Why Trade Jobs Are Becoming More Popular

Conventional wisdom dictates that a college degree leads to the path of a high-paying job. But that idea is changing.

Younger Americans are showing a growing interest in blue-collar jobs, likely due to rising wages, perceived job security, and lackluster growth for jobs that require bachelor’s degrees.

Exploring the Trade Route

Enrollment in vocational or trade schools rose by 5% between 2019 and 2024, while enrollment in bachelor’s programs fell by 4%, according to a CNN report citing data from the National Student Clearinghouse.

This corresponds with slowing job growth in the white-collar sector. Since mid-2022, hiring rates for jobs that require a bachelor’s degree have fallen at a faster annual pace than others, per ADP data.

The Changing Job Market

There can still be great value in obtaining a college degree. On the whole, the average weekly salary of workers with a bachelor’s degree is higher than of workers who graduated from vocational programs, per Bureau of Labor Statistics data included in the CNN report. However, in certain blue-collar disciplines, like construction, wage growth is outpacing white-collar roles, making it increasingly attractive. Plus, there is high demand for certain blue collar jobs, such as electricians, who will be key to supporting the nation’s transition toward more electricity use over traditional fossil fuels.

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