WHY STUDENTS SHOULD LEARN A TRADE | ALL ABOUT SKILLED TRADES
- KidVestors
- Jul 23
- 8 min read
Updated: Sep 28
What you'll learn:
College isn't the only path to success and it's definitely not the only one that pays.
Nor is college for everyone. And that’s not a bad thing. For years, we’ve pushed the message that the only way to succeed in life is by going to a four-year college, getting a degree, and landing a desk job. But the reality? That’s just one route to success, not the route.
The world runs on skilled workers. Electricians, plumbers, HVAC technicians, welders, mechanics—the list goes on. These are the people who keep our lights on, our homes warm, our cars running, and our buildings standing tall. And guess what? Many of them are making great money, living debt-free, and loving their work.
So, if you’re a student or a parent of one, wondering if there's another way to secure a bright financial future, keep reading.
What Are Skilled Trades?
Skilled trades are hands-on careers that require specialized training, knowledge, and often certifications, but not necessarily a college degree. These jobs are typically in high demand, offer solid pay, and give you the opportunity to learn while you earn.
Instead of sitting through lectures and writing term papers, skilled tradespeople learn by doing. That might mean working on construction sites, repairing machinery, or installing electrical systems. It’s real work that’s essential to the way our society functions.
Why Are Trade Skills So Important?
Imagine a world without plumbers. Or electricians. Or auto technicians. Sounds like chaos, right?
Skilled trades are the backbone of every community. They keep homes safe, cities running, and businesses operating. Without tradespeople, even the most basic things we take for granted, like turning on a faucet or flipping a light switch, wouldn’t be possible.
But beyond the practical impact, trade skills offer something else that’s increasingly rare in today’s world: job security. While some industries are shrinking or becoming automated, many skilled trades are growing. And because fewer young people are entering the trades, the demand (and salaries) are only going up.
Which Jobs Are Safe From AI ?
Now, for the million-dollar question: which jobs are safe from AI ?
As AI continues to reshape the job market, not all careers are impacted equally. According to a recent Microsoft-backed study published by Fortune, jobs that rely heavily on repetitive or computer-based tasks—think teaching, office admin, and legal assistants—are among the most vulnerable to disruption by generative AI tools. Many of these roles require college degrees and come with hefty student debt, yet they're now at higher risk of being automated.
In contrast, skilled trades remain highly resistant to AI replacement. Why? Because you can’t ask AI to wire a house, fix a leaky pipe, or install an HVAC system, at least not anytime soon.
Even the U.S. Department of Labor is doubling down, recently announcing a $30 million investment to expand training opportunities in construction, transportation, and other skilled trades. That’s a clear signal that while tech may be the future, trades are the foundation.
So as we prepare the next generation for the evolving workforce, it’s never been more important to consider career paths that are both in demand and AI-safe.
Why Students Should Consider Skilled Trades as an Alternative to a Traditional College or University
Let’s talk real numbers for a second. The average college graduate in the U.S. leaves school with over $37,000 in student loan debt. Many trade school graduates? They finish with little to no debt and start working (and earning!) years earlier.
Here’s why more students should consider learning a trade:
Lower cost of education: Trade programs are typically much more affordable than traditional four-year colleges.
Faster time to employment: Many programs can be completed in less than two years, some in just a few months.
Hands-on learning: If you’re the type of person who learns by doing, trade programs offer that from day one.
High demand and strong pay: Many trades offer starting salaries that rival or exceed entry-level office jobs.
Entrepreneurship opportunities: Many skilled tradespeople eventually start their own businesses, giving them full control of their careers.
And the best part? There’s no “one size fits all.” With so many different trades out there, students can find something that aligns with their interests and strengths.
List of Skilled Trades Jobs
Here’s a quick look at some common skilled trade jobs, what they do, and what they earn (based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data):
Construction & Electrical
Elevator Installer & Repairer:
- Median Salary: $100,000+
- Installs and repairs elevators, escalators, and moving walkways. High pay, but often requires union apprenticeship and licensing.
Electrician:
- Median Salary: $60,000 – $75,000
- Installs and maintains electrical systems in residential, commercial, and industrial spaces.
Construction Manager (with trade experience):
- Median Salary: $95,000+
- Oversees construction projects, often rising from a skilled trade background.
Mechanical & Repair
HVAC Technician (Heating, Ventilation, A/C):
- Median Salary: $55,000 – $75,000
- Installs and repairs climate control systems. Can specialize for higher pay.
Industrial Machinery Mechanic:
- Median Salary: $65,000+
- Repairs and maintains factory equipment and industrial machines.
Diesel Mechanic:
- Median Salary: $55,000 – $65,000
- Specializes in diesel engines for trucks, buses, and heavy machinery.
Welding & Fabrication
Pipeline Welder:
- Median Salary: $80,000 – $120,000+
- Works on oil and gas pipelines—can require travel and rigorous certifications.
Underwater Welder:
- Median Salary: $100,000+
- A niche and risky field that combines diving with welding in marine environments.
Boilermaker:
- Median Salary: $65,000 – $80,000
- Builds and repairs boilers, tanks, and closed vats. Physically demanding but high-paying.
Plumbing & Utilities
Plumber / Pipefitter / Steamfitter:
- Median Salary: $60,000 – $75,000
- Installs and repairs piping systems. High union representation and consistent demand.
Power Line Installer & Repairer:
- Median Salary: $75,000 – $90,000
- Installs and repairs electrical power systems. Requires working at heights.
Wind Turbine Technician:
- Median Salary: $61,000 – $75,000
- Maintains wind energy systems—one of the fastest-growing trade careers.
Transportation & Manufacturing
Aircraft Mechanic / Avionics Technician:
- Median Salary: $70,000 – $95,000
- Repairs and maintains aircraft systems. Requires FAA certification.
Automotive Service Technician / Mechanic:
- Median Salary: $45,000 – $60,000 (more for specialties or dealership roles)
- Diagnoses and repairs cars and trucks.
CNC Machinist / Programmer:
- Median Salary: $60,000 – $75,000
- Operates computer-controlled tools to make precision parts—critical in manufacturing.
Medical Trades
Dental Hygienist:
- Median Salary: $75,000 – $90,000
- Performs preventative dental care. Often completed through a 2-year associate degree.
Radiation Therapist (Trade school + cert.):
- Median Salary: $85,000 – $100,000+
- Treats cancer patients using radiation equipment. Requires licensing, but not a bachelor’s degree.
Phlebotomist:
- Median Salary: ~$40,000
- Draws blood for tests, transfusions, or donations.
Medical Assistant:
- Median Salary: ~$39,000
- Performs clinical and administrative tasks in doctors’ offices and clinics.
Medical Lab Technician:
- Median Salary: ~$57,000
- Analyzes blood, urine, and other body fluids in labs.
Emergency & Allied Health Trades
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT):
- Median Salary: ~$39,000 (more for paramedics)
- Responds to 911 calls, provides emergency care, and transports patients.
Radiologic Technologist (X-Ray Tech):
- Median Salary: ~$65,000
- Takes medical imaging for diagnostic purposes.
Respiratory Therapist:
- Median Salary: ~$70,000
- Treats patients with breathing or cardiopulmonary issues.
Logistics & Infrastructure
Crane Operator:
- Median Salary: $60,000 – $80,000
- Operates heavy equipment for lifting and moving materials at construction sites.
Commercial Truck Driver (CDL):
- Median Salary: $50,000 – $85,000+
- Long-haul and specialty routes (like hazmat) offer higher pay. Short training period.
Green Energy & Technology
Solar Photovoltaic Installer:
- Median Salary: $50,000 – $65,000
- Installs solar panels—rapidly growing field with solid income potential.
Instrumentation Technician:
- Median Salary: $65,000 – $90,000
- Installs and maintains complex sensors and control systems in industrial settings.
These numbers may vary by location and experience, but one thing’s clear: skilled trades can lead to a solid paycheck without a mountain of debt.
How Students Can Get Paid to Learn a Trade
Here’s the part that gets even better: You can actually get paid to learn a trade. No, this isn’t too good to be true; it’s the magic of apprenticeships and sponsored training programs.
These programs allow students to work under experienced professionals, earn a wage, and receive formal training at the same time.
Here are a few examples:
This awesome program helps Lowe’s employees transition into skilled trades careers like electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and appliance repair. They offer scholarships, mentorship, and hands-on experience with a job waiting at the end.
The Path to Pro High School & Youth Program, delivered via Home Builder's Institute PACT curriculum and the Schools‑to‑Skills Grant, offers schools a fully funded opportunity to launch or expand pre‑apprenticeship training. It equips students with real-world trade skills, certifications, and industry connections, without cost to the school or learner.
Union Apprenticeship Programs:
Many labor unions offer paid apprenticeships that combine classroom instruction with real-world job experience. Think of it as a job that teaches you a career.
A free program for young people ages 16–24 that provides career training in trades like construction, healthcare, IT, and more. You’ll get housing, meals, and even a small paycheck while you learn.
Community College Trade Programs:
Many local community colleges offer low-cost programs in welding, HVAC, electrical work, and more—and many partner with employers to help you land a job while you’re still in school.
Private Companies & Industry Partnerships:
Some companies will train you from scratch. All you have to do is show up, work hard, and commit to learning. (Lineman schools, utility companies, and even manufacturing firms do this.)
So instead of paying to learn, you can actually start earning as you go.
How KidVestors Promotes Trades
At KidVestors, we’re all about helping students build wealth early—and that includes introducing them to all the paths to success, not just college. Here’s how we support and celebrate skilled trades:
Career Path Spotlights: Our platform showcases different money-making careers, including high-paying trade jobs, to help students explore options they might not hear about in school.
Gamified Learning: We turn real-world skills like budgeting, investing, and entrepreneurship into fun, interactive lessons. That includes lessons on how to turn a trade into a business—because many trades can lead to entrepreneurship.
Incentives for Exploration: We reward students with cash or stock for exploring careers, setting goals, and building skills that align with their interests—including those in trades.
Partnerships with Industry Pros: We’re building partnerships with trade organizations, employers, and training programs to give our students a direct path into hands-on, high-paying careers.
We believe every student deserves the tools to build their own future—whether that means heading to college, starting a business, or becoming a master welder. And we’re here to support them every step of the way.
Learning a trade isn’t a backup plan. In a world where student debt is rising and traditional degrees don’t always guarantee a job, skilled trades offer a practical, profitable, and fulfilling alternative.
Trades aren’t going anywhere. In fact, as our economy shifts and technology evolves, we’ll need more skilled workers than ever before. Whether it’s building homes, repairing engines, or installing solar panels, trades offer students a real shot at financial freedom and the pride that comes from doing essential, hands-on work.
So let’s stop pretending college is the only answer. For students who like to work with their hands, solve real-world problems, and get paid while they learn, the skilled trades might just be the best-kept secret to success.
And at KidVestors, we’re shouting that secret from the rooftops—because the next generation deserves to know all their options.
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