Top 10 High-Paying Apprenticeship Programs

In a world that increasingly prioritizes real-world skills over traditional college degrees, apprenticeships might be your ticket to the hidden job market – especially for Gen Z job seekers. While times are tough for recent college grads, the future looks bright for those with experience-building apprenticeships – especially in some trade roles where AI isn’t a threat. For folks who want to earn while you learn, skip the mountains of student debt, and start building a solid career foundation, apprenticeships (not internships) might be your best move.

Apprenticeship Versus Internship: What’s the Difference?

An apprenticeship is a structured, paid training program that combines on-the-job learning with instruction, via direct mentoring, classroom training, or other types of guidance. Registered apprenticeships are overseen by the U.S. Department of Labor. Think of apprenticeships as a “learn by doing” approach to a career, where your role is driven by an employer, with industry-recognized credentials driving your experience and propelling you towards a career. (For anyone who’s experienced the dreaded uncertain internship, where you’re wondering what you’re supposed to do next while you’re on a Starbucks run for the office staff, put down those lattes and consider your options).

Unlike traditional academic paths, apprenticeships hire you as an employee and train you directly for a specific job. As college becomes more and more expensive every year, many Gen Z job applicants are wondering if it’s worth the time and money. Apprenticeships can fast-launch your career, bypassing student loan debt and helping you to build your future.

How Employers Benefit from Apprenticeships

According to the Apprenticeship.gov website, there are over 800,000 apprenticeship program participants in the U.S. today. Programs improve productivity, and reduce turnover, as employers are investing in the future of work. Today, employees are challenged with massive trust issues as even highly-profitable companies like Microsoft announce layoffs. While there’s no guarantees in life, 90% of apprentices continue employment after completing an apprenticeship. The advantages for employers are many, but they are built on a mutual investment in the apprentice’s future.

The Bureau of Labor and Statistics says that apprenticeships grew by 64% in the U.S. in the 10 years leading up to 2022. According to data from 2023, there are over 27,000 apprenticeship programs that are creating new opportunities for the future of work.

For example, Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina (BCBSSC) began running its entry-level training program (ELTP) in the late 1990’s. Today, 22% of the company’s leadership staff were trained in the ELTP, and attrition rates for apprentices are 70% lower than for employees hired from other channels. Plus, the average tenure for the BCBSSC apprenticeship program is 10 years.

How to Know if an Apprenticeship is Right for You

Apprenticeships are perfect for:

1. Gen Z job seekers looking for alternative career paths
2. Recent High School grads not pursuing a four-year degree
3. College dropouts or folks looking to change careers
4. Workers who want both skills and salary, now
5. Creatives and tech-oriented workers who want to earn and learn

On average, the starting wage for an apprentice is $20/hour, with wages increasing over time. Over 92% of apprentices retain employment, earning an average salary of $80,000 in a few years.

High-Paying Apprenticeships: Industries and Job Growth Outlook

Apprenticeships have expanded well beyond construction and the trades. While those fields are still strong, new sectors are now offering high-quality programs for digital-native generations. Here are some career fields worth exploring for apprenticeships:

1. Information Technology (IT)
2. Healthcare
3. Cybersecurity
4. Finance and Insurance
5. Advanced Manufacturing
6. Renewable Energy
7. Transportation and Logistics
8. Telecommunications
9. Hospitality
10. Media and Creative Arts

Top 10 High-Paying Apprenticeship Programs

Due to skills gaps, there is an expected shortage of 2.1 million unfilled manufacturing jobs in the United States by 2030. Today, manufacturers are actively trying to attract Gen-Z workers to fill these roles, but manufacturers are filling only six out of 10 job openings, according to an analysis by global management consulting firm McKinsey & Company. For Gen Z, moving from the “anxious generation” to the “toolbelt generation” might be a way to capitalize on market needs, if your skills match up. The apprenticeship programs below offer high-paying careers, according to sources from the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS) as well as individual websites, industry-specific apprenticeship networks, and job aggregators like Glassdoor and Indeed (as noted below):

1. Electrician. Median Salary: $60,240/year. Program: IBEW/NECA Electrical Apprenticeship. Qualifications: HS diploma, math test, physical aptitude. Best for: Hands-on learners who enjoy problem solving in a trade that is not impacted by artificial intelligence (AI)
2. Software Developer / Tech Support. Median Salary: $127,260/year (for developers). Program: IBM Apprenticeship Program. Qualifications: Logic/computer science (CS) aptitude, but no CS degree required. Best for: Self-taught coders, digital natives, techno-savvy bootcamp grads
3. Cybersecurity Analyst. Median Salary: $112,000/year. Program: CompTIA Apprenticeships for Tech. Qualifications: Interest in tech, background check, HS diploma. Best for: Analytical thinkers, gamers, DIY tech enthusiasts
4. Plumber. Median Salary: $61,550/year. Program: UA Plumbers and Pipefitters. Qualifications: Physical stamina, basic math, clean record. Best for: those who want a skilled, stable trade that AI can’t touch – with opportunity for high degree of independence and even entrepreneurship.
5. Aircraft Maintenance Technician. Median Salary: $75,580/year. Program: Delta Air Lines Aviation Maintenance Technician Pathway. Qualifications: Mechanical aptitude, high school diploma, FAA clearance. Best for: Tinkerers and aviation fans.
6. Digital Marketing Specialist. Median Salary: $68,000–$75,000/year (Glassdoor). Program: Multiple. Qualifications: Creativity, social media savvy, writing skills. Best for: Creators, influencers, and business-minded Gen Z professionals.
7. Lineworker (Utilities). Median Salary: $82,340/year (according to BLS). Program: National Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA). Qualifications: Comfortable with heights and physically fit. Best for: Adventurous workers who love the outdoors.
8. Data Analyst. Median Salary: $74,000/year (Glassdoor). Programs: Accenture, Google Career Certificates + Apprenticeship. Qualifications: Basic Excel, statistics, and analytical thinking. Best for: Spreadsheet lovers and detail-oriented minds.
9. Medical Assistant / Nurse Assistant. Median Salary: $38,000–$50,000/year. Programs: Kaiser Permanente, CVS Health Apprenticeship. Qualifications: Compassion, communication skills, reliability. Best for: Service-driven individuals and healthcare explorers.
10. Diesel Mechanic / Heavy Equipment Technician. Median Salary: $58,000/year. Program: Caterpillar ThinkBIG Apprenticeship. Qualifications: Mechanical aptitude and high school diploma. Best for: Tech-savvy problem solvers who love machines.

The value of a college education is a source of constant debate, and employers are encouraging upskilling and real-world experience in favor of advanced degrees. For job seekers today, creating the future of work might begin with exploring an apprenticeship — where you can earn while you learn.