15 Best Paying Jobs for Women: List of Trades for Females

For all those open minded and hard working women out there who aren’t afraid of getting their hands dirty (literally) here’s a list of 15 best paying jobs for women: list of trades for females. 

When discussing a list of careers for women, trades usually don’t make the top of the list. According to The Digerati Life, typical female occupations are the following: dental hygienists, child care workers, payroll and timekeeping clerks, hairdressers, receptionists, etc. Some of them are very good paying jobs for women without a degree, such as a dental hygienist. You could be earning around $68,000. As for our list, some jobs don’t require a degree, though proper apprenticeship is a must. Still, there is one issue when discussing best jobs for women, and that is the gender gap. It’s not fair, but it’s true that men generally earn more than women. If you wish to have a job which is 100% equally paid to both men and women, Mental Effort has a curious idea. Why don’t you become the president of the United States? The salary of $400,000 is the same for both sexes!

However, we are going to deal with best trades for women, so let’s start with the definition of the word “trade.” Most probably you are assuming plumbers, carpenters or electricians to be found here. That’s fair enough, but there is more to it than meets the eye. A trade is “an occupation requiring manual or mechanical skill.” For that reason, the list comprises female trades or jobs that involve some manual work. Some of them are even done in the office, but there is always some manual work involved, or at least going to the construction site. You will see there are no stereotypical female jobs here. But let’s not spoil all the fun (there will be some fun jobs for women, too). Here is how we compiled to our list.

First, we started off with Trade-schools and checked what jobs they are offering, as the best jobs for females. There were lots of occupations that are highly recommendable for women such as software developer, but it doesn’t include manual work so that one and similar suggestions were ruled out. Next, we checked at Quartz which jobs you are almost paid as much as your male colleagues, or even more (gasp) and added them to the list. Women in technology? A success, rather than a surprise. The Chicago Tribune was a part of our research for some inspiring success stories. The last thing that was to be done is to range the jobs according to their median annual salary, from the lowest to the highest (on two points we consulted with Sokanu). We have also included a short description of the occupations with their pros and cons so you could know what to expect.

By the way, if money is your primary reason for reading this, check out 11 Best Paying Jobs for Women in America and 8 Highest Paying Vocational Careers. Also, there are several businesses at 10 Most Profitable Businesses You Could Start with Little Money that could especially be appealing to women entrepreneurs. In addition, if you are from India, we can tell you that best jobs for females in India are definitely located in the government sector.

Finally, ladies, it’s time to check out 15 best paying jobs for women: list of trades for females and show the (men’s) world how things are done!

13. Commercial truck driver

Average annual salary: $43,590

If you don’t like the nine to five daily grind and loathe all types of office jobs because they aren’t exciting enough and you just can’t keep still, how about going on the open road and becoming a commercial truck driver? Sounds like fun. You will have as much freedom as you wish, though of course there are some deadlines to be met. And now, let’s see what’s next in our list of best paying jobs for women: list of trades for females.

12. Diesel mechanic

Average annual salary: $46,710

If the first association to the word “diesel” is the famous fashion brand, just skip this section. If not, you’ve come to the right place. What does diesel mechanics do? Well, lots of things. Diesel mechanics inspect, maintain and repair diesel engines for private garages, car dealerships or repair shops. Normally you will find a diesel engine in large trucks, bulldozers, cranes and some cars. If you aren’t afraid to get your hands dirty, this is the job for you. Of course, you’ll be using a computer software a lot, too.

11. Ironworker

Average annual salary: $50,490

We are continuing our list of best paying jobs for women: list of trades for females with iron-workers that install structural and reinforcing iron and steel in order to form and support buildings, roads, and bridges. Sometimes they are called erectors. The job is physically demanding, and there are many dangers on the spot. However, if you live in a big city, this could be the job for you. Iron-workers certified in welding, rigging, and crane signaling have the highest income.

10. Architectural or Civil Drafter

Average annual salary: $54,290

Up next in our list of best paying jobs for women: list of trades for females is architectural and civil drafter that makes technical drawings and plans which are later used by construction and production workers. You could be building anything, from roadways to buildings. Despite the fact that you’ll be using your computer a lot (Computer Aided Design and Drafting (CADD) systems in particular), your designs aren’t only on your computer, so that’s the reason why we picked this job. You’ll have to use a variety of tools to draw the sketches and plans.

9. Wind Energy Technician

Average annual salary: $54,360

As we have mentioned before, renewable energy resources are becoming a trend that is always on the lookout for new employees. You will learn all about turning wind into electricity and put it into practice.

8. Electrician

Average annual salary: $56,650

Imagine the surprise when a customer opens the door of their home to you. Jokes aside, you can work almost anywhere: factories, construction sites, business or home. Being your own boss is one of the perks – one in 10 electricians is self-employed. As for the hazards, you should be extra careful. Electricians make up for about 7% of total deaths in the building trades.

7. Aircraft mechanic

Average annual salary: $61,190

Why repair cars, when you can do the same with aeroplanes? An aircraft mechanic, the number 7 in our list of best paying jobs for women: list of trades for females, makes a good salary, and as with any job, it is important that you love it, i.e., that planes are your passion. Apart from that, there is room for improvement. You can become an FAA inspector (Federal Aviation Administration), shop supervisor, or an owner of a maintenance facility. Cons: there might be heavy lifting involved, and you can be prone to injuries.

6. Industrial designer

Average annual salary: $70,880

It is similar to the previous occupation in a sense that you are designing something, only this time that would be any kind of manufactured product, from cars to furniture.

5. Mechanical engineer

Average annual salary: $89,800

Power production equipment is what you’ll be dealing with on a daily basis. Electric generators, internal combustion engines, and steam and gas turbines are only a few examples of what you’ll be taking care of. Generally, mechanical engineers do a lot of problem-solving, analyzing, redesigning and testing on their job.

4. Chemical engineer

Average annual salary: $97,360

One of the best reasons why you should become a chemical engineer if you’re a woman is because there are good chances you’ll be earning 0.1% more than your male colleagues. Seems too little? Just remember that even women CEOs get lower salaries than male workers. If there is any chance you’ll be earning as much as a man, it makes the job more appealing. That’s just the way things are. And now, let’s see the top three entries in our list of best paying jobs for women: list of trades for females.

3. Electrical engineer

Average annual salary: $98,620

Right now you might be wondering what is the difference between an electrician and an electrical engineer. While an electrician’s responsibilities are wired installations and connections, and repairs, electrical engineers deal with equipment or systems that transfer, stock or distribute electricity.

2. Construction manager

Average annual salary: $99,510

This is one of the best trade jobs for females, or should we say, one of the best paid. As a construction manager that ranks second in our list of best paying jobs for women: list of trades for females, your duties are to plan, coordinate, budget, and supervise construction projects from the beginning to the end. You can forget about the office, though. Despite making plans in one, your job implies lots of field work, which is actually a construction site. Don’t forget to buy appropriate boots, but feel free to forget what’s in fashion when it comes to footwear. At least when you’re going to the site.

1. Oil and gas worker

Average annual salary: $130,050

Here is the most lucrative and best out of 15 best paying jobs for women: list of trades for females. An oil and gas worker comprises a lot of options. You could become an operator, repairer, technician or a professional in extracting oil or gas. There is no need to emphasize this is one of the most profitable industries. And you are bound to benefit from it, too.