Why Hands-on Jobs Can Be the Most Rewarding

What are Hands-on Jobs?

Hands-on jobs, also known as skilled trades, involve physical work and practical skills to maintain, repair, and create tangible products and systems. These professions are essential for the functioning of various industries and everyday lives. 

• Maintenance and repair technicians, for instance, fix and maintain a wide range of equipment - from household appliances to industrial machines. They diagnose issues, replace faulty parts, and ensure devices operate efficiently.
• Automobile mechanics specialize in repairing and maintaining vehicles, performing tasks that range from routine maintenance work like oil changes and brake inspections to complex engine repairs and electronic system diagnostics. 
• System mechanics work on larger mechanical systems such as HVAC units and industrial machinery to ensure they run smoothly and efficiently through regular maintenance and emergency repairs. 
• Electricians install, maintain, and repair electrical systems in homes, businesses, and industrial settings. They are skilled at tasks like wiring, troubleshooting, and ensuring electrical systems are up to code. 

These are just a few examples of hands-on jobs that offer stable career paths with opportunities for specialization and advancement.

What Makes Hands-on Jobs Rewarding?

Hands-on jobs provide a sense of fulfillment and tangible impact that many other careers lack. They also offer distinct benefits that make them exceptionally rewarding. 

These roles are particularly satisfying due to three main factors: competitive compensation, high job satisfaction, and a balanced work-life experience.

1. High Demand and Compensation

When considering the financial aspect, hands-on jobs often offer competitive wages. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), installation, maintenance, and repair occupations encompass workers who set up, take care of, and fix various goods and equipment. Overall employment in these occupations is projected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations from 2022 to 2032. 

Approximately 582,100 openings are projected each year, on average, in these fields due to employment growth and the need to replace workers who leave these occupations permanently. The median annual wage for this group was $53,920 in May 2023, higher than the median annual wage for all occupations, which stood at $48,060.

The above figures highlight the high demand and financial viability of hands-on jobs across industries like aviation, automotive, renewable energy, and healthcare, among others. 

Let’s look at a few numbers from these industries:

• The US manufacturing and construction sectors face a hiring crunch for skilled workers such as carpenters, electricians, welders, and plumbers. According to McKinsey, annual hiring in the US for critical roles could be more than 20 times the projected annual increase in net new jobs from 2022 to 2032.
• There is an equally growing demand for skilled, hands-on aviation workers. According to one estimate, 402,000 new aircraft maintenance technicians will be needed over the next ten years. 
• Employment of automotive service technicians and mechanics is projected to grow 2% from 2022 to 2032.
• Compensation in the energy sector is typically higher than for similar occupations in the broader economy. For instance, solar PV installers earn around 15% more than general roofers and 40% more than telecommunication installers, even though all these occupations require comparable skills.

These statistics highlight the increasing demand and above-average compensation for workers in hands-on jobs, even during challenging economic conditions.

2. Satisfaction at Work

Trade skills offer a direct path to a career aligned with your strengths and passions. That eliminates the need to settle for jobs outside your field of interest. The flexibility of trade work and the competitive salaries, benefits, and entrepreneurship opportunities they offer make these roles highly attractive. 

This is particularly significant as job satisfaction is a high priority for the current workforce. According to a 2024 Deloitte survey, most Gen Zs (86%) and millennials (89%) consider having a sense of purpose in their work crucial for their overall job satisfaction and well-being.

Skilled trades stand out not just for their high job satisfaction but also for the numerous job openings and resilience to automation. Angi's Skilled Trades Report 2024 indicates that nearly 90% of surveyed tradespeople are very or somewhat satisfied with their current profession. 

This stands in contrast to certain other lines of work where extended work hours and persistent screen time are commonplace. In contrast, hands-on trade jobs offer a dynamic work environment with opportunities for social interaction that is often lacking in remote roles.

3. Work-life Balance

Employees today are increasingly seeking jobs that fit their lives rather than the other way around. 

According to a Randstad survey, more than half (61%) of respondents would not accept a position that is detrimental to their work-life balance. This sentiment is further supported by a 2022 survey in the US which found that being overworked was the most common cause of work-related stress, followed by a lack of work-life balance.

Hands-on occupations provide an easy solution to this issue. These jobs often involve rotational shifts or contract-based work with flexible hours. Unlike many desk jobs, these roles have fixed timings that allow workers to plan better and prioritize their personal lives. What’s more, since these workers are not constantly connected via digital tools, they can truly disconnect from work once their shift ends.

This balance between work and personal life leads to higher job satisfaction and overall well-being.