This week’s idea came from a conversation that stuck with me.
I was talking with my daughter’s kindergarten teacher, and she shared that her oldest son is graduating from high school and heading into an apprenticeship path instead of a traditional four-year college route. He’s looking at plumbing or electrical work, and once their family started looking at his skill set, interests, and the earning potential in the trades, it became a much easier decision than people might expect.
That says a lot about where we are right now.
For years, the default message to young people was college, office job, corporate ladder. But in many markets — especially ours — that narrative is changing. Not because white-collar work is disappearing, but because the trades are becoming harder to ignore.
And one thing is certain: AI may replace some tasks, but it is not replacing your plumber when your toilet is clogged.
– Katie
Hot Take: The trades are not replacing white-collar work — but they are outpacing it.
Nationally, the numbers are getting harder to dismiss. In May 2024, the median annual wage was $62,350 for electricians, $62,970 for plumbers/pipefitters/steamfitters, and $59,810 for HVAC mechanics/installers. That puts several core trades above or roughly in line with a number of common white-collar roles, including graphic designers ($61,300) and social workers ($61,330), while customer service roles remain well below that level. At the same time, electricians are projected to grow 9% from 2024 to 2034, HVAC 8%, and plumbers 4%, versus 3% for all occupations overall.
And the pipeline is shifting too. The National Student Clearinghouse says enrollment at trade-focused public two-year institutions is up 19.4% since spring 2020, and those schools now account for 19.4% of public two-year enrollment.
That does not mean every tradesperson will out-earn every white-collar professional. It does mean the old assumption — “college automatically wins financially” — looks a lot less automatic than it used to.
📍 Market Pulse: Colorado
In Colorado, especially in the mountain communities, this trend feels even more real.
The compensation is real. CareerOneStop, which uses BLS wage data, shows Colorado median yearly wages of about $62,230 for electricians and $63,610 for plumbers/pipefitters/steamfitters statewide, with Denver-area plumber wages higher still.
But what stands out even more is how intentionally communities are trying to build the pipeline. Eagle County School District says its CareerWise youth apprenticeship program currently supports 33 apprentices, including 23 still in high school, and students can “earn while they learn.” In Summit County, a hands-on training facility next to Summit High School was backed specifically to address the region’s shortage of skilled trades professionals. Colorado community-college apprenticeship leaders also note that many apprentices start around $20 an hour with scheduled wage increases and employer-covered education costs.
That’s why this conversation hits differently here. In mountain towns, the trades are not just another category of jobs. They are one of the clearest examples of supply-and-demand economics in real life.
⭐ The Highlight
What’s most interesting is not just the pay.
It’s the pathway.
For the right student, apprentice, or career changer, the trades can offer:
- faster entry into the workforce,
- less debt,
- strong wage growth,
- and a skill set the market cannot easily outsource or automate.
That is why more families are treating the trades as a first-choice option instead of a fallback.
🔁 The CTA
If you’re hiring in the trades — or trying to build a pipeline before the shortage gets worse the Hot Jobs Talent Community continues to grow with applications from eager job seekers ready to dive into the industry. Reply to this email or visit our website HERE! https://www.thehotjobs.com/find-people/request-an-employee/
