Salary Progression in the Trades: What You'll Earn at 1, 5, and 10 Years

Most salary articles about the trades give you a single number: the median. That is useful for a rough comparison, but it tells you almost nothing about the shape of a career. What does an electrician actually earn during year one as an apprentice? How fast does that number climb? What does a decade of experience translate to in real dollars?

These questions matter because the trades follow an earnings arc that looks fundamentally different from most white-collar careers. Growth is not gradual and abstract — it is structured, contractual, and tied to concrete milestones like completing an apprenticeship, earning a journeyman card, or passing a master’s exam. This article maps that progression for four major trades using federal wage data, apprenticeship pay scales, and industry sources.

How Trade Salary Progression Works

The trades use a tiered advancement system that has been in place for centuries and remains remarkably consistent across occupations. The basic pipeline looks like this:

Apprentice → Journeyman → Master / Specialist

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, registered apprentices typically start at 40–50% of the journeyman wage rate, with scheduled raises every six to twelve months as they accumulate hours and complete related technical instruction. By the end of a four- or five-year apprenticeship, an apprentice is earning close to full journeyman scale.

This structure means the trades have a steeper early earnings curve than many salaried careers. A first-year apprentice plumber might feel the pinch compared to a friend who took a desk job out of high school. But by year five, the journeyman plumber has caught up — and by year ten, the master plumber with a license and a few employees is pulling ahead.

Not every trade follows the same timeline. There is an important distinction between apprenticeship-track trades and certificate-track trades:

Apprenticeship-track (electrical, plumbing): Multi-year programs with a lower starting wage but structured, predictable growth. You earn while you learn, and the journeyman credential is the key that unlocks full earning power.
Certificate-track (HVAC, welding): Shorter training programs — often six months to two years — that lead to faster entry at closer to full wages. Growth still comes with experience and certifications, but the initial ramp is less steep.

Both paths lead to strong mid-career earnings. The difference is the shape of the curve getting there. For a detailed breakdown of how apprenticeships work, including how to find and apply to programs, see our full guide.

Electricians: The Clearest Ladder

Electrical work offers perhaps the most transparent salary progression in the trades because the apprentice-to-journeyman-to-master pipeline is formalized, licensed, and well-documented.

Year 1: Apprentice (~$35,000)

A first-year electrical apprentice earns roughly $35,000 per year. Data from Electrician Apprentice HQ puts the average apprentice electrician wage at approximately $34,841 annually. The BLS 10th percentile for all electricians — which includes the lowest-paid workers, many of whom are apprentices — is $39,430.

The gap between these figures makes sense: the BLS captures all electricians at the low end of the scale, while apprenticeship-specific data isolates first- and second-year workers who have not yet received their scheduled raises.

Apprentice pay scales vary by local and by whether you go union or non-union, but the structure is consistent: start at roughly 40–50% of journeyman rate, step up every six months. An IBEW apprentice in a high-cost metro might start closer to $40,000; one in a rural area might start in the low $30,000s.

Year 5: Journeyman (~$62,000)

After completing a four- to five-year apprenticeship, a licensed journeyman electrician earns a median of $62,350 according to the BLS. This is the national midpoint — half of journeyman electricians earn more.

This is the biggest single jump in the earnings arc. Going from apprentice to journeyman roughly doubles your income over four to five years. For a deeper look at what the electrical career path looks like beyond wages — including specializations in industrial, commercial, and renewable energy work — see our full guide.

Year 10+: Master Electrician ($75,000+)

A master electrician — someone who has passed their jurisdiction’s master exam, typically after two or more years as a journeyman — earns a national average of roughly $75,709 according to Indeed’s salary data. That same source shows journeyman electricians averaging $49,466, which illustrates the premium that the master license carries.

At the top of the profession, the numbers climb further. The BLS 90th percentile for electricians is $106,030 — a level reached by experienced masters in high-demand markets, foremen, estimators, and those running their own shops.

Earnings also vary significantly by state. Our breakdown of highest-paying trade jobs by state shows that electricians in Washington, Illinois, and Hawaii earn mean wages above $88,000.

Plumbers and Pipefitters

Plumbing follows a similar apprenticeship structure to electrical work, with comparable pay milestones.

Year 1: Apprentice (~$35,000–$40,000)

The BLS 10th percentile for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters is $40,670. First-year apprentices typically fall below this mark, in the $30,000–$40,000 range according to Pittsburgh Technical College’s salary analysis.

Like electrical apprentices, plumbing apprentices start at a percentage of journeyman scale and step up with experience. Union apprentices under a United Association (UA) local have particularly structured pay progressions.

Year 5: Journeyman (~$63,000)

The national median for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters is $62,970. A journeyman plumber with five years of total experience — including apprenticeship — is typically at or near this level.

For those interested in the full scope of what this career involves — from residential service to commercial pipefitting and fire protection — our guide to plumbing career opportunities covers the major branches.

Year 10+: Master Plumber / Business Owner ($75,000–$105,000+)

Master plumbers and experienced pipefitters push well into the upper pay ranges. The BLS 90th percentile is $105,150. Pittsburgh Technical College data shows experienced plumbers earning $50,000–$80,000, with masters and business owners exceeding that range.

Plumbing also offers one of the strongest self-employment paths in the trades. A licensed master plumber who starts a service business can earn substantially more than wage data captures, though that income comes with the overhead and risk of business ownership.

HVAC Technicians

HVAC follows a different pattern from electrical and plumbing because it is primarily a certificate-track trade. Many HVAC technicians enter the field after a six-month to two-year technical program rather than a multi-year registered apprenticeship. This means faster entry and a higher starting wage — but a somewhat flatter early growth curve.

Year 1: Entry-Level (~$38,000–$45,000)

A new HVAC technician with a certificate or associate degree typically starts in the $38,000–$45,000 range, according to Pittsburgh Technical College. The BLS 10th percentile for HVAC mechanics and installers is $36,760.

The higher starting wage compared to trade apprentices reflects the fact that HVAC techs complete their training before entering the workforce rather than training on the job at apprentice rates.

Year 5: Mid-Career (~$60,000)

The BLS median for HVAC mechanics and installers is $59,810. A technician with five years of field experience and industry certifications (EPA 608, NATE, manufacturer-specific credentials) is typically at or above this level.

Our guide to HVAC career opportunities covers the specializations — commercial refrigeration, building automation, clean energy systems — that drive earnings higher within this field.

Year 10+: Senior Tech / Specialist ($70,000–$91,000+)

Pittsburgh Technical College data puts experienced HVAC professionals at $55,000–$70,000, with specialists reaching $95,000. The BLS 90th percentile is $91,020.

Specialization matters more in HVAC than in almost any other trade. A technician who moves into commercial refrigeration, industrial controls, or building automation systems can earn significantly more than one who stays in residential installation. Certifications are the mechanism — each one opens access to higher-paying work.

Welders

Welding has the widest earnings range of the four trades covered here, driven almost entirely by specialization. A production welder in a fabrication shop and an underwater pipeline welder are both “welders” by BLS classification, but they occupy completely different pay brackets.

Year 1: Entry-Level (~$35,000–$42,000)

A welder coming out of a certificate program typically starts in the $35,000–$42,000 range according to Pittsburgh Technical College. The BLS 10th percentile is $38,130.

Like HVAC, welding is primarily a certificate-track trade. Training programs run six months to two years, and graduates enter the workforce at closer to full production wages than trade apprentices do.

Year 5: Experienced Welder (~$51,000)

The BLS median for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers is $51,000. An experienced welder with five years and solid certifications (AWS D1.1, 6G pipe, etc.) is typically at or above this level, depending on the industry and type of welding.

For a complete look at welding specializations and where they lead, see our guide to welding career opportunities.

Year 10+: Senior / Specialized Welder ($60,000–$76,000+)

Pittsburgh Technical College data places experienced welders at $45,000–$60,000. The BLS 90th percentile is $75,850.

The real upside in welding comes from specialization. Pipeline welders, aerospace welders, and underwater welders can earn well above the BLS 90th percentile. These roles require advanced certifications, willingness to travel or work in demanding conditions, and years of proven performance on critical welds. Industry sources report that underwater welders and pipeline specialists can earn six figures, though exact figures vary widely by employer, project, and location.

The Experience Premium Across All Trades

The consistent theme across all four trades is that experience pays — literally. Pittsburgh Technical College’s analysis reports that the average entry-level skilled trade salary is $39,781, while the average experienced salary is $77,062. That is a 93% increase from entry to experienced — nearly doubling your income over the course of a career.

Here is how the four trades stack up side by side:

Trade	Year 1 (Apprentice/Entry)	Year 5 (Journeyman/Mid)	Year 10+ (Master/Senior)	Top 10% (BLS)
Electricians	~$35,000	~$62,000	$75,000+	$106,030
Plumbers & Pipefitters	~$35,000–$40,000	~$63,000	$75,000–$105,000	$105,150
HVAC Technicians	~$38,000–$45,000	~$60,000	$70,000–$91,000	$91,020
Welders	~$35,000–$42,000	~$51,000	$60,000–$76,000	$75,850

A few patterns stand out:

Electricians and plumbers have the steepest early growth because of the apprenticeship structure — you start low but climb fast.
HVAC techs start higher but grow more gradually in the early years. The premium comes later through specialization.
Welders have the lowest median ceiling among these four trades, but the highest ceiling for specialists willing to pursue demanding work.
All four trades offer six-figure potential at the top of the profession, especially in high-paying states and metro areas.

What Accelerates Your Earnings

The BLS percentile data shows huge gaps between median and top earners in every trade. The difference is not random — it is driven by specific, actionable factors.

Certifications and licenses. Every additional credential you earn opens doors to higher-paying work. A journeyman electrician who adds a low-voltage license, a master who earns a contractor’s license, an HVAC tech who stacks NATE certifications — each step raises your market value. Our guide to trade certifications and licenses breaks down which credentials matter most by trade.

Union membership. Union electricians and plumbers consistently out-earn their non-union counterparts, often by 20–40% when total compensation including benefits is counted. The tradeoff involves dues, hiring hall dispatch, and geographic constraints. Our union vs. non-union comparison covers the full picture.

Geographic location. The same trade in the same year of experience can pay $30,000 more in one state than another. This is partly cost of living, partly demand, and partly union density. See our state-by-state salary breakdown for the data.

Specialization within your trade. This is especially impactful in welding and HVAC. An HVAC technician who moves into building automation systems or commercial refrigeration can earn 30–50% more than one doing residential installation. A welder who qualifies for pipeline or aerospace work enters an entirely different pay bracket.

Starting your own business. Licensed master electricians and plumbers who launch their own companies can earn well above the top BLS percentiles. Self-employment income does not appear in wage statistics, which means the actual ceiling for experienced tradespeople is higher than any government dataset shows.