Joining a Skilled Trade

Joining a Skilled Trade

Joining a skilled trade through an apprenticeship or completing a skilled trades program can be a fantastic career option for those of us that enjoy working with our hands, love autonomy, honing our craft, and are task-oriented.

There used to be a stigma about skilled trades, but that should no longer be the case. The traditional path to a career (go to college, get a job, retire) is no longer the more advantageous path. Nowadays, there are paths to a career that span every facet of life, so we can all find something we are good at and get paid for it.

Furthermore, The BLS reports that over half of the nation's 20 fastest-growing occupations between 2020-2030 do not require a bachelor's degree. A few of these include solar photovoltaic installers, exercise trainers, motion picture projectionists, and makeup artists.

And with the growing demand for skilled trades workers (with the mass retirement of the Baby Boomer generation), if you pursue a trade, you can be in demand for decades to come, which means job stability, competitive salary, and upward career mobility.

The highest-paying skilled trades in Indiana

We've identified a few of the highest-paying skilled trades in Indiana and what their annual salary is today, c/o of ZipRecruiter.

Job Title and Annual Salary

Weather Trader $67,808
Mechanical Trade $67,354
Trader Construction $67,318
Trades Supervisor $62,015
Trade Supervisor $61,658

Life Considerations for the Skilled Trade Path

Look at the sliders to review this career path to see if it makes sense for your situation, needs, and wants.

Productivity Comes From

Autonomy/Independent Work

Collaboration/Group Work

Work Day Success

Clock in and Out

Accomplish Things

Thoughts on Education

Foundation to success

I can learn on the job

Moving Up the "Ranks"

Not important

Very important

Preferred Project Mode

Task-driven

Outcome-driven

Thoughts on Student Loans

A little is OK

It's an investment in myself

Motivation

Money

A job well done

Work Place Flexibility

WFH

On location

On the Job Environment

Desk job

On the go

Learning Happens

On the job

In a classroom

Thoughts on Work/Life Balance

Career-focused

Family-focused

Starting My Career

Immediately

I can wait

Career Starting Point

Entry-level

Be a boss

Whether you want to chase your dreams or follow a well-planned path, take some time to explore our resources, expose your mind to new possibilities and experience a glimpse of what your future could look like from your perspective.

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Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG)

Jobs for America's Graduates (JAG) is a state-based national non-profit organization dedicated to supporting young people of great promise.

Questa Education Foundation

Since 1937, Questa Education Foundation has been helping individuals access post-secondary education, graduate with less debt, and become contributing members of Northeast Indiana’s workforce.

Area 18 CTE Cooperative

Area 18 CTE delivers 294 career related class sessions at nine high schools located in Huntington, Blackford, Wells, Adams and Jay counties.

Next Level Jobs

Next Level Jobs is here to help you find the resources you need to secure a job, explore new careers, access free training or get career advice.

Job Corps

Job Corps is the largest free residential education and job training program for young adults ages 16–24. We connect you with the skills and education you need to get the career you want! You can even enroll and complete orientation and the career preparation courses you need for your training, all online. Then join us on campus to get the hands-on experience you need for a successful career.

Career One Stop

Career One Stop is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor and provides a variety of resources, tools, support, and information to help students finish their education, further their education, and find the right career.

University of Saint Francis

USF enrolls approximately 2,300 students studying undergraduate and graduate majors including health sciences, creative arts, business administration, sciences and liberal arts.

Huntington University

Huntington University is a comprehensive Christian university of the liberal arts offering graduate and undergraduate programs in more than 70 academic concentrations, including our most popular programs in film and animation, nursing, psychology and social work.

Indiana University Fort Wayne

IU Fort Wayne’s focus on the health sciences—dentistry, nursing, medicine, medical imaging, social work, and more—have transformative potential for the greater Fort Wayne community and northeastern Indiana.

Grace College

At Grace College, we are guided by our name. Grace is not just the tradition on which we were founded; it’s the future we embrace. Christ has been the center of our community from the day we were founded in 1948. We follow His example of grace in all things. The way of grace leads us to explore powerful academics, create meaningful careers, and launch purposeful lives. Because grace is not just a set of beliefs. It’s belief set into motion.

Trine University

From our programs, to our faculty, to our facilities, to the positive impact our work has on communities everywhere, we've been setting our standards higher at Trine for more than 130 years.

Manchester University

Manchester University delivers innovative academic and rich, hands-on education to enhance student knowledge, personal growth and develop well-rounded leaders.

Forward Thinking

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Explore Other Paths

Select one of the career paths to learn more about opportunities, resources available, demand, and more.

Higher Education Community College Workforce Military Certifications Skilled Trades Program Joining a Skilled Trade Internship Apprenticeship Entrepreneurship

Your Future

Choose Your Path

Educating, empowering and exposing the region's future workforce to the breadth and depth of career paths and helping them align their strenghts, abilities, and passions to steer self-descovery.

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Joining a Skilled Trade