Trade careers that still need people on site. Licensed, physical, and apprenticeship-friendly paths—with wages from BLS via O*NET and schools you can verify. We never invent schools.
Sampled verified entries: 11 states (+ multi-state JATC/IEC networks). Not all 50 states. Pack dated 2026-09-14.
Browse resilient trades
Eleven occupations with relatively lower near-term generative-AI displacement vs routine office work (citations on each card). Not a guarantee robots can never do this.
Electricians
SOC 47-2111
$30.38/hr · $63,190/yr median
O*NET / BLS 2025 median · fetched 2026-09-14 · O*NET. Wages vary by metro.
Low Frey & Osborne (2013) computerisation probability (0.15); on-site code-compliant install/repair. Goldman Sachs Research (2026-03-18) cites rising demand for electricians for power/data-center buildout. Lower near-term displacement risk vs routine office work—not AI-proof.
Entry: Registered apprenticeship (JATC/IEC) or community college electrical certificate.
Electrical power-line installers & repairers (lineworkers)
SOC 49-9051
$45.83/hr · $95,320/yr median
O*NET / BLS 2025 median · fetched 2026-09-14 · O*NET. Wages vary by metro.
Among lowest F&O scores (0.097); outdoor/high-voltage physical work. GS (2026) explicitly names lineworkers among skilled technical roles needed for power demand. Lower near-term displacement risk vs routine office work.
Entry: Utility / IBEW Outside / specialized JATC via apprenticeship.gov and ETA locator.
Firefighters
SOC 33-2011
$28.50/hr · $59,280/yr median
O*NET / BLS 2025 median · fetched 2026-09-14 · O*NET. Wages vary by metro.
Low F&O (0.17); emergency response, unpredictable environments, public safety accountability. Lower near-term displacement risk vs routine office work.
Entry: Often public academy / civil service—not always a private trade school.
Radiologic technologists & technicians
SOC 29-2034
$38.52/hr · $80,110/yr median
O*NET / BLS 2025 median · fetched 2026-09-14 · O*NET. Wages vary by metro.
Relatively low F&O (0.23; F&O listed 29-2037). Licensed patient-facing imaging with positioning/safety judgment. AI may assist image reading—task mix may shift; displacement of the licensed tech role is uncertain. Check state certification board.
Entry: Accredited radiologic tech programs; verify via College Scorecard + state board. Pack did not individually verify program pages.
Surgical technologists
SOC 29-2055
$31.08/hr · $64,650/yr median
O*NET / BLS 2025 median · fetched 2026-09-14 · O*NET. Wages vary by metro.
Moderate-low F&O (0.34); sterile OR physical presence. Surgical robots exist for some procedures; sterile tech / scrub role near-term resilience is plausible but not proven—do not overclaim. Check state certification board.
Entry: Surgical tech certificates/associates; verify via Scorecard + state board. Pack did not individually verify program pages.
Plumbers, pipefitters, & steamfitters
SOC 47-2152
$30.67/hr · $63,800/yr median
O*NET / BLS 2025 median · fetched 2026-09-14 · O*NET. Wages vary by metro.
Moderate-low F&O (0.35); behind-wall / site-specific diagnosis. Often licensed. Unstructured residential/commercial environments. Lower near-term displacement risk vs routine office work.
Entry: UA / pipe trades apprenticeship or community college plumbing certificate; state license / journey card often required.
Elevator & escalator installers & repairers
SOC 47-4021
$52.84/hr · $109,910/yr median
O*NET / BLS 2025 median · fetched 2026-09-14 · O*NET. Wages vary by metro.
Moderate F&O (0.39); highly specialized, licensed in many jurisdictions, confined shafts, safety-critical. Highest median wage in this shortlist. Lower near-term displacement risk vs routine office work.
Entry: Specialized elevator constructor JATC / apprenticeship.gov—few generic trade-school pages.
Heating, air conditioning, & refrigeration mechanics & installers (HVAC)
SOC 49-9021
$29.33/hr · $61,010/yr median
O*NET / BLS 2025 median · fetched 2026-09-14 · O*NET. Wages vary by metro.
F&O is higher (0.65)—included because work is physical/on-site and GS (2026) reports elevated HVAC contractor hiring for data-center buildout. Treat as AI-complement + demand, not AI-proof.
Entry: Apprenticeship or community/technical college HVAC certificate; confirm tuition on school site.
Wind turbine service technicians
SOC 49-9081
$30.83/hr · $64,120/yr median
O*NET / BLS 2025 median · fetched 2026-09-14 · O*NET. Wages vary by metro.
Not in F&O 2010 SOC list. Heights, field maintenance, travel. F&O (2013) even mentioned robotics research for turbine climbing—uncertain; physical access still required today. Do not invent resilience scores.
Entry: Often employer or regional workforce programs; use apprenticeship.gov + CareerOneStop.
Water & wastewater treatment plant & system operators
SOC 51-8031
$28.86/hr · $60,020/yr median
O*NET / BLS 2025 median · fetched 2026-09-14 · O*NET. Wages vary by metro.
On-site licensed operators; plants increasingly sensorized. F&O moderate-high (0.61)—automation of monitoring is real; human oversight/response still required. Mixed outlook.
Entry: Often municipal / public hiring pipelines; state operator licensing. Not only private trade school.
Solar photovoltaic installers
SOC 47-2231
$25.55/hr · $53,140/yr median
O*NET / BLS 2025 median · fetched 2026-09-14 · O*NET. Wages vary by metro.
Not in F&O 2010 SOC list. Roof/ground physical install. Weather/site variability supports near-term human install labor, but pretabbed/modular methods could reduce hours—do not invent resilience scores.
Entry: Employer / regional workforce / CC certificates; use Scorecard CIP + apprenticeship.gov.
Search schools & apprenticeships by state
Pick a state to see official finders and any curated verified programs we have.
Official finders (always — zip / state check)
- FREE / earn-while-learn Apprenticeship.gov Job Finder — Open apprenticeship jobs nationwide.
- FREE / earn-while-learn Apprenticeship.gov Partner Finder — Sponsors / partners by need, name, state/county.
- FREE / earn-while-learn Apprenticeship.gov Active Programs — Active registered programs finder.
- PAID (public) CareerOneStop Local Training Finder — CC / private / WIOA-eligible programs (mixed cost).
- FREE / earn-while-learn CareerOneStop Apprenticeship Office Finder — State/local apprenticeship offices (seeker jobs: Apprenticeship.gov).
- PAID (public) CareerOneStop WIOA ETPL by state — State eligible training provider lists.
- PAID (public) College Scorecard — Certificates/associates, earnings, debt. CIP search for trades.
- PAID (public) TrainingProviderResults.gov — WIOA provider performance outcomes.
- FREE / earn-while-learn electrical training ALLIANCE — Locate a Training Center — IBEW/NECA JATC centers (Inside / Lineman).
- FREE / earn-while-learn IEC apprenticeship — Independent Electrical Contractors apprenticeship.
- FREE / earn-while-learn IEC Find a Chapter — Chapter locator.
- PAID (public) PHCC — Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors association network—not a school list.
