Recently, I saw a job posting for plumbing apprentices on the local community board, and the starting salary was surprisingly high, catching my attention.

When I compared it to the salary of a friend in an office job with a college degree, the gap wasn't as large as I expected.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for electricians in 2024 is $62,350, while for plumbers, it is $62,970.

The figures for 2025 are slightly higher, with electricians earning $63,190, and the combined category of plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters at $63,800.

However, during the same period, the median weekly wage for full-time workers aged 25 and older with only a bachelor's degree was $1,578.

This translates to an annual salary of about $82,056, but it's important to consider that this includes everyone from new graduates to those with twenty years of experience for a fair comparison.

When looking specifically at recent graduates, the story changes.

A survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers found that the average starting salary for bachelor's degree graduates in 2025 is $68,680.

This means that the starting salaries for recent office job graduates and newly certified plumbers and electricians are quite similar.

The reason for this reversal is actually quite simple.

There are many retiring skilled workers, but few new entrants, leading to a continuous supply shortage.

Additionally, the apprenticeship system plays a role, allowing individuals to earn a salary while learning on the job instead of paying tuition, resulting in little to no debt upon graduation.

In contrast, college graduates typically start their careers with an average student loan debt of about $29,400.

Whether for electricians or plumbers, obtaining certification usually requires a 4 to 5-year apprenticeship.

During this period, apprentices earn increasing hourly wages, so they have less financial worry while learning.

The costs also differ significantly, with electrician certification programs ranging from a few thousand dollars to around $20,000 for degree programs.

For state universities, the average annual cost for in-state students for the 2024-2025 academic year was $29,910, so over four years, the perceived gap can be substantial.

The top 10% of electricians can earn over $108,510 annually, often due to working overtime or specializing in high-demand areas like solar energy or electric vehicle charging stations.

Job growth projections for the two professions differ slightly.

Electricians are expected to grow by 9% from 2024 to 2034, while plumbers are projected to grow at a more modest rate of about 4% during the same period.

Of course, there is significant variation among college graduates as well.

Engineering or computer science majors often receive starting salaries much higher than average, so comparing the overall average for all bachelor's degrees to skilled trades should be approached with caution.

Conversely, those majoring in the humanities and social sciences often earn below average, meaning the situation can vary greatly depending on the field of study.

Many plumbers and electricians eventually start their own businesses, which can lead to earnings significantly above the previously mentioned median.

Of course, since these are physically demanding jobs, workers must be prepared to deal with potential strain on their knees or backs, which is a crucial point to consider compared to office jobs.

In the Korean community, there used to be a strong emphasis on college education when discussing career paths for children, but the atmosphere has definitely changed recently.

Parents are increasingly seen comparing salary charts for skilled trades as serious options, much like presenting estimates.

Personally, I believe it's hard to say that college is the only answer in today's world.

When looking at the numbers, having a solid skill can also be a perfectly valid choice.