7 of the Highest Paying Apprenticeships

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?

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Potentially, a lot. According to apprenticeships.gov, the average starting salary after an apprenticeship program is $80,000 and 90% 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.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)

Plumber: $61,550 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 $61,550 in 2023, the top 10 percent earned more than $103,140. 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: $61,590 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 11% (almost triple the average of 4%) from 2023 to 2033.
Boilermaker: $71,140 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: $102,420 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: $104,900 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 2023 to 2033. 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: $120,360 – 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 33% over the next 10 years, 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: $130,160 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 17% between 2023 and 2033, 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. What more could you ask for?

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