Our Methodology
Transparency in how we collect, verify, and present data. Here is exactly how we ensure the information on Trades Guide is accurate and trustworthy.
Primary Data Sources
Our primary source for salary data, employment statistics, and job growth projections. We use the following BLS datasets:
- Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): National and state-level wage data updated annually
- Occupational Outlook Handbook: Job growth projections and career descriptions
- Current Employment Statistics: Industry employment trends
We partner with and reference data from major trade associations:
- Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC)
- National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA)
- Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association (PHCC)
- Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA)
Additional data from federal and state sources:
- Department of Labor: Apprenticeship data and program statistics
- O*NET: Detailed occupation characteristics and requirements
- State licensing boards: Certification requirements by state
How We Process Data
Salary Data
- We report median wages (not averages) to avoid skew from outliers
- Salary ranges represent 10th to 90th percentile earnings
- State-level data is pulled directly from BLS OEWS
- Entry-level estimates are based on 10th-25th percentile ranges
- Experience-based progression is derived from industry surveys
Update Schedule
- Salary data: Updated annually when BLS releases new OEWS data (typically May)
- Job growth projections: Updated every 2 years with new BLS projections
- Career descriptions: Reviewed quarterly for accuracy
- State requirements: Verified annually against state licensing boards
Career Quiz Methodology
Our career matching quiz uses a weighted scoring system based on research into occupational characteristics and personality-job fit:
Work Environment Preferences
Questions about indoor/outdoor work, physical activity level, and work schedule preferences are matched against O*NET work context data for each trade.
Skills and Interests
We assess mechanical aptitude, problem-solving preferences, and technical interests using frameworks derived from vocational psychology research.
Career Goals
Questions about income expectations, business ownership interest, and job security priorities help match users to trades that align with their goals.
Each answer contributes points to relevant trade categories. Final recommendations are ranked by total score and presented with match percentages. The quiz is designed as a starting point for exploration, not a definitive career assessment.
Limitations & Caveats
We believe in being upfront about the limitations of our data:
- Local variation: Wages and job availability can vary significantly within states. Our state-level data represents averages and may not reflect your specific metro area.
- Union vs. non-union: Reported wages typically blend union and non-union data. Union wages are often 15-30% higher than averages shown.
- Overtime not included: Base wage data does not include overtime, which can significantly increase total compensation in many trades.
- Self-employment: Income data primarily reflects employees. Self-employed tradespeople may earn more (or less) depending on business success.
- Data lag: Government data is typically 12-18 months old by the time it is published. Actual current wages may be higher due to inflation and demand.
Questions about our data?
We are happy to discuss our methodology or provide sources for specific data points.