Summary: Many of the best-paying trade careers welcome beginners with zero experience, short training programs, and clear paths to $60K–$100K+ in just a few years. This guide compares entry-level pay, training time, certification costs, and how often workers enter each trade with no prior background so you can choose a high-ROI starting point.
You don’t need years of experience—or a four-year degree—to start earning good money in the skilled trades. Many high-paying career paths let you begin with zero experience, require only short training programs, and offer clear advancement to $60K–$100K+ with certifications or specialized experience.
This guide ranks the top trade careers based on:
- Entry-level wages
- Training time (weeks, months, or apprenticeship)
- Certification cost (approximate)
- % of workers entering with no prior experience
All numbers below are simplified national averages based on typical trade-school programs, employer requirements, and industry surveys.
Best Paying Trade Careers That Require No Experience
These trades offer strong starting pay, short training timelines, and opportunities to specialize or advance quickly.
| Trade |
Entry-Level Pay |
Training Time |
Cost of Certification |
% Entering with No Experience |
| Commercial Truck Driver (CDL) (Guide) |
$45,000–$60,000 |
4–12 weeks |
$4,000–$7,000 |
90%+ |
| HVAC Technician (Guide) |
$38,000–$48,000 |
6–12 months |
$3,000–$12,000 |
70%+ |
| Electrician Apprentice (Guide) |
$38,000–$46,000 |
Full apprenticeship (paid training) |
$0–$2,000 (apprenticeship fees) |
75%+ |
| Plumbing Apprentice (Guide) |
$37,000–$45,000 |
Full apprenticeship (paid training) |
$0–$2,000 |
80%+ |
| Diesel Mechanic (Guide) |
$38,000–$46,000 |
9–12 months |
$5,000–$15,000 |
70%+ |
| Automotive Technician (Guide) |
$32,000–$42,000 |
6–12 months |
$3,000–$12,000 |
85%+ |
| Welder (Guide) |
$36,000–$44,000 |
3–7 months |
$2,500–$10,000 |
80%+ |
| Heavy Equipment Operator (Guide) |
$38,000–$46,000 |
8–12 weeks or apprenticeship |
$3,000–$8,000 |
70%+ |
| CNC Machinist (Guide) |
$34,000–$42,000 |
6–12 months |
$4,000–$10,000 |
75%+ |
| Industrial Maintenance Technician (entry) (Guide) |
$37,000–$46,000 |
9–18 months |
$4,000–$14,000 |
65%+ |
| Sheet Metal Worker (apprentice) (Guide) |
$36,000–$44,000 |
Apprenticeship (paid) |
$0–$1,000 |
70%+ |
| Ironworker (apprentice) (Guide) |
$40,000–$48,000 |
Apprenticeship |
$0–$1,000 |
85%+ |
| Mason / Brickmason (Guide) |
$36,000–$44,000 |
3–9 months or apprenticeship |
$2,000–$8,000 |
70%+ |
| Carpenter (entry-level) (Guide) |
$34,000–$42,000 |
On-the-job or 3–6 month program |
$1,500–$7,000 |
90%+ |
| Marine Mechanic (Guide) |
$35,000–$44,000 |
6–12 months |
$3,000–$12,000 |
75%+ |
| Concrete / Cement Worker (Guide) |
$34,000–$40,000 |
Short-term training or on-the-job |
$500–$3,000 |
90%+ |
Visual: High-Paying Trades with No Experience Required
This chart compares five of the best-paying trades that commonly hire beginners, showing typical training time, starting pay, and how many workers enter with no prior experience.
Top 5 Highest Paying “No Experience Needed” Trades
Based on starting pay plus long-term earning power, these are the best overall options:
- Commercial Truck Driver (CDL) – Fast training, huge demand, high starting pay.
- Electrician Apprentice – Paid training that leads to $70K–$100K+ as a journeyman.
- Plumbing Apprentice – High stability, strong union pay, excellent self-employment potential.
- HVAC Technician – Great long-term career with steady 40–45 hour weeks.
- Diesel Mechanic – Big demand from trucking, logistics, construction, and agriculture.
Trades With the Shortest Training Time
If you want to start earning fast, these trades get you job-ready the quickest:
- CDL Trucking: 4–12 weeks
- Heavy Equipment Operator: 2–3 months
- Welding (Entry MIG): 3–5 months
- Carpentry: On-the-job or short pre-apprenticeship
- Concrete Working: Very short paid training periods
Lowest-Cost Certifications (High ROI)
- Apprenticeships (Electrician, Plumbing, Sheet Metal, Ironwork): $0–$2,000
- Carpentry: Often free or employer-paid
- Entry-Level Welding: $2,500–$7,500
- CNC Machining: $4,000–$8,000
- HVAC: $3,000–$12,000 depending on program
Trades Most Commonly Entered With Zero Experience
These trades regularly hire people straight out of high school or career changers:
- Carpentry
- CDL Trucking
- Concrete/Cement Work
- Welding (Entry-Level MIG/TIG)
- Automotive Technician
- Plumbing Apprentice
- Electrician Apprentice
- Sheet Metal & Ironworking
How to Choose the Best “No Experience Needed” Trade
When deciding which trade to start, ask yourself:
- Do I want fast training (weeks)? → CDL, heavy equipment, welding
- Do I want high long-term pay? → Electrician, plumber, HVAC, diesel, industrial maintenance
- Do I want low-cost entry? → Apprenticeships
- Do I want physical but high-demand work? → Concrete, ironwork, roofing
- Do I want technical/mechanical work? → HVAC, diesel, CNC, industrial maintenance
No matter where you start, many new workers “earn while they learn” and reach $60K–$100K+ within a few years—without taking on student debt.
To explore step-by-step paths, check out our full career guides:
With little to no experience required, these trades offer some of the best earning potential—and fastest entry routes—of any career path in the U.S.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which trade is the easiest to get into with no experience?
CDL trucking, carpentry, concrete work, and entry-level welding are generally the easiest trades to enter with zero experience. These fields offer short training timelines, employer-paid training options, and high demand in most states.
Do skilled trades hire workers with no prior experience?
Yes. Many trade careers are designed for beginners. Apprenticeships, pre-apprenticeships, on-the-job training programs, and short trade-school courses all accept applicants with no industry background. Employers often prefer motivated beginners they can train from scratch.
Can you start a trade career without a GED or high school diploma?
Some entry-level jobs (carpentry, concrete, basic labor, some welding programs) will hire without a diploma, but most formal apprenticeships require at least a GED or high school diploma. CDL trucking schools and many trade schools also require it.
How long does it take to start earning money in a trade?
Most trades allow you to start earning almost immediately. CDL drivers and heavy equipment operators can begin working in 2–12 weeks, while welders, HVAC techs, and automotive techs usually start earning within 3–12 months. Apprenticeships pay from Day 1.
Which trade pays the most in the first year?
Commercial truck driving (CDL) typically offers the highest first-year earnings, often $45,000–$60,000. Electrician, plumbing, and heavy equipment apprenticeships also offer strong first-year wages with overtime.
Which trade has the best long-term earning potential without a degree?
Electricians and plumbers generally offer the strongest long-term earning power, with many journeymen making $70,000–$110,000+. HVAC techs, industrial maintenance techs, and diesel mechanics also reach six-figure earnings with certifications and overtime.
What’s the cheapest trade to get started in?
Apprenticeships are the lowest-cost entry because training is employer-funded. Carpentry, sheet metal, ironwork, and plumbing apprentices often cost $0–$2,000 to start, and workers are paid during training.
What’s the fastest trade to learn?
CDL trucking (4–12 weeks), heavy equipment operation (8–12 weeks), and entry-level welding programs (3–5 months) are among the fastest ways to get job-ready and start earning real money.
Are trade jobs physically demanding?
Some trades—like carpentry, welding, ironwork, and concrete—are physically demanding, while others—like HVAC, diesel mechanics, CNC machining, and electrical work—require more technical skill and less heavy lifting.
Can you switch trades later?
Absolutely. Many skills overlap. For example, welders can move into pipefitting, HVAC techs can transition into refrigeration, and heavy equipment operators often move into CDL jobs. Switching trades later is common and often increases earning potential.
Data Sources & Methodology
Pay ranges, training timelines, and “no experience” estimates in this guide are based on typical trade school catalogs, apprenticeship wage schedules, job postings, and industry surveys. We use national midpoints and rounded ranges to keep things readable. Actual earnings depend on your state, union status, overtime, and how quickly you stack licenses or certifications.
