"Skilled Trades Lead The Pack"

The conversation around careers is changing—and the trades are finally getting the recognition they deserve.

A recent Forbes article shows that nearly 5.7 million full-time workers without a college degree earned six-figure salaries in 2023. In fact, in at least 20 occupations, including many in the trades—construction managers, electricians, elevator installers, power-line workers—40% or more of workers without degrees are hitting six-figure incomes.

As someone who has spent nearly 25 years serving the trades—whether as a contract bond agent, water well drilling company owner, #Teens2Trades board member, or founder of the American Subcontractors Association of Idaho—this hits close to home. I see every day how skilled trades fuel our economy, provide financial stability, and build legacies for families.

The truth is clear: the trades aren’t just honorable work—they’re high-demand, high-reward careers. For young people weighing their future, and for parents guiding them, this is a reminder that success doesn’t have to mean a four-year degree and student debt.

I’m proud to cheerlead this movement and to keep building platforms that support and celebrate the subcontractors, tradespeople, and small business owners who keep our communities running strong. 

https://www.forbes.com/sites/carolinecastrillon/2025/09/04/how-millions-of-americans-earn-six-figure-salaries-no-degree-required/