12 'Boring' Trade Jobs That Are Desperate for Workers Paying $60,000 or More a Year

Nobody grows up dreaming of spending their career fixing boilers or pulling wire through conduit. But a lot of people are leaving serious money on the table by overlooking those jobs — money that could be used to grow your wealth instead of servicing student loan debt. A persistent shortage of skilled trade workers has pushed wages in some of the least glamorous corners of the labor market well past what many office jobs pay.

The 12 careers below all come with median salaries of at least $60,000 a year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and most can be entered through an apprenticeship or technical program rather than a four-year degree.

Editor's note: All salary data is from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Electrician

Median annual salary: $62,350

Electricians install and maintain the wiring systems, circuit breakers, and electrical panels that power homes, commercial buildings, and industrial facilities. They read blueprints, run conduit, troubleshoot outages, and increasingly, they're installing EV charging infrastructure and solar systems as the grid modernizes — creating demand that shows no sign of leveling off.

Most electricians complete a four- or five-year apprenticeship through a union or contractor association, earning a paycheck while they train. Licensing is required in every state, and some states issue separate credentials for residential, commercial, and industrial work.

Boilermaker

Median annual salary: $73,340

Boilermakers construct, install, and repair the pressure vessels — boilers, tanks, and vats — used in power plants, refineries, and manufacturing facilities. The job involves heavy fabrication: cutting, shaping, and welding thick steel components that must hold up under extreme pressure. It is loud, physically intense, and requires precision welding skills that take years to develop.

Most boilermakers complete a four- or five-year apprenticeship through the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, earning wages from day one while learning welding, blueprint reading, and rigging. There is no four-year degree requirement to get started.

Plumber, pipefitter, or steamfitter

Median annual salary: $62,970

Plumbers install and repair the pipes that carry water, gas, and waste in homes and commercial buildings. Pipefitters and steamfitters work on more specialized systems — high-pressure piping in manufacturing plants, power stations, and chemical facilities. All three trades require reading blueprints, working in tight spaces, and solving problems that are usually hidden inside walls or ceilings.

Most plumbers complete a four- or five-year apprenticeship combining on-the-job training with technical coursework. Every state requires plumbers to be licensed, which typically means passing an exam after completing a recognized apprenticeship.

Electrical power-line installer and repairer

Median annual salary: $92,560

Line installers and repairers string and maintain the high-voltage transmission and distribution lines that carry electricity from power plants to homes and businesses. The job puts workers on utility poles and steel transmission towers — often in poor weather, under time pressure from outages — at heights that require both physical confidence and rigorous safety discipline.

Employers typically prefer applicants with a high school diploma and some technical training, though many line workers start as helpers and earn their skills through a multi-year apprenticeship. A commercial driver's license is commonly required.

Sheet metal worker

Median annual salary: $60,850

Sheet metal workers fabricate, install, and maintain the ductwork, roofing systems, and metal components found in HVAC systems, industrial equipment, and building exteriors. The job involves measuring, cutting, and shaping metal to tight tolerances using hand tools and automated machinery, then fitting it precisely on job sites where conditions are rarely ideal.

Most sheet metal workers enter through a five-year apprenticeship program offered by the Sheet Metal Workers union or a contractor association. Apprentices earn wages from the start while learning layout, drafting, and welding — skills that transfer across a wide range of commercial and industrial employers.

Industrial machinery mechanic and millwright

Median annual salary: $63,510

Industrial machinery mechanics and millwrights keep the equipment running in manufacturing plants, food processing facilities, and power generation sites. Millwrights specialize in installing and aligning heavy machinery; mechanics focus on diagnosing and repairing breakdowns. Both spend their shifts tracking down mechanical, hydraulic, and electrical failures before they bring an entire production line to a halt.

A postsecondary certificate or associate's degree in industrial maintenance is the common starting point, and union apprenticeship programs are available through both trade organizations and individual employers. Most workers also receive significant on-the-job training specific to their plant's equipment.

Elevator and escalator installer and repairer

Median annual salary: $106,580

Elevator installers and repairers set up, maintain, and fix the elevators, escalators, and moving walkways found in hospitals, office towers, and transit systems. The work involves electrical wiring, hydraulics, and mechanical systems, often in confined elevator shafts or on steep escalator runs. It's technically demanding and physically awkward, which helps explain why wages top $100,000 at the median.

Most workers enter through a four-year apprenticeship run by the International Union of Elevator Constructors, which combines paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction in electronics and mechanics. A high school diploma or GED is the typical starting requirement.

Ironworker

Median annual salary: $61,940

Structural ironworkers raise the steel frames of bridges, skyscrapers, and stadiums — connecting beams, setting anchor bolts, and welding joints at significant heights. Reinforcing ironworkers place the rebar inside concrete structures. Both specialties require precision under physically demanding conditions; a misaligned beam or improperly placed rebar can compromise a structure's integrity.

Apprenticeships through the Iron Workers union last three to four years and cover rigging, welding, and blueprint reading. Applicants typically need a high school diploma and must pass a physical fitness assessment. Some states require additional certification for specific welding tasks.

Telecommunications technician

Median annual salary: $64,310

Telecom technicians install, test, and repair the cables, routers, and switching equipment that keep phone and internet networks running. They work in central offices, at cell tower sites, and inside commercial buildings — diagnosing outages and maintaining the transmission infrastructure most people never think about until it goes down.

A postsecondary certificate or associate's degree in telecommunications or electronics is the typical entry path, though some workers start with a high school diploma and learn on the job. Vendor certifications from companies like Cisco can meaningfully improve pay and hiring prospects.

Stationary engineer and boiler operator

Median annual salary: $75,190

Stationary engineers operate the large mechanical systems that heat, cool, and power commercial buildings and industrial plants, including boilers, chillers, air handling units, and water treatment equipment. The role is largely about monitoring gauges, adjusting controls, and catching problems before they become shutdowns. It's unglamorous, repetitive, and absolutely essential.

Licensing requirements vary by state, but most positions require a stationary engineer's or boiler operator's license earned through coursework and experience. Many workers start in building maintenance and advance by passing state licensing exams.

Medical equipment repairer

Median annual salary: $62,630

Medical equipment repairers — often called biomedical technicians — maintain and fix the diagnostic and therapeutic devices used in hospitals and clinics. This includes MRI machines, ventilators, infusion pumps, surgical robots, and patient monitors. Most of the work involves electronic troubleshooting, calibration, and preventive maintenance, all performed in a clinical environment with strict documentation requirements.

An associate's degree in biomedical equipment technology is the standard entry credential, and some positions require manufacturer-specific certification on particular devices. Veterans with military electronics training frequently transition directly into this field.

Electrical and electronics installer and repairer

Median annual salary: $71,270

These technicians install and maintain the specialized electrical and electronic systems used in industrial facilities, transportation networks, and commercial buildings, including motor controls, generators, switchgear, and communications equipment. The work is diagnostic and hands-on, requiring both electrical theory and mechanical aptitude, and mistakes can take an entire production line offline.

Most positions call for at least a postsecondary certificate or associate's degree in electronics technology. Some employers offer structured on-the-job training, and union apprenticeship programs exist in certain sectors.

Bottom line

The trades on this list don't get a lot of attention in high school guidance offices, but they come with something more useful than prestige: wages that outpace many jobs requiring a four-year degree, genuine job security, and entry paths that start with an apprenticeship rather than a tuition bill. A solid trade income can put you on track for retirement without the financial head start that a college salary supposedly provides.

The shortage of trained tradespeople is real, and it means employers are actively competing for workers who are willing to learn a technical skill and show up reliably. That's a better position than most job markets put you in.