The pros and cons of the skilled trades

*Updated for 2024*

As an advocate for and being in the skilled trades, I certainly can attest to the pros associated therein. I sort of stumbled into it, but no matter, they have been immensely enriching both in work and life.

As an artisan, though, I would be remiss if I only focused on the positives and dismissed the negatives. Presenting a one-sided argument is not only unfair but also biased; a well-rounded and thorough look into the skilled trades is of utmost importance. After all, many will choose this route for a lifelong career, and it’s only fair for them to make educated and informed decisions.

There most certainly are cons to being in the skilled trades, just as in any other profession. In this article, I want to focus on some of them in comparison to the pros I advocate for. Check out the article here for some background information.

So, what exactly are the pros and cons of the skilled trades? Let’s take a look at them with a better perspective and understanding from our point of view. 

 

Let’s start with the pros – I’ll build it up, THEN break it down.

The pros of skilled trades

• Supply and demand
• Good pay and benefits
• Honest work
• Work satisfaction (once-in-a-lifetime jobs)
• Skills for life
• Hands-on
• Ingenuity possibilities
• NOT stuck in a cubicle/office

The cons of skilled trades (perceived and/or real)

• Hard physical work
• Outside in the elements
• Often dirty
• Work instability
• Lower pay and benefits
• Perceived as less intelligent

 

***PODCAST LINKS TO THIS EPISODE AT THE END OF THE ARTICLE***

 

The pros of skilled trades

Let’s delve into some of the positives, shall we?

*NOTE: I should clarify a point or two here about what I mean by the “skilled trades.” Ordinarily, the perspective is from the collective body; those in the field of union and non-union. It isn’t a feasible argument to say there aren’t ANY skilled guys on the non-union side – I mean, the work is still getting done. 

When I write posts such as this, though, It’s important I remind the reader this is from the perspective of a union skilled tradesman – especially when we begin to talk about the pay, benefits, etc. Sure, there are some who do make good money, but it isn’t quite the same as the union tradesmen I know; there isn’t any real comparison to be had.*

Supply and demand

Demand coming in and supply going out – that is the basics of it all

This is by far my first reason listed. After all, if there is no demand, then it doesn’t matter about supply; you can’t supply what isn’t being demanded. This supply and demand problem is exactly what many with useless college degrees are currently experiencing. A massive influx of people being told they needed to go to college to get a good job caused a saturated market. As a result, there are scores of people who work outside of their degree field because the jobs aren’t there. Worst still, they have debt they can’t claim bankruptcy on.

With skilled trades (especially including apprenticeships), that problem is a non-starter. There is more demand for skilled labor vs supply (meaning there is a shortage), and as baby boomers retire, that shortage is projected to grow. Why is this good for skilled tradesmen?

Because supply and demand is at work here. With less skilled tradesmen doing the work, the demand becomes greater, creating opportunities for those already in the trades. There is less work shortage, they are able to utilize the skills they honed during their apprenticeship and/or on the job, and they have the very real possibility of growing wages – all because of shortages. Isn’t supply and demand great?

Many office jobs experience tough competition due to an abundance of people competing for a limited number of jobs. It’s not that they are any more or less important; rather, they merely perform a different job and experience a different supply and demand enigma.

As such, there are many who are disenfranchised by the current working environment, and the lie that had been told for well over 40 years is being recognized for the sham it is. Having understood the supply and demand in the skilled trades for what it is, some even elect to enter after they have been duped into going to college. They earn more and build a skill set that can’t be taken away. They may even discover they can actually use their degree to further their career in the skilled trades as their tenure increases.

All in all, the law of supply and demand is one which special attention should be paid, for it is merciless and unforgiving in nature but positively rewarding if heeded. Basic economic theory is at play here.

Good pay and benefits

Because of the supply and demand law, there is a great demand for skilled trades to increase their numbers to just keep up with what’s already here, much less tackle the work coming on the horizon. In addition, when you have a shortage, you stand in a better spot to earn more in pay and benefits. This is precisely what is taking place all over.

I know guys who regularly make over $75,000 a year in the trades, and it is feasible for guys to make $100,000; there are plenty who make even more. And it’s important to note that figure is what they make in their pockets; their benefits are EXTRA. The skilled trades benefit greatly from supply and demand.

Sure, there are guys who make much less, but I would argue they don’t work for companies that engage in skilled trade work or good employment practices (I.e. they have high turnover, they treat people like general labor, etc.), they get what I would consider odds and ends jobs, and/or some stay employed for shady companies for their own reasons (lax drug policies, hit and miss attendance, etc.). This isn’t meant to be an exhaustive list, merely a quick preview from the top of my head based on personnel I know.

Overall, though, if you are a stellar employee who is punctual, professional, skilled, possesses some measure of emotional intelligence (see the article I wrote about this here), and generally exhibits a great tradesman attitude, you should stay employed regularly and fruitfully.

There is a myth that basically asserts people who join trade work do so from necessity; that they have no alternative nor plan and, as such, must work with their hands. They suppose some pick the trades because they lack options, that’s how it goes. Yea, I’m gonna go ahead and blow this one to shreds; it’s horse crap, in a nutshell. While maybe a few stumble into the trades that way, most understand college and office/desk jobs aren’t their forte and, because of that, search accordingly.

The pay can be very good and rewarding, and it’s my hope we get to see more of it as time passes.

Honest work

When you can look back and see progress at the end of the day – that’s rewarding

I’m not surprised at this one, though many are at times. There are a lot of guys who like to look back after a hard day’s work and see something accomplished. It’s a gratification many get to experience regularly.

Compared to work where progress seems nil it’s really no shock then when guys are pleased at a job well done. Not seeing the fruits of your labor can be demoralizing and counterproductive. Work seems to drag on with no visible completion or progress, creating a stale and frustrating environment.

Many guys are just not cut out for an office environment. They enjoy fieldwork, they gain satisfaction from a successful and complete job. They know it’s intrinsic to them when they rise up in pride to see that which they worked on done right and properly.

As such, this is a definite pro when considering the skilled trades.

Work satisfaction

Can you put a price on being satisfied with your work?

I separated this from honest work for one main reason, and that’s to say there are some jobs tradesmen talk about for many years after completion. They reminisce and recount their work conquest for many to hear. You know the ones I mean: the rare, the difficult, the unique, the once-in-a-lifetime jobs that are etched in your mind. They are your go-to for stories and success, where you fought and won. Those diamond in the rough jobs which over the course of your career you polish to perfection. The ones where you swell with pride.

Those rare jobs are categorized in your mind differently than your run-of-the-mill ones. Both give you satisfaction in seeing honest work being done but only a handful become legendary (at least in your mind).

Think about it: it’s not every day a roller coaster is erected. Or a bridge is built. Or high rises are erected. Or ships are launched. Or nuclear plants are built. Or massive cranes are assembled and worked. Or…I could go on and on but you get the gist of it. Those jobs are glamorous; tough but satisfying. They don’t come often but are referenced as such.

Ah, the sweet memories those jobs give us. They are most definitely a check in the pro column.

Skills for life

Skills are at the center of much of what we do

Here we have one of the most practical in the pro column. Over the course of my career, I have often remarked how tradesmen know one another and know how to get things done amongst themselves, at work and at home. If you told me someone in the office paid an auto mechanic to work on their car, paid a plumber to work on their house, or an A.C. Mechanic to work on their unit, I wouldn’t bat an eye; it’s standard protocol. However, if you told me those skilled tradesmen paid top dollar for that same work to be done at their own homes, I’d be flabbergasted. Most know how to barter, and in the community, work gets done, especially at home. Labor is traded for labor, and the world goes round.

Those are skills individuals learn and retain for life. They have tremendous use and often find their way intertwining with many other crafts and talents. They become the foundation for many to transition to other jobs during their tenure in the career field. Who better to manage a project than someone who has firsthand knowledge of what it takes to get the job done? How about reviewing contracts and ensuring work is done on time and under budget? Those with a grasp on the work to be done have a leg up. Perhaps someone in the trades would like to sell and go after more work for their fellow tradesmen? Their intimate knowledge enables them to adequately perform that job, too.

The above is merely the tip of the iceberg regarding what tradesmen can continue on with a firm foundation of their trade (along with peripheral knowledge of others); there are many directions one can go. But no matter where you elect to go or tackle, one carries their trade with them. They have skills and, as such, have a firm foundation.

Hands-on

There is something about being hands-on and having completed your work

Many people divide work into working with their minds or working with their hands. Their error is in their compartmentalizing; the two are not mutually exclusive. There is so much discernment that happens in the field it’s hard to really place it here. Suffice it to say, that many exercise their cognitive abilities in dealing with their tasks.

However, most tradesmen WILL tell you they like working with their hands vs the alternative: sitting at a desk all day. The mechanically inclined wish to exercise their abilities rather than do tasks they consider menial and boring. To each their own.

They want to move about, move around, and get jobs done as opposed to being static. There is something about them that screams a desire to be active. Another check in the pro column.

Ingenuity possibilities

I have seen some of the greatest ideas come from those in the skilled trades

I know guys in the trades who give this as a reason they like being in the field. Well, they don’t articulate it precisely this way, but it’s a reason nonetheless. They get to do, to create, to solve, to exercise their cognitive abilities, and successfully complete tasks.

This may not sound like much, but it is huge. In the age of the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), generational differences, and even the increase in women in the skilled trades (men and women think differently), there is a diminishing return with regard to ingenuity. Even so, ingenuity and creativity still reign in many aspects of the skilled trades. And they certainly aren’t present in an office environment (when compared to the field).

I’ve seen guys solve some rather tough issues, troubleshoot seemingly unidentifiable problems, be exceptionally innovative in tackling a job, fix the unfixable, and do what seems downright impossible. And the ability to be creative fosters pride in their work, aids in job fulfillment, and keeps people engaged.

Contrast that with an environment where free thinking is discouraged or, worse, punished, and it quickly becomes clear why guys seem to thrive in the skilled trades.

NOT stuck in a cubicle

Cubicles are torture for many in the trades 

Not the last on the list because it’s the least important. There are so many guys who say they couldn’t stay stuck in a cubicle all day it’s almost comical. They like to be active, moving about, even if it is in the elements. They don’t like the idea of being confined to a cubicle or office; it’s like a prison for them.

Contrast that with those who not only deal with being in an office but actually enjoy it. It’s really odd for guys in the trades to think about, but there are some who not only enjoy being in an office, but they loathe the field. They seldom venture out to the field and look like a fish out of water while there. They want that bigger office like tradesmen want those once-in-a-lifetime jobs. That corner office is akin to the skyscraper for the ironworker.

Related: check out this article: The rare, elusive, and experienced field engineer.

An interesting twist, though, is that there are some guys who, after years of experience and being physically active in the field, will take a job that confines them to a desk – at least part of the day. The superintendent, the project manager promoted from within, and even the position of safety manager are jobs where guys have been promoted to more managerial positions which require considerable office time. Often, but not always, these individuals are seasoned and experienced tradesmen who are dependable and have some age to them. Physically, they like the break in physical work but it comes at a hefty price: stress over the job. It’s incumbent in the position and can take its toll.

This is not true for all tradesmen, though, as most remain in the field. Also, those who do get managerial positions often aren’t in an office per se but rather in trailers on the job site. There is no commuting to the job; they are already there. If they get tired of being in the office? They are mere steps away from the site.

All in all, though, many cannot picture themselves in an office environment as they enjoy tinkering, moving about, and think a cubicle/office is torture. 

And with that being said, this wraps up the pro column.

 

The cons of skilled trades

So, what about the cons, the negatives of the skilled trades, whether perceived or real?

Most certainly, they are there and below I’ve listed some. The list isn’t exhaustive; it’s what I can recall hearing and what comes to mind for me. So without further ado, let’s begin.

Hard physical work

The trades can and often are physical – there is no reason it has to be a con

The first on this list, and for good reason. This is the first for many to opt out of a lifelong and fulfilling career in the skilled trades. It would seem there are scores of people who are afraid of hard physical but skilled labor. And trust me, the work is physical.

Depending on the trade, the degree of physical labor can vary greatly. Inside machinists are nowhere near the physical threshold ironworkers are, for example. Consequently, this particular truth is one reason why more women enter the less physical but still skilled trades such as inside machinists vs a career in bricklaying. Laying brick or hanging iron ARE tough and physical jobs, of that there can be no doubt. As such, some opt for less physical (and less paying) jobs elsewhere.

Regardless of the reason, it’s a truth many can discern from a plethora of examples over the years. How many can attest to seeing people fade from the trades in a short time when they get a taste of the physical nature they represent? I’m betting quite a few.

Furthermore, as a result of all those years of physical activity, people’s bodies can get worn down. I’ve met some really broken people over the years due to strenuous physical work. I’ve also met guys who were strong as an ox and just as fit in their 60s, 70s, and beyond.

On the flip side, I’ve met people who have great health in an office environment and others who have poor health and falling apart. I’m left to conclude this isn’t an applicable across-the-board thing, and yes, genetics play a part, but overall the thought of physical and hard labor deters many.

As such, it is definitely a CON when considering the skilled trades to many and thus warrants being at the top of the list.

Outside in the elements

This is the view many see from their window – the trades see the other side

This one hits home for me. If you have an office, you know the benefits of being in a climate-controlled environment. Well, actually, you likely take them for granted. If walking from your house/office to your car is the extent of your exposure to the harsh elements during the workday, then you just DO NOT UNDERSTAND. I do not mean that in a judgmental way; rather, you simply do have not the experience others have and thus cannot conceive what I am talking about.

Whether it is the cold days of winter or the blistering heat of the summer, those in an office environment cannot understand just what those of the skilled trades endure to build and maintain everything others enjoy. To that end, I say celebrate those who do the difficult tasks and do them with the added difficulty of inclement weather. Allow me to add a bit of perspective here to better understand the points I present.

Most people I know say they love spring and fall; after all, they are the moderate seasons. They don’t mind basking outside during those seasons, enjoying them as it were. But what about the more extreme seasons? What is to be said about them? How do people cope and deal?

Well, those in office environments simply refrain from engaging in activity to the best of their ability. They hibernate, as it were. At least in winter, anyway. A lot of people seem to enjoy summer, and I will be honest: I do not really understand why. Que sera, sera, I suppose. Another time for another post but spoiler alert: I HATE summer with a passion. Summer SUCKS. In case you didn’t hear it I’ll repeat it for those in the back: Summer SUCKS – I said what I said. 

An old timer once told me, “Summer can be uncomfortable, but winter can be painful.” While I absolutely love the colder months (I can always get warm and put on clothes) and loathe the hotter months, I have to agree with his initial assessment. The skilled trades are elbow-deep in the heat of summer and the chill of winter. Whether it is 10 degrees or 100, they are out there working to keep things in tip-top shape.

Those in an office environment do not deal with the inclement weather and, as such, do not grasp the strenuous nature that exists for those in it daily. To be fair to them, they chose their environment just like those in the skilled trades; it’s an unjustifiable stance to criticize. But, at the same time, it’s also pertinent to state the difficulty placed on skilled trades because of the extremes in weather. Those in climate-controlled environments should really count their blessings.

In addition to the inclement weather, there is the hard physical labor added to it. The two together are terrific at thinning the herds of skilled labor. They are the dynamic duo of elimination, as it were. If I only had two cons to select from, those two alone would suffice. They make the skilled trades difficult, demanding, frustrating, and downright undesirable. I suspect they are the reasons typically considered when people emphatically decide to not pursue a career in the skilled trades.

As bad as that sounds, though, there are additional cons evident when considering skilled trades as a viable career path. If it sounds like I’m piling it on, you’re right; might as well just toss the chips on the table and let em fall where they may.

Often dirty

Let’s face it: the trades are often dirty

Look, there is no way around it: many of the skilled trades involve getting dirty. It’s ingrained in the job, and some days are downright filthy. I remember being told when I was an apprentice you take the good with the bad; some days, you can’t believe you are getting paid to do what you’re doing, and others, you don’t get paid enough. It’s those latter days, the hot, sweaty, dirty, grimy days, that make up the third point on the con list.

The days when you are downright dirty can be a big deterrent for many joining the skilled trades. I mean, in comparison to those in an office environment who stay clean during their daily grind, is it any wonder? I can recall with vivid clarity many days blowing my nose and my tissue turning black, scrubbing the dirt off my hands with a stiff brush, and my clothes looking like I washed them in dirt; all of the above and more can be seen at times in the skilled trades.

And because clothes get dirty, they have a tendency to get worn out faster. Jeans wear thin, shirts get coated with sweat and oils, dust clings to your skin, and boots falter from excessive wear and tear all happen when you work in the skilled trades.

Some days you come home smelling like the job. If you have ever worked or knew someone who worked fast food you understand: they smelled like grease. The same applies to skilled tradesmen; depending on their trade, of course. Inside machinists, because of their environment, will smell differently than, say, welders. Bricklayers and carpenters will pick up the job site smells differently. And what about pipefitters and plumbers? Sorry fellas, we already know the answer.

All this does is further reinforce what we already know: the skilled trades can be dirty and downright full of intriguing, if not insulting, smells.

However, if you work in an office environment chances are you remain clean throughout the day. Your clothes last longer, don’t get dirty anywhere near as much, you likely don’t sweat in them because you’re in a climate-controlled environment, and you go home without smelling like a factory; all of these are positives when it comes to the white collar field. A definite con when considering the skilled trades for a career.

Work instability

The economic instability – real and/or perceived, is a factor many have to consider

Another con of the skilled trades can be work instability, especially in a new construction job. Essentially you are working yourself out of a job and hope the company you work for has more work lined up after your current post. If not, you likely get two checks and it’s time to find work elsewhere.

Believe it or not, there are people on both sides of the spectrum here. Some like the change and different scenery; others crave stability and a regular 40. Whatever you think, it’s a definite con to many, so I list it here as such.

Additionally, with work instability comes the need to travel or follow the work as it were. Sometimes work isn’t in a particular area, and travel is a necessity if one wishes to remain in their respective skilled trade. I mean, you’re not mining for coal in Texas any more than people are likely to be working the shipyards in the Midwest. A bit extreme, I know, but the point is made. Sometimes travel is an absolute necessity, and sometimes it be can rewarding.

Sometimes not, though. You’re away from family, friends, comfort zones, home, etc. Some people just want the stability of going to the same place for years on end, performing the same tasks, and going home. I get it, I really do. In the end, however, you have to weigh out the benefits of choosing a career that provides you that vs one where you are satisfied with your work, benefits, location, etc.

A point of clarity, though: not all skilled trades experience this, and certainly not at the same levels. An inside machinist likely reports to the same location day in and day out. Ironworkers, bricklayers, and electricians likely go from job site to job site, essentially working themselves out of a job until the next one. Different crafts experience this in different scenarios with many variables at play. Nevertheless, it is true for many and, as a result, listed as a con.

Most people desire stability and comfort, and as such, the seeming instability of skilled trade work is unappealing.

Lower pay and benefits

The idea that many in the trades make pennies on the dollar is ridiculous

This one’s a bit scandalous, in my opinion. Reason? It’s only partially true. After all, I did say perceived and/ or real cons at the beginning of this list. Yes, there is a chance you could be one on the lower pay stratum, but certain conditions have to align for that to be true. Furthermore, there are assumptions often factored in that likely shouldn’t be.

For example, just because someone works in an office environment doesn’t mean they are making more money. Talk about poor assumptions. Truthfully, many who work in an office environment are paid less. Think about it for a moment: who exactly works in an office? If we’re dealing with skilled trades, you likely have secretaries, payroll, admin workers, etc. They don’t make much; at least not in comparison to what guys in the field make.

Sure, there are salesmen, project managers, superintendents, engineers, safety managers, etc., who work in an office environment, and they likely make more money than field personnel, but let’s compare apples to apples for a moment. Most make more money on their regular 40, but yearly, with benefits, and overtime, I know plenty of guys who make more than many in the office. It’s true you are sacrificing your time for money – a hefty decision for sure. Besides, there is much more at play than what is often discussed. How are timing, market supply, and demand, your personal choices and experiences, coupled with interesting careers figured in? Do we factor in opportunity here or just passion? Be careful you don’t get swept up in your passion that you miss golden opportunities in front of you.

It’s also worth noting that those in the office wouldn’t have a job without those in the field. The same is true in reverse, also. Field personnel do not work without the efforts of those in the office bidding, securing, managing, executing work schedules, etc. The relationship is a symbiotic one of mutual desire and success.

Another point worth mentioning is that some of those salesmen, project managers, superintendents, engineers, and safety managers came from the field; they worked alongside other skilled trades and moved to a more office environment for various reasons. Those who have traveled this path have done so in such a way as to be better adept at performing their tasks over those who have not worked and acquired skills in the trades. I don’t want to take something from someone like that because maybe I will find myself in the same situation one day, and I’d like some measure of grace.

Distilled down, it’s a fair assumption some in the office environment make more than those in the field – but we have to consider the variables. Even so, it’s a stereotype that lends its power to the con side, and due to that, I include it.

Perceived as less intelligent

Another scandalous negative that simply isn’t true

This one is as old as the trades themselves. Somehow people think if you have intelligence, you should be ruling over the stupid tradesman. Being the boss is a rite of passage for the intelligent. The cards of stupidity have been dealt to the masses, and as such, those with intelligence shouldn’t intermingle with them.

I could prattle on and on, but I think I’ve made my point. The thing is, this couldn’t be farther from the truth. I could pick apart the intelligence argument from a point of view dealing with the varying degrees of said intelligence, but I won’t; it isn’t necessary, nor will it be productive. Sure, I’ve met some really dumb people, but I don’t believe their career choice has anything to do with their intelligence.

Some of the most mechanically inclined people I’ve met were skilled tradesmen and problem solvers, creators, tinkerers, and their creative minds proved to be invaluable.

The lie of skilled tradesmen being less intelligent is a heinous one that’s devoid of any context and should be dismissed summarily.

Skilled trades weighed in the balance

Weighing it all in the balance

I don’t think it’s difficult to discern where I fall on this one. I am staunchly pro-skilled trades and detest the attitude some express against them. Furthermore, I don’t believe for one minute there is no real measure of intelligence in the skilled trades, either; that simply just isn’t true.

Maybe I’ll write a post later about the genius moments skilled tradesmen have displayed over the years; I have seen some really amazing solutions to insurmountable problems. Until then, just know I’m soundly in their corner.

 

*NOTE: I should clarify a point or two here about what I mean by the “skilled trades.” Ordinarily, the perspective is from the collective body; those in the field of union and non-union. It isn’t a feasible argument to say there aren’t ANY skilled guys on the non-union side – I mean, the work is still getting done. 

When I write posts such as this, though, It’s important I remind the reader this is from the perspective of a union skilled tradesman – especially when we begin to talk about the pay, benefits, etc. Sure, there are some who do make good money, but it isn’t quite the same as the union tradesmen I know; there isn’t any real comparison to be had.

 

 

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