The skilled trades can be a great career choice, and many trades are expected to remain in demand in coming years. As with any job, location can determine many factors regarding your prospects, potential for career growth, pay, and more.
We’ll be taking a look at skilled trades in cities and small towns, and giving you the knowledge you need to make the most out of your career. No matter your location!
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Skilled Trade Job Prospects in Urban Areas
Cities tend to have many skilled trade professionals and companies to accommodate for the larger population and number of businesses. While a bigger population can lead to more jobs available, it can also make for a more competitive job market, making landing a job a little more difficult.
Tradespeople living in these highly-populated areas will want to ensure they have skill sets that give them a competitive edge. In many instances, having certain specializations or certifications can be what’s needed for success. Due to the complexity of most urban infrastructure, specialized professionals like elevator repair technicians or industrial electricians may be more in demand over more generalized repair professionals.
Skilled Trade Job Prospects in Rural Areas
With a smaller population comes a less competitive job market, meaning that it can be easier to land a job in a rural community. However, there tend to be less companies in these areas, as well. Some of the fields rural tradespeople will see high demand in include construction, agriculture, maintenance, and mechanical fields.
These tradespeople will often need to be more versatile to handle the wider range of jobs that consumers may need. A successful rural HVAC technician, for example, may be proficient with both residential and commercial work to remain competitive in the smaller job market.
Demand for Skilled Trades in Urban Areas
With expanding infrastructure like smart technology and greener building standards, many trades are expected to see increased demand in cities. Some of these include HVAC, construction, electrical work, and even CDL-B licensed bus drivers
Demand for Skilled Trades in Rural Areas
Although infrastructure and development needs may be lower in rural areas, skilled trades workers will still be needed. Professionals with versatile skills are likely to be in higher demand compared to those with more limited abilities. For example, a plumber who can design and install complete piping systems, as well as handle routine service calls, is likely to have greater job security.
Skilled Trades Career Advancement: Urban Areas
While there are many jobs available to skilled trades workers in cities, there may be less room for career advancement for professionals who do not have certain skills, certifications, or specializations.
Skilled Trades Career Advancement: Rural Areas
There may be more opportunities for career advancement in rural areas compared to cities. This is partially due to working in a less-populated area with a higher demand for essential services, and less competition. In addition, rural areas can be closer-knit, leading to stronger networking opportunities among professionals and customers alike, which can prompt talented tradespeople to undertake leadership roles more quickly.
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Are There More Unions in Cities or Rural Towns?
Trades unions are more common in cities due to the higher concentration of workers, industries being serviced, and companies hiring. Cities also tend to have larger-scale projects, which may require unionized labor.
Unions may be harder to find in small towns due to the smaller number of businesses in the area, along with a more limited workforce. Some of these businesses operate on more informal networks and agreements. However, there are still some unions that rural employees can join. If you work in a rural location but are still interested in joining a union, search for unions that support trades workers in your area.
Do Cities or Rural Areas Pay Better?
As with all jobs, pay scales differ depending on your location. Generally speaking, skilled trades jobs in cities tend to be higher paying than in rural areas. This difference in pay can be due to many factors, a few of which being the higher cost of living, an increased demand for the specific job, and greater availability of resources overall.
This is not to say, however, that you will not find a well-paying skilled trades job if you live in a smaller community. As a rural tradesperson, it will be important to stay on top of any certifications you need or already have, diversify your skill set, and to advocate for yourself when discussing any pay or raises.
The Trades in Cities vs. Rural Towns: Which Is Better?
Both cities and rural areas have their benefits and drawbacks when it comes to working in the skilled trades. Whether you live in a rural area, a small town, or somewhere in between, you can have a fulfilling career in the trades if you know how to navigate certain challenges (as well as enjoy any location-based perks)!
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