Highest Paying Trade Jobs – Companies In The US 2025
Discover the top U.S. companies offering the highest-paying trade jobs in 2025, along with their locations, contacts, and official websites:
1. Nuclear Power Reactor Operator
Top Employer: Entergy
- Estimated Median Total Pay: $143,590 per year, highest-paying among energy/utilities for this role. Glassdoor
- Location: Based in New Orleans, LA (operations across multiple states).
- Contact: (877) 4-ENTERGY ((877) 436-8373)
- Website: entergy.com
Company Overview
Operators oversee the safe functioning of nuclear plant systems, working in control rooms and under strict safety protocols. Licensing and training are mandatory. Median pay for nuclear reactor operators nationwide is around $122,610 annually, slightly below Entergy’s top-tier pay. Bureau of Labor StatisticsGlassdoor
2. Ultrasonographer (Diagnostic Medical Sonographer)
Top Employers:
Here are some leading healthcare systems historically known for paying well and offering strong support for sonographers Zippia:
| Company | Average Salary | Location | Contact & Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kaiser Permanente | ~$80,600 | Oakland, CA HQ (multiple regions) | (800) 464-4000 • kaiserpermanente.org |
| Massachusetts General Hosp | ~$94,400 | Boston, MA | (617) 726-2000 • massgeneral.org |
| Sentara Healthcare | ~$73,100 | Virginia & North Carolina | (757) 388-4000 • sentara.com |
Job Snapshot
Median annual pay for sonographers in May 2024 was $89,340, with the top 10% earning over $123,170. Bureau of Labor Statistics
3. Power Plant Operator / Reactor Operator (General)
Industry Overview
- Median wage (May 2024): $103,600 per year
- Nuclear Power Reactor Operators: median $122,610 per year Bureau of Labor Statistics
Leading Employer: Southern Nuclear Operating Company, Inc.
- Headquarters: Birmingham, Alabama
- Operations: Manages several nuclear plants in Alabama and Georgia (e.g., Plant Vogtle, Farley, Hatch)
- Contact: (205) 992-4011 • southernnuclear.com
Summary Table
| Job Title | Top Employer | Location | Estimated Pay | Contact Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nuclear Power Reactor Operator | Entergy | New Orleans, LA | ~$143,590/year | (877) 436-8373 • entergy.com |
| Ultrasonographer | Kaiser Permanente | Oakland, CA (multiple) | ~$80–94k/year | (800) 464-4000 • kaiserpermanente.org |
| Mass. General | Boston, MA | ~$94k/year | (617) 726-2000 • massgeneral.org | |
| Sentara Healthcare | VA & NC | ~$73k/year | (757) 388-4000 • sentara.com | |
| Power Plant / Reactor Operator | Southern Nuclear Co. | Birmingham, AL | ~$122k/year median | (205) 992-4011 • southernnuclear.com |