25.03.2025

Young workers ditch offices for trade jobs—here’s why

With the rising cost of traditional colleges and a surge in demand for skilled workers, many young people are opting for vocational training in lieu of a four-year degree.

Last year alone, enrollment in construction trade programs increased by 20.9%, while enrollment in mechanic and repair technician programs increased by 14.3%.

With the increasing popularity of trade and vocational training among young workers, international telecom provider TollFreeForwarding.com has revealed the ten blue-collar jobs with the best career outlooks. Their rankings are based on multiple criteria, including median annual salary, cost and length of required training, and the projected job growth rate over the next decade.

According to their findings, the blue-collar jobs with the best career outlooks are:

Job and Score (out of 100)

Power Plant Operator - 75

Elevator/Escalator Installer & Repairer - 72

Locomotive Engineer - 69

Electrical Line Installer & Repairer - 67

Structural Iron & Steel Worker - 66

Boilermaker - 62

Powerhouse, Substation & Relay Repairer - 58

Construction & Building Inspector - 53

Gas Plant Operator - 47

Radio & Telecom Equipment Installer - 45

Power Plant Operator

A power plant operator is the blue-collar job with the best career outlook, according to the findings. Workers in these roles earn a median annual salary of £78,002. While trade school is not a prerequisite for these roles, pursuing a degree in mechanical or electrical engineering can help to improve career prospects and advancement opportunities. For those who forgo vocational training, extensive on-the-job training lasting upwards of two years is typical for new hires.

Elevator/Escalator Installer & Repairer

Elevator/escalator installer & repairer is another blue-collar job with a bright career outlook. Workers in these roles earn a median annual salary of £79,185, the highest of all jobs included in the study. Jobs for elevator and escalator installers are also expected to see considerable growth over the next decade, with an annual growth rate of 6%, two percent more than the national average. While a trade school degree isn’t necessary for new workers in these roles, a four-year apprenticeship program is typical for those who want to pursue the trade. Workers in this field must also obtain additional licensing and certifications depending on the state in which they work.

Locomotive Engineer

Locomotive engineers earn an annual median salary of £57,808. Jobs for locomotive engineers are expected to grow at an annual rate of 4%, which is on par with the national average. Requirements for becoming a locomotive engineer include formal on-the-job training and classroom instruction, which can last up to three years, and federal certification by the Federal Railroad Administration.

Jason O’Brien, COO of TollFreeForwarding.com, said of the findings: “With more young people opting to pursue a career in blue-collar fields, it’s good to see just how many of these jobs have positive career outlooks. With high salaries and strong projected job growth rates, there are plenty of opportunities for young workers looking to get ahead. And while high salaries are certainly alluring, we want to remind those considering their career path that there are other factors worth considering, like the length and cost of trade schools and training programs, certification requirements, and the availability of advancement opportunities. We recommend that those considering jobs in these fields do their research to better understand what to expect on their career journey.”

As blue-collar careers become more popular with young workers, the need to understand which of these jobs offer the strongest career outlooks is more important than ever before. For more information on the blue-collar jobs with the best career outlooks and salaries, visit TollFreeForwarding.com’s blog.

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