There are a myriad of misconceptions and myths about work in the construction trades: that it’s grueling work, it’s dangerous, and, maybe the most common misconception, that it doesn’t pay well.
But the truth is the building trades don’t just offer good pay, they offer great pay. Did you know that some tradespeople earn high five-figure salaries, and can even make north of six figures as they progress in their career? The Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Outlook shows some impressive numbers for 2021 median pay in the trades:
- Power Plant Operator - $103,000
- Construction Manager - $99,000
- Elevator and Escalator Installer - $98,000
- Electrical Lineworker - $75,000
Keep in mind that those numbers reflect median pay, meaning that about half of the workers in those trades have salaries that are higher than those figures. We don’t know about you, but we’d call that a pretty great living, especially considering the average American income was $51,480 in 2021. This means many of the salaries in the construction trades are almost double the national average!
Tradespeople also start earning a lot earlier in life, which puts them ahead financially. Since apprentices earn while they learn and incur little to no debt for the rich training and education they receive through their apprenticeships, they’re able to start building wealth sooner, and have more financial freedom at a younger age. Being able to afford a new car, buy a home, and take nice vacations at age 23 sounds excellent, particularly when compared to the alternative of carrying a crushing $80,000 in student debt from a 4-year college degree.
What’s more, tradespeople don’t get trapped working 50-60 hour weeks without overtime pay like some of their college-educated peers. Time is money, as they say, and you can’t put a price tag on the flexibility and freedom that comes from having a good work-life balance. If you could, tradespeople might be some of the richest people out there! Not only do they get to earn a great living in a fulfilling and rewarding career, but they also have the time and energy to pursue other passions, interests, and ventures outside of their daily work.
So, do construction trade jobs pay well? Yes! A thousand times, yes. And not only are they paid well, they are in extremely high demand, making them some of the most stable jobs out there, even through tough economic times.
Want to learn more about the rich careers in the trades? Apprenticeship changes lives every year for thousands of new members. Find out how to get started today.
