The skilled trades are often seen as a good option for those who don’t want to go to college or university. And while it’s true that you can enter many trades with just a high school diploma, that doesn’t mean the trades are easy. In fact, working in the trades can be very challenging. But it can also be very rewarding.
There are many benefits to being a tradesman. Perhaps the most obvious is that it can be a very well-paying career. Journeyman electricians, for example, earn a median salary of over $50 per hour. But there are other advantages to working in the skilled trades; in this article, we’ll explore some of the other benefits of being a tradesman.
8 Benefits Of Being A Tradesman
1. Good pay
As we mentioned, journeyman electricians earn a median salary of over $50 per hour. But even entry-level tradespeople can earn a good wage. For example, the median hourly wage for plumbers is $26.40.
2. Fewer office politics:
If you’re sick of dealing with office politics, the trades might be a good option for you. In the trades, it’s all about getting the job done. There’s no time for playing games or office politics.
3. Variety in work:
No two days are ever the same in the trades. One day you might be working on a plumbing job, and the next day you could be doing electrical work. This variety can make work interesting and challenging.
4. Job satisfaction:
Many people who work in the trades find a lot of satisfaction in their work. They take pride in a job well done and in knowing that they’ve helped to build or repair something. Also, the community relies on them to do their job well, so there’s a lot of responsibility that comes with the job.
5. Opportunities for advancement:
There are often opportunities for advancement in the trades. For example, you could start out as an electrician’s apprentice and eventually become a journeyman electrician. Or you could start out as a plumber’s helper and eventually become a plumber.
6. Good benefits packages:
Many tradespeople enjoy good benefits packages, including health insurance and retirement plans. Most people stay in the trades for the long haul, so these benefits are often very important.
7. A stable career:
The skilled trades are always in demand, so it’s a relatively stable career. Maintenance of residential and commercial properties by an asp level 2 electrician for example, will always be necessary, so there will always be a demand for tradespeople. Even during economic downturns, there is usually still a need for tradespeople to do repair and maintenance work.
8. It’s an international critical skill:
The United Nations considers the skilled trades to be a “critical global need.” This means that there is a demand for tradespeople all over the world. If you’ve ever wondered about working abroad, the trades could be a good option for you.
The Bottom Line
The skilled trades offer many benefits, including good pay, fewer office politics, and variety in work. If you’re looking for a stable career with good job satisfaction, the trades might be a good option for you.