinery & Process Operator | $90,630 | $96,710 | $115,880 |
| Electrical & Electronic Engineering Technician | $80,680 | $78,190 | $115,700 |
| Industrial Automation Technician | $76,420 | $73,900 | $109,890 |
| Electrician | $71,490 | $63,190 | $108,510 |
| Plumber & Pipefitter | $72,170 | $63,800 | $108,420 |
| Industrial Electronics Technician | $75,570 | $74,090 | $105,590 |
| Crane Operator | $72,130 | $68,080 | $103,570 |
| Operating Engineer | $66,290 | $59,850 | $101,090 |
By state
Where a trade’s state average reaches $100k
55 trade-and-state pairs have a state average of $100,000 or more in the BLS OEWS May 2025 state estimates. States where BLS does not publish an estimate are left out.
Job growth
Fastest-growing trades, 2025–35
Projected employment change and openings per year for every trade we track. These are job projections; BLS does not project wages.
| Trade | Projected job change 2025–35 | Openings per year |
|---|---|---|
| HVAC/R Technician | +10.9% | 40,600 |
| Lineworker | +10.3% | 10,900 |
| Electrician | +9.2% | 72,700 |
| Plumber & Pipefitter | +6.8% | 42,000 |
| Elevator Mechanic | +5.7% | 1,900 |
| Aircraft Mechanic | +5.4% | 11,400 |
| Operating Engineer | +4.6% | 39,200 |
| Crane Operator | +3.8% | 3,500 |
| Diesel Mechanic | +3.6% | 24,400 |
| Industrial Automation Technician | +2.6% | 1,400 |
| Electrical & Electronic Engineering Technician | +2.4% | 8,100 |
| Welder | +2.4% | 40,300 |
| Industrial Electronics Technician | +0.3% | 4,700 |
| Refinery & Process Operator | -1.9% | 2,700 |
FAQ
$100k trades: quick answers
Which trades pay $100k on average?
In the BLS OEWS May 2025 data, 1 of the 14 trades we track has a national average of $100,000 or more: Elevator Mechanic ($109,820).
Which trades have top earners making $100k+?
In 11 trades the top 10% (90th percentile) earn over $100,000 a year nationally: Elevator Mechanic ($158,890), Aircraft Mechanic ($128,890), Lineworker ($128,690), Refinery & Process Operator ($115,880), Electrical & Electronic Engineering Technician ($115,700), Industrial Automation Technician ($109,890), Electrician ($108,510), Plumber & Pipefitter ($108,420), Industrial Electronics Technician ($105,590), Crane Operator ($103,570), Operating Engineer ($101,090). This is top-earner pay, not typical pay; see the median for a typical worker.
Which of these trades are growing fastest?
In the BLS Employment Projections 2025–35, released 2026-08-27, the fastest projected job growth among these trades is HVAC/R Technician (+10.9%), Lineworker (+10.3%), Electrician (+9.2%), versus +3.5% for all occupations. BLS projects employment, not pay.