The Bureau of Labor statistics has recently reported that there were wage increases in 2020 for many skilled trades. Rising wages indicate a high demand for these trades.
Skilled Trade Careers that Experienced Wage Increases in 2020
Careers in the skilled trades like electrician, HVAC technician, and auto mechanic saw average wage increases last year. The most recent government data is for 2020 and it was released on March, 31 of 2021.
CDL Drivers: Average pay for truck drivers has increased from $46,850 in 2019 to $48,710 as of May 2020. States with the top mean wages for tractor trailer drivers are:
- Alaska - $59,700
- New York - $55,280
- Wyoming - $54,990
- North Dakota - $54,550
Electricians: The average electrician salary in 2019 was $60,370. In 2020 average pay increased to $61,550. States with the top mean wages for electricians are:
- Illinois - $81,650
- New York - $81,340
- Hawaii - $79,280
- Oregon - $76,040
HVAC Technician: HVAC salaries increased from $51,420 in 2019 to $53,410 in 2020. States with the top mean wages for HVAC techs are:
- Alaska - $ 79,630
- Hawaii - $ 65,640
- Washington - $ 65,180
- Massachusetts - $ 64,760
Welders: In 2019 the average pay for Welders was $45,190. As of 2020, the average pay increased to $46,690. States with the top mean wages for welders are:
- Alaska - $71,860
- Hawaii - $65,650
- Wyoming - $59,800
- North Dakota - $57,320
Auto Mechanic: Similarly, the average pay for auto mechanics increased from $44,890 in 2019 to $46,760 in 2020. States with the top mean wages for auto mechanics are:
- California - $64,640
- Washington - $52,530
- Alaska - $52,490
- Hawaii - $51,920
Airplane Mechanic: Average pay increased from $67,110 in 2019 to $69,040 last year. States with the top mean wages for aircraft mechanics are:
- Rhode Island - $86,670
- Nevada - $84,570
- New Jersey - $79,930
- Colorado - $79,110
- Minnesota - $79,080
The above salary data was gathered at the official Bureau of Labor Statistics website (bls.gov).
Wages can increase for many reasons. One of the largest reasons is because of demand. Many skilled trades are in very high demand, which is outpacing the supply of workers. Because of this, employers increase their wages to attract new workers.
Why Join a Trade?
There has never been a better time to get training for a skilled trade! Along with high demand and rising wages, the cost of education for skilled trades is on average much lower than a typical 4-year degree. The skilled trades offer financially rewarding careers, with many opportunities to grow and even become your own boss.
Wondering which trade is right for you? Search our careers guide for articles and job descriptions.
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