Grade A Trades — Excellent (2025)
Top-tier trades with high pay, strong growth, and excellent demand. The best opportunities in skilled trades.
Grade A Trades
| Rank | Trade | Category | Median | Score | 5yr Growth | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Elevator Mechanic | Specialty | $103,991 | 88 | +18% | 192,597 |
| 2 | Electrical Power-Line Tech | Electrical | $87,867 | 86 | +16% | 224,058 |
| 3 | Power Line Installer | Electrical | $87,732 | 86 | +16% | 217,003 |
| 4 | Wind Turbine Technician | Energy | $66,008 | 89 | +24% | 234,439 |
Frequently Asked Questions
A Grade A (Excellent) Trade Pay Score indicates top-tier trades with high pay, strong growth, and excellent demand. the best opportunities in skilled trades. The score is a composite of median wage vs. metro income, 5-year wage growth, job demand, and cost-of-living-adjusted pay.
There are 4 trades with a Grade A Trade Pay Score, representing approximately 868,097 total jobs. The average median salary for Grade A trades is $86,400.
Grade A trades offer excellent compensation and career prospects. These are among the best options in skilled trades, with strong demand and competitive wages across most metro areas.
Wage data from BLS OEWS 2025. Trade Pay Scores are a composite of median wage vs. metro income, wage growth, job demand, and COL-adjusted pay.