Ranked list · updated 2026-10-09
Highest-paying trades, construction & engineering credentials
24 trades, construction & engineering credentials are ranked below by the median annual wage published for the occupation each one unlocks. Every figure is quoted from the source named inside that credential's own guide, and the exam fee shown beside it comes from the awarding body.
- Credentials ranked
- 24
- Exam fees
- $10–$400
- Field
- Trades, Construction & Engineering
Which trades, construction & engineering credentials lead to the highest published pay?
The 24 credentials below are ordered by the median annual wage published for the occupation each one unlocks. The order is computed from the researched guides; the sentence printed for each credential is that guide's own sourced headline, reproduced verbatim so its attribution stays attached to the number.
| # | Credential | Published median for the occupation it unlocks (quoted) | Exam fee | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Civil Exam | $99,590 median for civil engineers (BLS, May 2024) | ~$175 (set by NCEES; state surcharges may apply) | 2026-08 |
| 2 | Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) Civil Exam | $99,590 median for civil engineers (BLS, May 2024) | ~$400 (set by NCEES; state surcharges may apply) | 2026-08 |
| 3 | ICC Residential Building Inspector (B1) | $72,120 median for construction and building inspectors (BLS, May 2024) | ~$210 | 2026-08 |
| 4 | NCCER Crane Operator | $66,370 median for crane and tower operators (BLS, May 2024), and the NCCER crane credential is the training and certification backbone for this specialized workforce | Knowledge assessment $200 + practical examination $75 (Boom Truck line); recertification $275/5 years | 2026-08 |
| 5 | NCCER Pipefitting | $62,970 median for plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (BLS, May 2024) | Set by the training program — tuition often covers testing; confirm the assessment-center fee with your program | 2026-08 |
| 6 | NCCER Plumbing | $62,970 median for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters (BLS, May 2024) | Set by the training sponsor/accredited assessment centre | 2026-08 |
| 7 | NCCER Electrical | $62,350 median for electricians (BLS, May 2024) | Set by the training program — tuition often covers testing; confirm the assessment-center fee with your program | 2026-08 |
| 8 | NCCER Electrician Certification | $62,350 median for electricians (BLS, May 2024) | Set by the training sponsor/accredited assessment centre (commonly $10-$60 per module) | 2026-08 |
| 9 | ASE T7 Medium-Heavy Truck Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Certification Test | $60,640 median for bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists (BLS, May 2024) | ~$34 registration fee + ~$62 per test (2026 pricing) | 2026-08 |
| 10 | EPA Section 608 Technician Certification | $59,810 median for HVAC mechanics (BLS, May 2024) | — | 2026-08 |
| 11 | EPA Section 608 Universal Certification | $59,810 median for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers (SOC 49-9021, BLS May 2024) | ~$100-$150 | 2026-08 |
| 12 | HVAC Excellence Employment Ready Certification | $59,810 median for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics (BLS, May 2024) | ~$200-$300 | 2026-08 |
| 13 | NCCER HVAC | $59,810 median for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics (BLS, May 2024) | Set by the training sponsor/accredited assessment centre | 2026-08 |
| 14 | NCCER Carpenter | $59,310 median for carpenters (BLS, May 2024) | Set by the training program — tuition often covers testing; confirm the assessment-center fee with your program | 2026-08 |
| 15 | NCCER Heavy Equipment Operator | $58,320 median for construction equipment operators (BLS, May 2024), and the NCCER heavy equipment credential is the training-program backbone for this workforce | Set by the training program — tuition often covers testing; confirm the assessment-center fee with your program | 2026-08 |
| 16 | NCCER Masonry | $56,600 median for masonry workers (BLS, May 2024) | Set by the training program — tuition often covers testing; confirm the assessment-center fee with your program | 2026-08 |
| 17 | ASE xEV Level 1 Electrical Safety Awareness Certification | $55,040 median for automotive service technicians and mechanics (BLS, May 2024) | Varies by location and currency — confirm on the official registration page | 2026-08 |
| 18 | EPA Section 609 Motor Vehicle Air Conditioning Technician Certification | $55,040 median for automotive service technicians and mechanics (BLS, May 2024) | Varies by location and currency — confirm on the official registration page | 2026-08 |
| 19 | NCCER Concrete Finisher | $54,660 median for cement masons and concrete finishers (BLS, May 2024) | Assessment-center fee varies by center — confirm with your program; trainee guide ~$60-100 | 2026-08 |
| 20 | AWS Certified Welder Program | $51,000 median for welders, cutters, solderers and brazers (BLS, May 2024) | Set by the AWS Accredited Testing Facility (typically a few hundred dollars for testing) | 2026-08 |
| 21 | NCCER Welding Certification | $51,000 median for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers (BLS, May 2024) | Set by the training sponsor/accredited assessment centre | 2026-08 |
| 22 | ASE A8 Engine Performance Certification Test | $49,670 median for automotive service technicians and mechanics (BLS, May 2024) — and ASE certification is the credential that moves techs up the wage scale and into the positions dealerships require it for | ~$50-$60 | 2026-08 |
| 23 | NCCER Core Curriculum | $46,730 median for construction laborers (BLS, May 2024) | ~$30-$100 per module | 2026-08 |
| 24 | NCCER Scaffolding | $46,050 median for construction laborers and helpers (BLS, May 2024) | Set by the training program — tuition often covers testing; confirm the assessment-center fee with your program | 2026-08 |
What does this ranking actually measure?
Ranked by the median annual wage published for the occupation each credential unlocks, most recent figure per occupation, quoted from the source named in the guide (usually the BLS occupational series). A credential is the entry ticket to an occupation, not a pay guarantee: these are occupation medians, not starting salaries.
Each row also carries the month its guide was last checked against the primary source, so you can see how current the figure is before you rely on it. Fees and pass rules change; the guide linked from every row carries the authoritative reference.
Where does this field sit in the site-wide ranking?
The main ranking pools all 424 credential-with-median pairs across 15 fields, so a credential that leads this page may still sit outside the site-wide top 25 — and a credential outside this page's top few may rank highly overall. Use whichever view matches the question you are answering.
- All fields, site-wide ranking 424 ranked
- Accounting & Tax 8 ranked
- Admissions & Academic Testing 33 ranked
- Allied Health & Medical Support 43 ranked
- Finance & Securities 20 ranked
- Fitness, Wellness & Personal Care 27 ranked
- Food Safety & Hospitality 17 ranked
- Government & Public Safety 18 ranked
- Healthcare & Clinical Licensure 10 ranked
- Insurance & Risk 7 ranked
- IT, Cloud & Cybersecurity 122 ranked
- Project Management & Business 22 ranked
- Teaching & Education 42 ranked
- Transportation & Aviation 16 ranked
- Workplace Safety 15 ranked
Frequently asked questions
How many trades, construction & engineering credentials are ranked here?
24 of this field's published guides carry a citable occupation median and are ranked below. Site-wide, 424 credentials across 15 fields are ranked, so this page is a subset of the main list rather than an alternative to it.
What does a trades, construction & engineering credential cost to attempt?
Exam fees across this field's ranked credentials run from about $10 to $400. Fee is what the exam costs to sit; the median quoted for each row is what the occupation pays once you hold the credential, and the two do not move together.
Is the highest-paying trades, construction & engineering credential the right one to start with?
Not necessarily. The ranking orders by the median for the occupation each credential unlocks, and several of the credentials here are sequential steps in the same career path rather than competing alternatives — one may be the prerequisite for another on this list. Read the guide for a credential's eligibility rules before treating its position here as a starting recommendation.
Why is a credential I expected to see missing?
Only credentials with a published occupation median appear. A credential whose guide does not carry a citable median is left out rather than estimated, and any credential whose researched text marks its exam as retired, withdrawn or no longer obtainable is removed — pointing at a dead exam in a recommendation list would be actively misleading.