Heavy Equipment Operator
Heavy Equipment Operators drive and control large construction machinery such as bulldozers, excavators, cranes, and lo…
$52,000/yrApprenticeship (very common) | Trade school certificate | Licensure (varies by trade)↗ Steady
← Back to Skilled Trades
Careers Behind the Scenes
The people who make it all happen without the spotlight.
Construction and building inspectors
Good fit if you …like learning by doing (projects).
$72,120/yrApprenticeship (very common) | Trade school certificate | Licensure (varies by trade)↓ Declining
Public safety telecommunicators
Good fit if you …like learning by doing (projects).
$50,730/yrCertificate/Associate (common) | Apprenticeships | Licensure/certifications (varies)↗ Steady
Stationary engineers and boiler operators
Good fit if you …like learning by doing (projects).
$75,190/yrCertificate/Associate (common) | Apprenticeships | Licensure/certifications (varies)→ Limited Growth
Water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators
Good fit if you …like learning by doing (projects).
$58,260/yrCertificate/Associate (common) | Apprenticeships | Licensure/certifications (varies)↓ Declining
Gas plant operators
Good fit if you …like learning by doing (projects).
$83,400/yrCertificate/Associate (common) | Apprenticeships | Licensure/certifications (varies)↓ Declining
First-line supervisors of firefighting and prevention workers
Good fit if you ...enjoy solving problems and working toward measurable outcomes.
$92,430/yrHigh school diploma + apprenticeship or on-the-job training | Certificate or Associate …↗ Steady
Postal service mail sorters, processors, and processing machine operators
Good fit if you ...enjoy solving problems and working toward measurable outcomes.
$56,530/yrHigh school diploma + apprenticeship or on-the-job training | Certificate or Associate …↓ Declining
Postmasters and mail superintendents
Good fit if you ...enjoy solving problems and working toward measurable outcomes.
$92,730/yrHigh school diploma + apprenticeship or on-the-job training | Certificate or Associate …↓ Declining
Farm labor contractors
Good fit if you ...enjoy solving problems and working toward measurable outcomes.
$48,690/yrHigh school diploma + apprenticeship or on-the-job training | Certificate or Associate …↗ Steady
Parts salespersons
Good fit if you ...enjoy solving problems and working toward measurable outcomes.
$37,440/yrHigh school diploma + apprenticeship or on-the-job training | Certificate or Associate …↗ Steady
Fiber optic cable installers
Good fit if you ...enjoy solving problems and working toward measurable outcomes.
$58,200/yrHigh school diploma + apprenticeship or on-the-job training | Certificate or Associate …⇧ Strong
Wastewater treatment operators
Good fit if you ...enjoy solving problems and working toward measurable outcomes.
$52,100/yrHigh school diploma + apprenticeship or on-the-job training | Certificate or Associate …↗ Steady
Smart grid technicians
Good fit if you ...enjoy solving problems and working toward measurable outcomes.
$64,300/yrHigh school diploma + apprenticeship or on-the-job training | Certificate or Associate …⇧ Strong
Renewable energy plant operators
Good fit if you ...enjoy solving problems and working toward measurable outcomes.
$68,400/yrHigh school diploma + apprenticeship or on-the-job training | Certificate or Associate …⇧ Strong
Telecommunications tower technicians
Good fit if you ...enjoy solving problems and working toward measurable outcomes.
$46,900/yrHigh school diploma + apprenticeship or on-the-job training | Certificate or Associate …↗ Steady
Dam safety inspectors
Good fit if you ...enjoy solving problems and working toward measurable outcomes.
$62,100/yrHigh school diploma + apprenticeship or on-the-job training | Certificate or Associate …→ Limited Growth
Stormwater management technicians
Good fit if you ...enjoy solving problems and working toward measurable outcomes.
$51,200/yrHigh school diploma + apprenticeship or on-the-job training | Certificate or Associate …↗ Steady
Energy auditors
Good fit if you ...enjoy solving problems and working toward measurable outcomes.
$56,800/yrHigh school diploma + apprenticeship or on-the-job training | Certificate or Associate …↑ Above Average
Traffic signal technicians
Good fit if you ...enjoy solving problems and working toward measurable outcomes.
$58,100/yrHigh school diploma + apprenticeship or on-the-job training | Certificate or Associate …↗ Steady
Bridge inspectors
Good fit if you ...enjoy solving problems and working toward measurable outcomes.
$68,400/yrHigh school diploma + apprenticeship or on-the-job training | Certificate or Associate …↗ Steady
Utility locators
Good fit if you ...enjoy solving problems and working toward measurable outcomes.
$44,200/yrHigh school diploma + apprenticeship or on-the-job training | Certificate or Associate …↑ Above Average
Stormwater management specialists
Good fit if you ...enjoy solving problems and working toward measurable outcomes.
$62,800/yrHigh school diploma + apprenticeship or on-the-job training | Certificate or Associate …↑ Above Average
Natural gas distribution workers
Good fit if you ...enjoy solving problems and working toward measurable outcomes.
$62,100/yrHigh school diploma + apprenticeship or on-the-job training | Certificate or Associate …↗ Steady
Railroad signal installers
Good fit if you ...enjoy solving problems and working toward measurable outcomes.
$72,400/yrHigh school diploma + apprenticeship or on-the-job training | Certificate or Associate …↗ Steady
Water quality analysts
Good fit if you ...enjoy solving problems and working toward measurable outcomes.
$54,800/yrHigh school diploma + apprenticeship or on-the-job training | Certificate or Associate …↑ Above Average
Public works directors
Good fit if you ...enjoy solving problems and working toward measurable outcomes.
$96,200/yrHigh school diploma + apprenticeship or on-the-job training | Certificate or Associate …↗ Steady
Elevator modernization technicians
Good fit if you ...enjoy solving problems and working toward measurable outcomes.
$68,100/yrHigh school diploma + apprenticeship or on-the-job training | Certificate or Associate …↑ Above Average
Geotechnical engineers
Good fit if you ...enjoy solving problems and working toward measurable outcomes.
$82,400/yrHigh school diploma + apprenticeship or on-the-job training | Certificate or Associate …↗ Steady
Landfill operations managers
Good fit if you ...enjoy solving problems and working toward measurable outcomes.
$72,500/yrHigh school diploma + apprenticeship or on-the-job training | Certificate or Associate …↗ Steady
Municipal water system operators
Good fit if you ...enjoy solving problems and working toward measurable outcomes.
$52,100/yrHigh school diploma + apprenticeship or on-the-job training | Certificate or Associate …↗ Steady
Tunnel boring machine operators
Good fit if you ...enjoy solving problems and working toward measurable outcomes.
$68,400/yrHigh school diploma + apprenticeship or on-the-job training | Certificate or Associate …↗ Steady
Cathodic protection technicians
Good fit if you ...enjoy solving problems and working toward measurable outcomes.
$58,200/yrHigh school diploma + apprenticeship or on-the-job training | Certificate or Associate …↗ Steady
Renewable energy inspectors
Good fit if you ...enjoy solving problems and working toward measurable outcomes.
$62,800/yrHigh school diploma + apprenticeship or on-the-job training | Certificate or Associate …⇧ Strong
Levee safety engineers
Good fit if you ...enjoy solving problems and working toward measurable outcomes.
$82,400/yrHigh school diploma + apprenticeship or on-the-job training | Certificate or Associate …↗ Steady
Street light maintenance workers
Good fit if you ...enjoy solving problems and working toward measurable outcomes.
$42,600/yrHigh school diploma + apprenticeship or on-the-job training | Certificate or Associate …↗ Steady
Water reclamation operators
Good fit if you ...enjoy solving problems and working toward measurable outcomes.
$52,400/yrHigh school diploma + apprenticeship or on-the-job training | Certificate or Associate …↑ Above Average
Broadband infrastructure planners
Good fit if you ...enjoy solving problems and working toward measurable outcomes.
$78,600/yrHigh school diploma + apprenticeship or on-the-job training | Certificate or Associate …⇧ Strong
Bus drivers, school
Good fit if you …enjoy working with people and solving problems.
$42,480/yrHigh school diploma + CDL (commercial driving) | On-the-job training | Some roles requi…↑ Above Average
Bus drivers, transit and intercity
Good fit if you …enjoy working with people and solving problems.
$50,840/yrHigh school diploma + CDL (commercial driving) | On-the-job training | Some roles requi…↑ Above Average
Taxi drivers, ride-hailing drivers, and chauffeurs
Good fit if you …enjoy working with people and solving problems.
$35,960/yrHigh school diploma + CDL (commercial driving) | On-the-job training | Some roles requi…⇧ Strong
Truck drivers, heavy and tractor-trailer
Good fit if you …enjoy working with people and solving problems.
$54,320/yrHigh school diploma + CDL (commercial driving) | On-the-job training | Some roles requi…↗ Steady
Truck drivers, light or delivery services
Good fit if you …enjoy working with people and solving problems.
$39,670/yrHigh school diploma + CDL (commercial driving) | On-the-job training | Some roles requi…↑ Above Average
Renewable Energy Technician
Renewable Energy Technicians install, maintain, and repair solar panels, wind turbines, and other clean energy systems.
$52,000/yrCertificate/Associate (common) | Apprenticeships | Licensure/certifications (varies)⇧ Strong
UAV Pilot
UAV Pilots operate unmanned aerial vehicles for commercial, government, and military applications.
$72,000/yrCertificate/Associate (common) | Apprenticeships | Licensure/certifications (varies)⇧ Strong
Airport Operations Manager
Airport Operations Managers oversee daily airport activities including terminal operations, ground services, security c…
$82,000/yrCertificate/Associate (common) | Apprenticeships | Licensure/certifications (varies)↗ Steady
Railroad Engineer
Railroad Engineers operate locomotives that transport freight and passengers across the country.
$68,000/yrCertificate/Associate (common) | Apprenticeships | Licensure/certifications (varies)→ Limited Growth
Ship Captain
Ship Captains command and navigate vessels including cargo ships, tankers, ferries, and tugboats.
$82,000/yrCertificate/Associate (common) | Apprenticeships | Licensure/certifications (varies)↗ Steady
Supply Chain Manager
Supply Chain Managers oversee the entire flow of goods from raw materials to final delivery.
$98,000/yrCertificate/Associate (common) | Apprenticeships | Licensure/certifications (varies)↑ Above Average
Commercial Pilot
Commercial Pilots fly aircraft for purposes other than major airline service, including charter flights, aerial photogr…
$82,000/yrCertificate/Associate (common) | Apprenticeships | Licensure/certifications (varies)↑ Above Average
UAV Operations Manager
UAV Operations Managers oversee commercial drone programs, managing pilots, flight planning, regulatory compliance, and…
$78,000/yrCertificate/Associate (common) | Apprenticeships | Licensure/certifications (varies)⇧ Strong