Trades Where Six Figures Is Realistic
In 3 of these trades, a six-figure income is roughly the middle of the pay scale. In the rest, it's what the top 10% actually earn (BLS OES, May 2025). Ranked by top-10% pay.
| # | Trade | Median pay | Top 10% earn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Elevator Mechanics | $109,910 | $158,890 |
| 2 | Commercial Divers | $72,990 | $157,790 |
| 3 | Substation Technicians | $103,020 | $129,920 |
| 4 | Power Line Installers | $95,320 | $128,690 |
| 5 | Terrazzo Workers | $76,170 | $126,130 |
| 6 | Boilermakers | $76,410 | $110,370 |
| 7 | Structural Ironworkers | $62,780 | $108,260 |
| 8 | Sheet Metal Workers | $61,800 | $105,650 |
| 9 | Rebar Workers | $58,970 | $104,540 |
1. Elevator Mechanics — $109,910 median
Elevator Mechanics install, maintain, and repair elevators, escalators, and moving walkways. The middle 50% earn $79,290–$135,720, and the top 10% clear $158,890. About 23,790 people do this work in the US. Full elevator mechanic salary data →
2. Commercial Divers — $72,990 median
Commercial Divers work underwater to inspect, repair, install, and remove structures and equipment. The middle 50% earn $54,810–$101,550, and the top 10% clear $157,790. About 3,450 people do this work in the US. Full commercial diver salary data →
3. Substation Technicians — $103,020 median
Substation Technicians inspect, test, and repair the electrical equipment inside generating stations and substations. The middle 50% earn $81,860–$118,870, and the top 10% clear $129,920. About 20,720 people do this work in the US. Full substation technician salary data →
4. Power Line Installers — $95,320 median
Power Line Installers install and repair the high-voltage lines and cables that carry electricity across the grid. The middle 50% earn $67,270–$109,740, and the top 10% clear $128,690. About 131,070 people do this work in the US. Full power line installer salary data →
5. Terrazzo Workers — $76,170 median
Terrazzo Workers pour and finish the decorative terrazzo surfaces used in floors and stairways. The middle 50% earn $54,830–$114,780, and the top 10% clear $126,130. About 1,180 people do this work in the US. Full terrazzo worker salary data →
6. Boilermakers — $76,410 median
Boilermakers assemble, install, and repair boilers, closed vats, and large vessels that hold liquids and gases. The middle 50% earn $64,760–$95,430, and the top 10% clear $110,370. About 10,190 people do this work in the US. Full boilermaker salary data →
Frequently asked questions
- Which trades pay six figures without a degree?
- Elevator Mechanics, Substation Technicians, Power Line Installers all have medians near or above $100,000 — meaning a typical worker, not a star, earns six figures.
- How do tradespeople reach the top 10%?
- The usual levers are high-paying states, specialization and licenses, union scale, overtime-heavy sectors like utilities and oil & gas, and moving into supervision.
- Where do these numbers come from?
- The federal OES survey (May 2025 release) — employer-reported wages, not self-reported estimates.