Uses climbing ropes to inspect and repair skyscrapers, dams, bridges, and wind turbines.
You rappel down the face of a dam to inspect concrete cracks, or hang off a stadium roof to fix a lighting rig.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Certificate, about 1 year after high school. IRATA or SPRAT rope access certification (about a week) plus a trade skill.
Ways in: Certification, On-the-job training. Training cost: Under $15k.
Majors to look at: Rope Access (certificate), Welding, NDT Inspection.
Growing faster than average. No separate BLS projection for this specialty; rating is an estimate based on industry trends.
Low risk for 10 years. Drones handle some inspections, but repairs on dams, bridges and wind blades still need people on ropes.
Age 18+. One way to start: Book a SPRAT or IRATA Level 1 course; window cleaning and inspection firms hire Level 1 techs First: SPRAT or IRATA Level 1 course (about 5 days, roughly $1,500–2,000)
Classes: Physics, Shop or welding CTE, PE or climbing.
Official data: O*NET occupation 47-4099.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.