Your Payday
Get to the bottom line. How much can I earn in a skilled trade?
The answer is simple—you can earn more than minimum wage.
How much more depends on the trade you select, what skills you have or learn, and the demand for those skills. (And how hard you work, of course.)
One thing is true for all trades—the more you learn, the more you earn.
Compare these earnings to the current minimum wage rate of $6.55
| Trade | Beginning Hourly Wage after Technical Training |
Experienced
Hourly Wage with Continuing Training |
|---|---|---|
| Auto Mechanic | $10.39 |
$20.10 |
| Chef | $11.42 |
$22.68 |
| Computer Repair Technician | $10.33 |
$18.45 |
| Court Reporter | $10.72 |
$28.35 |
| Dental Assistant | $10.53 |
$16.28 |
| Electrician | $10.50 |
$21.70 |
| Machinist | $11.40 |
$18.19 |
| Multi-Media Animator | $13.01 |
$30.88 |
| Semiconductor Processor | $11.48 |
$17.40 |
| Welder | $12.12 |
$18.23 |
Source: Averages by trade in Texas, Texas Industry Profiles, Economic Base Analysis, Wage Information Network, Occupations
Associate Degree Jobs Paying More than $37,187
(Average Texas Income, 2007)
| Job Description | 2007 Jobs | 2007 Median Annual Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| Radiation therapists | 868 |
$88,962 |
| Aerospace engineering and operations technicians | 807 |
$76,606 |
| Nuclear technicians | 44 |
$75,525 |
| Nuclear medicine technologists | 1,345 |
$71,178 |
| Computer specialists, all other | 7,681 |
$71,053 |
| Dental hygienists | 9,592 |
$65,728 |
| Fashion designers | 523 |
$63,419 |
| Diagnostic medical sonographers | 2,624 |
$63,211 |
| Registered nurses | 160,491 |
$58,198 |
| Industrial engineering technicians | 9,298 |
$57,221 |
| Fish and game wardens | 505 |
$55,973 |
| Electrical and electronic engineering technicians | 15,813 |
$53,789 |
| Mechanical engineering technicians | 5,330 |
$52,749 |
| Physical therapist assistants | 3,971 |
$49,941 |
| Electro-mechanical technicians | 1,040 |
$49,150 |
| Occupational therapist assistants | 1,789 |
$48,714 |
| Respiratory therapists | 7,607 |
$48,485 |
| Radiologic technologists and technicians | 13,745 |
$48,381 |
| Geological and petroleum technicians | 4,723 |
$47,174 |
| Social science research assistants | 479 |
$46,342 |
| Chemical technicians | 5,951 |
$45,843 |
| Paralegals and legal assistants | 17,242 |
$45,677 |
| Engineering technicians, except drafters, all other | 4,805 |
$44,928 |
| Funeral directors | 1,475 |
$43,867 |
| Cardiovascular technologists and technicians | 2,838 |
$43,368 |
| Forest and conservation technicians | 187 |
$43,202 |
| Respiratory therapy technicians | 2,657 |
$43,139 |
| Computer support specialists | 44,807 |
$41,205 |
| Forensic science technicians | 1,261 |
$40,934 |
| Environmental science and protection technicians, including health | 3,592 |
$38,397 |
| Interior designers | 4,732 |
$38,085 |
| Medical equipment repairers | 3,218 |
$37,648 |
| Biological technicians | 2,017 |
$37,461 |
| Total Jobs & Weighted Average Annual Earnings | 343,057 |
$53,229 |
Sources: Economic Modeling Specialists, Inc. and Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts.
Technical Certificate Jobs Paying More than $37,187
(Average Texas Income, 2007)
| Job Description | 2007 Jobs | 2007 Median Annual Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial pilots | 2,410 |
$61,968 |
| Electrical and electronics repairers, powerhouse, substation, and relay | 1,374 |
$55,557 |
| Ship engineers | 1,419 |
$53,082 |
| Avionics technicians | 2,388 |
$50,461 |
| Electrical and electronics drafters | 3,384 |
$49,462 |
| Aircraft mechanics and service technicians | 16,737 |
$48,901 |
| Appraisers and assessors of real estate | 5,069 |
$48,547 |
| Drafters, all other | 1,133 |
$47,902 |
| Mechanical drafters | 7,297 |
$46,592 |
| Electrical and electronics repairers, commercial and industrial equipment | 6,269 |
$46,197 |
| Healthcare practitioners and technical workers, all other | 2,189 |
$43,098 |
| Electrical and electronics installers and repairers, transportation equipment | 1,192 |
$42,203 |
| Court reporters | 1,799 |
$41,974 |
| Architectural and civil drafters | 9,405 |
$41,954 |
| Occupational health and safety technicians | 1,428 |
$40,082 |
| Legal secretaries | 14,776 |
$40,082 |
| Sound engineering technicians | 640 |
$37,877 |
| Total Jobs & Weighted Average Annual Earnings | 78,886 |
$46,616 |
Sources: Economic Modeling Specialists, Inc., Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts and Texas Workforce Commission.
Explore more opportunities
To view average wages for different areas of interest, go to Texas Industry Profiles. Mouse over Economic Base Analysis. Click on Texas Wage Information. Click on Occupations. Explore within each occupation for all the trades and average entry wages and experienced wages.
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