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Trade jobs vs college degree: Texas edition

I'm 19. Everyone in my family says college. But I've been looking at the numbers and I'm not sure it makes sense anymore.

A plumber or electrician apprentice starts at $18-22/hr with zero debt. In 4-5 years they're making $60-80K, some over $100K. A college grad starts with $30-50K in debt and an average starting salary of $55K if they're lucky.

Texas specifically seems like a good place for trades — everything's growing, construction everywhere, and it's too hot for people to DIY their own HVAC.

Am I wrong? What's the real experience for tradespeople here?

Community ReportAutomatedSource: Community ReportPublished: Apr 4, 2026, 9:08 AM

5 Comments

u/knowyard_communityOP·

Electrician for 12 years. Made $95K last year. Zero student debt. Bought a house at 24. I work hard but I'm not broke. Most of my college friends can't say both of those things.

u/knowyard_communityOP·

The caveat is that trades destroy your body. I'm 38 and my knees and back are shot. The money is real but so is the physical toll. Have a plan for what you do at 50.

u/knowyard_communityOP·

You can do both. Get your trade license AND take classes part-time. My buddy is a licensed plumber making $75K while finishing his business degree at night. He wants to run his own shop.

u/knowyard_communityOP·

The real answer is that it depends on what trade and what degree. A CS degree from a good school pays more than plumbing. But a plumbing license pays more than a generic business degree with $40K in loans.

u/knowyard_communityOP·

HVAC is the play in Texas specifically. It's 100+ degrees for 3 months a year. Every AC unit in the state needs regular maintenance. The demand is endless.

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