Resources hub
Every guide, data set, community page, and game on YouthSkilledTrades.com, in one place.
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Pay data
Wage Data
Entry, median, and top pay by trade and state. BLS OEWS, May 2025.
Trade Salaries
Salary guides for 20 trades, each with the full pay range.
Salary Calculator
Compare your current pay with a trade career, adjusted by state.
Salary vs. Cost of Living
See whether a trade paycheck covers rent and bills in your city.
Community
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For families and schools
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Explore every trade
Click any trade to see programs, schools, and apprenticeships near you
See what the trades look like
Real videos about real careers, what you do, what you earn, and how to get there
Day in the life: Electrician
What it's actually like on the job and how to get started
HVAC: Career overview & salary
Everything you need to know about becoming an HVAC tech
Welding: from beginner to certified
How to enter welding and where it can take you
Why skilled trades?
A smart path after high school
High pay, no four-year degree
Trades like electrical, HVAC, and welding can pay $60K-$100K+ over a career, without the cost of a four-year college.
Get paid to learn
Apprenticeships pay you while you train. Many students finish with a real credential and marketable skills in less time than a four-year degree.
Careers that last
You can't outsource a leaky pipe or a wiring job to a computer. Skilled trades stay in demand close to home.
Lots of openings ahead
Construction alone needs about 349,000 more workers in 2026 (ABC, 2026), with many older workers retiring. That's real opportunity for the next generation.
Why students, parents, and educators use us
What you get, free
Free for students and families
Explore trade careers, take a career quiz, and find programs near you. No fees. Browse free. Create an account to save your work.
Made for guidance
A parents' section, a classroom kit for teachers, and clear explanations of apprenticeships, pay, and pathways after high school.
Real tools, not just links
A career assessment, resume builder, AI mock interview, and trade videos that make each career real.