Highest Paying Trade Jobs No One’s Talking About (2025)

Summary

This video highlights 12 hidden tech jobs within the trades that offer lucrative career opportunities without needing a four-year degree. From autonomous vehicle technicians to agricultural equipment techs, each role blends technical skills with AI, offering salaries from $60K to over $250K. The video covers career paths in fields such as robotics, drones, medical equipment, and predictive maintenance, showcasing how these roles are critical to industries like AI, renewable energy, and smart technology. Emphasizing hands-on skills, certifications, and career growth potential, the video shows that AI doesn't replace workers but creates highly specialized opportunities.

Takeaways

• 😀 Autonomous vehicle technicians are in high demand, working with AI-powered self-driving cars and earning between $60K to $150K depending on experience.
• 🚁 Commercial drone pilots can earn $80K to $100K annually, with growth in agriculture, logistics, and emergency services driven by AI-enabled drones.
• 🤖 Robotics and automation technicians service AI-driven production lines and warehouses, with an average salary of $65K, growing as more industries adopt automation.
• 💻 Data center technicians or AI infrastructure technicians, maintaining servers for AI models like ChatGPT, can start with a salary of $70K to $75K, with high earning potential.
• 🏢 Building automation systems technicians maintain AI-driven building systems like HVAC, lighting, and security, earning $60K to $100K with high job growth in smart buildings.
• 🌐 IoT systems technicians install and troubleshoot smart sensors in cities, factories, and farms, earning around $82K annually with potential for higher earnings depending on specialization.
• 💉 Medical equipment technicians handle AI-integrated devices in hospitals, earning $62K to $78K initially, with significant growth in this field as healthcare becomes more tech-driven.
• 🔧 Robotic welding technicians set up and maintain AI-powered robotic welders, starting at $60K and potentially earning over $95K with specialization in industrial robotics.
• 🔧 Predictive maintenance technicians use AI to monitor and predict equipment failures, with salaries between $75K to $95K and growing demand in industries like mining and manufacturing.
• 🌬️ Wind turbine technicians maintain AI-optimized turbines for clean energy, starting at $70K and earning up to $250K as wind energy and AI systems expand.
• 📶 Telecommunications tower technicians install and maintain 5G networks, with salaries starting around $75K to $90K, growing as the need for wireless infrastructure increases.

Q & A

What are the three levels to make a lot of money in trades?

The three levels are: 1) Learn: Starting with your first job at $60,000 to $100,000, 2) Earn: Increasing your earnings to $150,000 to $200,000 by becoming a specialist, and 3) Own: Owning the company and earning $300,000 to $1 million plus.

Why is the autonomous vehicle technician role so important?

Autonomous vehicle technicians are essential because as self-driving cars become more common, they need specialized professionals to install, calibrate, repair, and update the technology behind the vehicles, including sensors, radar, cameras, and AI-driven systems.

What is the salary range for an autonomous vehicle technician?

The salary range for an autonomous vehicle technician typically starts from $60,000 and can go up to $150,000 depending on experience and specialization.

How does being a commercial drone pilot relate to AI?

Commercial drone pilots operate AI-powered drones that use automation for stabilization, obstacle avoidance, and image recognition. These drones are used for tasks such as surveying, agricultural monitoring, and inspecting infrastructure, with pilots needed to plan, manage, and interpret the data.

What qualifications are required to become a commercial drone pilot?

To become a commercial drone pilot, you need a remote pilot certificate from the FAA, which can be obtained by passing the Part 107 exam. Many pilots also start with smaller side gigs, such as real estate photography, before moving to larger industrial tasks.

Why is the role of a robotics and automation technician important?

Robotics and automation technicians are critical because industries are increasingly adopting AI-driven robots to run production lines, move warehouse goods, and even assemble products like smartphones. These technicians maintain and troubleshoot the machines that keep production moving.

How much can robotics and automation technicians earn?

Robotics and automation technicians typically earn around $65,000 annually, but with experience and specialization, the salary can rise significantly as the industry continues to grow.

What is a data center technician, and why is this role crucial for AI infrastructure?

Data center technicians are responsible for maintaining and servicing the servers that run AI models and store vast amounts of data. As AI grows, these technicians are essential for keeping data centers operational, ensuring the servers' stability, and managing the hardware that supports AI development.

What qualifications are necessary to become a data center technician?

A two-year associate degree in IT, networking, or electronics is typically required for data center technicians. Certifications such as CompTIA A+ or Server+ are beneficial, along with hands-on experience in troubleshooting servers and networks.

What role does an IoT systems technician play in AI-powered systems?

IoT systems technicians install, wire, calibrate, and troubleshoot smart sensors and devices that connect to AI-powered systems. These systems are used in various industries, from manufacturing to city infrastructure, and require constant maintenance and updates.

How does one enter the field of wind turbine technology, and what are the salary expectations?

To enter the field of wind turbine technology, you typically need to complete a 1-2 year technical program in wind energy or industrial maintenance. The starting salary is around $70,000, with potential to earn $150,000 to $250,000 per year as you gain experience and specialize in the field.

Why is predictive maintenance a growing field, and what are the salary prospects?

Predictive maintenance is growing because it uses AI-powered tools to monitor machines and predict failures before they happen, allowing businesses to perform timely maintenance and avoid costly downtime. Entry-level positions pay between $75,000 and $95,000, with the potential to earn more as you specialize.