How To Become A Trades Helper: What It Is and Career Path

What is a trades helper and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Trades Helpers are semi-trained workers that are eligible to perform electrical, plumbing, air conditioning, heating, and other construction duties. Job includes regular assistance and semi-traditional work conducted in partnership with an accomplished broker. They gain more experience and takes more independent judgment as they complete a project.

On a daily basis, Trades Helpers provide repair and preventive maintenance of electric motors, switches, compressors, transformers, pumps, water pipes, and associated machinery. They also assist electricians in the construction, servicing, and restoration of cables. They are in charge of operating pipe-cutting and threading machines as well.

Most employers require applicants to have at least a high school diploma or equivalent. However, some employers prefer prospective Trades Helpers to have some experience or any equivalent combination of training and experience. It is advantageous for applicants to possess the ability to locate and correct defects in installations, fixtures, and equipment.

ScoreTrades HelperUS Average

Salary

2.9

Avg. Salary $37,077

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

6.4

Growth rate 4%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

7.4

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 1.76%

Asian 3.04%

Black or African American 10.89%

Hispanic or Latino 33.24%

Unknown 4.36%

White 46.72%

Gender

female 7.08%

male 92.92%

Age - 38

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 38

Stress level

6.4

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level

4.1

Complexity level is basic

7 - challenging

Work life balance

5.6

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a trades helper

Explore trades helper education requirements

Most common trades helper degrees

High School Diploma

50.0 %

Associate

19.7 %

Bachelor's

12.5 %

Start to develop specific trades helper skills

Skills	Percentages
Hand Tools	19.85%
Ladders	19.19%
Plumbing	6.57%
OSHA	5.73%
Loaders	5.40%

Complete relevant trades helper training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New trades helpers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a trades helper based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real trades helper resumes.

Research trades helper duties and responsibilities

Use of proper PPE, OSHA policies and regulations.
Perform maintenance and repairs on HVAC and electrical equipment.
Help the plumbers and A/C service techs when need.
Operate heavy equipment; dig using shovels to expose main utility lines

Prepare your trades helper resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your trades helper resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a trades helper resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable trades helper resume templates

Build a professional trades helper resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your trades helper resume.