Amid a tightening labor market and concerns about artificial intelligence reshaping white-collar work, the skilled trades offer a compelling alternative: strong pay, tangible career progression, and high demand. Yet, these fields remain stubbornly male-dominated. While the overall number of younger workers entering trades is rising, women continue to be a small fraction of the workforce in critical sectors like plumbing, electrical work, and diesel mechanics.
According to the most recent occupational data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), women comprised just 3.1% of carpenters and plumbers and 3.5% of electricians in 2025. The numbers are similarly low in other manual trades. This persistent gender gap exists despite the sector’s clear economic advantages. A national shortage of skilled workers has driven up wages and created thousands of job openings, offering a pathway to financial stability that does not require a traditional four-year degree.
“We are not where we want to be with a diversified workforce, but we are seeing that number grow,” said Ian Andrews, vice president of labor relations at the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA), a trade group representing the electrical contracting industry. Historical BLS data shows progress is incremental; two decades ago, women made up only 1.9% of the electrician workforce.
For women, entering these fields can mean accessing salaries that often outpace many white-collar entry-level positions, robust union benefits, and a career path less susceptible to automation. “Women that pursue this path are positioning themselves for job security, stability, growth,” said Vicki Salemi, a career expert at Monster. “The possibilities are robust in these fields, and they are often underserved.”
CNBC spoke with four women working in skilled trades about their career choices, the challenges they face, and the opportunities they’ve found. Their stories highlight both the systemic barriers and the personal rewards of a career in the trades.
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Cristina Barillas-McEntee, Plumber
Cristina Barillas-McEntee, 55, took a leap of faith in 1998. Working as a makeup artist in Chicago, she wanted greater long-term stability. A friend suggested applying to the local plumbers union.
The path required a significant initial sacrifice. During a five-year apprenticeship, her hourly wage was $9. “This is a sacrifice you make for the larger end goal,” she said. Completing the program earns a journeyman certification, after which union wages and full benefits—including health, dental, vision, and a pension—kick in.
Today, Barillas-McEntee earns $56 an hour and plans to retire at 60. “My retirement is looking good. I’m very happy.” After 25 years on the job, she is often the only woman on site. “I’ve gotten pretty used to it, but it can get pretty lonely,” she noted, adding that she now actively encourages other women to consider the trade.
Teagan Hollabaugh, Heavy-Duty Diesel Mechanic
For Teagan Hollabaugh, 22, the appeal was hands-on problem-solving. “I didn’t want to sit behind a desk,” she said. “I knew I needed something that was very involved to keep me entertained day to day.”
She enrolled at Rosedale Technical College in Pittsburgh before graduating high school and secured a diesel mechanic position immediately after completing her program—a notable achievement in today’s competitive job market. However, the gender imbalance is stark. “In my garage currently, I am the only female technician.”
The lack of female mentors presents a unique challenge, particularly around long-term career planning. “I want to stay in the field and use the knowledge, but at the same time, I want to start a family,” Teagan explained. “Working where I work and being in the garage, it’s just not possible for me to be able to do that and do my job at the same time.” She sees a need for more flexible roles and visible examples of women balancing trade careers with family life.
Lilian Hollabaugh, HVAC Installation Technician
Lilian Hollabaugh, 22, twin sister to Teagan, initially followed her sister’s lead into a technical program, choosing HVAC. “This seems like it might be fun,” she thought. But her job hunt revealed immediate bias
