Economic pressures, rising college costs, and AI fears are shifting Gen Z’s career paths toward trade jobs
GUAYNABO – ResumeBuilder.com, the premier resource for professional resume templates and career advice, has published a new survey report examining how Gen Z adults are approaching career planning. The findings reveal that many young adults, particularly men, are turning away from traditional college-to-career pipelines in favor of blue-collar and skilled trade work. In total, ResumeBuilder.com surveyed 1,434 U.S. Gen Z adults ages 18 to 28.
The survey shows that 42% of Gen Zers are currently working in or pursuing a blue-collar or skilled trade job, including 37% of those with a bachelor’s degree. Among Gen Z college grads, 34% say they are already in a trade role, and 3% plan to pursue one. Motivations include better long-term prospects, disillusionment with college outcomes, and protection from job loss due to AI. Gender differences are notable, with 46% of Gen Z men with a college degree working in or planning to enter the trades, compared to just 27% of women.
“More Gen Z college graduates are turning to trade careers and for good reason,” says ResumeBuilder.com’s Chief Career Advisor Stacie Haller. “Many are concerned about AI replacing traditional white-collar roles, while trade jobs offer hands-on work that’s difficult to automate. Additionally, many grads find their degrees don’t lead to careers in their field, prompting them to explore more practical, in-demand alternatives.”
The findings also reflect the motivations of Gen Zers who haven’t pursued a degree. Among this group, 60% say they want to start earning sooner, and 40% want to avoid student loan debt. Others cite job security, hands-on preferences, and the ability to earn a strong income without a degree.
In total, 30% of Gen Zers say they are currently working in a blue-collar or skilled trade job, and another 11% plan to enter the field. Overall, 48% of Gen Z men are working in or planning to enter the trades, compared to 30% of women.
“Trade jobs offer a smart and rewarding path for many, especially those who prefer hands-on work and practical learning over traditional classroom settings. They provide faster entry into the workforce, often without the burden of student debt, and also offer strong job security, with less risk of automation or outsourcing,” Haller adds.
This survey was commissioned by ResumeBuilder.com and conducted online by the polling platform Pollfish. It was launched on May 14, 2025, and 1,434 U.S. Gen Z adults ages 18 to 28 completed the survey.
To view the complete report, please visit: https://www.resumebuilder.com/4-in-10-gen-z-college-grads-are-turning-to-blue-collar-work-for-job-security/
About ResumeBuilder.com
ResumeBuilder.com provides templates to help job seekers create professional resumes. The website also offers up-to-date resources and machine-learning tools. With a team of certified resume writers, recruiting experts, and hiring managers, users gain a competitive advantage and confidence to get hired faster. To learn more, visit: https://www.resumebuilder.com/.