When people ask whether a trade certification vs traditional degree makes more sense today, most of the advice they hear is outdated, biased, or flat-out unrealistic.
Hey — before you fire off another “how do I make money?” question, let’s slow down and be honest for a sec.
Ever notice how everyone talks about college like it’s the only path? Like if you don’t walk out of a university auditorium with a degree, you somehow lost before you even started? I want you to sit with that for a moment. Maybe that once made sense, maybe it doesn’t anymore.
Here’s what I see: a trade certification — done right — can be more powerful than a traditional four-year degreefor most people, especially right now. Unless you’re literally training to be a doctor, lawyer, or engineer — careers where human judgment still beats AI — a degree might cost you time and money with little payoff in job security or immediate income.
Trade careers earn real money, fast, and without the decade-long debt sentence.
Right now, trade workers — from electricians to plumbers to HVAC techs — are earning more on average than many college graduates just entering the workforce. In 2026, skilled workers across construction trades are outpacing the starting wages of many degree holders by $10,000 to $20,000 a year according to recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
And it doesn’t stop there. A growing labor shortage means employers are desperate for people who can show up, learn, and deliver — not someone who spent four years in a lecture hall.
The Home Depot Path to Pro Skills Program offers free, self-paced trade training where you can learn basics in electrical, HVAC, plumbing, painting, and construction without paying tuition.
The real question in the trade certification vs traditional degree debate isn’t status—it’s time, debt, and how fast you need stability.
Here’s the real shift: if you walk straight into a trade apprenticeship, you’re earning while you learn. Apprenticeships through the official U.S. government apprenticeship system pay you a wage from day one, keep increasing your rate as your skills grow, and lead to credentials employers actually pay for — not paper you toss in a drawer.
So what are the top trades right now people are getting certified for — without a four-year degree?
I’ll keep this real:
-
Electrician — median wage often over ~$62,000 per year, plenty of opportunities nationwide.
-
Plumbing & Pipefitting — strong demand; plumbers’ wages frequently beat the national median.
-
HVAC Technician — tons of openings; experience pushes some techs into the $80k+ range.
-
Carpentry/Construction — steady work and unions offer strong progression.
-
General Construction & Skilled Labor — training through programs like Path to Pro gives you tools, safety skills, and market knowledge for free.
Look, I’m not sugar-coating anything — trade work is hands-on, physically demanding, and sometimes inconsistent when you’re just starting.
But you get paid to learn, you don’t start your career years behind your peers in debt, and you enter a job market that’s starving for skilled workers.
And here’s a little tip you don’t hear enough: February is when many unions start taking applications. If you’re reading this in January, that’s your moment to get ready — research apprenticeships, talk to local halls, and build a plan to jump in while opportunity is opening.
Choosing between a trade certification vs traditional degree isn’t about doing what looks impressive; it’s about choosing what actually works for your life right now.
Now listen — starting a business later is absolutely an option, and many successful business owners began with these trades because they understood hard work from the ground up. But if you’re stuck asking “how do I make money,” maybe you need to ask:
What real skill can I learn that people will pay me for today — not someday?
No hype. No flashy YouTube success story illusions. Just honest work and honest pay.
©️Aūna Millér
