According to the 2024 Education Data Initiative the average student loan debt is $40,681. National Association of Colleges & Employers (NACE) found that the average starting salary for 2022 college graduates was $60,028. Per Indeed, the average construction worker earns $50,732. According to ZipRecruiter, the average worker in energy earns $39,461. So, the college student is constrained with debt whereas the skilled trade worker usually is not. Maybe they attended a trade school, and Best Colleges notes the annual trade school cost averages $15K.

The next question is, who is more prepared for the workforce? According to Skillit “68% say trade or vocational skills deliver a faster return on investment.” A 2025 Hult International Business School survey states “75% say most college educations aren’t preparing people at all for their jobs.”

What is being over-looked is the trajectory. One can begin in a skilled trade and then transition into management, branching out on ones own which then transforms one from a skilled tradesman to a manager, director, vice president, CEO and or more.

To add, students need to do their career homework. What is best for them? They need to talk with, shadow, intern, volunteer in industries and occupations that they desire. The guess work has to stop. The time to test the occupational waters is best when they are young. Speak to as many people in industries and careers that are of that have been in those professions 10+ years. If you want to get to the next level, speak with professionals that that left the occupations you desire to determine why is that?