The HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) industry is on track for substantial growth through the end of the decade, driven by expanding construction, increasing demand for energy-efficient systems, electrification trends, and rising residential and commercial climate-control needs. The U.S. HVAC market alone is expected to grow significantly by 2030, reflecting both the rising demand and the complexity of modern systems
The demand for qualified electricians in the United States is growing faster than nearly any other skilled trade — driven by booming construction, renewable energy expansion, infrastructure upgrades, electric vehicle adoption, and the rising need for advanced electrical systems. Despite strong job growth prospects, the industry is facing a significant shortage of skilled electricians that is expected to continue through 2030 and beyond.
The plumbing trade is essential to modern infrastructure — from residential water systems and commercial plumbing installations to industrial pipe networks and public utilities. But like many skilled trades, plumbing is facing a significant workforce shortfall that is expected to grow if current trends continue. Keep your skills sharp and stay ahead of the curve with our professional development opportunities. From webinars to workshops, we offer a range of options to help you grow as a professional.
The welding profession is foundational to manufacturing, infrastructure, construction, transportation, energy, and more. Welders build and maintain the steel structures, vehicles, industrial equipment, pipes, and critical systems that power the economy. But despite its importance, the U.S. welding workforce is facing a widening gap between demand and available skilled labor that’s expected to continue through 2030 and beyond.

Projected HVAC Technician Shortage by 2030 — Industry Outlook
The HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) industry is on track for substantial growth through the end of the decade, driven by expanding construction, increasing demand for energy-efficient systems, electrification trends, and rising residential and commercial climate-control needs. The U.S. HVAC market alone is expected to grow significantly by 2030, reflecting both the rising demand and the complexity of modern systems.
At the same time, the industry is facing a significant shortage of skilled technicians, which is projected to intensify as we approach 2030:
Industry data indicates the HVAC labor gap could widen dramatically over the next decade:
To put it in context, the number of available HVAC jobs is growing faster than the average for all occupations, yet demand consistently outpaces the supply of qualified workers.

The demand for qualified electricians in the United States is growing faster than nearly any other skilled trade — driven by booming construction, renewable energy expansion, infrastructure upgrades, electric vehicle adoption, and the rising need for advanced electrical systems. Despite strong job growth prospects, the industry is facing a significant shortage of skilled electricians that is expected to continue through 2030 and beyond.
Electricians are essential to building, maintaining, and modernizing electrical infrastructure in homes, businesses, factories, factories, and critical facilities like data centers. Key factors boosting demand include:
Several labor market dynamics are creating a widening gap in the skilled electrician workforce:
Industry data and labor market analysis project a substantial shortfall of electricians by 2030 if current trends continue:
If these trends persist without major workforce development interventions, the electrician labor gap could become one of the most pressing skilled-trade shortages of the decade.

🔧 What’s Driving the Welder Shortage
Several major trends are contributing to a significant workforce gap in welding:
While official employment growth for welders is moderate, the real gap is in replacements and unmet demand:
Even if overall job growth for welders is modest, the replacement demand — retirements plus new industry needs — adds up to a substantial workforce shortfall by 2030.
🔹 Longer lead times on projects requiring skilled welding.
🔹 Rising labor costs and premium pay as employers compete for a limited pool of qualified welders.
🔹 Increased reliance on training and apprenticeships to bring new talent into the trade.
🔹 Opportunities for career seekers: Welding remains one of the most secure and in-demand skilled trade careers, with high job stability and potential for good earnings.
Welders are essential to nearly every sector of the economy that builds or repairs metal structures and equipment. Without a robust pipeline of trained welders, construction, infrastructure modernization, energy projects, and manufacturing businesses could face delays, cost pressures, and quality challenges as the shortage deepens toward 2030.

The plumbing trade is essential to modern infrastructure — from residential water systems and commercial plumbing installations to industrial pipe networks and public utilities. But like many skilled trades, plumbing is facing a significant workforce shortfall that is expected to grow if current trends continue.
Several structural and demographic factors are driving a widening gap between the number of plumbers needed and the number entering the profession:
Builders and industry leaders consistently report acute shortage signals — with many contractors struggling to find enough licensed plumbers to keep projects on schedule.
While long-range employment growth for plumbers is moderate (projected at about 4% through 2034), replacement demand and retirements create far more openings than new entrants can fill.
Independent industry research highlights the scale of the current gap and suggests trends that likely persist into the 2030s:
Despite the challenges, the plumbing trade represents an opportunity for individuals seeking a stable, high-demand career without a traditional four-year degree. Increased focus on apprenticeships, vocational education, and recruitment campaigns can help close the gap and bring new talent into this vital profession.