In the United States, it is possible to find a well-paying job without attending college by mastering a trade skill. The median annual salary for electricians in the United States has exceeded $60,000, and the income for HVAC technicians is close to this level. The demand for employment in these fields is expected to continue growing in the next 10 years. At the same time, young college graduates are facing a relatively weak job market.
According to a report from ConsumerAffairs on Tuesday, based on data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for electricians in 2025 was $63,190, and for HVAC and refrigeration technicians, it was $61,010. These types of jobs typically do not require a four-year college degree but do require specialized training.
Electricians generally learn their skills through apprenticeship programs, allowing them to work and earn wages simultaneously. HVAC technicians usually need to complete vocational training courses and undergo on-the-job training.
Regarding job prospects, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that between 2025 and 2035, the number of employed electricians will increase by 9%, with an average of about 72,700 job vacancies per year; HVAC technicians’ employment is expected to grow by 11%.
A recent analysis by the non-profit research institute Burning Glass Institute found that in the United States, young people aged 22 to 34 without a college degree are currently experiencing relatively better job market performance compared to college graduates of the same age, who are facing relatively weaker employment situations.
Over the past 20 years, the employment situations of these two groups of young people have typically improved or worsened in sync, but now they are showing different trends. However, this does not mean that individuals without a college degree find it easier to secure employment than college graduates. It signifies that the employment performance of these two groups has changed differently compared to their respective past levels.
According to data from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, in the second quarter of 2026, the recent unemployment rate for recent college graduates in the United States was about 5.6%, with around 42% finding jobs that do not typically require a college degree.
Another study by the Burning Glass Institute found that about 52% of undergraduate degree holders were underemployed a year after graduation. Even after 10 years, this proportion still reached 45%. Among those who were underemployed a year after graduation, nearly three-quarters remained in the same state after 10 years.
The employment outcomes for different college majors also exhibit significant differences. Graduates in fields such as engineering, computer science, mathematics, finance, and accounting are more likely to find jobs that require a college degree. On the other hand, graduates in some business and other majors have a higher proportion of underemployment.
ConsumerAffairs report points out that cautious recruitment practices by companies, a reduction in entry-level positions, and the development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) may all impact the employment opportunities for young college graduates. However, this employment weakness trend began before the current AI boom.
Nevertheless, in the overall labor market perspective, having a college degree still holds income advantages. According to data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2025, the median weekly salary for full-time workers aged 25 and over with a bachelor’s degree was $1,578, while for high school graduates, it was $966, with a difference of $612 per week.
In terms of unemployment rates, bachelor’s degree holders had a 2.8% rate, whereas high school graduates had a 4.3% rate.