Federal data shows that the US job market, impacted by AI, is experiencing a boom in vocational and technical training programs. One reason is the widespread perception that blue-collar jobs are well-paid, while college tuition is increasingly expensive.
The skilled trades industry, long plagued by labor shortages, is now favored by America’s youngest job seekers, many of whom are choosing to forgo college. As technology advances in fields ranging from welding to machining, wages are rising, shedding the image of skilled trades as dirty and low-end jobs.
According to a May 2025 survey of 1,434 young people by resume-building company Resume Builder, two-fifths of Generation Z are working in blue-collar jobs, forgoing higher education to learn a trade.
Top 10 Highest-Paying Blue-Collar Jobs
Resume Genius, a career website, has released a list of the top ten highest-paying blue-collar jobs.
Elevator and Escalator Technician: These workers install and maintain elevators, escalators, and moving walkways in airports. As of 2024, the median annual salary for this profession was $106,580, with the top 10% earning $149,250 annually. This position typically requires a high school diploma.
Power Line Installer and Repairman: Line workers maintain the national power grid. The median annual salary for this profession is $92,560, with the top 10% earning $126,610 annually. This profession has seen strong job growth and typically requires only a high school diploma, but it is physically demanding work, involving climbing utility poles and working on lifts.
Aircraft Avionics Mechanic and Technician: These workers are responsible for ensuring the safety of air travel. The work environment can be noisy. The median annual salary is $79,140, with the top 10% earning up to $120,080. This field typically requires some higher education training.
Railway Worker: The median annual salary for this job is $75,680, with the top 10% earning up to $100,130. A high school diploma and on-the-job training are usually required. The work involves outdoor work and irregular hours.
Fixed Equipment Engineer and Boiler Operator: These workers maintain the heating, air conditioning, and electrical systems of large buildings and factories. The median annual salary is $75,190, with the top 10% earning up to $121,200. This job typically only requires a high school diploma and often involves an apprenticeship.
Industrial Mechanic: These workers ensure the proper functioning of factories. The median annual salary is $63,510, with the top 10% earning up to $85,970. This job typically requires a high school diploma and an apprenticeship.
Plumber, Industrial Plumber, and Steam Plumber: These workers install and repair systems that supply water, gas, chemicals, and steam to homes and businesses. The median annual salary is $62,970, with the top 10% earning $105,150 annually. A high school diploma and apprenticeship are typically required.
Wind Turbine Technician: According to Resume Genius, installing and maintaining wind turbines is “not for those with a fear of heights,” as workers often toil at high altitudes in remote areas. The median annual salary is $62,580, with the top 10% earning up to $88,090 annually. Job growth is strong, and this position typically requires a college degree or higher.
Electrician: Electricians are another job that typically only requires a high school diploma and often offers paid apprenticeships. The median annual salary is $62,350, with the top 10% earning up to $106,030 annually. This is a large field with strong job growth, and overtime pay can be substantial.
Solar photovoltaic installers: These workers are responsible for installing solar panels. Typically, only a high school diploma is required for this job, with a median annual salary of $51,860. The top 10% earn up to $80,150 annually, and employment growth is strong.
However, Georgetown University’s Center for Education and the Workforce projects that by 2031, 42% of these jobs will require at least a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree, up from the current 35%.
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