worker, service man, plumber or electric.
U.S. workers are rethinking what it takes to build a stable, high-paying career, according to a study by Skillit.
Driven by mounting frustration over tuition costs, student debt and the threat of AI in the white-collar workforce, the data showed trade skills are now viewed as more valuable than a college diploma for long-term job security.
“For many, it comes down to economics,” Skillit said in the study. “Paying more than $100,000 for a degree that does not guarantee employment feels increasingly irrational. Trade certifications, in contrast, are faster, more affordable, and directly linked to income. During economic downturns, trade work often proves far more stable than traditional office jobs.”
Meanwhile, nearly four in ten (39%) American workers agree, saying a trade or vocational skill offers greater long-term career stability than a college degree. At the same time, data compiled by the Education Data Initiative shows college tuition and fees now average $18,981 for the 2025 and 2026 academic year.
According Skillit, the shift reflects a growing awareness that trade jobs are recession-resistant and harder to outsource or automate. In 2023 alone, roughly 200,000 tech workers lost their jobs, a stark contrast to the chronic worker shortages in plumbing, electrical, and construction trades.
Other key takeaways…
88% say student loan debt makes trade careers more appealing.
75% agree that the cost of a college degree outweighs its benefits in 2025.
68% say trade skills deliver a faster return on investment.
60% of Americans say trade skills are more valuable than a college degree for securing a well-paying job.
45% are concerned that AI will replace college-educated workers in the next decade.
“Most trade programs take less than two years to complete and cost a fraction of university tuition,” Skillit said. “Graduates enter the workforce sooner, earn earlier, and carry little or no student debt, giving them a financial head start in today’s fast-moving economy.”
(Photo credit: Ivan Kruk/Shutterstock)
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