Skilled Trades
Build America's infrastructure while building your career
📋 What You'll Do
- •Read blueprints and technical diagrams
- •Install, maintain, and repair electrical/plumbing/HVAC systems
- •Operate power tools and specialized equipment
- •Troubleshoot problems and develop solutions
- •Ensure work meets building codes and safety standards
- •Collaborate with other trades on construction projects
🎓 Education & Training
- • Journeyman License (Electrical, Plumbing, HVAC)
- • EPA Section 608 Certification (HVAC)
- • OSHA Safety Certifications
- • State Contractor License
👤 Who This Is For
- ✓Like working with your hands
- ✓Enjoy problem-solving and troubleshooting
- ✓Want to earn while you learn
- ✓Prefer variety over repetitive desk work
- ✓Value job security and union benefits
- ✓Don't want college debt
- ✗Prefer climate-controlled office environments
- ✗Have physical limitations that prevent manual labor
About Skilled Trades Careers
The skilled trades are experiencing a historic shortage of workers as baby boomers retire and too few young people enter these careers. This shortage is your opportunity: high demand, rising wages, and job security that comes from skills that simply cannot be automated or outsourced.
Unlike traditional college paths, most trades let you earn while you learn through apprenticeships. You'll get paid from day one while developing expertise that takes years to master. Many journeyman electricians, plumbers, and HVAC technicians out-earn college graduates—without the student debt.
These are careers where your work matters visibly. You'll wire homes, install heating systems, build structures, and repair the equipment that keeps society running. The physical, variable nature of the work makes it highly resistant to automation. A robot can't navigate a crawl space or troubleshoot a unique installation.
Core Skills Needed
Explore Careers
Skilled Trades Careers
Browse all 11 careers in this path
Showing 11 of 11 careers
| Career | Category | Median Pay | Training | AI Resilience | Find Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Construction Supervisors2 specializations | Construction | $76,760 | 2-4yr | 🟡AI-Augmented | |
| Installation & Repair | $75,820 | 2-4yr | 🟡AI-Augmented | ||
Electrical Equipment Mechanics11 specializations | Installation & Repair | $60,094 | 2-4yr | 🟠In Transition | |
Construction Workers3 specializations | Construction | $58,825 | 6-24mo | 🟡AI-Augmented | |
Construction Professionals12 specializations | Construction | $58,435 | 6-24mo | 🟡AI-Augmented | |
Other Construction Workers11 specializations | Construction | $58,214 | 6-24mo | 🟡AI-Augmented | |
Extraction Workers14 specializations | Construction | $53,777 | 6-24mo | 🟡AI-Augmented | |
Vehicle & Mobile Equipment Mechanics14 specializations | Installation & Repair | $52,744 | 6-24mo | 🟡AI-Augmented | |
Other Installation & Repair Workers26 specializations | Installation & Repair | $52,568 | 6-24mo | 🟡AI-Augmented | |
Construction Trades Workers16 specializations | Construction | $51,476 | <6mo | 🟡AI-Augmented | |
Helpers, Construction Trades7 specializations | Construction | $38,870 | 6-24mo | 🟡AI-Augmented |