What is the Best Job In Trade School?

With strong demand⁶, high-paying,^1-5 skilled trade jobs offer real career opportunities. At Tulsa Welding School (TWS), you will learn the knowledge and skills for jobs in welding, HVAC/R, electrical work, and electrical linework. But which job is the best? That depends on your passion, interests, strengths, and career goals. Let’s explore some of the best jobs you can get from attending trade school today.  

What are the Highest Paying Jobs from Trade Schools?

Some of the highest paying trade school jobs include:

Electro-Mechanical Technician

Electro-mechanical technicians build, install, test, and fix machines that use both electrical and mechanical parts. They read blueprints, assemble components, connect wiring, and use computers to test machine functions. When equipment fails, they troubleshoot the problem and replace faulty parts to keep production on track. They also perform regular maintenance to prevent breakdowns, and work closely with engineers to test new systems or improve existing ones. TWS offers an Electro-Mechanical Technologies program.

Electro-mechanical technicians have a median salary of $65,0803 as of 2023. Those that work in scientific research and development and engineering may make a higher wage. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $44,210, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $104,690.

Electrician

Electricians install, maintain, and repair electrical systems in residential and commercial settings. They create a plan for the project and understand where wires, outlets, and panels are located so they can install and repair necessary electrical systems. Electricians install wiring and outlets, connect circuits, and make sure everything is grounded and safe. They will troubleshoot problems and fix or replace parts as needed. Electricians follow strict safety codes to prevent shocks and fire. TWS offers Electrical Training programs at Dallas Metro campus and also an Electrical Training program at the other TWS campuses.

The median annual salary for electricians was $61,5904 as of 2024. Electricians work in government and manufacturing can request higher salaries. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $38,470, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $104,180.

Electrical Lineworker

Electrical lineworkers install, update, maintain, and repair the power lines that carry electricity to our homes and businesses. They work on overhead and underground systems, often using bucket trucks or climbing gear to reach high places. Lineworkers fix damaged lines after storms, and connect new structures to the power grid. They handle high-voltage wires so they must follow strict safety rules to avoid injury. TWS offers an Electrical Lineworker training program.

Electrical lineworkers make the highest median salary for graduates of TWS. Their median salary was $85,4205 in 2023. Those trade professionals that work in the federal government or are part of an electricians union have potential to make higher salaries. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $48,220, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $119,920.

Other Trade School Jobs that Pay Well

Other good trade school jobs that pay well include:

New: Industrial Maintenance

Learn About Our New Advanced Industrial Maintenance Program in Houston

Tulsa Welding School is proud to announce our newest program offering available at our Houston Campus – Advanced Industrial Maintenance Technology! Learn the skills you need to take on the industries of manufacturing, distribution, energy production and facility maintenance in as few as 7 months.

Learn More

Welder

Welders use heat to join, cut, braze and solder metal together. They work on many types of infrastructure including buildings, bridges, ships, and pipelines. A welder uses welding techniques like MIG, TIG, or stick welding to fuse metal together. After welding, they inspect their work for strength and safety. They follow safety rules and wear PPE like gloves, helmets, face shields, and fire-resistant clothing. TWS offers Professional Welding training, Welding and Pipefitting Training, and an Associate of Occupational Studies in Welding Technology. 

The median salary for welders as of 2023 is $48,9401. Welders in pipe fitting, manufacturing and specialty trade contracting may benefit from higher salaries depending on the industry and geographic location. The lowest 10 percent of welders earned $36,830, and the highest 10 percent earned $72,970.

HVAC/R Technician

HVAC/R technicians install, maintain, and repair heating, cooling, and refrigeration systems. They work on air conditioners, furnaces, freezers, and ventilation units in homes, stores, and factories. Techs read blueprints, connect wiring, check system performance, and recharge refrigerants. When something breaks, they diagnose the problem and replace parts like motors, fans, or thermostats. They also perform routine maintenance, such as cleaning coils and changing filters. HVAC/R techs use tools, meters, and sometimes software to test systems. They follow safety and environmental rules, especially when handling refrigerants. With strong demand and year-round work, HVAC/R is a smart career choice in the skilled trades. TWS offers a Refrigeration Technologies training program.

The median salary for HVAC/R technicians as of 2023 is $57,3002. Those HVAC/R technicians working in the wholesale trade, educational services, and retail may garner higher salaries. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $37,270, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $84,250.

Want to Learn More?

At Tulsa Welding School, we are dedicated to helping you change your life and leading you to lifetime fulfillment and success. In addition to our supportive faculty and staff, our hands-on training programs are created with feedback from companies that employ skilled trades professionals. We train you in the types of skills that employers look for in a worker.

To learn more about our trade school programs, contact us today. 

1. United States annual mean wage for Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers (51-4121) reported by BLS for May 2023; https://www.bls.gov/ooh/production/welders-cutters-solderers-and-brazers.htm#tab-5
2. United States annual mean wage for HVAC Mechanics and Installers (49-9021) reported by BLS for May 2023; https://www.bls.gov/ooh/installation-maintenance-and-repair/heating-air-conditioning-and-refrigeration-mechanics-and-installers.htm#tab-5
3. United States annual mean wage for Electro-Mechanical Technicians (17-3024) reported by BLS for May 2023; https://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/electro-mechanical-technicians.htm#tab-5
4. United States annual mean wage for Electricians (47-2111) reported by BLS for May 2023; https://www.bls.gov/ooh/construction-and-extraction/electricians.htm#tab-5
5. United States annual mean wage for Electrical Line Installers and Repairers (49-9051) reported by BLS for May 2023; https://www.bls.gov/ooh/installation-maintenance-and-repair/line-installers-and-repairers.htm#tab-5
6. Employment is expected to grow for Welders, Cutters, Solderers & Brazers (514121) in the U.S. from 431,800 to 438,000 jobs through 2032, in OK from 10,340 to 12,500 jobs, Texas from 48,330 to 59,530 jobs, and Florida from 14,460 to 17,180 jobs through 2030. Employment is expected to grow for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers (499021) in the U.S. from 415,800 to 438,000 jobs through 2032, in OK from 4,600 to 4,900 jobs, Texas from 29,700 to 36,030 jobs, and Florida from 36,490 to 42,100 jobs through 2030. Employment is expected to grow for Electricians (472111) in the U.S. from 762,600 to 811,800 jobs through 2032, in OK from 7,980 to 8,800 jobs, Texas from 64,440 to 81,750 jobs, and Florida from 46,150 to 54,990 jobs through 2030. Employment is expected to grow for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters (472152) in the U.S. from 482,700 to 493,600 jobs through 2032, in OK from 6,400 to 7,080 jobs, Texas from 42,710 to 52,250 jobs, and Florida from 28,740 to 33,070 jobs through 2030. Employment is expected to grow for Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers (499051) in the U.S. from 122,400 to 125,800 jobs through 2032, in OK from 1,850 to 2,160 jobs, Texas from 10,040 to 12,430 jobs, and Florida from 6,550 to 7,270 jobs through 2030. Employment is expected to grow for Industrial Machinery Mechanics (499041) in the U.S. from 429,500 to 503,300 jobs through 2033, in OK from 4,740 to 5,510 jobs, TX from 43,080 to 54,580 jobs, FL from 16,090 to 19,800 jobs through 2032. https://www.careeronestop.org – sponsored by the Department of Labor, www.bls.gov, reported as of May 2023. Data pulled April 2024 & Feb 2025 for Industrial Machinery Mechanics. Visit https://www.tws.edu/oes for specific details and data backups.