Best paying skilled trade careers for young people in 2025
Modak
September 11, 2025
Main takeaways
⚡ Skilled trades like electrician, plumbing, and HVAC offer high-paying career paths for teens.
🛠️ Teens can start early with apprenticeships, vocational schools, and part-time trade jobs.
💰 Many trades lead to six-figure salaries without the burden of college debt.
Are you a teen wondering which trade jobs pay the most and how you can start earning money now? Skilled trades offer some of the highest paying blue collar jobs, and you don’t have to wait until adulthood to begin building your future. Whether you’re curious about what trades pay the most for teens or how to find the best paying skilled trades, this guide will help you understand the most lucrative trade jobs and how you can get started.
What are the highest paying trade jobs for teens?
While many high paying trade jobs require certifications or apprenticeships, teens can begin exploring and earning early by learning about the best paying trades. Some of the highest paid trades that teens often pursue or prepare for include:
Electrician: It’s one of the better-paying skilled trades, and if you enjoy hands-on work, it can really pay off. With training, experience, and the right location, you could eventually earn a six-figure salary.
Plumber: A good paying trade that offers fast career growth and high earning potential.
HVAC technician: Heating and cooling specialists who often earn high salaries with certification.
Welder: Skilled welders in industries like oil and construction can make good money.
Construction laborer: Entry-level but a stepping stone to high paying skilled trade jobs.
If you want to know what trade pays the most for teens, the answer depends on the region and how soon you start gaining skills or apprenticeships. But starting with any high paying trade skill now will put you ahead.
What are more high paying trade jobs for teens to explore?
In addition to electricians, plumbers, and HVAC technicians, teens interested in high paying trade careers should consider these other lucrative skilled trades:
Automotive technician: With the rise of electric and hybrid vehicles, automotive technicians skilled in diagnostics and repair can earn very good salaries. This trade offers many apprenticeships and certification programs teens can start early.
Dental or medical assistant: While not a traditional “blue collar” trade, these allied health roles require technical skills and offer good pay for teens and young adults entering the workforce.
Heavy equipment operator: Operating cranes, bulldozers, or forklifts in construction and logistics is a high paying trade with opportunities for teens to start training early through apprenticeships or vocational programs.
Boilermaker: Working on boilers and large containers in industrial settings can be a very high paying trade, especially with experience and certifications.
Sheet metal worker: These skilled tradespeople fabricate and install sheet metal products, essential in HVAC and construction, offering steady pay and growth potential.
Ironworker: Ironworkers build the steel frameworks of buildings and bridges. It’s physically demanding but one of the higher paid trades in construction.
Glazier: Installing glass in buildings and vehicles is a specialized trade with solid pay and good demand.
Masonry: Bricklayers and stone masons work with durable building materials and can earn high wages, especially with experience.
Painter and decorator: While often overlooked, professional painters with skills in commercial and industrial work can earn well above average wages.
Electrical power-line installer: This specialized trade involves installing and maintaining power lines and can be highly lucrative with the right training.
Why should teens consider skilled trades?
As a teen, choosing skilled trades can be a smart way to earn money early and build a career that pays well without the burden of college debt. Here’s why:
You can start learning and earning early with apprenticeships or side hustles.
Many good paying trade jobs have fast growth and high demand.
Trades are some of the highest paid blue collar jobs available.
You develop valuable trade skills that employers pay top dollar for.
How Modak supports you in trade careers
💳 Modak gives teens a free bank account and Visa® debit card1 to manage their earnings safely.
🎯 Teens can earn MBX points by walking, completing financial challenges, and building money habits.
📱 The app helps young tradespeople learn budgeting and saving while preparing for high-paying careers.
Yes! Many teens who get an early start in the trades and keep building their skills can work their way up to six-figure salaries over time, especially as they earn certifications and gain experience.
Starting young with a focus on best paying trade jobs gives you a clear path to high earnings and career growth. For example, experienced electricians, plumbers, and HVAC technicians can earn well over $100,000 per year, depending on their experience, certifications, and where they work.
Disclaimer:While many skilled trades offer high earning potential, including the possibility of reaching six-figure salaries, this information is provided for general guidance only. Earnings vary depending on factors such as experience, location, certifications, and the specific employer. There is no guarantee of achieving these income levels, as individual results may vary.
What is the best trade career for teens to go into?
If you’re a teen wondering what is the best trade career to go into, think about trades with strong demand, good pay, and clear pathways for young people to enter, such as:
Electrician
Plumber
HVAC technician
Welder
Carpenter
These best paying skilled trades offer great income potential and opportunities for teens to start learning and earning early.
How can teens get started in high paying trade jobs?
Starting a career in skilled trades as a teen might seem overwhelming, but with the right steps, you can begin building your path toward some of the highest paying trade jobs early on. Here’s how you can get started:
Explore your interests: Identify which trades appeal to you most, whether it’s electrician work, plumbing, HVAC, welding, or another field. Research what each trade involves and what skills are needed.
Find local trade schools or vocational programs: Many communities offer trade or technical schools with programs specifically designed for teens or high school students. These programs often provide hands-on training and certifications that can jumpstart your career.
Look for apprenticeships or internships: Apprenticeships are paid programs where you learn on the job under experienced professionals. Many trades offer apprenticeship programs that accept teens, allowing you to earn money while gaining valuable skills.
Gain entry-level experience: Start with part-time jobs, summer work, or volunteering in related fields to build experience. This can include construction helper roles or assisting licensed tradespeople.
Build your financial skills with Modak: As you start earning, use Modak to manage your money safely. You can open a free bank account, get a Visa® debit card1, and even earn money by completing daily steps and financial challenges. This helps you build smart money habits early.
Stay committed to learning: Skilled trades require ongoing learning and certifications. Keep improving your skills through courses and on-the-job experience to increase your earning potential.
By following these steps, you can begin your journey toward some of the most lucrative trade jobs available for teens and young adults. Just keep in mind, like any career, it takes training, practice, and dedication to succeed.
How can teens start earning money now?
Even if you haven’t started formal training yet, you can begin earning money and building good financial habits as a teen with Modak.
How Modak helps teens earn money and build financial skills
Modak helps you open a bank account without monthly fees and get a Visa® debit card(1)(4) designed for kids and teens. But more than that, you can earn money on your Modak account as a side hustle, without needing a job yet!
By reaching a daily walking goal of 5,000 steps and completing financial quizzes and challenges, you earn MBX points. These points convert into real pocket money, up to 70MBX per week!(2)(3) Plus, your parents can monitor all your transactions, keeping your money safe.
Using Modak, you start practicing the money management skills you’ll need in any trade career, all while earning extra cash.
How teens can prepare for these lucrative trade careers
To prepare for these high paying trade jobs, teens should:
Research local vocational schools and trade programs offering certifications or apprenticeships in these fields.
Start developing relevant skills through part-time work, internships, or training programs.
Use financial literacy tools like Modak to earn money through daily activities while learning how to manage and save it wisely.
Talk to professionals in the trade to understand the career path and earning potential.
Advice for parents supporting teens in trades
Parents play a vital role in helping teens succeed in trade careers and manage their finances wisely. Using Modak, parents can:
Open and monitor their teen’s bank account with no fees or minimums.
Assign chores or tasks with financial rewards, encouraging responsibility.
Help teens set savings goals and learn budgeting early.
Ensure safe spending with transaction tracking and parental controls.
This support makes the journey into the highest paying skilled trades safer and more rewarding.
FAQs about trades for teens
What is the highest paying job as a teen?
Entry-level trade-related jobs like construction helper or apprenticeships in trades like electrical or plumbing often pay well for teens. Plus, with tools like Modak, you can earn money daily by building good habits.
Can you make 6 figures in a trade?
Yes. Many trades, especially those requiring certifications like electrician or plumber, can pay six-figure salaries with experience.
What is the best trade career to go into?
The best trade careers for teens to start are those with strong demand and good pay, like electrician, plumber, HVAC technician, and welder.
Final thoughts, start early with skilled trades and Modak
If you’re a teen looking for the highest paying trade jobs, now is the time to start learning skills and earning money. Skilled trades offer some of the best paying trade jobs with fast growth and strong earning potential. And with Modak, you can start managing your money, earning rewards, and building financial confidence today, all while preparing for a lucrative career in trades.
Starting early gives you a huge advantage in reaching those high paying trade jobs and building a future full of opportunity.
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