For years, tech was seen as the safest and fastest path to a high‑income career. But recent waves of tech layoffs have changed that narrative. Thousands of highly skilled workers have found themselves competing for fewer roles, frozen hiring pipelines, and longer job searches.
Meanwhile, a very different story is playing out in the skilled trades.
Plumbers, HVAC technicians, electricians, and general contractors aren’t worrying about layoffs — they’re worrying about how to keep up with demand.
The Reality of Tech Layoffs
Tech layoffs have become one of the biggest employment stories of the past few years. Even profitable companies are cutting staff to reduce costs, automate roles with AI, or satisfy investors. Many professionals with strong resumes are discovering a harsh reality:
- Job security in tech is no longer guaranteed
- Competition for roles is intense
- Salaries are being reduced for new hires
- Long hiring processes can stretch for months
For workers who once felt insulated from economic shifts, the instability has been eye‑opening.
Skilled Trades Are in Massive Demand
While tech contracts, the trades are booming.
Across the country, skilled trade professionals are booked weeks — sometimes months — in advance. Aging infrastructure, housing shortages, and retiring tradespeople have created a perfect storm of demand.
Trades Leading the Surge
- Plumbers fixing, upgrading, and replacing aging systems
- HVAC technicians installing and servicing climate systems year‑round
- Electricians handling residential, commercial, and renewable energy work
- General contractors managing remodels, repairs, and new construction
These are not jobs that can be outsourced or replaced by AI. When something breaks, leaks, overheats, or fails — a skilled human must show up.
Working Full‑Time (and Then Some)
One major difference between tech roles and trade careers is work availability.
Many tradespeople are:
- Working full schedules year‑round
- Regularly offered overtime
- Turning down jobs because demand exceeds capacity
This means actual earnings often exceed advertised wages.
A job posting might list $28–$35 per hour, but with overtime, emergency calls, and after‑hours work, real income can be significantly higher. Many tradespeople quietly earn more than salaried tech workers — without layoffs hanging over their heads.
Income Is Often Higher Than What’s Listed
Trade job listings often understate true earning potential.
Why?
- Overtime pay
- Emergency service premiums
- Commission or percentage‑based work
- Performance bonuses
- Profit sharing for lead techs or foremen
What looks like a “middle‑income” job on paper frequently turns into a six‑figure career with experience.
Side Work: The Hidden Advantage of the Trades
One of the biggest advantages of the trades is something tech rarely offers: easy, legal side work.
Many tradespeople earn thousands more per year from side jobs simply by:
- Letting friends and family know what they do
- Posting completed jobs on social media
- Sharing before‑and‑after photos
- Answering local community questions online
A single social media post can lead to:
- Weekend repair jobs
- Evening service calls
- Referral chains that never stop
For side hustlers, the trades are unmatched. Skills learned on the job translate directly into personal income opportunities — without needing investors, apps, or startup capital.
Social Media Is the New Business Card
Tradespeople don’t need massive followings to benefit from social media.
A simple strategy works:
- Post what you’re working on
- Explain common problems homeowners face
- Share quick tips
- Let people know you’re available
People naturally tag, share, and recommend skilled workers they trust. Many trades professionals build full client pipelines without paid advertising — just by being visible.
Stability Beats Hype
Tech careers once promised stability, flexibility, and rapid income growth. Today, many workers are realizing those benefits came with hidden risk.
The trades offer something far more valuable:
- Consistent demand
- Tangible skills
- Geographic freedom
- Income growth tied to effort, not headcount
- Protection from automation and outsourcing
In an uncertain job market, stability is becoming the new luxury.
Final Thoughts
As tech layoffs dominate headlines, the skilled trades quietly continue to thrive.
Plumbers, HVAC techs, electricians, and general contractors are not just surviving — they’re overbooked, earning more than advertised, and building side incomes that compound year after year.
For anyone rethinking career security, income potential, or long‑term stability, the message is clear:
The future of work isn’t always behind a screen. Sometimes, it’s in the hands of those who know how to fix what matters.
