18 Great Jobs for Women in Trades

You only need to look at the educational qualifications of a thousand service workers to know that a university degree does not guarantee you a high-paying job. However, just having a high school diploma isn’t enough either. So what should you do if you want a good job but don’t want to end up using your hard-earned and expensive degree to ask diners how they would like their steak? The answer lies in trade schools.

There are plenty of great courses that you can do or you can opt for an apprenticeship to gain practical experience. The fact that you’re a woman shouldn’t stop you: while many trades jobs are still dominated by men, women aren’t relegated to going to secretary school anymore. Here are 18 great jobs for women in trades.

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Makeup Artist (Average Annual Salary: $34,396)

Many trade schools offer courses for makeup artists but you can also learn the tricks of the trade at an accredited beauty school. The career possibilities are endless: from setting up your own business to make brides look their best on their big day to working as a freelancer in Canada’s thriving movie industry. According to Payscale, salaries for makeup artists in Canada range from $23,944 to $101,367 a year.

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Dental Hygienist (Average Annual Salary: $65,325)

One of the highest-paying in-demand jobs for women in Canada is dental hygienist. The job entails cleaning teeth, checking the patient’s overall oral health, administering fluoride treatments and sealants to strengthen teeth and prevent cavities and examining the patient’s gums. To become a dental hygienist in Canada, you can study for a bachelor’s degree but you can also do an advanced diploma instead. Neuvoo says that the annual salary for a dental hygienist in Canada ranges from $46,800 to $95,716.

Construction manager speaking with worker

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Construction Manager (Average Annual Salary: $88,589)

Canada’s booming construction industry means there are plenty of construction jobs and not all of them involve heavy lifting. One of the best construction jobs and can pay lots of money for women is construction management, which requires a good knowledge of construction techniques but involves multitasking and managing everything else involved: schedules, timelines, budgets, quality control and safety, for example. While a university degree will make it easier to find a job in construction management, you can also do a diploma in construction technology and gain experience in supervising on construction sites to prepare you for this career. According to Payscale, construction managers in Canada earn between $57,047 and $142,002 a year.

Mechanic in a garage looking at computer screen

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Automotive Service Technician (Average Annual Salary: $48,863)

While automotive service technicians or mechanics are still overwhelmingly male, more and more women are showing their mettle in the industry. As an automotive service technician, you’ll be working on repairing and maintaining the different systems in a vehicle. Female customers may feel more comfortable with a woman who can explain to them exactly what is wrong with their car and how to fix the problem. An associate degree in automotive service technology will help you land the job but it’s also one of the highest-paying careers that don’t need a degree: many trade schools offer certificate programs in automotive service technology. According to Neuvoo, the annual pay for an automotive service technician in Canada is between $27,300 and $83,067.

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Plumber (Average Annual Salary: $63,323)

Plumbers in Canada make good money installing and maintain plumbing systems. To work in this skilled trade, you need to complete a four-year apprenticeship program. It’s one of the designated jobs that can qualify for government grants for female trade apprenticeships, which aims to train more women in trades where they are underrepresented. Neuvoo says that the average salary for a plumber in Canada ranges from $36,021 to $102,375 a year.

Technicians at the base of a wind turbine

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Wind Turbine Service Technician (Average Annual Salary: $70,000)

With renewable energy all the rage these days, wind turbine service technicians have one of the best environmental jobs for people who love nature. You work with the technology that captures wind energy and maintain and repair the wind turbines, doing your bit to ensure a cleaner environment for future generations. The job can be physically demanding but women who love working in the outdoors and aren’t afraid of heights will find it a great career option. To become a wind turbine service technician, you normally need to complete a two-year associate’s degree at a trade school. According to Payscale, wind turbine service technicians in Canada make between $41,728 and $81,824 a year.

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Carpenter (Average Annual Salary: $52,474)

For aspiring female carpenters Canada is a great country to be. Carpentry is one of the fields where the government of Canada offers grants for female apprenticeships. To become a carpenter, you need a combination of training at a trade school and on-the-job training. Once you’re qualified, you can work in construction or manufacturing or you can start your own carpentry business. According to Neuvoo, annual salaries for carpenters in Canada range from $31,200 to $78,000.

App developer working on a laptop in a cafe

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App Developer (Average Annual Salary: $92,781)

All those handy apps on your phone were designed by app developers. While some employers require app developers to have a bachelor’s degree in something like computer science, you can also earn a diploma in app development at a trade school or even teach yourself with an online course. With an annual salary ranging from $39,000 to $152,100 according to Neuvoo, app developers have one of the highest-paying jobs for Generation Z.

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Registered Nurse (Average Annual Salary: $61,055)

One of the most popular jobs for women in trades and also one of the highest-paying in-demand jobs in Canada is that of a registered nurse. A registered nurse is basically a doctor’s right hand, assessing a patient’s health and helping to develop the best treatment program, as well as working with patients and their families on post-treatment care. To become a registered nurse in Canada, you can study for a bachelor’s or associate’s degree and then you need to register with the Canadian nurses Association. Payscale says that the annual total pay for a registered nurse in Canada ranges from $48,789 to $91,578.

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Respiratory Therapist (Average Annual Salary: $62,556)

A respiratory therapist works with people who have respiratory ailments like asthma and emphysema, finding the best way for them to breathe more efficiently. Many women’s natural ability to make people feel calm and comfortable makes them great respiratory therapists. To become a respiratory therapist, you can complete a four-year bachelor’s degree or a two-year associate’s degree. It’s one of the best jobs for newcomers because along with your training, you only need to pass the Canadian Society of Respiratory Therapists’ certification exam to get your licence to practise. According to Neuvoo, salaries for respiratory therapists in Canada range from $31,010 to $98,748 a year.

HVAC technician working in commercial building

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HVAC Technician (Average Annual Salary: $54,589)

An HVAC technician — or heating, air conditioning and refrigeration technician — installs, maintains and repairs heating and cooling systems in homes and other buildings. Women living alone may feel more comfortable letting a female HVAC technician into their homes to work on these systems. In Canada, there are several trades programs that offer training for HVAC technicians, from certificates to associate’s degrees. Payscale says that salaries for HVAC technicians in Canada range from $31,988 to $85,358 a year.

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Welder (Average Annual Salary: $39,975)

Welding is increasingly becoming a popular trade for women to learn. It’s a versatile job where you can work for large mining, manufacturing or construction companies or where you can do something on a smaller and more artistic scale. If you want one of the highest-paying jobs that don’t involve sitting at a desk, you can even become an underwater welder. To become a welder, you can either do a certificate course at a trade school or complete an apprenticeship. According to Neuvoo, welders in Canada make between $30,225 and $67,958 a year.

Aircraft maintenance engineer working on a plane

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Aircraft Maintenance Engineer ($58,169)

If you love big machines and have an eye for the smallest details, aircraft maintenance engineer might be just the job for you. It’s one of the airport jobs that pay well and you can be one of the pioneering women in the field. To become an aircraft maintenance engineer or AME, you need to complete your training at a Transport Canada-approved vocational college. Then you need to do an apprenticeship and pass the licensing exam. Neuvoo says that aircraft maintenance engineers in Canada earn between $28,253 and $80,000 a year.

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Multimedia Designer (Average Annual Salary: $49,715)

If you want a job in trades but prefer something creative that you can do at a desk and maybe even from home, you may want to consider multimedia design. Multimedia designers use graphic design, animation and audio to create everything from commercials to special effects for movies. You can learn the ropes with an on-campus course or through an internship. According to Payscale, multimedia designers in Canada take home between $30,588 and $63,780 a year.

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Head Chef (Average Annual Salary: $41,925)

If food is a passion, getting into the restaurant industry may be a good choice. To become a head chef, you need to train at a culinary school and gain experience in restaurant kitchens. Your job will entail cooking but also creating new dishes and menus and overseeing what everyone else in the kitchen is doing. You can even specialize in vegan dishes, making this one of the great vegan-friendly careers. According to Neuvoo, head chefs in Canada earn between $18,000 and $60,000 a year.

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Game Designer (Average Annual Salary: $75,000)

Like too many industries, video games have been dominated by the male gender and the games reflected that, with skimpily-clad female characters and lots of blood and gore. With more and more women becoming gamers, they want to see games that represent them in a more positive light and female game designers can give them just that. To become a game designer, you can study for a diploma or associate’s degree at one of Canada’s design, animation and art schools. Neuvoo says that the average pay for game designers in Canada is between $39,000 and $105,000 but it’s also worth remembering that game design studios often offer great perks too.