Short answer
Yes, you can start in the skilled trades with no experience. The usual way in is an entry job as a construction laborer, a tradesperson's helper or a trainee, where you learn on the job and get paid while you do it. National median pay for these roles runs from about $42,000 to $47,000 a year for laborers and helpers, and about $58,600 for truck drivers. Many ask only for a high school diploma or equivalent. A short safety course such as OSHA-10 can help you get hired.
7 entry-level skilled trades jobs you can start without experience
Every pay figure below is the national median from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS, May 2025) for that occupation. We checked these against Jobs2Careers listings and found that our own advertised-pay numbers for these roles were too skewed to use, for example because one employer posts thousands of "laborer" jobs at the same rate. A median includes experienced workers, so new hires can start below it. Pay also varies a lot by state, union status and overtime.
| Entry role | National median pay (BLS) | Where it leads |
|---|---|---|
| Construction laborer | $46,680 a year | Any trade, equipment operator, foreman |
| Electrician's helper | $42,670 a year | Electrician apprenticeship, then a license |
| Plumber or pipefitter helper | $42,360 a year | Plumber or pipefitter apprenticeship |
| Carpenter's helper | $43,780 a year | Carpenter apprenticeship or lead carpenter |
| Roofer's helper | $44,160 a year | Roofer, crew lead, estimator |
| CDL trainee (truck driver) | $58,640 a year for all drivers | Local, regional or long-haul driving |
| Oilfield roustabout | Varies by basin and employer | Floorhand, derrick or drilling crew roles |
Laborer and helper jobs: the easiest way in
Construction laborers carry materials, dig, clean up job sites and help the skilled workers. According to the BLS, formal education is not typically required, and training is short and on the job. Helper jobs are similar but attached to one trade. An electrician's helper pulls wire and hauls supplies for an electrician, and a roofer's helper loads shingles and cleans up. In both cases you watch the trade up close, and a helper job can lead to an apprenticeship.
It is hard physical work, usually outdoors, so ask yourself honestly whether you want that before you apply. It is also the lowest-risk way to find out whether a trade suits you.
What you need to start: No formal education; short on-the-job training.
What you need to start: Often a high school diploma or equivalent; learn on the job.
What you need to start: Often a high school diploma or equivalent; learn on the job.
What you need to start: Often a high school diploma or equivalent; learn on the job.
What you need to start: Often a high school diploma or equivalent; learn on the job.
Apprenticeships: paid training that leads to a license
An apprenticeship is a job that includes training. The BLS says electrician apprenticeships typically last four or five years and include about 2,000 hours of paid on-the-job training per year, plus classroom instruction. Entry requirements are usually a high school diploma or equivalent, and some programs add an aptitude test. Because spots can be competitive, many people start as a helper first and apply to apprenticeships from there. For what fully trained tradespeople earn, see our list of the highest-paying jobs without a degree.
Is OSHA-10 worth getting?
OSHA-10 is a 10-hour safety course from the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. It covers common job-site hazards, such as falls, electrical hazards and your rights as a worker. Federal OSHA does not require it for everyone, but several states and cities require it for construction work, and many contractors ask for it. The card does not expire under federal rules, though a state or employer may want a recent one.
Before you pay for a course
Ask the employer if they will cover it or require a specific provider. If you do buy one, make sure the trainer is OSHA-authorized. The card should come from the U.S. Department of Labor, and you should be wary of any site that promises a job along with it.
CDL trainee: a fast route to truck driving
Truck driving pays more than most entry trades. The BLS median for heavy and tractor-trailer drivers is $58,640 a year, but that includes experienced drivers, so a trainee should expect to start lower. You need a commercial driver's license (CDL), which means a knowledge test and a driving test. The BLS says community college truck driving programs run about three to six months, and new drivers typically spend several weeks training with an experienced driver after they are hired. Private schools vary, so ask for the length and the total cost.
Some carriers pay for your CDL school if you agree to drive for them for a set period. Read that agreement carefully, because you may owe money if you leave early. You generally need to be 21 to drive across state lines, while some states issue a CDL at 18 for in-state driving only. Drivers also need a clean driving record and must pass a medical exam and drug testing.
What you need to start: CDL training, often through a carrier.
Oilfield roustabout: hard work, uneven pay
Roustabouts do general labor on oil and gas sites: moving equipment, cleaning, digging and helping set up and repair wells and pipelines. Some employers hire without experience and train you on site, and many ask for a drug test. The work is physical, often in remote areas, with long shifts. Demand also rises and falls with oil prices, and few listings state a pay rate, so ask for the hourly rate, overtime policy and travel or housing details before you accept an offer.
What you need to start: High school diploma or equivalent; a drug test.
How to get your first trades job
Need a paycheck this week while you work toward a trade? See our guide to jobs hiring immediately with no experience. If you want to work from home instead, read remote jobs with no experience.
Watch out for training scams
Scam warning
A real trades employer or apprenticeship program does not charge you to apply or for a job offer. Be careful with anyone who asks for fees up front, promises a guaranteed job or high pay for a certificate, or asks you to pay for a license-prep course that no employer has asked for. Check with your state's apprenticeship office or the employer directly before you pay for anything.
Frequently asked questions
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