 A shortage of workers in the trades has driven up pay, making it a better payoff than a four-year college degree for many. Jobsite indeed recently reported that the average salary for a trade job in the U.S. is close to $62,000. But several occupations pay much more, even just starting out. The highest paying gigs right out of school include ultrasonographer, which tops the list at over $131,000 annually, followed by respiratory therapist, dental hygienist, completing the top five as construction manager, and aircraft mechanic.