The U.S. is deep in the midst of a skilled labor shortage, with nearly 90% of contractors reporting moderate-to-high levels of difficulty finding skilled workers. The shortage will only grow worse over the next decade as more skilled workers retire than enter the workforce.
Recent high school graduates—as well as adults who want to start a new career path—face an abundance of job opportunities in the trades, from construction management to plumbing, electrical, HVAC, and more.
Yet, the perception remains that the only way to be successful in life is by attending a four-year university. However, in reality, there are countless success stories of trade workers who found a job in less time and laid the foundation for a successful career within two years of leaving high school.
As the shortage of labor becomes more pronounced, the debate about college vs. the trades gains relevance. Those in the field see the labor shortage, and feel it. And while nobody discounts the value of a college education, that experience isn't necessarily the right choice for everyone.
If you’re weighing the decision to attend a traditional college or trade school, we’re here to help. Read on to learn the pros and cons of each, including cost, length of training, job outlook, salary information, and much more.
What is Trade School?
Trade school (aka vocational schools) is a type of formal schooling designed to prepare students for a career in the skilled trades. Trade school typically combines practical, hands-on training with related classroom instruction. Instead of studying general education or liberal arts topics like in a traditional college, trade school students focus on mastering a specific skill or trade.
In many cases, trade school students complete their hands-on training during the day and take classes in the evenings. For example, a student who wants to pursue a career as a plumber may work as an apprentice plumber during the day, then take formal classroom training a few nights per week at a community college.
Common trade jobs
While we often think of plumbers, electricians and HVAC installers when we think about the skilled trades, common trade jobs span many industries, including healthcare, automotive repair, and more.
Consider some of these common trade jobs:
Electrician
HVAC technician
Plumber
Pest control applicator
Garage door technician
Chimney sweep
Landscaper
Cosmetology professional
Dental hygienist
Radiation therapist
Benefits of Attending Trade School
Put simply: A four-year degree is not for everyone—and that’s okay. Rather than going into debt and investing in a college education, many recent high school graduates, as well as those looking to start a new career, choose technical schools.
As a trade school graduate, you’ll enjoy several perks, from ample job opportunities with high job security to minimal student debt and a high earnings potential.
Let’s take a look at some of the top benefits of attending a vocational training school.
You can complete it faster
Because students only focus on a specific trade, vocational school programs typically take far less time than earning a four-year college degree. In fact, many trade schools offer an associate degree program that takes only about two years to complete.
Additionally, most trade school programs offer various certificates in plumbing, HVAC, and other trades that take just a few months to complete. By spending less time in the classroom, trade school graduates start earning money sooner.
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It costs less on average
Trade schools typically cost much less than attending a traditional college, and in many cases you can take courses in your local community, eliminating the need to rent an apartment or pay for student housing. Additionally, many employers, unions, internships, and other training programs may reimburse or pay for your trade school education. You’ll also graduate with little to no student loan debt, making it easier to buy a house, start a family, or open your own business after you complete vocational training.
It offers practical training
Not only does trade school take less time and cost less than a traditional college degree, graduates leave with in-demand skills that make them highly employable. With the skilled labor shortage expected to worsen in coming years, trade school graduates will enjoy plenty of job opportunities with a high earning potential.
We’ve all heard people talk about how they never actually put their college degree to use. On the other hand, trade school equips students with specialized skills and hands-on experiences that will lead to a highly successful career path.
What is College?
College is a form of higher education where students can earn advanced degrees, such as a bachelor’s degree. College students typically pick a major and take specific training courses. But unlike trade school, postsecondary education usually requires students to take a wide range of unrelated coursework to enhance overall education. While a well-rounded education is desired by many, it doesn’t always translate to real-world employment.
You may not think of the trades when the word “college” comes to mind, but in reality many colleges, especially community colleges, offer two-year and four-year degrees for trades like plumbing, electrical, and HVAC. The admissions process may be more stringent than with a trade school and often requires candidates to take advanced placement tests before enrollment.
If you want to pursue an advanced degree, such as a master’s degree in mechanical engineering, an undergrad college program can provide the necessary skills for admission.
Common jobs for college grads
From jobs in healthcare and education to science and business, students attend college for a variety of employment options.
Consider some of these common jobs for college graduates:
Teacher
Accountant
Sales
Software engineer
Marketer
Nurse
Financial analyst
Business administration
Project manager
Biologist
Benefits of Attending College
Students attend college for many different reasons. Some feel highly passionate about a specific area of study, while others want to earn larger salaries.
Some students pursue a college degree because they aren’t certain what they want to do, and others simply just want to have fun. Put simply, college may not be for everyone, but degree holders enjoy a variety of key benefits.
You have broader educational options
When you attend a college, you have many degree options, versus a highly specialized trade school. For instance, a degree in business can lead to hundreds of different career opportunities, whereas an HVAC certificate from a trade school offers limited employment options beyond working on heating and cooling systems. Colleges also allow students to pursue multiple degrees simultaneously or switch from one major to another.
You have higher earning potential on average
It’s a common assumption that the more education a person has, the more money they earn. According to a recent study from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the assumption proves accurate. In fact, a 2021 report shows the mean annual wage for a bachelor’s degree is $72,830 and $52,830 for an associate’s degree. The mean annual wage for those without an associate’s degree is $37,670.
Your educational credits don’t wear off
A key benefit of a college degree is you typically hold the degree for life. And if you take a break from your training, you can usually pick back up where you left off without missing a beat.
Many trade licenses, such as those for electricians, plumbers, and HVAC technicians, require renewal every few years, which includes paying a renewal fee and taking continuing education courses. We’ve compiled trade licensing requirements for all 50 states, including renewal terms and continuing education requirements.
Ultimately, the decision to attend trade school versus a traditional college depends on the individual needs and interests of the student. Next, we’ll examine the pros and cons of attending trade school and college.
College vs Trade School: Pros and Cons
As you think about attending a trade school or college, you’ll want to consider several factors, such as cost and any incurred debt, length of training, admissions requirements, and career outlook. Consider these pros and cons when deciding whether to attend trade school vs. college.
Admission
College admissions are almost always more stringent than trade school requirements. Aside from submitting your high school diploma, SAT scores and application, you may need to demonstrate a minimum GPA, as well as provide letters of recommendation and submit an essay.
The admissions process for enrollment in a trade school is often less rigorous. You’ll typically need to be 18 years old, have a high school diploma or GED, and complete the application process. Some trades require an admissions test to prove basic math skills, such as electrician and plumbing schools.
Duration
At minimum, most bachelor’s degree programs at a college take four years to complete, while an associate’s degree takes two years. On the other hand, trade school training typically takes less time, with some certificates requiring only a couple of months. Other trade school programs take anywhere from eight months to two years.
Cost
Cost is likely the biggest differentiator when comparing college with trade school. According to a 2020 report from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Affordability and Transparency List, college tuition can cost anywhere between $1,000 and $60,000 annually. Factors that may influence the cost of college tuition include residency, area of study, and the school itself.
Trade school is far more affordable, with the same study showing students pay between $3,855 and $14,843 annually. And because trade school training takes less time, you can start earning income sooner. Additionally, many apprenticeships, unions, and private employers may cover the cost of training, as it’s ultimately a long-term investment in their businesses.
Clearly, there’s a big difference in the cost of college versus trade school. But how do salaries compare for trade school and college graduates? Read on to find out.
Average Salaries of Jobs after College and Trade School
On average, salaries for college-based jobs tend to be much higher than jobs in the trades, although several factors ultimately influence salary, such as the occupation, level of expertise, and more.
Average salary for jobs after college
According to a 2022 report by the BLS, the annual mean wage for all occupations in the U.S. is $61,900, but many occupations pay much more. For instance, marketing managers earn an annual mean wage of $158,280, and computer and information systems managers earn $173,670.
Average salary for trade jobs
The earning potential for a skilled trade is real, and with constant need for services, so is job security. While lower on average than college-based jobs, workers in the trades can earn significant income, depending on the trade, location, and the worker’s skill level. For example, the BLS says electricians earn an annual mean salary of $60,370, but the number jumps to $70,000 in California, $75,000 in Oregon, and $79,000 in New York.
According to national data from Payscale.com:
Senior-level electricians earn $66,600
Senior-level plumbers earn $62,200
Senior-level HVAC technicians earn $65,400
Another benefit of attending trade school is minimal student debt, while college students often pay off student loans for years or even decades.
Due to the ongoing trade shortage, jobs are currently in high demand. For more information, check out: Electrician job openings by state, HVAC job openings by state, and plumbing job openings by state.
Important College vs Trade School Statistics
Consider the following statistics when comparing college and trade school.
Traditional college on average costs over $100,000 over a 4-year period, or three times more than trade school at $33,000.
Costs for books and supplies average more than $400 higher at two-year colleges than at four-year colleges.
Students who live on campus at a public, four-year institution pay an average of $3,468 in additional annual expenses.
70% of jobs will require some college education or postsecondary schooling by 2027, meaning either trade school or college will increase your employment outlook.
It’s crystal clear college costs far more than trade school, yet both options offer ample job opportunities and the potential to earn a comfortable living. The choice ultimately comes down to what works best for the student.
Now Over to You
Now that we’ve taken a deep dive into the pros and cons of attending trade school versus college, it’s safe to say both offer a promising outlook for prospective students.
Students who pursue trade school graduate much faster and enter an in-demand workforce with a high starting salary. With the current trade shortage expected to grow worse, trade school graduates should have no trouble gaining employment across all 50 states.
College graduates usually earn a higher salary and face more opportunities for advancement throughout their careers. However, graduating from a traditional college takes twice as long and costs roughly three times more than trade school.
The decision ultimately comes down to your personal career goals, how soon you want to enter the workforce, and how much money you plan to invest in your education.
Curious to learn more about the trades? Check out the ServiceTitan blog for tons of original content covering all aspects of working in the trades.
You’ll find articles to help service professionals grow their businesses, learn how field service technology optimizes all aspects of running a service business, find resource articles detailing state-specific licensing requirements for HVAC, electrical, and plumbing, and much more.
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