Explore Skilled Trades Careers
Detailed, honest career profiles with real salary data, physical demands, and step-by-step guides to getting started. No marketing fluff—just the facts you need to make a decision.
Not sure where to start? Take the quiz
Cabinet Maker
Cabinet makers design, build, and install custom cabinets and fine woodwork for kitchens, bathrooms, and other spaces.
Carpenter
Construct, install, and repair structures and fixtures made of wood and other materials. Work on buildings, furniture, and architectural elements.
Diesel Mechanic
Inspect, repair, and maintain diesel engines and vehicles including trucks, buses, boats, and construction equipment.
Electrician
Install, maintain, and repair electrical systems in homes, businesses, and industrial facilities. Work with wiring, circuit breakers, and electrical equipment.
HVAC Technician
Install, maintain, and repair heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems in residential and commercial buildings.
Ironworker
Ironworkers install structural and reinforcing iron and steel to form buildings, bridges, and other structures.
Machinist
Machinists set up and operate machine tools to produce precision metal parts for manufacturing, aerospace, automotive, and other industries.
Pipefitter
Pipefitters install and maintain piping systems that carry chemicals, acids, gases, steam, and other materials in industrial and commercial settings.
Plumber
Install and repair pipes, fixtures, and other plumbing equipment for water distribution and waste disposal in residential and commercial buildings.
Refrigeration Technician
Refrigeration technicians install, maintain, and repair commercial and industrial refrigeration systems including walk-in coolers, freezers, and industrial cooling equipment.
Roofer
Roofers install, repair, and replace roofs on buildings using shingles, metal, membrane, and other roofing materials.
Solar Installer
Solar installers assemble, install, and maintain solar panel systems on rooftops and ground-mounted structures. This is one of the fastest-growing trades in America, driven by the clean energy transition.
Welder
Join metal parts using various welding techniques. Work in manufacturing, construction, automotive, and shipbuilding industries.
Not sure which trade is right for you?
Our 2-minute career quiz matches your preferences, personality, and goals to the trades that fit you best.
Take the Career Quiz