HOT TRADES JOBS
Skilled labor workers are hard to find due to current labor market
Finding an experienced plumber to fix a leaky faucet is almost as difficult as finding a doctor on weekends.
Studies show that despite the ongoing and growing need for plumbers, fewer men and women are entering the workforce.
The nation has experienced a dearth of plumbers for several years. But there is also a nationwide shortage of most tradespeople, such as electricians, carpenters and builders, to name a few.
“The skilled labor shortage is one of the biggest challenges facing the U.S. economy, with 650,000 open jobs in the construction industry alone,” said Stanley Black & Decker CEO Jim Loree. “The problem existed long before the pandemic but has certainly been exacerbated by it.”
Another reason for the shortage of tradespeople is the growing disparity between the number of tradespeople retiring versus those entering the workforce. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that nearly one-fourth of the manufacturing workforce is 55 or older.
In sum, thanks to the skilled labor shortage, qualified job candidates are hard to find. Along with retiring tradespeople, a dropping unemployment rate, more job openings, increased consumer demand, heightened e-commerce expectations and the COVID-19 pandemic, job opportunities are plentiful.
The good news is there is no shortage of skilled trades jobs in Houston, and for that matter, throughout Texas.
Job site Jobble.com listed more than 32,000 skilled trade jobs in Houston alone.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there is a strong demand for the following trade jobs in Texas:
• Licensed practical nurse (LPN)
• Welder
• Diesel technician
• Aircraft mechanic
• HVAC technician
• Home inspector
• Electrician Nationwide, staffing company Wideeffect.com lists the following 10 highpaying trade jobs in 2022, plus average annual median wages.
1. Construction manager.
$97,180. Construction managers plan, coordinate, budget and supervise, and much more. Part of their time is spent in the office and part on job sites. Educational requirement: A bachelor’s degree, but you can begin your training in a trade school.
2. Electrical lineman. $75,030. Install, maintain, repair and troubleshoot electric lines, electrical power systems, and telecommunications and fiber-optic interruptions. The job requires long hours, travel and job-site hazards.
3. Aircraft mechanic. $66,440. Planes need constant care. An aircraft mechanic is on standby before, during and after a flight. Requirements: Attending an FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) approved technical school.
4. Home inspector. $63.150. Must have extensive knowledge of a home’s structure to check all aspects of a structure. The job requires trade school training.
5. Cable/fiber-optic technician. $61,470. Also called installation installers, the job involves the installation and repair of fiber optic cables in homes, businesses and large venues. You’ll need to attend a training program for electronics and telecommunication as part of a trade school program for telecommunications equipment installers.
6. Electrician.
$56,900. Electricians manage and maintain electrical installations and repairs. Many electricians attend trade school for training. You also need to be licensed by the state. This position is practically recessionproof.
7. Plumber. $56,330. Install, maintain and repair plumbing systems for residential or commercial plumbing systems. You ideally need to enroll in a vocational school during high school to prepare for on-the-job training. You also need to be licensed by the state. Most trade schools help you prepare for the licensing process.
8. Civil engineer technician. $54,080. Assist in developing specifications and drawings with a civil engineer. You also take soil samples, check drainage systems and perform technical investigations of the topography. This job requires an associate degree or certificate from a trade school with studies in civil engineering and engineering technology.
9. HVAC technician . $50,590. Technicians install heating units and refrigeration systems. Often, they’ll work onsite to do installations and repairs. Many HVAC technicians learn on the job through apprenticeships. Because the job has become more technologically advanced, it’s becoming more common to attend trade school.
10. Pipefitter. $43,210. Similar to plumbing, this job requires repairing and installing pipes. Even during down economies, pipefitters have little problem finding work.