More kids don't go that route because they either aren't counseled to do so, or they don't have access to the types of vocational programs that train people to do that type of work. It's a real shame. This idea that everyone should go to a 4-year liberal arts college is so misguided, and it's really setting us back as a country. When kids are in high school, part of their conversation with their parents, teachers, and guidance counselors should include the range of options after they graduate, including vocational schools (which we need to open more of).

My FIL is an airplane quality control engineer. He says that all of his colleagues are in his 60s because there just aren't enough young people going into that field. Obviously it's not ideal if we don't have enough people making sure airplane parts are working properly ...

My plumber was $250 an hour...

My entire family works in the trades. Yes, there is plenty of money to be made. You will pay dearly with you health, work environment, irregular pay, sheister colleagues, general shadiness on things related to contract/bids, etc. Most everyone is borderline alcoholic. They earn every penny.

Anonymous wrote:One of the new trash collectors in my neighborhood is a newly minted college grad. Couldn't find a job. He is also mowing lawns. He has to pay his $80k student loan.

Same deal with our yard guy who has a degree in music education.

Salary of a mechanic is $40K.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Because the mechanic only gets a fraction of that once you count for business expenses, rent, health insurance, etc. I bet they are lucky if they clear $40/hour.

That's more than I earn as a teacher and I have a Master's degree.

Mechanics deserve living wages as much as teachers or anyone else.

Btw, I'm a teacher with 2 masters degrees and make less than $40/hr.

But in many cases, teachers have an amazing g deferred compensation plan that significantly raises the salary but is rarely discussed.

Also true. And we have more time off than in most professions. I work around 1,300h a year, which is equivalent to most PT positions (e.g., 24h x 52 weeks = 1,248h).

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Because the mechanic only gets a fraction of that once you count for business expenses, rent, health insurance, etc. I bet they are lucky if they clear $40/hour.

That's more than I earn as a teacher and I have a Master's degree.

Mechanics deserve living wages as much as teachers or anyone else.

Btw, I'm a teacher with 2 masters degrees and make less than $40/hr.

But in many cases, teachers have an amazing g deferred compensation plan that significantly raises the salary but is rarely discussed.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Because the mechanic only gets a fraction of that once you count for business expenses, rent, health insurance, etc. I bet they are lucky if they clear $40/hour.

That's more than I earn as a teacher and I have a Master's degree.

Mechanics deserve living wages as much as teachers or anyone else.

Btw, I'm a teacher with 2 masters degrees and make less than $40/hr.

Many, many wealthy people did not go to college. This thread is a perfect example of the "I have a degree so I am better" thinking that will doom the USA. Learning a trade is a pretty good stepping stone to wealth as you can eventually own your business. No one gets wealthy working for a business, so why is a degree that only prepares you to work for someone better than learning a trade?