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By Alice Gibbs
Senior Reporter
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A Resume Templates survey found that 60 percent of Gen Z Americans plan to pursue skilled trades work this year, a sign of shifting attitudes toward college and career paths.
The findings recently gained renewed attention after being highlighted by the Department of Education on social media.
For decades, a four-year degree was widely viewed as the surest route to a stable, well-paying career. But growing concerns over student debt, the cost of higher education and demand for workers in sectors facing labor shortages have helped fuel interest in skilled trades, healthcare support jobs and transportation careers.
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A review of Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data shows that many of these occupations can offer salaries comparable to, or higher than, some entry-level white-collar positions.
What Are the Highest-Paying Skilled Trade Jobs?
Among the occupations reviewed by Newsweek, the highest median annual wage belonged to first-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers, who earn a median annual wage of $76,760.
The role typically involves overseeing construction crews, coordinating projects and managing day-to-day operations on job sites.
Healthcare support occupations also featured prominently near the top of the rankings, with occupational therapy assistants and physical therapist assistants among the highest-paid roles reviewed.
Among more traditional trades, plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters reported median annual earnings of $62,970, narrowly ahead of electricians at $62,350.
Electricians and Plumbers Continue to Rank Among Top Earners
Construction and maintenance trades remain among the most lucrative options for workers who do not pursue a traditional bachelor's degree.
Plumbers, electricians, HVAC technicians and carpenters all reported median annual earnings approaching or exceeding $60,000.
HVAC and refrigeration technicians earned $59,810, while carpenters earned $59,310. Construction laborers reported median earnings of $46,050.
The figures suggest that trade careers can provide middle-class incomes while often requiring significantly less time in education than many professional occupations.
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Healthcare Careers Offer an Alternative Route
Not all of the highest-paying skilled careers involve construction sites or heavy machinery.
Several healthcare support roles ranked near the top of the wage data and typically require certification programs, associate degrees or other specialized training rather than a four-year bachelor's degree.
Occupational therapy assistants earned $66,050, while physical therapist assistants earned $65,510, placing both among the highest-paid occupations reviewed.
Transportation Careers Also Remain Competitive
Transportation and logistics careers, which have long faced worker shortages in some parts of the country, continue to offer competitive wages.
First-line supervisors of transportation and material-moving workers earned a median annual wage of $60,510, while heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers earned $57,440.
Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists earned approximately $58,970, while light truck drivers earned $42,470.
The sector continues to play a critical role in the economy, moving goods and materials across the country and supporting supply chains that rely on experienced drivers and mechanics.
Why More Gen Z Workers Are Choosing Trades
The growing interest in skilled trades comes as employers across construction, manufacturing, transportation and health care warn of workforce shortages created by retirements and rising demand.
Unlike many professional careers that require a four-year degree, trade occupations often allow workers to enter the workforce more quickly through apprenticeships, certificate programs or community college courses.
Earlier this year, one in four students, or 28 percent, say their tuition is not a good investment, while 59 percent of all Americans say that college is now not worth the cost.
Earnings can vary significantly by location, experience level and specialty, with some of the highest wages typically found in major metropolitan areas and regions facing skilled-worker shortages. Training requirements also vary by occupation, ranging from certificate programs lasting several months to multi-year apprenticeships for trades such as electrical work and plumbing.
For younger Americans weighing the cost of college against future earning potential, the wage data suggests several skilled-trade and support occupations can offer a path to stable, well-paid work without taking on the financial burden associated with a traditional university education.
Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Rebecca Flood and Emma Lee-Sang
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