Many teens choose to enroll in a trade school program while in high school, and some apply to vocational schools shortly after high school graduation. Either way, there are several trade careers that prove to earn good salaries, have great benefits, and allow your teen to work in a field of their choosing. Here are five trade jobs your teen may consider based on their skill set, personality, and interests.
Web Developer
Most people don’t think of a web developer position when they think of trade jobs. However, there are several online and in-person programs that allow an individual to earn a two-year degree or a certification to become a web developer. If your teen is into technology, coding, and design, this may be a great job for them to pursue.
According to bestcolleges.com, the median annual salary for web developers was about $73,760 in 2019, and there is projected job growth by 8% to 2029. Why is this a great industry and career to pursue? Technology will continue to be used and improved. Businesses will continue to pop up and need web developers and marketers to help get their business on the map. In fact, 94% of business enterprises rely on cloud services to streamline their business.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
Is your teen intrigued by the medical field? There are a few trade school jobs that allow for a career in this industry, with one of them being a diagnostic medical sonographer. This job involves using medical equipment to see images that allow for medical conditions to be assessed and diagnosed. Heart, breast, abdomen, blood vessel, and musculoskeletal issues can be treated based on what medical images find. Sonographers also take images of fetuses and guide pregnant women through their pregnancies based on what they find. If your teen is interested in working in a medical setting alongside doctors to help people through diagnoses, this may be a great job for them.
The median annual salary for diagnostic medical sonographers is around $68,000, and the job projection over the next eight years is high. This job allows for an individual to work in a doctor’s office, a hospital, or a medical laboratory alongside other medical professionals.
Roofer
Roofers work on the obvious: roofs. They inspect, replace, install, repair, and maintain roofs on commercial buildings and residential homes. A job as a roofer is a demanding one. Roofers often work year-round, and it can be a dangerous career to pursue due to the possibility of injury. A roofer must be able to work with others, be in a healthy physical state, follow safety protocols, and be able to communicate with customers. The job outlook for roofers is projected to grow by 11% through 2026, and the median annual salary is around $38,000.
Roofers also have the opportunity to implement eco-friendly features for customers. Solar panel installation is becoming more and more popular. In fact, since 2010, solar jobs have increased by nearly 160%. It allows for families and businesses to use less energy and combat greenhouse gas emissions. Plus, they add value to a building or house.
Dental Hygienist
If your teen is interested in working with children in an office setting, becoming a dental hygienist may be a perfect career for them. Dental hygienists provide teeth cleanings, screenings, dental hygiene advice, and preventative care for kids and adults alike. However, dental hygienists can choose to work exclusively with children in a pediatric dental office. The median annual salary for dental hygienists is about $76,000.
Welder
Welders use specialized equipment to fabricate, maneuver, and assemble structures made of metal. A welder must be able to analyze technical documents, be fluent in utilizing welding equipment, and be able to follow safety protocols and procedures. This particular career can be dangerous. There are opportunities for growth and to make more money, too. The median annual salary for welders is about $40,000, but with additional training and certification, a welder can travel and even work in underwater welding, both of which will allow for additional and lucrative earnings.
The metal fabrication industry is projected to grow by 9% from 2016 to 2026, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. For welders specifically, the job projection is highly promising, as this particular career is expected to be one of the fastest-growing professions in the country. Old buildings and infrastructure will need welders and other professionals when it comes to fixing and updating them in the upcoming decades.
Trade schools offer courses and certifications in a variety of industries. Whether your teen is interested in working in technology, medicine, construction, an office, or in the metal fabrication industry, there is a career fit for your teen. Talk to your teen about what they wish to gain from their future job. What are their interests and passions? What are their personality traits? Once you narrow this down together, your teen can work toward pursuing a meaningful career after high school graduation.
Speak Your Mind