Gen Z is ditching college for ‘more secure’ trade jobs—but boilermakers and welders actually rank among the worst entry-level jobs

Trade jobs are having a moment. Touted as the smarter, safer alternative to “irrelevant” overpriced degrees and entry-level white-collar jobs (which tech CEOs warn could soon be swallowed by AI), traditional manual work like welding, plumbing, and carpentry is experiencing a resurgence among Gen Z. 

Around 78% of Americans say they’ve noticed a spike in young people turning to jobs like carpentry, electrical work, and welding, according to a 2024 Harris Poll for Intuit Credit Karma. They’re not wrong. Trade school enrollment really has been surging post-pandemic, even outpacing university enrollment.

And it makes sense: six-figure salaries without student loans, the freedom to work for yourself, and hands-on, real-world skills that can’t be outsourced to a chatbot. But new research suggests the reality isn’t as stable—or as future-proof—as it’s being pitched.

According to a new WalletHub study ranking the best and worst entry-level U.S. jobs in 2026, trade roles dominate the bottom........

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