As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Trade Specialist in the United States is $96,653 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $46.
However, a Trade Specialist's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Trade Specialist Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $110,433 | $9,203 | $2,124 | $53 |
| Average | $96,653 | $8,054 | $1,859 | $46 |
| 25th Percentile | $81,017 | $6,751 | $1,558 | $39 |
A Trade Specialist'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.
Experience is a primary driver of a Trade Specialist'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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Trade Specialist | $90,366 |
| Intermediate Level Trade Specialist | $90,845 |
| Senior Level Trade Specialist | $96,652 |
| Specialist Level Trade Specialist | $102,327 |
| Expert Level Trade Specialist | $102,732 |
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| International Trade | 7.53% |
| Carpentry | 2.74% |
| Painting | 1.48% |
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 Specialist's salary.
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
| Influencing | $109,217 | |
| International Trade | $103,418 | |
| Analysis | $101,485 |
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Trade Specialists enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree 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 Specialist with a Bachelor's Degree is between $93,191 and $105,157).
| Typical Education for Trade Specialist | |
|---|---|
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
| No Diploma | 10.5% |
| High School | 10.5% |
| Associates | 3.5% |
| Bachelors | 47.4% |
| Masters | 33.3% |
| Doctorate | 5.3% |
Understanding how a Trade Specialist'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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $110,433 | $9,203 | $2,124 | $53 |
| Average | $96,653 | $8,054 | $1,859 | $46 |
| 25th Percentile | $81,017 | $6,751 | $1,558 | $39 |
Salaries for a Trade Specialist can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $68,083 in 2023 to around $67,332 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Trade Specialist salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 | View More |
| 2023 | $68,083 |
| 2024 | $67,879 |
| 2025 | $67,332 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
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