Hawai’i is one of the most expensive places to live in the U.S. and around the world. A complex web made up of geographical constraints, limited land availability, and a heavy dependence on imported goods have laid the ground work for giving Hawai’i this unwanted distinction. It is a complicated issue with no straightforward solution to quickly reduce the financial burden experienced by so many families.
However, is there another way to untangle this mess through the world of trades? Trade school programs and trade jobs offer an alternate way to reduce some of the challenges created by Hawai’i’s high cost of living.
Less debt
While the cost of living will remain the same whether you pursue a traditional university or a trade school, the amount of debt you have when you enter the workforce can widely vary. The 2023-2024 cost of tuition at the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa is $11,304 for Hawai’i residents. After four years, tuition will have cost more than $45,000. Hawai’i Pacific University costs $38,640 this year, and an undergraduate degree there will have cost more than $150,000 after four years.
Ideally, students have some scholarships and grants to help reduce the sticker price. Nonetheless, many students will still be left with thousands of dollars in debt after graduating from these two local schools.
Trade schools, on the other hand, are usually less expensive and require less time to complete. For example, the tuition for an Associate of Applied Science in Welding Technology costs $8,384 at Honolulu Community College, an Associate of Science to become a Paralegal at Kapi’olani Community College costs $8,122, and the Massage Therapy program’s tuition at Hawai’i Healing Arts College is $9,150. These are not the costs per semester – these are costs for the entire program.
By going to a trade school, you are setting yourself up for having less debt and practical skills when you enter the workforce.
Competitive Wages
Choosing to go to a grade school does not mean you are settling for lower wages. Trade jobs have continued to offer competitive wages that are comparable to the salaries of jobs that require degrees. Here are some of the average annual salaries for trade jobs in Hawai’i:
- Paralegal: $59,690
- Massage Therapist: $64,030
- Practical Nurse: $55,730
- Mechanics: $52,500
- Dental Hygienist: $83,850
- Electrician: $88,630
- Welder: $70,000
You might have a higher earning potential with a bachelor’s degree, but there is no guarantee of landing a job with a lucrative salary. In a skilled trade, you are learning a trade with the specific intent of working in that field. Whereas a bachelor’s degree in economics might lead to a wide range of career paths, from minimum wage positions to high-paying investment roles, trade education is more likely to result in secure trade jobs with defined salary ranges.
An old approach revisited
Trade education and trade jobs are not a magical solution that will suddenly make living in Hawai’i more affordable. Housing and the price of goods will likely continue to rise. But by providing avenues for employment that do not necessarily require substantial student debt, this trade education pathway serve as a practical solution to alleviate some of the challenges. Trade education and careers directly help reduce debt while still ensuring a pathway towards a stable career and strong salary.
Ultimately, skilled trades provide residents in Hawai’i an opportunity for reducing the financial strain created by the high cost of living while contributing to a more resilient workforce and economy.
