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International Business Times UK
International Business Times UK
David Unyime Nkanta

42% of Gen Z Are Choosing Skilled Trades Over Office Jobs: Here Are 10 Blue-Collar Roles That Pay Six Figures

Gen Z is trading cubicles for tool belts. (Credit: Photo Credit: Freepik)

A rising wave of Generation Z workers is rejecting the traditional 9-to-5 office route and embracing skilled trades — and the shift is more than just a passing trend.

A recent May 2025 survey by Resume Builder reveals that 42% of Gen Z are either working in or actively training for blue-collar careers, a startling departure from decades of college-bound convention. And in a surprising twist, many already hold university degrees.

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