Archive: May 2020

There’s an old joke about Arkansas weather having three seasons: January, February, and summer. There’s another one about Arkansans running their heating and air conditioning at different times during the same day. Whatever the case, we can all agree that our household comfort systems are extremely important. As anyone who’s ever had an air conditioner quit working in the middle of summer will tell you, they would pay almost anything to someone who can get it restored quickly. If you’re an individual who’s looking for a high-paying career, it definitely gets you thinking. In fact, According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (bls.gov) new openings in the HVAC industry will increase by 21 percent through 2022, and there are presently thousands of unfilled HVAC jobs available throughout the United States. HVAC technicians earn a median income of nearly $44,000 annually, with some earning over $70,000 a year.

Whether you’re entering the workforce for the first time, or changing careers, making an informed decision is challenging. Most high schools struggle to prepare their students to enter the workforce, and focus instead on encouraging them to get more education at a four year university. Unfortunately, a conventional college education isn’t a good fit for everyone, and careers in the skilled trades are experiencing unprecedented growth. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (bls.gov), plumbers currently earn a median income of $53,910 per year, and job opportunities are expected to grow by 16% through 2026, much faster than the average for other careers.

As you travel throughout The Natural State, it’s hard to miss the large amount of new construction that’s taking place. People throughout the country are quickly learning what most of us have known all our lives: this is a great place to live and work. People are relocating here in record numbers to take advantage of job opportunities, a great climate, great food, and lots of opportunities for outdoor recreation. Those people all need places to live and places to shop, and the demand for carpenters is continuing to grow. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment of carpenters is projected to grow 8 percent from 2016 to 2026, and the median annual wage for carpenters was $46,590 in May 2018 (bls.gov).