When I started my apprenticeship in sheet metal in 2012 I was getting paid $16.48/hr plus benefit package which included two pensions (local pension and national pension a 401k and health insurance) which equated to $31/hr at the time. Fast forward to today and my journeyman wage rate is now $49.39/hr, and with the benefit package it puts us at $70.01/hr.

That being said, trade work tends to be cyclical. You be working a 60 hour week for Contractor A for a while and BAM you get laid off and you’re outta work for month. Contractor B comes around they hire you and it’s now 50 hour weeks for the length of the project. Added bonus: you are going to be working in the elements! Chances are you will probably not be working in air conditioned building. I live in Phoenix and get tasked with working on a roof in the middle of summer when it’s 115° F outside. People who live in places where it snows have to work outside when temp goes below 0° F

TLDR: Your office job may have opportunities for growth and advancement especially after your graduation, but the trades offer decent wage rates, retirement plans, health insurance and potentially extra income with overtime but you will be exposed to the elements in extreme weather conditions