Skilled-trade vacancies projected at 1.7 million annually through 2035
A new report warns that about 1.7 million skilled-trade jobs will open each year up to 2035, outpacing the supply of workers.
According to a joint study by Jobs for the Future and The Burning Glass Institute, the United States will see roughly 1.7 million skilled-trade positions become available each year through 2035, including a net increase of 600,000 roles. An aging workforce—nearly a quarter of tradespeople are 55 or older—combined with only a small share of workers under 25, creates a “leaky pipeline” that threatens to stall growth. Demand is rising across sectors such as AI-driven data-center builds, defense production and affordable-housing construction.
General Motors has poured close to $200 million into updating its trade-skill pathways, and technicians can earn between $80,000 and $90,000. However, completion rates for apprenticeship and community-college programs remain low, and many potential entrants lack clear guidance toward trade careers.
