Apprenticeships have many benefits, one of which is that they pay you to learn and work from day one. But just how much do you stand to make after completing an apprenticeship program, exactly?
Potentially, a lot. According to apprenticeships.gov, the average starting salary after an apprenticeship program is $86,000 and 93% of apprentices retain employment after they complete their program. Over the course of their lifetimes, people who complete apprenticeship programs earn an average of $300,000 more than those who don’t complete an apprenticeship program.
Apprenticeship salaries will vary depending on the profession and the type of apprenticeship (i.e., union apprenticeship vs. non-union apprenticeship). It’s also important to keep in mind that you’ll make less as an apprentice compared to a fully-trained journeyman. But if you want to maximize your earning potential, here are seven job titles with the highest-paying apprenticeships.
Best Paid Apprenticeships List
Source: Unless otherwise noted, all labor market data in this article is sourced from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, current as of April 2026.
Plumber: $62,970 per year
Smell that? No, we don’t mean the sewage. It’s the sweet, sweet smell of you making a ton of money, which is a very real possibility as a fully-licensed plumber.
Although plumbers earned a median pay of $62,970 in 2024, the top 10 percent earned more than $105,140. Sure, the hours can be long, and you may need to get a little dirty sometimes. But, look on the bright side: You’ll have excellent job security and job opportunities.
Electrician: $62,350 per year
Have been fascinated by electricity since you were a kid? A career as an electrician could be a good fit. Electricians fall into two categories: construction work and maintenance work.
Construction electricians are the ones who assemble, install and wire the electrical systems in new homes and buildings, while maintenance electricians troubleshoot and repair electrical systems that are already installed.
Is this sparking your interest at all? (Sorry, not sorry.) If so, consider launching your career with an electrician apprenticeship. Like many trade jobs, electricians are in high demand, with employment expected to grow 9% (over double the average of 4%) from 2024 to 2034.
Boilermaker: $73,340 per year
If you enjoy welding and aren’t scared of heights, you might want to add “boilermaker” to your list of potential careers.
Boilermakers use a variety of welding techniques to assemble and repair boilers, closed vats, and other large vessels that contain liquids and gases. And since many of these vessels are large, boilermakers must often perform their craft at great heights.
Think you have what it takes? Check out the Boilermakers National Apprenticeship Program (BNAP) and consider applying for a four-year apprenticeship program.
Elevator Installer: $106,580 per year
We’re guessing that “elevator installer” was probably not on your list of things you wanted to be when you grew up. But hey, priorities change, right? If you want to install and repair elevators for a living, you’ll get paid a lot of money for it. But as with any career, this profession has its ups and downs. No, seriously though, this job can be pretty dangerous. Elevator installers are at risk of falls, burns from electrical shocks, and muscle strain.
Construction Managers: $106,980 per year
Think you’ve got what it takes to be the conductor of the construction symphony? Construction managers are the maestros who keep everything running smoothly on building projects, coordinating workers, managing budgets, and ensuring everyone follows safety protocols.
While many enter this field with a degree, apprenticeship programs are becoming increasingly popular as a way to learn the ropes (sometimes literally) due to high demand, with a 9% expected growth from 2024 to 2034.
You’ll need excellent communication skills, problem-solving abilities, and the patience of a saint – because when something can go wrong on a construction site, it probably will. But hey, at least you’ll be well-compensated for those gray hairs!
Information Security Analyst: $124,910 per year
Yep, information security apprenticeships are a thing. Finding skilled InfoSec professionals has been a huge challenge for employers in every sector that shows no signs of slowing down with an expected growth rate of 29% between 2024 and 2034, which is why many colleges and organizations are launching security apprenticeship programs to address the talent shortage.
As an information security apprentice, you’ll get paid to learn how to detect cyberattacks and other malicious network activity.
Software Engineer/Developer: $131,450 per year
Be honest, you didn’t expect to see an engineering apprenticeship on this list, did you?
A lot of people don’t realize that apprenticeships aren’t always blue-collar jobs. Software engineering apprenticeships — like Microsoft’s Leap Apprenticeship Program, for example — are often geared towards non-traditional talent, such as those who are self-taught or who may have graduated from a coding bootcamp.
Software engineers are the masterminds behind your favorite apps and technologies. If you have computer science expertise and a passion for making things, you could make a lot of money in this career, and with an expected growth rate of 15% between 2024 and 2034, they’ll be plenty of jobs to fill.
Launch a Rewarding Career with an Apprenticeship
College is far from the only pathway to a high-paying career. The highest-paying apprenticeships all offer fantastic wages, job security, and the opportunity to do something you love every day. From What more could you ask for? You can also find out more here about union apprenticeship opportunities.