For decades, we’ve been told the same story: “Go to college, get your degree, and you’ll land a great job.” But for many graduates today, that story is more myth than reality. While millions of degree holders are drowning in student loans and struggling to find good-paying jobs, plumbers — yes, plumbers — are quietly building wealth, buying homes, and living free of financial stress.
Let’s take a closer look at how the numbers play out.
The College Route: A Pricey Path to “Success”
Meet Alex, a typical college graduate. Alex worked hard for four years, earning a bachelor’s degree in business. The degree came with a hefty price tag — $120,000 in student loans — which breaks down to about $1,100 in monthly payments over 15 years.
After graduation, Alex landed an entry-level marketing job paying $55,000 a year. That sounds decent, but after taxes, rent, car payments, groceries, and that massive student loan bill, there’s not much left for savings or travel.
Monthly Budget for Alex (College Graduate):
- Take-home pay: ~$3,500
- Rent: $1,500
- Student loan: $1,100
- Car payment and insurance: $400
- Groceries and bills: $400
- Leftover: $100
That $100 doesn’t stretch far. No vacations. No home savings. No freedom. And to make matters worse, many college grads can’t even find jobs in their field — meaning they end up working jobs that don’t require a degree at all.
The Plumbing Route: Learning While Earning
Now meet Jake, who decided to skip college and start as a plumber’s apprentice. He had no experience, but he found a local plumbing company that took him on for $18 an hour, which is about $37,000 a year while learning the trade.
After two years, Jake got his plumbing license and moved up to $60,000 a year. By his late twenties, he became a Master Plumber, earning over $100,000 annually — without ever owing a cent in student loans.
Monthly Budget for Jake (Plumber):
- Take-home pay: ~$6,000
- Rent or mortgage: $1,500
- Truck payment and insurance: $500
- Savings/investments: $1,000
- Travel/fun money: $1,000
- Bills and groceries: $1,000
- Leftover: $1,000
That leftover cash means Jake can take vacations, save for retirement, or buy investment properties — things Alex won’t be able to do for years because of that crushing student debt.
The Big Picture: Who’s Really Winning?
By age 30, here’s what their financial situations might look like:
| Category | Alex (College Graduate) | Jake (Plumber) |
|---|---|---|
| Student Loan Debt | $90,000 remaining | $0 |
| Income | $65,000/year | $100,000/year |
| Savings | $5,000 | $50,000+ |
| Home Ownership | Renting | Purchased first home |
| Annual Vacation | Rarely, too expensive | 2–3 trips per year |
Alex is still paying off loans and dreaming of financial freedom, while Jake is living it — traveling, buying a home, and planning his next step as a business owner.
And it’s not just anecdotal. Across the U.S., Master Plumbers routinely earn $80,000 to $160,000 per year, with some earning even more if they own their own company. Meanwhile, many degree holders are stuck in jobs under $60,000, still paying for that diploma.
The Hidden Truth: College Isn’t a Guarantee Anymore
College used to be a guaranteed ticket to a higher-paying career. But in today’s economy, things have changed. Employers often want “experience” more than degrees, and millions of graduates are competing for the same entry-level jobs. Meanwhile, trade work — plumbing, HVAC, electrical — is in high demand everywhere, and many older tradespeople are retiring, leaving a shortage of skilled workers.
That shortage means job security and rising wages for people in the trades. While college grads are sending in online applications and hoping for interviews, plumbers are getting calls every day asking, “Can you fit us in this week?”
The Freedom Factor
The best part of Jake’s story isn’t just the money — it’s the freedom.
- He’s not chained to debt.
- He doesn’t need a boss to approve his vacation.
- He can start his own business whenever he wants.
Meanwhile, Alex will still be making those $1,100 student loan payments every month, long after Jake’s bought his second truck, taken his family to Hawaii, and started saving for early retirement.
Final Thoughts
This isn’t about saying college is “bad.” It’s about realizing that there’s more than one path to success.
The trades — plumbing, electrical, HVAC, welding — offer real careers with high pay, job stability, and freedom from debt. The world will always need skilled workers, and those who choose these paths are often better off financially than many college graduates who were told that a degree was the only way forward.
If you’re standing at a crossroads, unsure whether to take out loans or learn a trade, remember this simple truth: college costs you money, plumbing makes you money.
