What Trade Makes the Most Money? Top 10 Lucrative Trades of 2025

Introduction

This article about What Trade Makes the Most Money? Top 10 Lucrative Trades of 2025. Despite this shifting job market, skilled trades are booming, both in pay and demand. While traditional college degrees are facing new challenges from trades that didn’t exist prior to the technological revolution, such as nuclear engineers or data analysts, well-paying trades are seen as an alternative to a traditional college education.

Whether you’re looking for a new career or just starting out, it’s good to know the top trades to earn big money. In this guide we will reveal the 10 most profitable trades for 2025 by giving you a summary of job growth, pay, and the qualifications you need. This article covers the question, What trade makes the most money? from IT to construction.

Why Trades Are Hot

Cheap and Cheerful

Trades are good, because they pay well and don’t require a college degree. You can be paid money as soon as 1 or 2 years down the line. Quite a few of these jobs can be done with a certification, apprenticeship or associate degree. That is to say, less time in school, and more time making money. The ROI is typically much higher than with a traditional degree.

• Less student debt
• More rapid job entry
• Increased need for mechanical trades
• ROI is higher than many four year degrees

Strong Job Security

Construction, technology, health care and other industries need skilled workers. These are critical, recession-proof roles that are also difficult to automate.

As more baby boomers retire, there’s a labor shortage, which makes these jobs more secure and higher paying. A lot of employers can also provide job security, union benefits and long-term career progression.

Top 10 Trades That Will Make You Rich in 2025

Let’s get into the top paying trade jobs of 2020. These careers were chosen based on salary, industry demand, and career outlook. If you have been asking yourself, What trade makes the most money this is for you.

1. Elevator/escalator installers.

Trade with high income Growth

For those who are wondering what trade makes the most money, this is it. These workers install and service elevators and escalators in buildings. They are also are critical in cites, commercial buildings and hospitals.

• Median Salary (2025): $105,000+
• Job Growth: 7% (Faster than average)

Skills Required:

• Mechanical aptitude
• Troubleshooting skills
• Apprenticeship training
• Understanding of blueprints

Why It’s Lucrative:

• Specialized knowledge
• High demand in urban areas
• Safety-critical role
• Low certified individuals count

Related Keyword: Highest paid trades, high paying trades

2. Radiation Therapists

High-Paying Medical Trade

Arguably the best trade job to make money, radiation therapists provide radiation treatments to cancer patients. These people are key in oncologic clinics and hospitals.

• Average Salary: $98,000
• Education: Two-year associate degree and certification

Why It Pays Well:

• Requires precision
• Works closely with doctors
• Sought after by cancer institutes
• Advanced tech usage

Key Perks:

• Predictable schedule
• Meaningful work
• Minimal physical labor

Related Keywords: Best paying trade jobs, most lucrative trades 2025

3. Nuclear Medicine Technologists.

Profile for a Summary Care Record Subject “Nuclear Medicine Technologists” is a descriptor in the National Library of Medicine’s controlled vocabulary thesaurus, MeSH (Medical Subject Headings).

Technical and Medical Skills

They are responsible for the preparation and use of radioactive drugs for imaging and treating. The trade mixes science, technology and patient care.

• Average Salary: $96,000
• Certification Required
• Job Growth: Steady demand in hospitals

Why It Pays:

• Requires you to have tech expertise
• Operates highly technical equipment
• Short educational path
• High-stakes diagnostic work

Related Keywords: Highest paying trades 2025, best trades for good money

4. Construction Managers

Leadership in the Field

Curiosity is the best traits and wondering which trade pays the most in construction? Construction managers coordinate and supervise construction projects from beginning to end. They oversee subcontractors, manage budgets and guarantee delivery, on time.

• Average Salary: $94,000
• Requirements: Associate or Bachelor Degree or equivalent experience

Why It’s Lucrative:

• Project-based bonuses
• Oversees multiple teams
• Rising construction orders
• Business ownership opportunities

Skills Needed:

• Project planning
• Budget management
• Leadership skills
• Technical aspect of construction

Related: Best skilled trades for money, Highest paying trades

5. Power Line Installers

Working on the Grid

There are lines to install and lines to repair, so people don’t lose power to their homes and businesses. This work was also physically demanding, but well paying.

• Average Salary: $92,000
• Training: Apprenticeship
• Risk Level: High

Why It’s High Paying:

• Risky, high-responsibility job
• Frequently requires travel and overtime
• Extensive technical training

Perks:

• Strong union support
• Great benefits
• High overtime pays

Related Keywords: Best trades for good money, Highest paying trades to get into

6. Aircraft and Avionics Mechanics

Fine Work for the Aircraft in the Shop

Aircraft mechanics inspect and repair airplanes and helicopters. Air safety is reliant on their precision and diligence.

• Average Salary: $90,000
• Education: FAA-approved training or apprenticeship

Why This Trade Pays Well:

• Aviation safety is critical
• Regular inspections required
• Civilian and military uses
• Shift premiums and bonuses

Key Highlights:

• High responsibility
• Demand for civil and military aviation
• Willing to travel and relocate.

Related Tags: High paying trades 2025, most lucrative trades

7. Plumbers

Necessity Trade with large demand

Plumbers earn $47,000 and up depending on the services rendered which keeps it one of the best trades to get into, the demand for plumbers is always very high and can make a good living out of it. From a new home to a leaky pipe, plumbers are always in demand.

• Average Salary: $85,000
• Training: Apprenticeship, trade school

Why It Pays:

• Essential service
• Overtime and emergency pay costs are high
• Frequent repeat customers
• Both commercial and residential opportunities

Career Perks:

• Self-employment opportunities
• Diverse client base
• Job variety

Related Keywords: Easiest trades to make money, highest paying trades

8. HVAC Technicians

Comfort Specialists

HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) techs help maintain climate control in buildings. They rig homes and offices to burn, sometimes while their inhabitant’s sleep.

• Average Salary: $82,000
• Education: Certificate or associate degree

Why It Pays:

• High summer and winter demand
• Regular maintenance contracts
• Frequent upgrades and repairs
• Labor Shortage in the Trade

Perks:

• Year-round work
• Commercial and homeowner markets
• Demand is being lifted by upgrades for green energy

Related Keywords: Best trades for high pay, top trades to make good money

9. Wind Turbine Technicians

Green Energy and Growth

This environmentally friendly trade is arguably the best trade of 2025 thanks to the green energy momentum. Wind power is growing fast, and jobs as a turbine technician are plentiful.

• Average Salary: $80,000
• Education: Tech school or equivalent
• Growth Rate: 15% (Far faster than average)

Why It Pays:

• Growing demand
• Complex maintenance work
• High-risk outdoor environment

Pros:

• Travel opportunities
• High growth potential
• Required for work in the country and offshore

Related Keywords: Best trades to get into to make money, highest paying trades to get into

10. Welders (Specialized)

Under Water and Pipeline Welding

Not all welding is equal. Specialized welders can earn six figures, especially in oil, gas and underwater projects. These workers are critical to industries such as energy, infrastructure and shipbuilding.

• Average Salary:  $75,000 to $150,000 (specialized)
• Training: Certified and skilled

Why It Pays Well:

• High-risk jobs
• Needed in major industries
• Contract work with bonuses
• Great travel access 

Perks:

• Travel
• Contract-based bonuses
• Specialization in high demand

Related Searches: High-paying skilled trades, best skilled trades for money

Comparison Chart the Most Profitable Trade + more by the end of 2025

How to Get into a High-Paying Trade

Choose Wisely

Not all trades pay the same. Concentrate on metros with strong job and demand growth. Research the trades that interest you, and think about long-term potential, benefits and lifestyle.

• Research industry trends
• Pursue apprenticeships in high-wage occupation fields
• Consider specialization
• Consider geography -related demand.

Get Certified

Certifications make you valuable. They also help unlock higher-paying roles. Certified employees are favored by employers as this is an assurance of quality and standard as per the industry norms.

• Trade schools
• Industry exams
• State licenses
• This makes continuing education imperative for career advancement

Build Experience

Hands-on experience is key. The more niche your expertise, the more you might earn. Volunteering, interning or scaling down can lead to big opportunities down the road.

• On-the-job training
• Mentorship
• Diversify your skill set within your business

Final Thoughts:

So which trade makes the most money? As the year 2025 rolls out, the list is dominated by elevator installers, radiation therapists and nuclear techs. But several other trades, including plumbing, HVAC, and welding, have high pay with far less schooling.

This line of work offers a blend of good pay, job security and personal fulfillment. Skilled trades become the plan, not the plan B. Trades that now offer some of the highest paying jobs. These are the kinds of jobs we need in infrastructure, in health care, and in clean energy.

High pay and little barriers to entry mean that these trades are the future of work. Ready to earn big? Pick one of the top 10 best trades of 2025 and kickstart your financial future.

FAQ:

1. What is the highest paid trade in 2025?

With $100,000-plus in annual wages, elevator installers are currently the highest-paid trade.

2. Is a college degree required for these trades?

No. Most require certification, apprenticeships or associate degrees — not four-year degrees.

3. Are trade jobs better than traditional jobs?

They’re high-paying, low cost and often recession-proof — the perfect antidote to debt-burdened liberal arts graduates.

4. What are some high paying trades with little schooling?

Radiation therapists and wind turbine techs earn strong salaries with less than 2 years of training.

5. What are the best trades for growth?

Jobs of wind turbine technicians, construction managers and HVAC specialists are projected to grow quickly through 2030.