Highest Paying Trade Jobs No One’s Talking About (2024)

Highest Paying Trade Jobs: Uncovering 2024’s Best-Kept Secrets

Trade jobs are often overlooked, but they can lead to incredibly lucrative careers. As someone who’s spent years researching and exploring various career paths, I’ve discovered some fascinating insights about high-paying trade jobs that aren’t getting the attention they deserve. In 2024, these hidden gems are not only financially rewarding but also crucial to our society’s infrastructure and daily functioning. Let’s dive into the world of these underrated professions and uncover the potential they hold for those willing to roll up their sleeves and get to work.

The beauty of trade jobs lies in their accessibility and the clear path to financial success they offer. Unlike many traditional careers that require extensive formal education, trade jobs often provide on-the-job training and apprenticeships. This means you can start earning while you’re learning, avoiding the burden of student debt that plagues many college graduates. But don’t let the lack of a college degree fool you – these trade jobs can lead to six-figure salaries and even million-dollar businesses for those who play their cards right.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore eight high-paying trade jobs that are flying under the radar. We’ll break down each profession, discussing the potential earnings, the skills required, and the path to success. Whether you’re a recent high school graduate looking for a promising career or someone considering a mid-life career change, these trade jobs offer exciting opportunities for financial growth and job satisfaction. So, let’s pull back the curtain on these hidden trade jobs and discover the potential they hold for your future.

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The Three-Step Process to Success in Trade Jobs

Before we dive into the specific trade jobs, it’s crucial to understand the three-step process that can lead you from entry-level worker to business owner. This progression is the key to maximizing your earning potential in any trade job.

Step 1 – Learn

The first step in any trade job is to learn the ropes. This often involves apprenticeships or on-the-job training where you’ll work under experienced professionals. During this phase, you’ll gain the skills and knowledge necessary to perform the job effectively. It’s important to absorb as much information as possible and develop a strong work ethic. Many trade jobs offer formal apprenticeship programs that combine classroom instruction with hands-on experience.

Step 2 – Earn

Once you’ve mastered the necessary skills, you’ll move into the earning phase. As a skilled tradesperson, you can command competitive salaries that often surpass those of many white-collar jobs. In this stage, you’ll continue to refine your skills and build a reputation for quality work. It’s also an opportunity to network and establish relationships within your industry.

Step 3 – Own

The final step is to transition from employee to business owner. This is where the real earning potential of trade jobs becomes apparent. By leveraging your skills and experience to start your own business, you can significantly increase your income. As a business owner, you’ll have the opportunity to hire other tradespeople and scale your operations. This is how many trade professionals turn their skills into multi-million dollar enterprises.

Now that we understand this progression, let’s explore eight high-paying trade jobs that offer excellent opportunities for those willing to put in the work.

Hidden High-Paying Trade Jobs for 2024

1. Septic Truck Owner

When you think of lucrative careers, septic truck ownership probably doesn’t come to mind. However, this overlooked trade job can be incredibly profitable. Septic truck owners provide an essential service by pumping out septic tanks for homes and businesses. The demand for this service is consistently high, and many septic companies struggle to keep up with the volume of work.

Based on my research, a single septic truck can generate between $500,000 and $1 million in annual revenue. The process is relatively straightforward – pumping out a septic tank typically takes 20-25 minutes, and companies often schedule 2-hour windows for each job. On average, septic truck drivers complete 4-6 jobs per day.

Let’s break down the numbers:

Average cost per septic tank: $700-$900
Jobs per day: 5 (conservative estimate)
Weekly revenue: $3,500

Annual revenue: $182,000

After accounting for disposal costs, fuel, insurance, and other expenses, a septic truck owner can net between $400,000 and $600,000 annually. This makes it one of the highest-paying trade jobs available, with the potential for even greater earnings as you expand your business.

2. Basement Waterproofing Technician

Another hidden gem in the world of trade jobs is basement waterproofing. This specialized service is crucial for homeowners looking to protect their property from water damage. As a basement waterproofing technician, you’ll be responsible for assessing, treating, and preventing water infiltration in basements.

The earning potential in this field is impressive. On average, a basement waterproofing job can be completed in two days and costs around $4,500. If you work six days a week, this translates to an annual revenue of $686,000. Even accounting for material costs, fuel, maintenance, and insurance, you’re looking at a potential profit of several hundred thousand dollars per year.

What makes this trade job particularly attractive is the potential for repeat business and referrals. Once you’ve successfully waterproofed a basement, satisfied customers are likely to recommend your services to friends and family. Additionally, you can expand your offerings to include related services such as foundation repair or mold remediation, further increasing your earning potential.

3. Diesel Technician

In the world of heavy machinery and transportation, diesel technicians play a crucial role. These skilled professionals are responsible for maintaining and repairing natural gas or diesel engines and compressors. The demand for diesel technicians is high, particularly in areas with significant construction or industrial activity.

Diesel technicians can command impressive rates, often charging around $2,500 per day. Working a standard five-day week, this could translate to an annual revenue of $650,000. What’s even more exciting about this trade job is the potential for scaling. As you gain experience and build a reputation, you can hire additional technicians and grow your business into a multi-million dollar operation.

The key to success in this field is specialization. By focusing on specific types of equipment or industries, you can become the go-to expert in your niche. This specialization allows you to command higher rates and build long-term relationships with clients who rely on your expertise to keep their operations running smoothly.

4. Boilermaker

Boilermakers are skilled tradespeople who assemble, maintain, and repair boilers and other large vessels that hold gases and liquids. This trade job requires precision, strength, and a high level of technical knowledge. While it may not be as well-known as some other trades, boilermaking can be an extremely lucrative career path.

The median annual salary for boilermakers is around $71,000, but experienced professionals can earn up to $150,000 per year. What’s even more impressive is the potential earnings for specific jobs. Fixing a boiler in a single house can range from $7,000 to $10,000, depending on the capacity. Replacing a boiler entirely is even more expensive, offering significant earning potential for skilled boilermakers.

Let’s break down the potential earnings:

Average job cost: $7,000

Jobs per week: 2 (conservative estimate)
Weekly revenue: $14,000
Annual revenue: $728,000

Even after accounting for expenses, boilermakers have the potential to earn between $400,000 and $800,000 annually. This makes it one of the highest-paying trade jobs available, particularly for those who specialize in high-end or industrial boilers.

5. Millwright

Millwrights are specialized technicians who work on dismantling, moving, and reassembling machinery in factories and plants. This trade job requires a unique combination of mechanical skills, precision, and problem-solving abilities. While it may not be as well-known as some other trades, millwrights play a crucial role in keeping industrial operations running smoothly.

The earning potential for millwrights is impressive, with salaries ranging from $60,000 to $130,000 per year. However, the real opportunity lies in becoming an owner-operator in this field. As the owner of a millwright business, you could potentially earn around $280,000 in annual revenue.

After accounting for expenses such as insurance, materials, equipment maintenance, and transportation, an owner-operator in this field could take home around $150,000 per year. This is a conservative estimate, and there’s potential for even higher earnings as you build your reputation and expand your client base.

6. Elevator Technician

When it comes to hidden high-paying trade jobs, elevator technicians are often overlooked. However, this specialized field offers excellent earning potential and job security. Elevator technicians are responsible for installing, maintaining, and repairing elevators, escalators, and other types of lifts.

The average salary for elevator technicians is around $97,000, but experienced professionals can earn up to $130,000 per year. What’s even more exciting is the potential for government contracts, which can push earnings above $200,000 annually. As an owner-operator in this field, you could potentially double these figures.

One of the biggest advantages of this trade job is the low startup costs. Unlike some other trades that require expensive equipment or vehicles, elevator technicians can get started with a relatively small investment in tools and certifications. This low barrier to entry, combined with high earning potential, makes it an attractive option for those looking to enter the trades.

7. Street and Parking Lot Light Maintenance

Here’s a trade job that truly shines when it comes to earning potential. Street and parking lot light maintenance might not sound glamorous, but it’s an essential service that offers excellent opportunities for those willing to climb the ladder – literally and figuratively.

The services provided in this field include light installation, repairs, retrofitting to LED, and ongoing maintenance. The numbers in this business are impressive:

Replacing one pole light: $3,000 – $5,000
Installing a series of lights: $15,000
Replacing a single light bulb (industrial): $150 – $700

At the higher end, if you’re servicing city contracts and replacing multiple light bulbs per day at $500-$700 each, you could be looking at a business generating $2 million in annual revenue. Even after accounting for expenses such as equipment, labor, and insurance, this trade job offers the potential for profit margins between 30% and 50%.

8. Septic System Designer

While we’ve already discussed septic truck owners, there’s another lucrative niche in this field: septic system designers. These professionals are responsible for designing and planning septic systems for new constructions or replacing failing systems. This trade job combines engineering knowledge with practical field experience, making it a unique and high-paying opportunity.

Septic system designers typically charge between $1,500 and $3,000 for a basic design, with complex systems or challenging sites commanding even higher fees. On average, a septic system designer might complete 2-3 designs per week, leading to potential annual revenues of $300,000 to $450,000.

What makes this trade job particularly attractive is the relatively low overhead. Unlike some other trades that require expensive equipment or large teams, septic system design can often be done as a one-person operation with minimal equipment. This leads to high profit margins and the potential for significant earnings.

Conclusion

As we’ve explored these eight hidden high-paying trade jobs, it’s clear that the trades offer incredible opportunities for those willing to learn, work hard, and potentially start their own businesses. From septic truck owners to elevator technicians, these professions demonstrate that you don’t need a traditional four-year degree to achieve financial success.

The key to maximizing your earnings in these trade jobs is to follow the three-step process we discussed: learn, earn, and own. By mastering your craft, building a reputation for quality work, and eventually starting your own business, you can turn these trade jobs into six-figure salaries or even million-dollar enterprises.

As we look ahead to 2024 and beyond, these trade jobs are likely to remain in high demand. Our society will always need skilled professionals to maintain our infrastructure, keep our machines running, and provide essential services. By choosing one of these hidden high-paying trade jobs, you’re not only setting yourself up for financial success but also contributing to the backbone of our economy.

So, whether you’re just starting your career journey or looking for a change, consider these trade jobs as viable and lucrative options. With hard work, dedication, and a bit of entrepreneurial spirit, you could find yourself in one of the highest-paying careers that no one’s talking about – yet.