Women breaking barriers in skilled trades: Why more young professionals are choosing hands-on careers

As industries grapple with a shortage of skilled workers and the future of white-collar jobs faces disruption from artificial intelligence, skilled trades are emerging as a promising career path. Despite the rising demand and competitive wages, these professions remain largely male-dominated. However, that landscape is slowly changing as more women enter fields traditionally seen as men's work.

Recent occupational data shows that women still account for a small share of the workforce in many trades. In the United States, for instance, women made up just 3.1% of carpenters and plumbers and 3.5% of electricians in 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Experts say the growing demand for skilled workers is creating strong career opportunities, with wages and job openings in skilled trades rising.

Women that pursue this path are positioning themselves for job security, stability, growth, and often underserved fields. For many women, these roles also provide a pathway to narrow the gender wage gap while building long-term financial security. Choosing a trade for long-term stability can be a rewarding career choice, as seen in the case of Cristina Barillas-McEntee, a plumber with over two decades of experience.

She switched careers in 1998 after working as a makeup artist in Chicago, seeking better long-term prospects. The transition required patience and sacrifice, but the payoff came later. Today, Barillas-McEntee earns $56 an hour and benefits from union-backed health care and retirement plans.

The possibilities are robust in these fields, and they are often underserved. Women that pursue this path are positioning themselves for job security, stability, growth, and often underserved fields. For many women, these roles also provide a pathway to narrow the gender wage gap while building long-term financial security.