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These workers are in hot demand, don't need a college degree and make nearly 6 figures


MARKETWATCH 9:12 AM ET 3/7/2017

Do Americans prize white collar jobs too much?

It's a universal truth of being a homeowner: the people you need if you want to fix up your home are always in hot demand.

As it turns out, that demand translates to a pretty decent living for residential remodelers, according to data from the National Association of Home Builders.

In 2015, remodelers had an average net profit margin of 5.3%, which averaged to a profit of $95,000, NAHB noted in a recent research post (http://eyeonhousing.org/2017/03/how-much-do-residential-remodelers-earn-in-a-year/).

"Remodeler" is a catch-all phrase that includes anyone who carries out structural alterations to an existing home -- think redoing a kitchen, as opposed to just painting it, or doing one discrete type of trade work somewhere in the home, like plumbing.

In 2015, people in that category had total revenues that averaged about $1.78 million, of which 71% paid for labor and materials and another 24% went to operating expenses like marketing and administrative costs.

NAHB doesn't conduct the survey every year, and it's worth noting that in 2011, the average net profit margin was a lot leaner: 3.0%. But the economy overall wasn't in great shape in 2011, either.

While remodeling can be hard work and the hours can be long, it doesn't require a college degree. NAHB offers some continuing education programs for remodelers who want to specialize, and those only take a few days to complete.

There's a growing awareness that Americans' emphasis on college education over trades may not be benefitting either the supply or demand side of that equation. The number of people defaulting on student debt is rising - and taking out student debt is most dangerous for those who struggle (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/meet-the-real-face-of-the- student-debt-crisis-2016-10-10) to find their way in the working world after graduating.

Also read: 5 blue-collar jobs that pay $100,000 a year (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/5-blue-collar-jobs-that-pay- 100000-a-year-2015-01-08)

And it's not just you and your neighbor struggling to find someone to return a phone call and come out to give you an estimate. The industry as a whole calls "labor availability" one of its biggest challenges. It may be time for some sustained policy efforts to try to solve both problems at the same time.

-Andrea Riquier; 415-439-6400; [e-mail]


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