◉ Expert Analysis
Should I go to trade school?
Analyzed by 4 domain experts
Trade school is the most underrated path to a $70-100K career with zero student debt.
While college graduates drown in $35K average debt, electricians, plumbers, and HVAC technicians earn $60-90K within 3 years of training that cost $5-15K. The skilled trades have a massive labor shortage that is only growing.
◉ Expert Perspectives
“The US needs 650,000 new tradespeople per year. We are producing 400,000.”
The skilled trades gap is widening as Baby Boomers retire. Electricians, plumbers, welders, and HVAC techs are in severe shortage. Average trade school costs $5-15K and takes 6-24 months. Many union apprenticeships pay you while you learn. The math overwhelmingly favors trades over a generic bachelors degree.
“I earn $95K with zero student debt and I am booked 8 weeks out.”
Journeyman electricians earn $60-80K; masters earn $80-120K. With your own business, the ceiling is $150K+. The work is physical but intellectually engaging. Solar installation and EV charger demand is adding 20% to workloads. The demand will only grow with electrification.
“Trades are physically demanding. Your body is your tool, and tools wear out.”
Plumbers have high rates of knee problems by age 45. Electricians face fall risks. HVAC techs work in extreme temperatures. The trades pay well but extract a physical toll. Plan for the long game: move into supervision, inspection, or business ownership by your 40s.
“A plumber with 5 years experience out-earns the median bachelors degree holder.”
Median earnings for workers with a bachelors degree is $65K. Median for a plumber with 5 years experience is $61K, with zero debt and 4 years of earnings during the period a college student was paying tuition. By age 30, the tradesperson has accumulated $200K more in lifetime earnings.
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What does a workforce development director think about “should i go to trade school?”?+
The US needs 650,000 new tradespeople per year. We are producing 400,000. The skilled trades gap is widening as Baby Boomers retire. Electricians, plumbers, welders, and HVAC techs are in severe shortage. Average trade school costs $5-15K and takes 6-24 months. Many union apprenticeships pay you while you learn. The math overwhelmingly favors trades over a generic bachelors degree.
What does a master electrician think about “should i go to trade school?”?+
I earn $95K with zero student debt and I am booked 8 weeks out. Journeyman electricians earn $60-80K; masters earn $80-120K. With your own business, the ceiling is $150K+. The work is physical but intellectually engaging. Solar installation and EV charger demand is adding 20% to workloads. The demand will only grow with electrification.
What does a career counselor think about “should i go to trade school?”?+
Trades are physically demanding. Your body is your tool, and tools wear out. Plumbers have high rates of knee problems by age 45. Electricians face fall risks. HVAC techs work in extreme temperatures. The trades pay well but extract a physical toll. Plan for the long game: move into supervision, inspection, or business ownership by your 40s.
What does a higher education economist think about “should i go to trade school?”?+
A plumber with 5 years experience out-earns the median bachelors degree holder. Median earnings for workers with a bachelors degree is $65K. Median for a plumber with 5 years experience is $61K, with zero debt and 4 years of earnings during the period a college student was paying tuition. By age 30, the tradesperson has accumulated $200K more in lifetime earnings.
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