Kevin O'Leary: You Can Get Rich Going To Trade School

Kevin O'Leary thinks attending college isn't necessarily the best financial decision for everyone. “I don’t recommend college for everybody,” O’Leary tells CNBC Make It. “The fact is, there’s a lot of trade schools that would help you make a lot more money. Be a plumber, they get rich,” he says. “Everybody has to have a plumber, even in a recession.”

In a previous interview, O'Leary told us that perspective students should think about the amount of debt they'll incur and how a college education will help them pay that off. To that point, the time and cost commitments for trade schools tend to be less than a traditional college or university education.

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Kevin O'Leary: You Can Get Rich Going To Trade School

[ChrisInvests]

Trade schools are seriously underrated now. I think they'll make a comeback 😀👍

[tunathecat]

That's why I became an accountant. My dad always said you'll always work even when the company is going under because someone still has to run the books

[DanielIles]

I work with tons of business owners that work in trades and make more than many office professionals. It’s about being good at what you do and finding those that need your services.

[bartselectric]

Several have mentioned this, but the whole "earn while you learn" is a huge benefit of becoming an apprentice. The electrician apprentices in our electrical apprenticeship program make a great wage while learning the trade in a controlled environment from trained professionals. No student loan debt, plus great benefits and a path to a lucrative career.

[patrickbluth]

I totally agree with this. While trade school is not for everyone, neither is Unversity. However, society and our education system has built up such a stigma against trade school and blue-collar work that a lot of people skip out on a trade and go to Unversity for a degree they aren't sure they want because everyone tells them it's the right thing to do. If you are the type of person who would be happy doing hands-on work, trade school is 100% the best option. It is a shame that so many people look down on these jobs with some false sense of superiority.

[amykang]

I went to a trade school and it was the best decision I ever made

[mongul]

I'm an operations engineer for a fortune 500 company. Started as a electrical helper to a lighting tech. All rewarding paths. Kevin knows what he's talking about.

[calvinraab]

It's amazing how much you can make with a trade school degree, and most likely you won't have nearly as much debt as you would should you have gone to a four year.

[brett]

I'm just about to finish my Plumbing/HVAC apprenticeship. It was paid for by my employer. I worked normal hours while going to school 3 nights a week. 5 years total, the last 3 years I made over $100k. No debt at all since I didn't have to pay for school. Go that route.

[darlgearhart]

I went to Massage school (1year program) and now I'm about to open my own spa and manage other massage therapists.

[des]

the reality is plumbers and electricians are in such short supply they can change premium prices. and in the USA, just add another zero like they do with everything else

[antoniodefilippis]

2 years of hvac school now making 85k a year 21 yerars old

[flawaii-pines]

Excellent point... Almost all trades can be turned into a small business.

[ScottyROgden]

Outstanding video! I am actually in the last month of trade school to become an Aviation Maintenance Technician. Some of these top paying airlines such as Fedex, Delta etc. pay well over 50 dollars an hour after top out pay. There is a huge demand right now for trade jobs. Also, pilots are needed too!

[Doors]

My cousin did just that, laughed in my face about me going to university. I got the 35k a year office job, he has the 70k a year blue collar job. "If he cant drive with a broken back, at least he can polish his fenders" 😂

[boomsuga]

Very very true. University and college are now a days over rated.

[terrysanghera]

mr wonderful got me motivated to become a Plumber!

[leelee]

Trade school definitely is the way to go, electricians make loads of money, and there in demand.

[patryuji]

Plumber Median Salary (mid career): $50, 600 per year (2015). Electrician Median Salary (mid career): $51, 880 per year (2015).
Contrast with Civil Engineer median salary: $82, 000 per year (2015) and Electrical Engineer: $95, 000 per year (2015).
Being an entrepreneur (aka business owner) is a completely different career path and many people who are great at their trade, won't know the first thing about running a business (nor even want to be involved in that side of their trade).

[BigMastah]

If you live in a hot place like California or Texas, people will ALWAYS want your services with Air Conditioning