 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 Manager.