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Trade Helper Salary in the United States

How much does a Trade Helper make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Trade Helper in the United States is $44,100 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $21.

However, a Trade Helper's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $54,512
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $41,100 to $49,550
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $38,369
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Trade Helper Salaries

A Trade Helper's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Trade Helper Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Trade Helper's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $43,563
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $44,100
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $45,890
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $46,134
  • Expert (over 8 years): $46,540
Levels Salary
Entry Level Trade Helper$43,563
Intermediate Level Trade Helper$44,100
Senior Level Trade Helper$45,890
Specialist Level Trade Helper$46,134
Expert Level Trade Helper$46,540
View as Graph

How Do Trade Helper Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Trade Helpers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $48,830.
  • California: $48,650.
  • Massachusetts: $48,000.

Top Paying Cities for Trade Helpers

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $55,630
  • San Francisco: $55,020
  • Oakland: $53,860

What Skills Can Increase a Trade Helper's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 12.76% Job Postings): Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
  • Packaging (Mentioned in 3.24% Job Postings): Preparing products through wrapping or bottling to protect the goods from damages during transportation and storage.
  • Work Ethic (Mentioned in 2.59% Job Postings): A belief that work and diligence have a moral benefit and an inherent ability, virtue or value to strengthen character and individual abilities. A set of values centered on importance of work and manifested by determination or desire to work hard.
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 12.76%
Packaging 3.24%
Work Ethic 2.59%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Trade Helper's salary.

  • Scheduling: Can increase your salary by up to 21%.
  • Hydraulics: Can increase your salary by up to 13%.
  • Presentation: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Scheduling $53,361
21%
Hydraulics $49,833
13%
Presentation $47,187
7%
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Trade Helper Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Trade Helper salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $49,284. While startup companies pay approximate $41,689.

Trade Helper Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $41,689
Growth Stage 51~500 $44,090
Established 501~5000 $47,590
Enterprise 5000+ $49,284

Trade Helper Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Trade Helper roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 80% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Aerospace & Defense sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, Trade Helper positions in Healthcare or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Trade Helper as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Trade Helper

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals$61,740$30.040%
Aerospace & Defense$59,535$29.035%
Biotechnology$57,330$28.030%
Financial Services$55,125$27.025%
Insurance$52,920$25.020%

How Education impacts a Trade Helper's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Trade Helpers enter the field with a No Diploma degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Trade Helper with a No Diploma is between $32,665 and $35,628).

Trade Helper Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Trade Helper
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 8.0%
High School 74.6%
Associates 7.5%
Bachelors 8.0%
Masters 1.9%
Doctorate 0.0%
View as Graph

Trade Helper Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Trade Helper's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$41,100
Average $44,100/year
$49,550
$3,425
Average $3,675/month
$4,129
$790
Average $848/week
$953
$20
Average $21/hour
$24
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $49,550 $4,129 $953 $24
Average $44,100 $3,675 $848 $21
25th Percentile $41,100 $3,425 $790 $20

Trade Helper Salary Growth & Career Path

Trade Helper

Next Role

For a Trade Helper, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Senior Construction Laborer role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $49,000 - a projected growth of 11% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Trade Helper

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Trade Helper

Here are companies hiring for Trade Helper and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Trade Helper

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Trade Helper?

The Pharmaceuticals industry offers the highest average compensation for Trade Helper roles, with salaries approximately 40% above the market median.

2. Can you make good money at a trade job?

Yes, you can make good money in a trade job. These positions are often specialized and require vocational training, which is reflected in the pay. For example, Trade Helpers can earn between $31,600 and $42,080 annually, with a median salary of $36,730. This indicates a solid earning potential for skilled tradespeople.

3. What can a trade assistant do?

As a trade assistant, you respond to emergencies, perform periodic maintenance, and manage scheduling tasks. Your duties may include cleaning, painting, rubbish removal, and inspecting the site for safety and security issues. You are also expected to support ad hoc duties and project work. The salary for this role ranges from $31,600 to $42,080, with a mid-range of $36,730.

4. How much do shop helpers make in the US?

As of January 15, 2025, the salary for a Trade Helper in the United States ranges from a minimum of $31,600 to a maximum of $42,080 annually, with a mid-salary of $36,730. This reflects a competitive pay scale, indicating that Trade Helpers earn between approximately $15.19 and $20.19 per hour, depending on experience and location.

5. What is the highest paid trade job in America?

The highest-paid trade job in America includes positions like Construction Managers and Elevator Installers, with salaries ranging from $31,600 to $42,080. Other notable roles are Radiation Therapists and Aircraft Mechanics, reflecting the diverse opportunities in skilled trades. The mid-salary for these positions is approximately $36,730, highlighting competitive earnings in the field.

6. How much do you pay your helper?

We offer competitive salaries for Trade Helpers, with a minimum salary of R31,600, a mid-range salary of R36,730, and a maximum salary of R42,080. This ensures fair compensation for their skills and contributions, aligning with industry standards and providing a solid foundation for their financial well-being.

7. How much is the helper salary in the USA?

The salary for a Trade Helper in the USA ranges from a minimum of $31,600 to a maximum of $42,080 annually, with a mid-salary of $36,730. This translates to an hourly wage of approximately $15.19 to $20.19, depending on experience and location.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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