Ep 194 TheTradesPodcast.com - 2026 Labor Statistics

What if the biggest opportunity in today’s economy isn’t being talked about enough? In this episode of The Trades Podcast, hosts Jeff Mudd and Danny Torres break down the latest insights from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and reveal a powerful truth, the skilled trades are not just in demand, they are essential to the future of the workforce.

With hundreds of thousands of open positions across industries like plumbing, electrical, and HVAC, Jeff and Danny unpack what’s driving the gap, from retiring professionals to a lack of awareness among younger generations. But this episode is not about problems, it’s about opportunity.

They highlight how trades careers offer strong wages, job security, and real pathways to ownership, often outpacing the national median income. More importantly, they discuss why now is the time for experienced professionals to step up, mentor, and pass down knowledge to the next generation.

If you’ve ever wondered where the next wave of success is coming from, this episode will open your eyes. Share it with a student, a parent, or a business owner who needs to see the future more clearly.

Learn more from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
👉 https://www.bls.gov/

Takeaways

• The U.S. labor market is experiencing a significant number of job openings in the trades.
• Many job openings are due to retiring workers, creating a skills gap.
• Electricians have around 80,000 openings per year, with median pay around $61,590.
• Plumbers and pipe fitters have approximately 42,600 openings per year, with similar pay.
• HVAC technicians are projected to have 42,500 openings per year, with median pay of $57,300.
• Skilled trades wages are generally higher than the national median wage.
• Knowledge transfer from experienced workers to younger generations is crucial.
• The construction industry needs to market itself better to attract younger workers.
• The aging infrastructure will require more skilled tradespeople for repairs and replacements.
• There is a growing demand for home automation and energy-efficient systems, increasing job opportunities.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Labor Market Statistics

05:13 Understanding Job Openings in the Trades

10:53 The Importance of Knowledge Transfer in Trades

14:16 Skilled Trades Wages vs. National Median

19:44 Electricians: Opportunities and Challenges

28:21 Plumbers and Pipe Fitters: Demand and Growth

34:48 HVAC Technicians: Trends and Future Outlook

About The Trades Podcast

Website
https://www.thetradespodcast.com

Hosted by
Jeff Mudd and Danny Torres

The Trades Podcast features real conversations with business owners, trades leaders, and industry innovators making an impact in the skilled trades community.

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