Choosing a career is tough. There are a LOT of factors to consider. And in my opinion, one of those factors should be the amount of student loan debt that you could incur by pursuing a given career field. But for some people, working in the trades can be a viable option. There are a lot of different trades to choose from, and the job outlook for the trades is looking better and better.
Job Outlook for Working in the Trades
Let’s face it, college isn’t for everyone. That’s not a bad thing at all. Just like not everyone likes sitting in classes or studying theories and processes. Some people need to be a little more physically active to feel fulfilled, challenged, and happy.
That is where the trades come in.
Working in the trades can look like a lot of different things. And in a lot of cases, require little to no education past high school. Although, there are likely certifications that someone who is an electrician, plumber, carpenter, etc. can (and probably should) get to help their overall marketability and earning potential.
Over the next few years, the Bureau of Labor Statistics expects there to be about a 10% increase in demand for tradespeople. And there is ALREADY a shortage of tradespeople.
And the annual pay for people in the trades is not slouch either. The median pay for someone in the trades is more than $50,000 per year. There are a lot of professionals who have college degrees who do not make that much AND have the student loan debt to show for it.
Here are some of the common trades and their median pay in 2022:
| Occupation | Median Pay |
| Elevator installers and repairers | $99,000 |
| Boilermakers | $66,920 |
| Construction and building inspectors | $64,480 |
| Electricians | $60,240 |
| Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters | $60,090 |
| Structural iron and steel workers | $58,330 |
| Sheet metal workers | $55,350 |
| Carpenters | $51,390 |
| Drywall and ceiling tile installers, and tapers | $51,160 |
| Construction equipment operators | $51,050 |
| Brickmasons, blockmasons, and stonemasons | $49,490 |
| Glaziers | $48,720 |
| Insulation workers | $47,980 |
| Roofers | $47,920 |
| Tile and marble setters | $47,890 |
| Hazardous materials removal workers | $46,690 |
| Painters, construction and maintenance | $46,090 |
| solar photovoltaic installers image | $45,230 |
| Construction laborers and helpers | $39,520 |
And the really nice thing is that none of these career fields require a college degree. And therefore, you can avoid the student loan debt that you would likely incur if you were to go to a 4-year college.
Pretty cool, right?
Final Thoughts
Going into the trades isn’t for everyone. Just like being a dentist or an accountant isn’t for everyone. But for a lot of people this is a great career field. There will likely never be a shortage of work and the pay isn’t too shabby at all.
I am here for you!
Until next time!
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