💰 How does electrician apprenticeship pay compare to college debt?

Deciding between college and the trades is a major life choice. As American Electrician explains, the trades are unique because you get paid to learn. While most people are racking up debt you are racking up cash and knowledge. This calculator compares your potential 4-year earnings as an electrician apprentice against the cost of taking on a traditional college degree.

As an apprentice, you get paid to learn. As American Electrician puts it, the typical range for a first year Apprentice is somewhere between $13 and $20 an hour. This means that while you're earning an education you can make somewhere between $27,000 and $41,000 for your first year.

Your total hours matter because many apprentices work overtime. As American Electrician notes, even my first year when I was making $15 I ended up making about $40,000 that year. Plus, no matter where you start at on that scale whether it's $13 or $20 you are guaranteed to go up every single year.

While apprentices are earning money, traditional college students are usually paying for tuition and living expenses with debt. Compare your potential trade earnings against the cost of a 4-year degree to see your massive net financial head start by the time you're fully licensed.

The typical student takes out loans to cover any gap between part-time work and living costs. Enter your estimated college costs below to see the true opportunity cost of skipping the trades.