Trade Jobs that Can Make 6 Figures

When it comes to getting a secure and stable job, most people think they need a college degree. While that can help, it isn’t the only way to live a life with a secure source of income. There are plenty of well-paying jobs that can make over six figures annually that do not require a college education! Many people don’t realize that these jobs may be the perfect opportunity for them to consider.

What Trade Jobs Make Six Figures?

A trade job refers to a career that doesn’t require a bachelor’s degree. While the job itself typically requires training and technical skills, that knowledge can be learned through other means! When referring to six figures, it means jobs that make at least $100,000. Some trade jobs that can make this amount of money include:

Air Traffic Controller

An air traffic controller does exactly what you would expect: controls air traffic on and around the airport. On top of that, air traffic controllers handle the management of controlling flights according to government policies to make sure flight safety expectations are met. The median annual wage for this position is $129,750 as of May 2021.

Commercial Pilot

Commercial pilots have the task of flying and navigating aircrafts. Their work schedule can be pretty hectic! However, all they generally need is flight training. On top of that, the pilot must also meet Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) guidelines. The median income for a commercial pilot is $99,640 annually as of May 2021. However, it is possible to make more than that to get to the six-figure mark!

Elevator Installer/Repairer

Elevators are an important part of everyday life, especially for people who struggle with getting up the stairs. A person who installs or repairs elevators can expect to need either a high school diploma or an equivalent. While the median income for this position is $76,564 per year as of August 29th, 2022, it can be higher than that. Some of the top earners in this position makes $108,722 per year.

First-Line Supervisor of Police and Detectives

The task of this job position is to manage and coordinate the activities that members of a police force have to accomplish. The median income for this position is $99,330 annually. However, it is possible to make more than that. It is reported that 25% of employees in this position make at least $127,020 per year.

In-N-Out District Manager

Surprisingly, one of the top paying opportunities on this list is an In-N-Out manager. This role can provide a salary of $151,000 per year as of September 2022. The benefit of this is that workers can easily move up in the company to get to this position.

Nuclear Power Reactor Operator

It should come as no surprise that a nuclear power reactor operator will have a very nice income. The job consists of having to manage equipment, properly record data, get emergency procedures in place, creating an action plan for problems, and more. The median income for this position is $104,260 per year.

Pile Driver Operator

While this may sound like the name of a wrestling move, it is actually a position where a person could make six figures! The tasks that this position deals with include operating pile drivers (which is a type of heavy-duty machine). The purpose of this machine is to drive pilings which can help retain the structure of buildings, piers, and more. The median salary for this position is $76,260 per year. However, those that do well in this field can make more than that at $113,360 per year!

Distribution Manager

This position can be pretty busy! The tasks of a distribution manager consist of handling operational strategies, systems, and more. The purpose of these systems is to handle order fulfillment, warehousing, etc. The median income for this position is $99,190 per year. However, people have the opportunity to make more than that salary! 25% of employees in this position make at least $116,561 per year.

Do You Need to Get a Higher Education?

Clearly, you see that there are a variety of job opportunities available to people that can provide a livable income that doesn’t require a college education. However, is it worth it to get an education? Well, that answer may not be as clear-cut as you may think. In terms of getting an education for yourself, you should think about what your goals are. For example, if you want to be a doctor, you will need to get an education. However, if you don’t have any goals or passions in mind, then you will be able to find different opportunities that don’t require the path of higher education.

If the reason you haven’t gotten an education is the cost, it is important to know that there are support opportunities out there that can help you handle this expense. One opportunity, in particular, are educational grants. This form of financial assistance is popular because they don’t need to be repaid (however, there are exceptions). Some common educational grants include the following:

  • Pell Grant
  • Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
  • Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant
  • Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant

Bottom Line

Life is stressful and there are many paths that you can take. It is important to have a livable income, too. When people think of jobs that make a lot of money, they usually think of positions that require a bachelor’s degree. However, that’s not necessarily the case. There are trade jobs out there that can offer yearly salaries of over $100,000. Some opportunities include:

  • Air Traffic Controller
  • Commercial Pilot
  • Elevator Installer/Repairer
  • First-Line Supervisor of Police and Detectives
  • In-N-Out District Manager
  • Nuclear Power Reactor Operator
  • Pile Driver Operator
  • Distribution Manager

The best position for you will depend on your goals. You may decide that you do need a higher education if there is a position you want to work that requires a degree. Luckily, there are opportunities out there that can help with the cost of higher education. One opportunity, in particular, are educational grants. Some common educational grants include the following:

  • Pell Grant
  • Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
  • Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant
  • Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant

You have plenty of different options to keep in mind when it comes to figuring out your career. It doesn’t have to be as stressful as it may seem!

Previous articleYour Guide to Clinical Trials
Next articleWhat is 211.Org