Apprenticeships & Skilled Trades for Veterans: $60K-$100K Career Without College Degree

Bottom Line Up Front: Skilled trades (electrician, plumber, HVAC, welder) pay $60K-$100K+ after 4-year apprenticeship. No college degree required. Veterans preferred by trade unions (Helmets to Hardhats program). Get paid while learning ($20-$30/hour as apprentice, $35-$60/hour as journeyman). GI Bill covers apprenticeship + BAH (get paid twice - apprentice wages + BAH). Trades shortage = high demand (retiring boomers, not enough young workers). Lifetime career (can't be outsourced, AI can't replace electrician). Pension + healthcare via union (similar to military benefits).

Why Skilled Trades Are Perfect for Veterans

Military Skills Transfer to Trades

Military experience:

• Physical work (used to manual labor)
• Discipline (show up on time, follow procedures)
• Safety-conscious (critical in trades)
• Team player (apprentice → journeyman → mentor)
• Problem-solving (troubleshooting systems)

Trades value these skills:

• Veterans = preferred hires (lower risk, proven work ethic)

No College Degree Required

Apprenticeship path:

1. High school diploma (or GED) ✅
2. Apply to apprenticeship (union or non-union)
3. Get accepted (interview, aptitude test)
4. Work + learn (4-5 year apprenticeship)
5. Become journeyman (licensed tradesperson)

No student debt:

• College: $40K-$100K+ debt
• Apprenticeship: $0 debt (actually PAID while learning)

Income Progression

Apprentice (Years 1-4):

• Year 1: $20-$25/hour ($40K-$50K/year)
• Year 2: $25-$30/hour ($50K-$60K/year)
• Year 3: $30-$35/hour ($60K-$70K/year)
• Year 4: $35-$40/hour ($70K-$80K/year)

Journeyman (Year 5+):

• $40-$60/hour ($80K-$120K/year)
• Overtime common ($100K-$150K with OT)

Master tradesperson (10-20 years):

• $50-$75/hour ($100K-$150K+)
• OR start own business ($150K-$300K+ as owner)

Retirement:

• Union pension ($2,000-$4,000/month)
• Social Security
• Savings
• Plus military pension if you did 20 years (dual pensions!)

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Top Trades for Veterans

Electrician (Highest Demand)

What you do:

• Install, maintain, repair electrical systems
• Residential, commercial, industrial
• New construction, renovations, service calls

Apprenticeship:

• 4-5 years (8,000-10,000 hours on-job training + classroom)
• Union (IBEW) OR non-union

Salary:

• Apprentice: $40K-$70K (years 1-4)
• Journeyman: $60K-$90K
• Master electrician: $80K-$120K

Demand:

• Very high (electricians retiring, not enough replacements)

Veteran advantage:

• Military electrical experience (transferable)

Plumber (Recession-Proof)

What you do:

• Install, repair pipes, fixtures, water systems
• Residential, commercial
• New construction + service (fixing leaks, clogs)

Apprenticeship:

• 4-5 years (8,000-10,000 hours)

Salary:

• Apprentice: $35K-$65K
• Journeyman: $55K-$85K
• Master plumber: $75K-$110K

Demand:

• High (people always need plumbing)
• Recession-proof (houses always need repairs)

Veteran advantage:

• Familiarity with systems (ships, bases = complex plumbing)

HVAC Technician (High Growth)

What you do:

• Install, maintain heating/cooling systems
• Residential, commercial
• Seasonal demand (AC summer, heat winter)

Apprenticeship:

• 3-5 years

Salary:

• Apprentice: $35K-$60K
• Journeyman: $50K-$80K
• Master HVAC: $70K-$100K

Demand:

• Very high (climate change = more AC demand, older systems replaced)

Certifications needed:

• EPA 608 (handling refrigerants - required)

Welder (High-Skill)

What you do:

• Join metal parts (construction, manufacturing, repair)
• Underwater welding (oil rigs, ships - $50K-$100K+)
• Structural, pipe welding

Apprenticeship:

• 2-4 years (shorter than other trades)

Salary:

• Entry: $40K-$55K
• Experienced: $55K-$85K
• Specialized (underwater, pipeline): $80K-$150K

Demand:

• High in manufacturing, construction, energy sectors

Veteran advantage:

• Many veterans have welding experience (motor pool, engineering)

Carpenter (Entrepreneurship Potential)

What you do:

• Build, install wooden structures (framing, cabinets, finish work)
• Residential, commercial

Apprenticeship:

• 3-4 years

Salary:

• Apprentice: $30K-$50K
• Journeyman: $45K-$70K
• Master carpenter: $60K-$90K
• Own business: $80K-$150K+

Demand:

• High (housing construction boom)

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Helmets to Hardhats (Veteran Pipeline)

What Is Helmets to Hardhats?

Program connecting veterans to union apprenticeships:

• Free service
• Connects you to local unions (electricians, plumbers, carpenters, etc.)
• Fast-track application (veteran preference)

How it works:

1. Register: HelmetstoHardhats.org
2. Create profile (military experience, location, trade interest)
3. Matched with local unions (based on openings)
4. Apply to union apprenticeship
5. If accepted: Start apprenticeship

Success rate: 80%+ placement (veterans prioritized)

Union vs. Non-Union Apprenticeships

Union apprenticeships:

• Pros: Higher pay, pension, healthcare, job security, formal training
• Cons: Union dues ($50-$100/month), strict rules, seniority system

Average union journeyman: $70K-$100K + pension + benefits

Non-union apprenticeships:

• Pros: More flexibility, no dues, faster promotion possible
• Cons: Lower pay, no pension, fewer benefits, less job security

Average non-union journeyman: $50K-$80K

Recommendation: Union (better long-term benefits, especially if you value pension/healthcare like military)

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Using GI Bill for Apprenticeships

GI Bill Covers Apprenticeships

How it works:

• Enroll in registered apprenticeship
• VA pays BAH (decreases each 6 months as you earn more)
• Year 1: 100% BAH ($1,500-$3,500/month depending on location)
• Year 2: 80% BAH
• Year 3: 60% BAH
• Year 4: 40% BAH
• Year 5: 20% BAH

Why decreasing:

• You're earning more as apprentice (year 1 = $40K, year 4 = $70K)
• VA supplements less as you make more

Total benefit:

• Apprentice wages: $40K-$80K over 4 years ($160K total)
• GI Bill BAH: $50K-$80K over 4 years (decreasing)
• Total income during apprenticeship: $210K-$260K (get paid while learning!)

vs. College:

• College: Pay $60K tuition, earn $0
• Apprenticeship: Earn $210K+ while learning

Which is better?

• Depends on career goals (engineer needs college, electrician doesn't)

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Action Steps

This Month (Research):

1. ✅ Explore trades (electrician, plumber, HVAC, welder)
2. ✅ Research local unions (IBEW, UA Plumbers, etc.)
3. ✅ Register: HelmetstoHardhats.org

Next 3 Months (Apply):

1. ✅ Apply to apprenticeships (union + non-union)
2. ✅ Take aptitude tests (basic math, reading comprehension)
3. ✅ Interview with unions

If Accepted:

1. ✅ Enroll in GI Bill apprenticeship (VA.gov)
2. ✅ Start work (first day on job)
3. ✅ Attend classroom training (evenings/weekends)

During Apprenticeship:

1. ✅ Work hard (journeymen evaluate you for promotion)
2. ✅ Study (classroom + on-job learning)
3. ✅ Network (build relationships with contractors, journeymen)

After Journeyman:

1. ✅ Continue working OR start own business
2. ✅ Mentor apprentices (give back)

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Related Guides

• GI Bill Complete Guide
• Starting a Trade Business
• Blue Collar vs. White Collar Careers

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Remember: Skilled trades = excellent career for veterans (no degree required, $60K-$100K+ income, pension + benefits, can't be outsourced). Helmets to Hardhats connects veterans to union apprenticeships (80%+ placement). Get paid while learning ($40K-$80K during 4-year apprenticeship). GI Bill covers apprenticeships (BAH + apprentice wages = $210K-$260K over 4 years). Trades shortage = high demand (job security). Lifetime career (30-40 years, can't be replaced by AI). Thousands of veterans succeed in trades - you can too.