In short
Jobs with paid training include electricians, plumbers, power line installers, elevator installers, industrial mechanics and many others where BLS lists an apprenticeship or long-term on-the-job training as the main way to learn. You are paid from day one, usually at a lower rate that rises as your skills grow. Electricians, for example, earn a median of $63,190.
Ranked by median pay
| # | Job | Median pay | Typical way in | Growth 2025 to 2035 | Openings a year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Air traffic controllers (BLS) | $148,080 | Associate degree | 1.7% | 2,100 |
| 2 | Nuclear power reactor operators (BLS) | $122,890 | High school or GED | a decline of 5.9% | 400 |
| 3 | Elevator and escalator installers and repairers (BLS) | $109,910 | High school or GED | 5.7% | 1,900 |
| 4 | Power distributors and dispatchers (BLS) | $106,730 | High school or GED | 1.2% | 700 |
| 5 | Power plant operators (BLS) | $102,040 | High school or GED | a decline of 5.1% | 2,300 |
| 6 | Electrical power-line installers and repairers (BLS) | $95,320 | High school or GED | 10.3% | 10,900 |
| 7 | Gas plant operators | $87,820 | High school or GED | a decline of 6% | 1,400 |
| 8 | Stationary engineers and boiler operators (BLS) | $78,620 | High school or GED | 3.1% | 3,200 |
| 9 | Claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators (BLS) | $78,000 | High school or GED | a decline of 5.5% | 20,900 |
| 10 | Boilermakers (BLS) | $76,410 | High school or GED | a decline of 1.8% | 700 |
| 11 | Terrazzo workers and finishers (BLS) | $76,170 | High school or GED | a decline of 13% | 100 |
| 12 | Telecommunications line installers and repairers (BLS) | $74,330 | High school or GED | a decline of 3.4% | 8,000 |
| 13 | Electrical and electronics repairers, commercial and industrial equipment (BLS) | $74,090 | Certificate | 0.3% | 4,700 |
| 14 | Rail car repairers (BLS) | $67,530 | High school or GED | 2.6% | 1,600 |
| 15 | Watch and clock repairers | $67,230 | High school or GED | a decline of 0.3% | 100 |
| 16 | Athletes and sports competitors (BLS) | $66,710 | No diploma needed | 5.5% | 2,200 |
| 17 | Millwrights (BLS) | $65,700 | High school or GED | 0.9% | 3,200 |
| 18 | Mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except engines (BLS) | $65,510 | High school or GED | 6.7% | 15,000 |
| 19 | Industrial machinery mechanics (BLS) | $64,520 | High school or GED | 17.8% | 44,400 |
| 20 | Wind turbine service technicians (BLS) | $64,120 | Certificate | 29.5% | 1,500 |
| 21 | Tool and die makers (BLS) | $64,050 | Certificate | a decline of 9.2% | 4,300 |
| 22 | Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters | $63,800 | High school or GED | 6.8% | 42,000 |
| 23 | Electricians | $63,190 | High school or GED | 9.2% | 72,700 |
| 24 | Structural iron and steel workers (BLS) | $62,780 | High school or GED | 3.1% | 5,900 |
| 25 | Brickmasons and blockmasons (BLS) | $62,120 | High school or GED | 1.1% | 4,100 |
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2025 to 2035 (Table 1.2), May 2025 median wages, retrieved 2026-10-09. Openings include jobs that open up when people retire or switch fields.
Finding these jobs
Search registered apprenticeships at Apprenticeship.gov. Utilities, manufacturers and large contractors also hire trainees directly; look for "apprentice," "trainee" or "helper" in job titles.
Questions people ask
What jobs pay you to train?
Apprenticeship trades like electrician and plumber, plus utility and industrial maintenance jobs.
How much do apprentices earn?
Usually a percentage of a full worker's wage that rises with each stage.
Do I need any schooling first?
Usually a high school diploma or GED, and sometimes an aptitude test.