In recent years, a striking shift has emerged in labor markets on both sides of the Atlantic: many skilled tradespeople now out-earn average university graduates. Data show that electricians and plumbers earn median salaries around $60–62K in the U.S. and £45K–50K in the UK, figures that often exceed what many graduates take home in their first jobs. Meanwhile, college graduates face high tuition costs and mounting debts – averaging $39K in student loans in the U.S. and roughly £50–53K in the UK – while entering a job market where starting salaries have stagnated. Skilled-trade apprentices typically earn while they learn and finish their training debt-free, a sharp contrast with debt-burdened graduates. These developments have flipped a decades-old narrative that university degrees guarantee higher earnings: today, even after 2020’s pandemic, trades demand is surging and graduate wages are under pressure.
With governments, employers, and young people taking notice, the payoff of a degree vs. a trade is under intense scrutiny. This article examines the wage gap reversal between trades and graduates in the U.S. and UK, exploring earnings data, training costs, workforce shortages, and cultural factors that help explain why plumbers and electricians are now challenging – and often surpassing – the income of many college-educated peers. We review labor statistics, apprenticeship trends, and surveys on job satisfaction and attitudes. Finally, we consider whether recent investments in apprenticeships and changing mindsets signal a long-term revival of the skilled trades.
Wages of Tradespeople vs. Graduates
Official data make clear that many trades jobs pay very well. In the U.S., the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports median 2024 wages of $62,350 for electricians and $61,550 for plumbers/pipefitters. By comparison, the median annual wage for all full-time workers was about $49,500 in 2024. In other words, a typical electrician or plumber comfortably exceeds the overall median income. Likewise in the UK, trades salaries are high: surveys find plumbers average about £48,700 per year and electricians about £47,300. These figures far outstrip the typical graduate wage. For instance, the UK Office for National Statistics (ONS) puts median full-time earnings at ~£37,400 (April 2024). Even accounting for variation by profession, an industry study reported the average UK graduate salary around £42,000. In short, a plumber or electrician often earns £5–10K more annually than a new graduate.
Several recent analyses underscore this convergence or reversal. A UK trade media article highlighted that site managers average £51K, while electricians and plumbers earn roughly £47–49K – higher than many professional careers. By contrast, the highest-earning graduate occupations (pharmacists, architects, accountants) cluster around £37–42K. Similarly, a Federation of Master Builders (FMB) report in 2018 found that the average English graduate earned only £32K per year, whereas bricklayers averaged £42K and construction apprentices started around £17K (even before their post-apprenticeship jump). The FMB quoted its CEO, Brian Berry: “money talks – a career in construction trumps many university graduate roles…a bricklayer is commanding wages of up to £90,000 a year in London”.
In the U.S., the broad “education premium” – the wage advantage of college degrees – remains positive on average, but it is eroding for many fields. BLS data show median weekly earnings of about $1,543 ($80K annual) for full-time workers with a bachelor’s degree. However, this figure is pulled up by high-earning majors; it dwarfs earnings for lower-paid arts/humanities graduates, many of whom start below or near trades salaries. Even so, U.S. trades jobs lead average incomes. The BLS projects that construction and manufacturing job wages rose 20% since 2020 due to scarcity. The result is a landscape where skilled trades salaries often match or exceed entry-level professional salaries, especially when graduate debt is factored in (see below).
Wage Comparison by Occupation
- U.S. Skilled Trades (2023–24 median): Electricians $62,350, Plumbers/Pipefitters $61,550, HVAC techs ~$59,800.
- U.S. Median Worker (2024): $49,500.
- U.S. College Grads (2024): Median ~$80,000 (Bachelor’s degree holders); but many graduates (especially in non-STEM fields) earn well below this level early in their careers.
- UK Skilled Trades (recent surveys): Plumbers £48,675, Electricians £47,265 (site managers £51,266).
- UK Median Worker (2024): £37,430.
- UK Graduates (typical): ~£42,000 starting average (varies widely by field).
The takeaway: the average tradesperson in these fields is out-earning a typical graduate, and often earning near the top of salaries for all occupations (teachers, nurses, etc., are usually below).
The Cost of Education vs. Apprenticeships
A central factor in the shift is costs. University degrees have become extremely expensive. In the UK, tuition and living support loans leave graduates owing on average £50–53K by their first repayment. A House of Commons report finds £53K average debt for English undergraduates finishing in 2024. (Graduates from poorer backgrounds face even more.) In the U.S., student loan debt is also widespread: the mean federal student debt balance per borrower is nearly $39,375 (Q3 2025), while the median outstanding debt of borrowers in 2024 was around $20–25K. These debts delay the financial payoff of a degree for years.
By contrast, trades training is far cheaper. In both countries, skilled trades often follow apprenticeship models: training on the job while earning a wage, and without the need for large loans. UK apprentices typically earn around £17,000 per year while training, and leave fully qualified debt-free. As FMB’s Brian Berry notes, “apprentices pass the finish line completely debt-free.” In the U.S., employers and unions run paid apprenticeship programs in plumbing, electrical, HVAC, etc. – apprentices earn money and enter the workforce earlier. A U.S. Joint Economic Committee report highlights that workers who complete apprenticeships see a 49% increase in earnings relative to those who don’t, underscoring the economic value of trade training.
In sum, the return on investment looks very different. A student may accumulate five-figure debt and spend 3–4 years studying, whereas an apprentice earns and gains experience immediately, with no tuition outlay. Even after paying college loans, many graduates earn only moderate salaries; meanwhile, tradespeople can often start earning above-average incomes immediately. This cost-debt imbalance amplifies the apparent wage gap reversal.
“University students in England will graduate with an average £50,800 of debt…while apprentices pass the finish line completely debt-free. Not only that, apprentices earn while they learn, taking home around £17,000 a year.”
This FMB observation crystallizes the contrast: graduates shoulder heavy debt, whereas apprentices immediately earn and owe nothing.
Labor Shortages and Demographics
The surge in trade pay is also driven by severe labor shortages. Both the U.S. and UK face a crunch of aging workforces and too few entrants to replace retiring skilled workers. For example, McKinsey reports that U.S. manufacturing and construction wages have jumped over 20% since 2020 – a signal that employers are bidding up pay to attract scarce trades talent. The same analysis warns that annual job openings in skilled roles will be 20 times larger than net new jobs from 2022–2032, due to retirements and turnover. In plain terms, more baby-boomer electricians/plumbers are leaving than young people entering.
Aging is acute in the UK too. TradeRecruit (Sept. 2025) found that 35% of UK construction workers are over age 50, with only 5% of students considering a construction career. The ONS/Institute for Apprenticeships warns that roughly half of UK construction apprentices drop out before completion, deepening the shortfall. Brexit also trimmed the UK labor supply: a TradesmanSaver analysis notes 300,000 fewer UK workers due to the end of free movement, especially in construction. Industry surveys back this up: Kingfisher (Screwfix) reports a shortage of 166,000 UK tradespeople in 2023, projected to rise to 250,000 by 2030. Demand is especially high in plumbing, heating, and electrical sectors, aligning with the pay premium in those trades.
In the U.S., the American workforce demographic trend is similar: the ratio of retirees to working-age is projected to increase by 75% between 1984 and 2027. A survey finds one million fewer skilled tradespeople now than in 2007, and 39% of U.S. trade-sector businesses report being unable to fill open positions. Government efforts underscore the issue: a Senate Joint Economic Committee report emphasizes a “huge demand for skilled trades workers right now, and it’s going to continue well into the future”, and legislators are pushing apprenticeship expansion.
Key drivers of the shortage include:
- Retirement of older tradespeople: Many baby-boomers are retiring early or leaving work, amplified by post-COVID reprioritization.
- Declining apprenticeship/entry rates: In both countries, fewer young people pursue vocational training. UK CBI and others highlight waning apprenticeship numbers, and in the US enrollment dipped until a recent slight rebound.
- Education bias: Cultural pressure to attend university means many students forego trade pathways.
- Economic headwinds: Stagnant manufacturing and infrastructure growth (e.g. in mid-2010s) dampened earlier interest in trades, creating a “retention gap” today.
As a result, trades sectors are bid up. The FMB’s Berry observes that contractors now offer salaries that swamp typical graduate wages – an observation echoed by the UK Confederation of British Industry (CBI) and media covering the “skills crisis.” In short, the imbalance of supply and demand for skilled labor drives wages upward for remaining workers.
Apprenticeship Decline and Training Gaps
Closely tied to shortages is the decline in formal vocational training. In the UK, apprenticeship numbers have fallen sharply since 2016. For example, there were only 418,000 construction apprentices in 2022, down from over 700,000 a decade earlier. Equally worrying, many drop out: CIPHE notes about half of plumbing/heating apprenticeship starts end without completion. TradeRecruit reports that only 5% of UK students even consider a construction career, and Kingfisher’s survey shows just 13% of 16–25-year-olds were encouraged by schools to explore trades. Meanwhile, a majority of industry surveys find companies struggling to attract apprentices: Kingfisher found one in three contractors blame lack of apprentices for stalling business growth. In combination, these gaps leave many trades positions vacant or only fillable by imported labor – hence the ongoing crisis.
In the U.S., apprenticeship programs have historically been smaller, but interest is growing again. The Biden administration and Congress have highlighted apprenticeship expansion: a Joint Economic Committee report cites a 49% earnings boost for those completing apprenticeships and promotes federal legislation to expand programs. However, negative perceptions persist: a McKinsey study found that 74% of U.S. youths (18–20) perceive a stigma about vocational training, and 79% say parents urge college instead. This cultural barrier has left many programs under-subscribed. The result is similar to the UK: a drop in new entrants and a persistent gap between openings and new workers.
In sum, both countries face a shortfall of skilled tradespeople due to demographic shifts and fewer apprentices. The scarcity of new plumbers, electricians, etc., relative to retirement and rising demand, pushes up wages. Industry leaders warn that if supply isn’t increased, essential infrastructure projects and maintenance work will suffer. This context explains why trades jobs have gained unprecedented bargaining power in the labor market.
Societal Attitudes and Educational Narratives
Why have young people moved away from trades? Cultural factors play a major role. For decades, the prevailing message has been “go to university.” Policies like the U.S. push to enroll 60% in college and the UK’s goal of half of young adults on degree tracks reinforced the idea that academic credentials are the surest path to success. Schools often prioritize A-levels and universities, with vocational options treated as second-choice. The Kingfisher (Screwfix) report starkly illustrates this: 61% of parents said children are being put off trades by a school focus on academics over vocational paths. Only 26% of young women and 47% of men were offered any information on trade careers in school, reflecting systemic bias.
Media narratives have often glamorized college success stories while downplaying skilled labor. As one UK national survey comments, “young people are discouraged – by parents, schools, and government – from considering a trade career”. In the U.S., too, the stigma is palpable: McKinsey notes that most 18–20 year-olds and their families see college as the “default choice,” and vocational paths carry a social stigma. This attitude persists despite data: for example, a Forbes profile of skilled workers found 91% of tradespeople reported being satisfied with their career, signaling that many who do choose trades enjoy their work.
The disconnect between perception and reality is widening. A generation of Gen Z and Millennials is entering the workforce amid these questions: automation threatens many white-collar jobs, yet the pressure for degrees remains strong. LinkedIn discussions (citing Fortune reporting) highlight that in the UK, 1.2 million graduates chased just 17,000 graduate-level vacancies in 2023–24, a ratio of 70-to-1 – proof that a degree no longer guarantees a good job. (Even if not directly cited here, such findings are echoed by graduate outcomes data.) With few employed graduates commanding high pay, and trade wages rising, the old prestige gap is narrowing. In fact, Kingfisher’s CEO urges that trade careers be “valued just as highly as career options which require a university degree.”. British reforms and campaigns (e.g. Young Chamber’s Skills passports) now push for early vocational guidance, reflecting this shift.
In both societies, the narrative is shifting: instead of “college for everyone,” more voices are warning that trades should be an equally respected path. Yet stigma lingers. Many trades remain male-dominated; for instance only 2% of UK plumbers and electricians are women, reflecting cultural imbalances. Bridging this perception gap will be key to attracting talent.
Job Satisfaction, Career Longevity, and Lifestyle
Beyond wages, many tradespeople report high job satisfaction and stability. Surveys in the U.S. find that nearly 91% of trades workers say they are satisfied with their careers. Respondents cite the hands-on nature of the work, independence, and the tangible results of their labor. By comparison, general workforce surveys often find lower satisfaction in many corporate or office roles. Trades also offer clear career progression: one can rise from apprentice to master craftsman, and even open one’s own business. In the UK, self-employed plumbers or electricians can earn well above the average, often running their own lucrative firms.
Career longevity in trades can be good. While physical demands (kneeling, climbing, heavy lifting) mean the jobs are not sedentary, many tradespeople remain active into their 50s and 60s – especially as safety and ergonomics improve. Some sectors (like electrical work) allow transitions into supervisory or inspection roles later on. Conversely, some graduates describe stagnating in dead-end junior roles or face mid-career disruptions as industries evolve. Of course, a desk job is less physically risky; still, the stresses of debt repayment, career uncertainty, and corporate politics also bear on lifestyle.
Tradespeople often enjoy affordable lifestyles relative to their income. For example, a trained electrician on £40–50K may easily qualify for a mortgage on a family home, whereas an entry-level graduate on £25–30K with heavy debt may struggle with rent or loan payments. In the U.S., trade union workers often receive benefits packages (pension plans, healthcare) after apprenticeship, enhancing long-term security. Even freelance trades can command high daily rates, especially in high-demand regions (some UK London bricklayers reportedly made up to £90K/year during a boom). By contrast, many liberal-arts graduates may spend years living paycheck-to-paycheck.
Lifestyle affordability is another factor. A UK survey found that typical starter homes in many cities are priced out of reach for single-income graduates, whereas a skilled tradesperson’s higher salary (plus the possibility of overtime or contracting) makes owning or supporting a family easier. In the U.S., anecdotal accounts echo this: many tradespeople own their trucks, tools, and homes by mid-life, while some debt-laden grads struggle with rent. (Exact data on homeownership by occupation is complex, but the trend is noted in labor reports.)
Finally, we must note working conditions. Trades jobs can be physically tough and weather-dependent. Plumbing or roofing in winter is no holiday. Yet many workers prefer this to the monotony of a desk job. And with labor tight, trades employers may offer perks (higher pay, flexible hours, bonuses) that improve quality of life. Graduate jobs, especially entry-level, often involve long unpaid overtime, low autonomy, and flat hierarchies. The bottom line: for many, the job satisfaction in building and fixing things outweighs the romantic appeal of a corporate career – especially given the rewards.
Policies, Media, and Educational Systems
How did we arrive at this point? Education and labor policies have long favored university. In the UK, tuition fees were introduced in 1998 and tripled in 2012, under the premise that graduates would be better off later. Yet rising fees have been politically controversial, and proposals to expand university access have often overlooked trades. Only in the last few years have UK leaders begun explicitly encouraging apprenticeships (e.g. the Apprenticeship Levy, “Skills Plan”, and campaigns like National Apprenticeship Week). Similarly in the U.S., federal policy historically emphasized college readiness; only recently has the Biden administration pushed more funding for apprenticeship and vocational programs (e.g. Perkins Act funding, apprenticeship grants).
Media narratives have followed suit. Stories often highlight student debt crises or underemployment among grads, yet the coverage of booming trades is still uneven. Social media and blogs (like TradesmanSaver) sometimes rally around “trade pride” and highlight salary stats. Conversely, “I regret going to college” stories appear in mainstream outlets. There’s also political pressure: for example, the UK Kingfisher (Screwfix) CEO publicly called on schools to teach trades equally, citing economic costs of the shortage.
Educational systems remain a hurdle. Vocational tracking, apprenticeships, and Career and Technical Education (CTE) have to fight for status against traditional academics. Where schools offer plumbing or electrician courses, they often face budget cuts or limited enrollment. Public opinion is shifting slowly: a 2023 survey cited that one-third of Americans advise high school graduates to choose trade school over college (62% in UK say vocational education should be promoted). Yet entrenched university “path-dependency” (parents who attended university steering children) is hard to dislodge. The Kingfisher research highlights this generational inertia: “60% of young men and 35% of young women have considered trade careers, but only 49% of all young people have ever considered it at all” – and that’s largely because schooling steers the rest elsewhere.
In both countries, a key question is whether policy will finally match market signals. So far, the response is uneven. The UK announced plans to lower some student loan interest and increase apprenticeships; Scotland and Wales have paused tuition increases. In the U.S., some states now promote “learn and earn” pathways, but federal budgets remain heavily tilted to higher education. Where government and media stress STEM and higher-level skills, vocational opportunities get lost. The Kingfisher report’s call to value trades like degrees reflects a growing consensus: economic reality demands it.
Looking Ahead: Are Skilled Trades on the Rise?
The convergence of high wages, labor shortages, and changing attitudes suggests we may be witnessing a revival of skilled trades. Employers have upped wages out of necessity, making trades more financially attractive. Young people are taking note – in the UK, applications for apprenticeships and vocational programs have ticked up in some regions. In the U.S., popular shows and social media “influencers” glorifying craftsmanship are changing perceptions somewhat. The AI-driven anxieties (in finance and white-collar work) have ironically boosted interest in hands-on fields. The Economictimes recently reported that many young Britons are shifting toward plumbing and electricians careers due to AI fears in corporate jobs – a striking reversal of past decades’ trends.
However, a true long-term revival depends on structural support. The skilled gap won’t heal on its own. Both governments will need to invest in training, ensure apprenticeship slots, and maintain decent standards of living for trades. Businesses must offer career pathways (team leads, specializations, management) so that trades careers can rival managerial tracks. Media and communities can help by celebrating trades successes and dismantling outdated stereotypes (“vocational school is not a consolation prize”).
Data will be key to sustaining momentum. As more students and families compare outcomes, reports like those from Bloomberg/Institute of Student Employers and the Department for Education (UK) are reminding people that degree payoffs have stalled. Organizations like the FMB and industry bodies are publicizing the financial upside of trades. Even universities are under pressure to be transparent about job outcomes, which may tip preferences.
So, is this a temporary fluctuation or a lasting change? The answer seems mixed. Economic forces (housing, inflation, manufacturing booms) and policy pushes (apprenticeship expansions, skills visas) suggest sustained demand for trades. But if college degree costs fall or if new “high-tech” jobs rise, some pressure could ease. What’s clear is that the traditional stigma against “blue-collar” work is weakening, at least in economic terms. Plumbers and electricians have never had it so good financially, and their careers are finally getting the attention they deserve.
In a broad perspective, we may be entering a new equilibrium: skilled trades are recast as viable, even desirable, career paths. Employers, educators, and workers are increasingly viewing the trades as offering well-paid, stable lives without the debt trap of higher education. The skilled trades’ fortunes may therefore be on an upswing – not as a last resort, but as a first-choice option for many.