Please check your email for your login details.Skilled Trades Jobs and Careers in Detroit
Find a career that pays well and fits you. Every guide covers local pay, training, apprenticeships and the next step to get hired in Metro Detroit.
- Local pay from federal data
- Paid apprenticeship paths
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Top skilled trades careers in Detroit
Five trades with strong local demand, paid training and no four-year degree required.
Electrician
Wire homes, plants and data centers. Most start through a paid union or employer apprenticeship.
Read the electrician guide →Plumber, Pipefitter, Steamfitter
Water, gas, steam and process piping. One of the highest paid trades in the region.
Read the plumbing guide →HVAC Technician
Install and service furnaces, boilers, air conditioning and refrigeration.
Read the HVAC guide →Welder
Join metal in fabrication shops, auto plants and on construction sites.
Read the welding guide →Industrial Machinery Mechanic
Keep production lines running. Troubleshoot hydraulics, controls and robots.
Read the mechanic guide →Not sure yet?
Compare training options, apprenticeships and free programs before you pick a path.
See how apprenticeships work →What skilled trades pay in Metro Detroit
Median wages for the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn area from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025. Half of workers earn more, half earn less. Apprentices start lower and get raises as they progress.
| Career | Median hourly wage (USD) | Median yearly wage (USD) | Local jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters | 41.53 | 86,370 | 5,520 |
| Electricians | 39.42 | 81,990 | 11,210 |
| Sheet metal workers | 36.12 | 75,120 | 1,640 |
| Industrial machinery mechanics | 34.19 | 71,100 | 6,520 |
| Carpenters | 31.64 | 65,810 | 7,610 |
| HVAC and refrigeration mechanics | 30.37 | 63,170 | 5,740 |
| Welders, cutters, solderers and brazers | 24.91 | 51,810 | 4,580 |
Browse Detroit careers by field
Each guide explains the work, local pay, training and how to get hired in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties.
Construction trades
- Electrician
- Plumber and pipefitter
- HVAC technician
- Carpenter
- Roofer
- Sheet metal worker
- Bricklayer and stone mason
- Glazier
- Tile and stone setter
- Construction painter
- Insulation worker
- Construction laborer
- Boilermaker
- Crane and tower operator
- Elevator installer and repairer
- Solar panel installer
- Power line installer
- Hazardous materials removal
- Construction manager
- Construction project manager
Manufacturing and engineering
- Welder
- Industrial machinery mechanic
- CNC machinist
- Machinist
- Mechatronics technician
- Industrial HVACR technician
- Quality control inspector
- Production supervisor
- Production planner
- Plant manager
- Industrial engineer
- Mechanical engineer
- Automotive engineer
- Mechanical engineering technician
- Safety manager (EHS)
Transportation, auto and logistics
Healthcare
Tech and IT
Public service and education
How to start a skilled trades career in Detroit
- 1
Pick a trade
Read two or three career guides above. Compare the work, the pay and whether you want to be indoors, outdoors or in a plant.
- 2
Get ready to apply
Many apprenticeships ask for a diploma or GED, a driver's license and an aptitude test. Free job training programs and pre-apprenticeships can get you ready.
- 3
Choose your training
Apply to a paid apprenticeship or enroll at a trade school or community college. See what is free or low cost first.
- 4
Get hired
Join the Talent Network, browse trade jobs in Detroit and meet employers at Detroit job fairs.
Get trained, get paid, get hired
Trade schools
Community colleges and union training centers near Detroit.
Compare schools →Apprenticeships
Earn a paycheck while you learn a trade.
How to apply →Free training programs
Free and low cost job training for Detroiters.
See programs →Pay for school
Michigan Reconnect, scholarships and grants.
Find funding →Youth jobs
Summer jobs, CTE and pre-apprenticeships for ages 14 to 24.
For young people →Trade jobs
Openings, local pay and job search tips.
Find jobs →Companies hiring
Detroit employers hiring skilled trades.
See employers →Job fairs
Where to find official Detroit hiring events.
Find job fairs →Join the Detroit Talent Network
Tell us the careers you want and where you live. We will share training options and openings from local employers that match. It is free, and you can leave any time.
Detroit careers FAQ
Ready to start your career?
Join the Talent Network and hear about training and trade jobs that match what you want.
Join the Talent NetworkSources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025, Detroit-Warren-Dearborn MSA
- Detroit at Work: Training
Updated September 2026. Rules and procedures change; confirm with the responsible office before a decision.