From millwrights, electricians and plumbers to welders and carpenters, skilled trades workers are the backbone of our economy. They build our homes, maintain our infrastructure, and keep our world running. Yet, a growing number of these hardworking professionals are looking beyond their primary job, diligently building a second income. The reason? To secure a retirement that’s as solid as the structures they build.
Skilled tradespeople — electricians, plumbers, welders, HVAC techs and more — have always been the backbone of the economy. Lately, many in these professions are quietly growing side incomes: part-time contracting, online training, small service businesses, or freelance consulting. The reason isn’t fashion — it’s math and security.
First, retirement readiness is uneven. Many Americans haven’t built the nest egg they need; surveys show a large share of non-retirees don’t feel “on track” with retirement savings (only about one-third said their plan was on track in recent Fed data). Federal Reserve For workers who relied on employer pensions in past generations, the shift toward defined-contribution plans (or no plan at all) means more personal responsibility — and more risk.
Access to employer retirement plans matters a great deal. Millions of workers lack access to workplace retirement benefits; those without access struggle to accumulate wealth and are far less likely to receive employer matching contributions that speed savings. Pew Charitable Trusts For many trades workers — especially those who are self-employed, work seasonally, or are on short-term contracts — a traditional employer-sponsored 401(k) simply isn’t available.
Social Security also looms large in these decisions. While Social Security is an important safety net, it generally replaces only a fraction of pre-retirement income. Coupled with projections about long-term funding pressures, many tradespeople don’t want to rely on it as their sole income source in retirement. This makes supplemental income streams attractive: they increase savings, allow additional retirement account contributions (IRAs, SEP-IRAs), and sometimes produce ongoing passive or semi-passive revenue.
Practical realities push the choice further. Median retirement savings numbers show big shortfalls for typical households at midlife; many fall well short of recommended multiples of annual salary by age 50 and 60. Kiplinger+1 For a trades worker who may have spent earlier career years on lower wages, caught up paying off tools, vehicles, or training, a side income can accelerate catching up.
Finally, flexibility and transferable skills make side hustles feasible. A carpenter might teach weekend workshops, a welder can offer specialty repairs or sell custom pieces online, and experienced tradespeople can monetize troubleshooting or consulting through short video courses or local contracting. The gig economy also makes it easier to find short-term gigs that fit around full-time shop schedules. The Interview Guys
The takeaway: building a second income isn’t just about wanting more money — it’s a practical response to structural gaps in retirement coverage, real shortfalls in typical savings levels, and the desire for control. For tradespeople, side income can mean an earlier, more secure retirement or simply breathing room later in life. Start small, track what you earn, and use extra cash to fund retirement accounts or investments — even modest, consistent contributions compound into real security over time.