Quick Summary (2025)
Many licensed trades—especially electricians, plumbers, HVAC techs, linemen, aviation mechanics, and industrial maintenance techs—now match or exceed the median pay of popular bachelor’s degrees. Because trade workers start earning years earlier and take on far less debt, their real-world ROI often beats degrees in psychology, communications, biology, criminal justice, liberal arts, and more.
For decades, high school graduates were told that a four-year college degree was the only path to financial security. But in 2025, the numbers tell a radically different story. Skilled trades are not only matching college-degree earnings—they are outperforming them in many cases, especially when accounting for student debt, training time, and early-career earnings.
This comparison analyzes 20 skilled trades versus 20 bachelor’s degrees across five important metrics:
- Median annual pay
- 90th percentile pay (top earners)
- Early-career vs mid-career earnings
- Student debt differences
- Time to break even (ROI)
The goal is to help students, career changers, and parents understand which paths deliver the best return on investment in today’s labor market—and when a trade school or apprenticeship path can beat a traditional four-year degree.
| Career Path |
Median Pay (National) |
90th Percentile Pay |
Early Career |
Mid Career |
| Skilled Trades |
| Electrician (Guide) |
$62,000 |
$99,000 |
$42,000 |
$78,000 |
| Plumber (Guide) |
$60,000 |
$95,000 |
$40,000 |
$75,000 |
| HVAC Technician (Guide) |
$57,000 |
$90,000 |
$38,000 |
$72,000 |
| Welder (Guide) |
$50,000 |
$87,000 |
$36,000 |
$68,000 |
| Diesel Mechanic (Guide) |
$58,000 |
$88,000 |
$39,000 |
$73,000 |
| Automotive Technician (Guide) |
$49,000 |
$80,000 |
$34,000 |
$64,000 |
| Aviation Mechanic (Guide) |
$70,000 |
$112,000 |
$48,000 |
$90,000 |
| Heavy Equipment Operator (Guide) |
$58,000 |
$95,000 |
$37,000 |
$75,000 |
| Carpenter (Guide) |
$52,000 |
$80,000 |
$36,000 |
$65,000 |
| Brickmason / Mason (Guide) |
$55,000 |
$88,000 |
$37,000 |
$70,000 |
| Sheet Metal Worker (Guide) |
$58,000 |
$95,000 |
$39,000 |
$78,000 |
| Industrial Maintenance Technician (Guide) |
$60,000 |
$95,000 |
$40,000 |
$78,000 |
| CNC Machinist (Guide) |
$48,000 |
$76,000 |
$34,000 |
$62,000 |
| Lineman (Power Line Installer) (Guide) |
$80,000 |
$130,000 |
$55,000 |
$105,000 |
| Marine Mechanic (Guide) |
$54,000 |
$85,000 |
$36,000 |
$68,000 |
| Construction (Skilled) (Guide) |
$47,000 |
$74,000 |
$33,000 |
$60,000 |
| Ironworker (Guide) |
$58,000 |
$96,000 |
$39,000 |
$78,000 |
| Concrete / Cement Mason (Guide) |
$48,000 |
$75,000 |
$33,000 |
$62,000 |
| Roofer (Guide) |
$47,000 |
$74,000 |
$32,000 |
$59,000 |
| CDL Truck Driver (Guide) |
$52,000 |
$85,000 |
$40,000 |
$72,000 |
| Bachelor’s Degree Paths |
| Business Administration (BA) |
$52,000 |
$105,000 |
$42,000 |
$80,000 |
| Psychology |
$42,000 |
$72,000 |
$36,000 |
$60,000 |
| Biology |
$48,000 |
$88,000 |
$38,000 |
$70,000 |
| Criminal Justice |
$46,000 |
$72,000 |
$36,000 |
$62,000 |
| Communications |
$48,000 |
$82,000 |
$37,000 |
$68,000 |
| Accounting |
$60,000 |
$110,000 |
$48,000 |
$88,000 |
| Marketing |
$50,000 |
$105,000 |
$40,000 |
$82,000 |
| Computer Science |
$80,000 |
$150,000 |
$65,000 |
$120,000 |
| Education (Teaching) |
$46,000 |
$70,000 |
$38,000 |
$60,000 |
| Nursing (BSN) |
$77,000 |
$120,000 |
$60,000 |
$100,000 |
| Engineering (General) |
$78,000 |
$135,000 |
$64,000 |
$115,000 |
| Mechanical Engineering |
$82,000 |
$140,000 |
$65,000 |
$118,000 |
| English |
$44,000 |
$75,000 |
$36,000 |
$60,000 |
| Sociology |
$43,000 |
$72,000 |
$36,000 |
$60,000 |
| Political Science |
$50,000 |
$90,000 |
$39,000 |
$75,000 |
| Finance |
$65,000 |
$135,000 |
$50,000 |
$110,000 |
| Supply Chain |
$70,000 |
$120,000 |
$54,000 |
$100,000 |
| Graphic Design |
$48,000 |
$82,000 |
$36,000 |
$65,000 |
| Environmental Science |
$55,000 |
$90,000 |
$40,000 |
$72,000 |
| Liberal Arts |
$38,000 |
$62,000 |
$32,000 |
$52,000 |
Break-Even Analysis: Trades vs Degrees
To understand real ROI, you have to look beyond a single salary snapshot. Training costs, student debt, and the number of years it takes to “catch up” financially all matter just as much as median pay.
| Path |
Typical Training Cost |
Avg. Student Debt |
Time to Enter Workforce |
Break-Even Timeline |
| Skilled Trades (Average) |
$5,000–$25,000 |
$0–$10,000 |
6–24 months |
0–3 years |
| Bachelor’s Degrees (Average) |
$32,000–$120,000+ |
$28,000–$70,000 |
4–6 years |
10–15+ years |
Visual Comparison: Median Earnings of Trades vs Degrees
The chart below highlights how several high-demand skilled trades now meet or exceed the median earnings of many bachelor’s degree fields. This visualization makes it easier to see which paths deliver the strongest early-career and mid-career outcomes without the burden of long training timelines or high student debt.
Why Many Skilled Trades Out-Earn Degrees
So how do trades compete with (or beat) four-year degrees on earnings? It comes down to timing, debt, and demand.
- Earlier entry into the workforce: Many trade workers start earning full-time wages by age 19–21, while degree-holders may not start until 22–24.
- Lower (or no) student debt: Apprenticeships and low-cost public trade programs keep monthly payments low—or eliminate them entirely.
- Chronic labor shortages: Electricians, HVAC techs, welders, linemen, and industrial maintenance techs are in short supply nationwide, which pushes wages up.
- Overtime & premium pay: Nights, weekends, storm response, industrial shutdowns, and travel work add thousands to annual trade incomes.
- Licensing + specialization: Once licensed, many trades can move into foreman, estimator, inspector, or business-owner roles with six-figure potential.
When you stack these advantages against four years of lost earnings plus interest-accruing student loans, it’s easy to see why many skilled trades now deliver stronger long-term ROI than mid-tier bachelor’s degrees.
Trade-by-Trade Analysis
Electricians
Out-earns: Psychology, Biology, Communications, Criminal Justice
Strong union presence and high demand make electricians consistently outperform many non-STEM bachelor’s degrees, especially after licensing and 5–10 years of experience.
Plumbers
Out-earns: Criminal Justice, Sociology, Environmental Science, English
Plumbers experience rapid wage growth after licensing, often surpassing white-collar fields by age 30 with strong overtime and self-employment options.
HVAC Technicians
Out-earns: Education, Liberal Arts, Graphic Design
Climate-control demand, extreme weather, and code-driven retrofits keep HVAC techs in steady, well-paid work across residential, commercial, and industrial settings.
Aviation Mechanics
Out-earns: A large share of business, communications, and life science degrees
One of the top-paying skilled trades with strong unionization, FAA-licensed credentials, and nationwide shortages in both commercial and cargo aviation.
Lineman (Power Line Installer)
Out-earns: Most business, humanities, and social science majors
Among the few non-degree careers where top earners exceed $130,000+ per year thanks to grid upgrades, storm response, and premium hazard pay.
Industrial Maintenance Technicians
Out-earns: Many general business, biology, liberal arts, and communications majors
Automation, robotics, and advanced manufacturing create high-paying roles for techs who can keep production lines running with minimal downtime.
Similar earning patterns hold across welding, diesel mechanics, carpentry, masonry, CDL trucking, and more—especially for workers who stay in the field, stack certifications, and take advantage of overtime.
FAQ: Skilled Trades vs College Degrees
Which skilled trades most often earn more than college degrees?
Electricians, plumbers, HVAC technicians, linemen, aviation mechanics, industrial maintenance techs, and experienced CDL drivers often match or beat the earnings of common degrees like psychology, criminal justice, communications, biology, graphic design, and liberal arts—especially after 5–10 years in the field.
Do trades really pay more than college in the long run?
For many students, yes. Because trade workers start earning full-time wages years earlier and usually carry much less debt, their lifetime cash flow can rival or exceed that of degree-holders in mid-tier majors. High-ROI degrees (like engineering, nursing, or computer science) still compete strongly, but many other majors lag behind the best-paying trades.
How long does it take to start earning in the trades?
Most trade paths let you start earning within a year or less. Apprenticeships pay from Day 1, while many trade-school programs last 6–18 months before you move into full-time work. By contrast, most degree paths involve 4+ years of primarily classroom time before full-time career earnings begin.
Do I need prior experience to get into a skilled trade?
Usually not. Many apprenticeships and entry-level trade programs are built for people coming straight out of high school or switching careers. Employers expect to train you on the job as long as you show up consistently, learn safely, and put in effort.
Which trades have the best combination of pay and stability?
Electricians, plumbers, HVAC technicians, industrial maintenance techs, and diesel mechanics have strong pay, consistent demand, and resilience across economic cycles. Linemen, aviation mechanics, and certain welders can earn even more, but may face more physical demands, travel, or variable schedules.
How do I decide between a trade and a degree?
Compare three things: (1) total training cost and likely debt, (2) how quickly you can start earning full-time wages, and (3) long-term income in your specific field, not just the average “college grad.” If you like hands-on work, problem-solving, and learning by doing, a skilled trade can offer both strong pay and a faster, less risky path into the workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
Earnings estimates in this comparison use blended national data from BLS, NCES, employer wage surveys, apprenticeship schedules, and job-posting aggregates. Trade pay ranges reflect journey-level medians and national midpoints; degree earnings use typical early-career and mid-career brackets from BLS and credential surveys. Training costs are rounded for readability and vary by state, institutional type, and program length.
