Top 10 Best Mechanical Science Trades

Attending a mechanical sciences program at a trade school is a great way to learn skills and prepare for a well-paying job in an area that is of interest to you. In fact, many of the career skills taught in trade school programs can lead to jobs that pay $25 an hour or more after you graduate!

When you choose a trade school, you’re choosing a high-quality education — fast. Some schools and programs even allow students to graduate with certificates in as few as ten weeks!

Plus, many professionals working in skilled trades report a high level of job satisfaction too, especially compared to the prospect of sitting behind a desk all day.

To help you decide if the mechanical sciences might be right for you, the Imagine America Foundation has created a list of ten of the best-paying jobs in mechanical science trades, using official data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)*.

Check it out and see which job sounds right for you:

1.Construction Manager

2023 Median Pay: $104,900 per year/$50.43 per hour

Entry-Level Education: Bachelor’s degree

Typical Job Duties: Construction managers plan, coordinate, budget, and supervise construction projects from start to finish.

Work Environment: Many construction managers have a main office but spend most of their time working out of a field office at a construction site, where they monitor the project and make daily decisions about the project’s activities. The need to meet deadlines and respond to emergencies often requires construction managers to work overtime, nights and weekends, or holidays.

Job Outlook through 2033: 9% growth (much faster than average)

Construction Manager Fun Fact: While you may think that being a construction manager is a job best suited for men, that’s just a gender stereotype. The fact is that more and more women are entering the construction field as they earn degrees in architecture and engineering.

2. Aircraft and Avionics Technician

2023 Median Pay: $75,400 per year/$36.25 per hour

Entry-Level Education: Associate degree or postsecondary certificate

Typical Job Duties: Aircraft and avionics equipment mechanics and technicians repair and

perform scheduled maintenance on aircraft.

Work Environment: Aircraft and avionics equipment mechanics and technicians work in hangars, in repair stations, or on airfields—which can often be loud due to the presence of aircraft engines and equipment.

Job Outlook through 2033: 5% growth (as fast as average)

Aircraft and Avionics Technician Fun Fact: Airfields, hangars, and repair stations are the most common places for aircraft and avionics technicians to work. Most technicians and mechanics find jobs in these types of facilities in cities where major airports and cities are located. Living in areas with high-travel traffic helps aircraft and avionics technicians better secure employment.

3. Construction and Building Inspector

2023 Median Pay: $67,600 per year/$32.55 per hour

Entry-Level Education: Postsecondary certificate or formal apprenticeship

Typical Job Duties: Construction and building inspectors ensure that construction meets local and national building codes and ordinances, zoning regulations, and contract specifications.

Work Environment: Although construction and building inspectors spend most of their time examining worksites, and may climb ladders or crawl in tight spaces as part of their work, they also spend time in an office reviewing blueprints, writing reports, and scheduling inspections.

Job Outlook through 2033: 4% growth (as fast as average)

Construction Inspector Fun Fact: The use of drones on construction sites has grown over 239 percent in recent years, because the aerial maneuverability of drones and the ability to record videos and take photos have streamlined and improved construction inspectors’ ability to do their jobs.

4. Electrician

2023 Median Pay: $61,590 per year/$29.61 per hour

Entry-Level Education: Postsecondary certificate or formal apprenticeship

Typical Job Duties: Electricians install, maintain, and repair electrical power, communications,

lighting, and control systems.

Work Environment: Almost all electricians work full-time. Work schedules may include evenings and weekends, and overtime is common.

Job Outlook through 2033: 11% growth (much faster than average)

Electrician Fun Fact: While there are many levels of proficiency that an electrician can achieve, the highest (and most well-regarded) is a master electrician. The few who earn the title have received both classroom and hands-on training for many years. After working on the job for at least three years, those who are interested can apply to be a master electrician; their credentials and skills are reviewed by other master electricians in the field. Most master electricians spend as much time in school and receiving hands-on training as some doctors.

5. Wind Turbine Technician

2023 Median Pay: $61,770 per year/$29.70 per hour

Entry-Level Education: Postsecondary certificate

Typical Job Duties: Wind turbine service technicians install, maintain, and repair wind turbines.

Work Environment: Wind turbine service technicians generally work outdoors, in confined spaces, and often at great heights. Although the majority of wind techs work full-time, they may also be on call to handle emergencies during evenings and weekends.

Job Outlook through 2033: 60% growth (much faster than average)

Wind Turbine Technician Fun Fact: Wind energy was first used in ancient China around the year 2000 BC. Today, Germany uses the most wind energy per year. It is often hard for countries to use wind turbine energy due to its high cost to produce.

6. Plumber or Pipefitter

2023 Median Pay: $61,550 per year/$29.59 per hour

Entry-Level Education: Postsecondary certificate

Typical Job Duties: Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters install and repair pipes that carry liquids or gases.

Work Environment: Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters work in factories, homes, and businesses—and any other places where there are pipes or septic systems. Plumbers are often on call for emergencies, so evening and weekend work is common.

Job Outlook through 2033: 6% growth (faster than average)

Plumber or Pipefitter Fun Fact: Being a plumber is not only a handy skill to have, but it can also save you a ton of cash. A leaky faucet that drips just once per second can waste more than 3,000 gallons of water a year. That’s a lot of cash wasted down the drain!

7. Millwright

2023 Median Pay: $61,170 per year/$29.41 per hour

Entry-Level Education: Postsecondary certificate

Typical Job Duties: Industrial machinery mechanics, machinery maintenance workers, and

millwrights install, maintain, and repair factory equipment and other industrial machinery.

Work Environment: Millwrights typically spend their time in manufacturing facilities. However, they may also regularly be on call, work night or weekend shifts, or work overtime.

Job Outlook through 2033: 15% growth (much faster than average)

Millwright Fun Fact: Many millwrights also have certification and skills in the area of welding. This helps them better serve their customers by being able to create the materials that their clients need.

8. Construction Equipment Operator

2023 Median Pay: $55,270 per year/$26.57 per hour

Entry-Level Education: Postsecondary certificate

Typical Job Duties: Construction equipment operators drive, maneuver, or control the heavy machinery used to construct roads, buildings, and other structures.

Work Environment: Construction equipment operators work in nearly all weather conditions. They often get dirty, greasy, muddy, or dusty. The majority of operators work full-time, and some operators have irregular work schedules. Some construction projects, especially road building, are done at night.

Job Outlook through 2033: 4% growth (as fast as average)

Construction Equipment Operator Fun Fact: A bulldozer is a common heavy equipment vehicle used by construction equipment operators. While every machine varies in horsepower, weight, and price, the average has over 300 horsepower, weighs more than 40 tons, and cost more than $250,000 to buy!

9. Machinists and Tool and Die Makers

2023 Median Pay: $53,180 per year/$25.57 per hour

Entry-Level Education: Postsecondary certificate

Typical Job Duties: Machinists and tool and die makers set up and operate machine tools to produce precision metal parts, instruments, and tools.

Work Environment: Machinists and tool and die makers work in machine shops, toolrooms, and factories. Although many work full-time during regular business hours, overtime may be common, as is evening and weekend work.

Job Outlook through 2033: 0% growth (little to no change)

Machinists and Tool and Die Makers Fun Fact: Tool and die makers not only have an expert knowledge of making parts, they also have extensive training and knowledge in reading blueprints, measurement techniques, math, and machine assembly. These skills come from years of on-the-job training and classroom education.

10. Masonry Worker

2023 Median Pay: $53,010 per year/$25.49 per hour

Entry-Level Education: Postsecondary certificate or formal apprenticeship

Typical Job Duties: Masonry workers use bricks, concrete blocks, concrete, and natural and manmade stones to build masonry structures.

Work Environment: The work is physically demanding because masons lift heavy materials and often must stand, kneel, and bend for long periods. Poor weather conditions may reduce work activity because masons usually work outdoors, though most masons do work full-time.

Job Outlook through 2033: 0% growth (litte to no change)

Masonry Worker Fun Fact: Across the world, more than 70% of the buildings constructed are

made of masonry. This is largely because masonry is a very stable building material: it’s resistant to fire, earthquakes, and sound.

Find the right school for YOU

Depending on who you ask, the definition of a skilled trade will vary. But most consider it to be a job that requires a specific set of high-level skills. The jobs listed here require hands-on training and, often, classwork to learn the proper way to perform the necessary skills. Those who complete their training and earn a certificate or degree can find themselves well prepared to take on all the tasks that will be required of them on the job.

While the definition of a trade may differ depending who you talk to, one thing that all employers can agree on is that there are plenty of trade school jobs out there for those who are well qualified. Those who have earned entry-level credentials can quickly find themselves in a great starting point on the career path of their choice. And for more experienced workers, adding on additional credentials and certificates can be a great way to move up the career ladder while also making more money.

The possibilities are very nearly endless, and many career training programs can be completed in a short amount of time depending on the next career step you desire to take. Learn more about trade schools and the opportunities at the Imagine America Foundation!

* Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook; website data as of February 25, 2025.

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