Skilled trade careers in michigan.

From the Great Lakes shipyards to the defense manufacturers of Metro Detroit, Michigan builds what America drives, and what defends it. Find local jobs, apprenticeships, and scholarships below.

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Live job listings from union halls, defense primes, and skilled-trade employers in your state.

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Earn while you learn

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Registered apprenticeships pay you from day one — average 4-year programs end in journey-level wages.

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Get paid to train

Find a scholarship for your trade

mikeroweWORKS Foundation and partner programs offer scholarships designed specifically for skilled-trade training.

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Eight trades. One mission.

Each of these trades is in heavy demand right now. Each one is essential to America’s defense industrial base. Pick the one that fits the way you want to spend your days.

Electrician

Install and maintain electrical systems

Pay Range: $40K – $110K

Job Growth: +11%

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Welder

Join metal parts using heat and pressure

Pay Range: $33K – $75K

Job Growth: +4%

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CNC Machinist

Operate computer-controlled cutting tools

Pay Range: $34K – $75K

Job Growth: +5%

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Shipbuilder

Construct and repair commercial vessels

Pay Range: $32K – $72K

Job Growth: +6%

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HVAC Technician

Service heating and cooling systems

Pay Range: $36K – $84K

Job Growth: +6%

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Pipefitter

Install and maintain piping systems

Pay Range: $38K – $108K

Job Growth: +8%

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Diesel Mechanic

Build residential and commercial structures

Pay Range: $36K – $80K

Job Growth: +5%

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Defense Technician

Coordinate the movement of goods

Pay Range: $42K – $110K

Job Growth: +8%

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FIND A SKILLED TRADE JOB IN MICHIGAN

Search live openings from employers and union halls in your area.

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Trade schools and apprenticeships in Michigan

In-state programs vetted for skilled-trade and apprenticeship pathways.

Welding
Macomb Community College -Welding & Applied Technology

Warren, MI

Hands-on welding and applied-technology certificates with apprenticeship-linked college credit.

Certificate

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HVAC
Ferris State University - HVACR Technology

Big Rapids, MI

One of the nation's best-known HVACR programs,from certificate through bachelor's degree.

Certificate/Degree

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Electrician
IBEW Local 58 JATC - Detroit Electrical Industry Training Center

Detroit, MI

Earn-while-you-learn electrical apprenticeship with the country's largest IBEW local - apprentices start around $19.50/hr.

Registered apprenticeship

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Pipefitter
UA Local 98 Plumbers

Detroit, MI

Registered apprenticeship for plumbing and pipefitting trades with raises on a set wage progression.

Registered apprenticeship

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electrician
Washtenaw Community College - Electrical Pre-Apprenticeship

Ann Arbor, MI

Pipeline coursework that prepares students totest into registered electrical apprenticeships.

Pre-apprenticeship

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maintenance
Henry Ford College - Industrial Technology

Dearborn, MI

Industrial maintenance and advanced manufacturing programs feeding Metro Detroit's auto and defense plants.

Associate degree

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Michigan skilled-trade workforce snapshot

MI SKILLED-TRADE WORKERS

255K+

Eighth-largest professional-trades workforce in the nation

PROJECTED jobs

518K+

Professional-trades jobs projected by 2032 — about 40,600 openings per year

MEDIAN PAY

$61K

Median annual wage for professional trades — 16% above other occupations

pay after apprenticeship

$80.7K

Median wage one year after completing a Michigan apprenticeship (2024)

Sources: Michigan Dept. of Labor and Economic Opportunity; Pure Michigan Talent Connect; U.S. Department of Labor apprenticeship database.

Common Questions (FAQ)

What are the most in-demand trades in Michigan?

Electricians, welders, CNC machinists, and industrial maintenance technicians top the list, driven by EV and battery plant construction, automotive retooling, and defense vehicle manufacturing in Metro Detroit and Sterling Heights.

How long does an electrician apprenticeship take in Michigan?

A standard Michigan electrician apprenticeship runs four to five years of paid on-the-job training plus classroom hours. IBEW Local 58 apprentices in Detroit start around $19.50/hr, and metro-Detroit journeyman electricians earn $45–$52/hr plus benefits.

What trade schools near me offer welding programs in Michigan?

Macomb Community College in Warren and Ferris State University in Big Rapids offer accredited welding tracks, and community colleges statewide run Michigan Reconnect-eligible welding certificates. See the Trade schools section above for the full list.

Are there scholarships for Michigan residents pursuing a trade?

Yes. Michigan Reconnect covers community college tuition for adults 25+ (temporarily 21+), the mikeroweWORKS Foundation awards Work Ethic Scholarships nationally, and the Going PRO Talent Fund supports employer-sponsored training. See the Scholarships section for current programs.

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Our mission is simple: build the workforce that builds and defends America. Our national and economic security depends on it. We will help power our nation’s defense industrial base and revive the skilled trades. We will be connecting the next generation of builders – the welders, machinists, mechanics, electricians, technicians and more – to high-wage, big-impact jobs. You can help us build freedom for generations to come.

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In partnership with mikeroweWORKS Foundation, National Labor Exchange and the Department of War.

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