Nov. 26, 2021
Read time: 2 minutes and 47 seconds.
tags:We often hear about the booming tech industry and how software engineers are in high demand. There’s constant pressure to upskill, learn to code, and chase those six-figure salaries in the cloud (literally). This is something I’ve been told time and again about how promising my career could be at a big tech company… LOL.
But what about the unsung heroes of the skilled trades, and is a four-year degree the best financial decision? There’s some studies and investigations about how a doctor and plumber stack up.
Manual labor is often undervalued and underpaid, despite its essential role in society. You have such a low ceiling for certain “skilled labour” but there’s this huge service economy that continues to grow and they’re paying pennies on the dollar for their labor. This sentiment is something I’ve observed throughout my career, and it’s frustrating to see. I’ve seen firsthand how smaller companies, unwilling to invest in skilled developers, offer significantly lower salaries.
Meanwhile, skilled tradespeople like electricians and plumbers are commanding impressive hourly rates. Just imagine with limited apprenticeships that immediately bring you into society to solve problems, up to code with a red seal or anything certified, these guys can quickly make good cash. I have friends that get paid similar rates to the money I make for just carrying tiles. Like sure, your back might wear out sooner rather than later, but dang dude. I wish I didn’t have more than 100k overhead graduating and could be making similar coin without the looming stress of deadlines the following monday.
The comparison between a plumber and a doctor’s financial trajectory is eye-opening. By the age of 30, as a plumber you’ll be close to a million dollars, whereas a doctor will still be indebted a few hundred thousand dollars. A medical doctor faces years of intense schooling, grueling hours, and significant debt. Sure, they’ll make some great cash once they’re done and hopefully make substantial sums of money if they specialize. But a plumber, starting as an apprentice, can achieve financial stability much earlier and have a chance to make something of their youth. Including probably acquiring tangible skills that can save them big cash in the money department.A doctor may eventually earn more, but only after years of sacrifice and stress in their 40s.
A plumber is not going to show up at midnight, but a medical doctor might. So imagine having to make a house call late to be able to justify your earnings all because you decided you wanted to save peoples’ lives for the rest of your life. It’s a big responsibility, no? A skilled tradesman’s career often offer more predictable hours and a better work-life balance. The physical demands of manual labor can be challenging, but the financial rewards and lack of debt are attractive. I mean, you have the prospect of retiring early.
The point isn’t to discourage anyone from pursuing higher education or a career in tech. It’s about recognizing the value and potential of skilled manual labor. If you’re looking for a financially viable path with a quicker return on investment and a potentially better work-life balance, don’t dismiss the trades. Do some research on apprenticeship programs in your area. I mean, I know I did when I was younger and sometimes I think back on it. On my free time, I practice a lot of random skilled trades that are actually incredibly valuable. Like, who doesn’t want to know how to wire something or resolve a leak in the middle of the night?