We know, calling something “The Best” is usually a highly opiniated matter. And there’s some truth to that when finding the best trade jobs in Michigan. But we decided to look at the top trades based on a number of different factors.
Total Demand – If you are considering a trade school or job, you want to know there is demand for those skills. We’ve looked at which jobs have a large demand and in turn should lead to good job opportunities.
Growth Rate – Maybe a trade has decent demand, but if it’s expected to decline in need over the coming years, you might reconsider. Many of the best trade jobs in Michigan are on the rise and finding one should be your goal. If it’s expected to grow over the next 10 years, you should be comfortable there will be stability.
Earnings – The fact is that most trades these days pay a livable wage, but there is some variability. Some jobs can you earn you close to six figures, whereas others are going to be mid five figures. Making sure you manage the cost of schooling and in turn the ROI is key to making a trade job work for you.
Related: High Paying Jobs in Michigan
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers
If you like the open road, then you might love this job, which transports goods all over the country. This has been one of the top trade jobs in Michigan for a long time and continues to grow. While it’s not growing at record rates, it is expected to be quite stable over the next ten years according to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics.
Average Pay: $43,500
Total Employment: 55,940
National Growth Rate: 5%
Entry-Level Education: Postsecondary nondegree award
Nursing Assistants
Nursing assistants may work in a variety of medical related environments. Whether that’s in a nursing home or hospital, they assist in basic care of patients.
Average Pay: $30,130
Total Employment: 49,760
National Growth Rate: 9%
Entry-Level Education: Postsecondary nondegree award
Medical Assistants
Medical assistants also work in a variety of different medical environments. People in this job are more often focused on administrative and clinical functions. The specifics will vary based on whether you work in a doctor’s office, hospital, or other medical facility.
Average Pay: $32,540
Total Employment: 23,680
National Growth Rate: 23%
Entry-Level Education: Postsecondary nondegree award
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses
In this position you would be responsible for basic nursing care. Again, you may find yourself working at several different facilities such as nursing homes. This is one of the best trade jobs in Michigan especially when considering the amount of time it takes to get a certificate.
Average Pay: $49,040
Total Employment: 14,840
National Growth Rate: 11%
Entry-Level Education: Postsecondary nondegree award
Related: Best Nursing Schools in Michigan
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists
While this is one of the top trade jobs in Michigan, understand it’s not one of the better paying. If you do this job, it’s because you love helping make people look and feel better about themselves. That said, the top tier people can still make a great living.
Average Pay: $29,080
Total Employment: 12,870
National Growth Rate: 8%
Entry-Level Education: Postsecondary nondegree award
Dental Assistants
Dental assistants provide a number of services within a dentist’s office. From administrative tasks like scheduling appointments, to taking x-rays. If you have a passion for good looking teeth, then consider this trade job.
Average Pay: $37,140
Total Employment: 9,960
National Growth Rate: 11%
Entry-Level Education: Postsecondary nondegree award
Related: Find a New Career at 40
Dental Hygienists
As a dental hygienist you would be responsible for cleaning and examining patients’ teeth. This is without question one of the best trade jobs in Michigan when you look at the potential earnings. You can make as much as most people with a Bachelor’s degree at a major university. Granted you do need an Associate’s degree, but that can be completed in two years with considerably less cost.
Average Pay: $64,130
Total Employment: 9,510
National Growth Rate: 11%
Entry-Level Education: Associate’s Degree
Preschool Teachers (Excluding Special Education)
Having a love for young children is key to this position. You will be responsible for educating children under the age of 5 and preparing them for kindergarten.
Average Pay: $35,010
Total Employment: 9,270
National Growth Rate: 7%
Entry-Level Education: Associate’s Degree
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers
Another top trade job in Michigan that only requires a certificate award and has great earnings potential. As the name suggests, you would be working with heating, ventilation, cooling, and refrigeration systems.
Average Pay: $49,030
Total Employment: 9,100
National Growth Rate: 13%
Entry-Level Education: Postsecondary nondegree award
Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) and Paramedics
If you perform well under pressure, and like helping people with medical problems, check this trade job out. EMT’s respond to medical emergencies, provide on-site care for those patients, and transport them to medical facilities.
Average Pay: $33,720
Total Employment: 7,100
National Growth Rate: 7%
Entry-Level Education: Postsecondary nondegree award
Radiologic Technologists
This is one of the best trade jobs in Michigan due to the increase in medical device technology. Performing diagnostic imaging exams is now routine procedure for identifying and treating many diseases. This is another job that will be growing for some time to come.
Average Pay: $55,970
Total Employment: 6,710
National Growth Rate: 9%
Entry-Level Education: Associate’s Degree
Learn more…Radiologic technologists
Related: Fast Growing Trade Jobs
Finding the Right Education
One of the best parts about the best trade jobs in Michigan is that education is more easily accessible. Some of the best trade schools in Michigan are local community colleges that require minimal travel. Not only are they more easily accessible, but they also are typically a fraction the cost of the best traditional colleges.
You can also find many private schools that provide programs for these trade jobs. Just make sure you do your research, since some private schools can take advantage of students. You don’t want to overpay for a degree that will have poor job prospects in the future.
The Bottom Line
The best trade jobs in Michigan offer the right mix between demand and earnings potential. Some of these jobs pay significantly higher amounts, where others may offer more satisfaction. The good news is that all these top trades take much less time to get a degree or certificate. You can greatly increase your earnings potential, while not breaking the bank on tuition.
There are many different trade jobs out there in Michigan. If traditional college isn’t for you, consider trying one of the jobs on this list, or another trade job that suits your interests.