About Skilled Trades IQ
The independent, data-first career resource for US skilled trades
The skilled trades are one of the best career paths in America right now — and one of the most poorly served by the internet.
Most of what you find when you search “how to become an electrician” or “HVAC technician salary” is either outdated, vague, or quietly trying to sell you something. Generic content farms republishing BLS tables with no context. Trade school directories dressed up as editorial guides. Salary articles that cite the national median without telling you what an apprentice actually earns in year one.
Skilled Trades IQ exists to fix that.
What we cover
Every article on this site is written for one specific person: someone making a real career decision about the skilled trades. Whether you’re a high school student weighing trade school against a four-year degree, a burned-out office worker wondering if it’s too late to switch careers, a current apprentice trying to figure out your next move, or a tradesperson thinking about starting your own business — this site is built for you.
We cover four areas in depth:
- Career guides — Step-by-step paths into each major trade, with honest timelines, real costs, and what to expect
- Salaries & pay — BLS-sourced wage data by trade, state, and experience level, updated every six months
- Trade schools — How to find a legitimate program, what accreditation actually means, and how to pay for it
- Running a trades business — Licensing, insurance, software, hiring, and the financial side of going independent
How we source our data
Every salary figure and job growth projection on this site comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program — with the year cited. When we reference industry surveys, we name them: the Angi Skilled Trades Report, the ManpowerGroup Talent Shortage Survey, and Georgetown CEW research. We link to primary sources, not to other blogs citing other blogs.
We update salary pages every six months when new BLS data is released. Every article carries a visible “last updated” date.
If we don’t have a verified number, we say so.
Who writes this
I work in the recruitment industry, helping recruiters find candidates who fit their requirements and helping candidates find the best employer. I’ve spent 5 years covering workforce, labor markets, and vocational education. I’ve interviewed hundreds of tradespeople, apprenticeship coordinators, union reps, and career counselors. I’m not a tradesperson — but I talk to them constantly, cite the data carefully, and correct the record when I find something wrong.
A note on how we make money
Skilled Trades IQ is a free resource. We keep the lights on through display advertising, affiliate commissions (primarily from tool and equipment recommendations), and occasional sponsored content from brands that serve working tradespeople.
When we recommend a product, it’s because we believe it’s genuinely useful — not because someone paid us to. Sponsored content is always labeled. Affiliate links are disclosed in our Affiliate Disclosure.
We do not accept payment for editorial coverage, rankings, or salary data. Our content is not influenced by trade schools, staffing companies, or tool brands.
Get in touch
If you’re a working tradesperson willing to share your experience on record — wages, career path, what you wish you’d known — we’d love to hear from you. Real quotes from named tradespeople make this site more useful and more credible for everyone who comes after you.
For press, advertising, or partnership inquiries: hello@skilledtradesiq.com