Why tradespeople could out-earn programmers within a decade
Rapid advances in artificial intelligence are reshaping the job market — basic coding skills no longer guarantee employment, while demand for hands-on tradespeople like plumbers and electricians is rising sharply. Analysts predict such trades could become more lucrative than IT work within ten years.
For years, students unsure of their career path were given the same advice: learn to code, and a job will be guaranteed for life. But the rapid rise of artificial intelligence is upending that assumption, as algorithms can now write code faster and more accurately than ever, turning entry-level programmers into an easily replaceable resource.
At the same time, the world is grappling with challenges that no computer can solve — an aging population, climate change, and a shifting energy sector. These trends are fueling growing demand for skills that machines simply cannot replicate.
Skilled tradespeople set to become scarce
Plumbers and electricians are a prime example. No matter how advanced artificial intelligence becomes, no algorithm can crawl into a cramped basement, diagnose a burst pipe, or rewire a historic building — these tasks require a human physically present and working with their hands.
The problem is that younger generations have spent years focusing almost exclusively on computer-related skills, causing the average age of tradespeople to rise rapidly while few newcomers enter the field. Analysts forecast that within a decade, a skilled electrician or heat-pump technician could earn more than the average IT specialist, with their schedules booked solid months in advance.
The takeaway from this analysis is that the future job market will reward not only digital skills but also the practical, physical expertise that artificial intelligence cannot replace.
