Last month, my son graduated from high school.

It’s a big moment in any family—but it hits differently when you spend your career in manufacturing, working alongside engineers, tradespeople, and technicians who keep our economy running.

He’s entering a world shaped by dynamics like:

A retiring skilled workforce, with millions of open jobs on the horizon.Rapid advances in AI and automation that are changing work—especially knowledge work.A shift toward regional manufacturing, as global supply chains get rebuilt.

The question every graduate faces is timeless: “What path should I take?”

But the answers today look a little different than they did in my generation.

Comparing Career Payback: Engineering, Skilled Trades, and Manufacturing Tech Education & Typical Debt

Career	Typical Education	Est. Education Cost	Typical Debt
Engineering Bachelor’s Degree	4 yrs	~$100,000 (NCES)	$30,000
Skilled Trades	Apprenticeship / Certs	$5,000–$15,000 (often employer-paid)	$0
Manufacturing Technician	Associate’s / Certificate	$12,000–$20,000	$7,500

Career Earnings Over Time (Including Overtime Early in Career)

Career	5-Year Earnings	10-Year Earnings	25-Year Earnings
Engineering	$360,000	$810,000	$2,535,000
Skilled Trades	$330,000	$750,000	$2,280,000
Manufacturing Technician	$276,000	$621,000	$1,914,750

Early on, overtime pay gives trades and technicians a major boost, closing much of the gap with engineering. But over 25 years, engineering roles usually pull ahead due to career progression and leadership opportunities.

Savings After Paying for Education

Career	5-Year Net After Education Cost	10-Year Net After Education Cost	25-Year Net After Education Cost
Engineering	$33,000	$81,000	$253,500
Skilled Trades	$33,000	$75,000	$228,000
Manufacturing Technician	$26,850	$62,100	$191,475

Key takeaway: Tradespeople and technicians often save more in the early years simply because they aren’t paying down student loans.

If You Invested Those Savings at 5% Return

Career	5-Year Investment Value	10-Year Investment Value	25-Year Investment Value
Engineering	$42,117	$131,940	$858,441
Skilled Trades	$42,117	$122,167	$772,089
Manufacturing Technician	$34,268	$101,154	$648,402

With smart saving and investing, any of these careers can build long-term wealth.

The difference between paths is smaller than most people think—it’s how you manage your money and career growth that counts.

So Which Path is Best?

I’ve got five kids.

One’s a factory worker, appreciating the stability of a steady manufacturing job as he raises a new child.

One’s an automotive technician, always solving problems and helping others immediately and directly

Another is starting out in the skilled trades, where he’s earning real money while friends are still in lecture halls.

The last two are still figuring it out—and that’s okay.

Looking at the data—and at their lives—I’ve realized:

All these paths are good paths.The stigma around not going to college is finally fading.Unlike in my generation, trades, manufacturing, and technical roles are being recognized as the essential, high-value work they’ve always been.

Success will be shaped less by the initials after your name and more by:

How you manage costs and debtHow curious and adaptable you areHow much you enjoy solving real-world problems

Final Thought for This Year’s Graduates (and Their Parents)

Whether you’re entering an engineering program, a welding apprenticeship, or a manufacturing plant floor:

If you build your skills, manage your costs, and keep learning—you’ll be in demand, and you’ll build a good life.

And as for my son?

Whatever path he chooses, I just hope he builds something meaningful—and enjoys the work of his hands and his mind.

References:

Bureau of Labor Statistics: Architecture & Engineering Jobs
BLS: Skilled Trades Earnings &Overtime
NCES: Education Costs
Deloitte: Manufacturing Workforce Study
Federal Reserve: Student Loan Data