The U.S. labor market has shown signs of slowing down — with recent jobs reports pointing to weaker overall employment growth and rising unemployment — but one area continues to buck that trend: skilled trades. According to a recent Inc.com analysis, jobs like plumbing, electrical work, HVAC servicing, and other hands-on technical roles remain strongly in demand despite broader economic softness. Inc.com
Read the full Inc.com article here: Why Skilled Trades Are in High Demand, Despite Weak Jobs Report — https://www.inc.com/kit-eaton/why-skilled-trades-are-in-high-demand-despite-weak-jobs-report/91236684
What the Inc.com Analysis Found
In its September 2025 piece, Inc.com reports that even though the August jobs report raised concerns about economic slowing, the outlook for many skilled trades remains robust:
- HVAC technicians, electricians, and plumbers are all projected to grow faster than the average for U.S. occupations over the next decade. Inc.com
- For example, employment for electricians is expected to grow approximately 9% through 2034, adding tens of thousands of jobs annually. Inc.com
- HVAC workers are also forecast to see significant growth, with about 8% expansion — again well above average. Inc.com
This demand persists even as broader indicators in the labor market soften, showing that not all sectors experience downturns the same way. Inc.com
Why Trades Keep Growing
So what’s behind this resilience? Several underlying forces help explain why skilled trades are holding strong:
1. Structural Workforce Needs
Many jobs in construction, facility maintenance, and infrastructure repair simply can’t be automated or outsourced. Buildings still need wiring, pipes still need fixing, and HVAC systems must be installed and maintained. This consistent base of work keeps demand high. HR Dive
2. Aging Workforce & Replacement Hiring
A large share of current tradespeople are nearing retirement, creating replacement demand that sustains openings beyond new project needs. HR Dive
3. Skills Mismatch, Not Lack of Opportunity
Positions go unfilled not because there aren’t jobs — but because too few workers have the right training for them. That’s a different kind of shortage than broad unemployment. Ethan Allen Workforce
Broader Labor Market Context
While the overall economy shows signs of slowing — with softer job growth and a slight rise in unemployment — the trades are still anchored by real, measurable openings. This reflects demand between specific sectors, not just aggregate labor market numbers. For many families and workers, that nuance matters: even amid uncertainty, certain technical jobs remain stable and accessible.
What This Means for Workers and Businesses
For job seekers or career changers, this can be an encouraging signal: trades continue to offer solid opportunities even when the broader economy cools. Investing in vocational training or apprenticeships can lead to employment that’s resistant to slowdowns in other areas.
For businesses and policymakers, the contrasting dynamics highlight the importance of skills training programs, apprenticeships, and workforce development, so that the workforce better matches the jobs that actually exist and pay well.
