justocker/Getty Images
- Some Gen Zers are forgoing college and potential student debt to explore careers in trade jobs.
- A new report by Pro Tools Reviews identified the 10 highest-paying and most in-demand US trade jobs.
- The construction industry faced a labor shortage after COVID-19 and Gen Z is filling the gap.
Some Gen Zers are forgoing liberal arts degrees for jobs in construction.
According to the National Student Clearinghouse — a nonprofit that provides educational data and research — enrollments in vocational-focused community colleges were up 16% in 2023 compared to the year before, the highest level since its records began in 2018.
As the cost of college continues to rise and student debt lingers, Gen Zers are rethinking their career paths. College enrollments are declining nationwide, and some graduates find it tough to land a job. For many, trade jobs provide a financially secure alternative to a college degree.
For example, the construction industry faced a labor shortage following the COVID-19 pandemic, and some workers hope younger generations will fill the gap.
A new report by Pro Tools Reviews, an industry news and review site, highlights the highest-paying trade jobs in the US, giving insight into career opportunities that don't require a college degree.
Experts at Pro Tools analyzed May 2023 wage data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics — the latest available — to determine the most lucrative trade jobs.
Elevator and escalator installers can make up to $100,060 annually, according to the report, making them the highest-paid trade job in the country.
Meanwhile, aircraft mechanics technicians and boilermakers can make upwards of $70,000 annually, according to the report.
"For the past several decades, society has more or less dictated that college and a corporate job are the only paths to success," Clint DeBoer, editor in chief at Pro Tools Reviews, wrote in a statement. "In today's economy, trade jobs—often referred to as blue-collar jobs—frequently offer a direct route to six-figure incomes."
Pro Tool Reviews also examined the most in-demand trade jobs in the US. According to listed opportunities from job board sites like LinkedIn, Glassdoor, and Indeed, Pro Tools Reviews found that maintenance and repair workers have the highest number of vacancies at 55,579.
For those looking for a sought-after job that pays well, electricians and pipefitters, plumbers, and steamfitters are among the top 10 highest-paid and top 10 most in-demand trade jobs.
"This doesn't imply that younger generations should forego further education entirely," DeBoer wrote. "Those deciding on the best way to enter the job market should simply consider all of their options."
Have you recently switched to a trade job, or are you a recent graduate looking to land a trade role? This reporter wants to hear from you. Please reach out at jtowfighi@businessinisder.com.