Gen Z is ditching college for “more secure” trade jobs
Trade jobs are enjoying a surge in attention, promoted as a smarter, safer alternative to expensive, “irrelevant” degrees and low-paying entry-level white-collar work — the kind that tech executives warn could soon be wiped out by AI. Among Gen Z, interest in traditional hands-on careers is rising.
A 2024 Harris Poll for Intuit Credit Karma found that 78% of Americans have noticed more young people pursuing roles like carpentry, electrical work, and welding. The numbers back it up: since the pandemic, trade school enrollment has grown faster than university enrollment.
The appeal is clear — the possibility of six-figure earnings without the burden of student debt, the option to work independently, and the acquisition of practical skills that can’t simply be replaced by software. But recent research suggests these roles may not be as stable or as “future-proof” as advertised.
WalletHub’s 2025 ranking of the best and worst entry-level jobs shows many trades clustered near the bottom. Positions such as welders, automotive mechanics, boilermakers, and drafters rank among the least promising for newcomers.
Some trades face even steeper challenges. Building inspectors, electricians, and plumbers share the highest unemployment rate in the study — 7.2% — over three times the rate for entry-level office roles like budget analysts and financial analysts, which average around 2.0%.
The 10 worst entry-level jobs in 2025:
- Welder
- Computer Numeric Control Machine Programmer
- Mechanical Drafter
- Automotive Mechanic
- Boilermaker
- Emergency Dispatcher
- Architectural Drafter
- Telecommunications Technician
- Benefits Administrator
- Tool and Die Maker
Researchers cite low job availability, slow growth prospects, and the potential dangers of these occupations as key factors in their low scores.
And while physical, hands-on work might seem resistant to automation, WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo told Fortune that technology is starting to encroach here as well.
“New technologies like prefabrication and robotics are starting to take over parts of the workload, which can reduce demand,” he said.
Like their office-based counterparts, tradespeople can be hit by layoffs and economic swings. “Trade jobs are closely tied to industries like construction and manufacturing, which means they are sensitive to changes in the economy. When these industries slow down, projects often get delayed or canceled, which can lead to job losses,” Lupo noted.