The 15 Best Jobs for Trade School Graduates

The 15 Best Jobs for Trade School Graduates

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Elevator Installer and Repairer

These technical professionals assemble, maintain, and fix elevators, escalators, moving walkways, chairlifts, and other automotive lifts. They read building blueprints to determine what type of machinery and related components to use before installing and testing the elevator for functionality. In addition to troubleshooting problems, elevator mechanics

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Elevator Installer and Repairer

conduct routine maintenance to ensure compliance with building codes and government safety standards. Elevator mechanics typically work as contractors for private equipment companies.

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Radiation Therapist

Working with nurses, physicians, and oncologists, radiation therapists treat serious diseases like cancer. These healthcare workers oversee radiation therapy sessions, using machines like linear accelerators to shrink and destroy cancerous tumors. They also monitor patients during treatment for any negative reactions while adhering to strict safety protocols.

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Radiation Therapist

Radiation therapist is the best-paying healthcare trade job on this list. Around 65% of therapists work for private, public, or state hospitals; the remainder find employment with doctor's offices and outpatient care centers. Radiation therapists must hold either an associate or bachelor's degree from a school that has been 

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Radiation Therapist

accredited by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists. Most states require these practitioners to apply for and maintain government licensure as well.

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Web Developer

These information technology (IT) professionals create websites, designing the overall aesthetic and layout of the pages. Depending on their role, web developers also oversee back-end technical aspects, including the site's performance speed and traffic capacity. Additionally, they can act as webmasters, updating content, monitoring usability, and fixing issues such as broken links.

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Web Developer

Web developers can raise their pay by working for software publishers and companies that handle proprietary electronic networks. While some web developers are self-taught, most hold an associate degree in web development that covers both computer programming and graphic design. To pursue a specialized position in an area

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Web Developer

like full-stack development or to occupy a management role, you will likely need to have a bachelor's degree in web development or even a graduate degree.

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Dental Hygienist

Dental hygienists help patients maintain good oral health through preventative procedures and hygiene education. They use a variety of hand and ultrasonic tools to remove plaque, tartar, and stains. They also search for signs of oral diseases like gingivitis and oral cancer.  Depending on the state, these professionals can complete 

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Dental Hygienist

additional training to become dental therapists who are equipped to extract teeth and install crowns. To work as a dental hygienist, you must complete a three-year associate degree program that's been accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation. You must also earn licensure through your state's board of dental examiners.

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Diagnostic Medical Sonographer

Diagnostic medical sonographers assist physicians and surgeons with diagnosing illnesses and other medical conditions and preparing patients for operations.  Using imaging machines to produce sonograms and ultrasounds, sonographers help detect and identify abnormalities in the human body. These professionals 

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Diagnostic Medical Sonographer

may specialize in a specific area of the body, such as the heart, blood vessels, female reproductive system, or abdominal cavity. Sonographers have the potential to earn around $100,000 by working in an outpatient care center. Medical sonographers typically hold a technical certificate from a school accredited by the 

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Diagnostic Medical Sonographer

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs. Alternatively, they can earn an associate in sonography, which can prepare them for advanced academic training down the road.

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Electrical Line Workers

Electrical line workers, also known as line installers and repairers, utilize their training to oversee the installation and repairs of electrical power lines, telecommunication cables, and fiber optics. Additionally, these workers assess the integrity of lines through inspections and testing. Line workers must hold at least a high school or GED diploma and traditionally complete an apprenticeship or training program.

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Respiratory Therapist

Respiratory therapists support patients with breathing difficulties and cardiopulmonary conditions. As medical professionals, they interview patients before assessing their lung function and conducting other diagnostic tests. They also collaborate with physicians to identify treatment plans, which may include aerosol medications and chest physiotherapy.

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Respiratory Therapist

Over four-fifths of respiratory therapists work in hospitals. Just 1 in 10 of these health specialists makes over $95,540 annually. Respiratory therapists typically hold an associate degree from a trade college that's been accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care. You can also prepare for a career in this field by earning a bachelor's degree in respiratory therapy.

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Electrician

Primarily working for contractors, licensed electricians install and test power-based apparatuses, such as communication networks, control grids, and lighting systems.  They analyze blueprints to identify the proper placement of circuits and breakers in buildings. When maintaining an existing system, these 

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Electrician

professionals identify solutions for fixing hard-to-reach wiring, motors, and other electrical components. The top 10% of electricians make over $99,800 a year. They can also pursue self-employment, installing and repairing electrical systems at residential sites. Most electricians develop their skills through a paid apprenticeship 

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Electrician

program that lasts 4-5 years. Upon completion, they are considered journey workers and can apply for licensure through their state electrical licensing board.

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Plumber

Professional plumbers install and maintain piping systems that carry liquid and gas in homes, office buildings, and industrial facilities.  For residential clients, plumbers conduct inspections and prepare cost estimates for tasks like installing a bathtub and replacing a broken pipe or fixture. Construction plumbers work in teams to ensure a 

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Plumber

site's plumbing satisfies building codes and federal standards. Nearly two-thirds of plumbers work for a contracting company. To become a plumber, you'll typically need to complete an apprenticeship, which lasts 4-5 years. Many plumbers also hold a certificate or associate degree. Most states require plumbers to apply for licensure before they can work independently.

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Mortician

Morticians and funeral service workers oversee an array of details surrounding the deceased. These professionals typically need to hold an associate degree and must be 21 years old.  Morticians, also known as funeral directors, manage funeral services and work closely with religious representatives, cemeteries, 

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Mortician

and families, all while handling administrative tasks. These workers may also embalm bodies and utilize cosmetic training to prepare the deceased for viewings and funerals.

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IT Technician

Commonly called computer support specialists, IT technicians work on departmental teams to install and maintain WANs, LANs, and internet networks.  They also perform security functions, defending against cyber criminals and recovering stolen digital assets. IT technicians may sometimes occupy a customer support 

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IT Technician

role, teaching people to use new software or hardware and helping them troubleshoot common problems.

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Wind Turbine Technician

Also known as wind techs, wind turbine technicians oversee the functions of turbines that turn wind energy into electricity.  Typical tasks include locating and repairing problems related to the major turbine components, such as the tower, three blades, generator, and brake systems. These technicians may also work with substations, fiber optic 

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Wind Turbine Technician

controls and sensors, and subterranean transmission systems. Wind turbine technician is one of the most in-demand green jobs, with most working on rural wind farms. To establish a career in this area of sustainability, you'll need to obtain either a certificate or an associate degree in wind technology. Many employers 

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Wind Turbine Technician

also require wind techs to complete a year of on-the-job training.

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Legal Assistant

Legal assistants and paralegals support lawyers by performing administrative tasks such as maintaining digital filing systems, creating official documents like mortgages and contracts, and facilitating communication among witnesses, law enforcement, and external vendors. They also assist with trial preparation, conducting research on relevant regulations and personal histories.

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Legal Assistant

Around three-fourths of legal assistants work for lawyer offices and law firms, while the remainder find employment with government agencies and financial institutions, like banks and insurance companies. Legal assistants and paralegals typically hold an associate degree; however, many employers prefer candidates who possess a bachelor's in

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Legal Assistant

paralegal studies and have completed a certificate program backed by the American Bar Association.

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HVACR Technician

Heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVACR) technicians install and fix systems that control a building's air quality and temperature.  HVACR mechanics also perform routine maintenance, replacing filters and cleaning ducts so that the system satisfies government regulations. These 

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HVACR Technician

professionals can hone their skills by specializing in a subfield like commercial refrigeration, solar paneling, and radiant heating systems.

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Licensed Practical Nurse

Also called licensed vocational nurses in certain states, licensed practical nurses (LPNs) provide basic patient care, working under the guidance of registered nurses and physicians to take care of infants, feed patients who have trouble eating, and monitor vitals like heart rate and blood pressure.  Experienced LPNs may occupy leadership

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Licensed Practical Nurse

positions, supervising nonmedical staff and new practical nurses. Nursing careers enjoy some of the highest rates of occupational growth in the healthcare sector. They usually work at hospitals, home health services, physician's offices, and residential care facilities.

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