In late June of 2025, The Harris Poll’s Corporate Strategy & Reputation Practice surveyed 2,203 U.S. adults to dive deep on American perception of the skilled trades and what companies can do to support and facilitate entry to trades industry careers. The findings, released at the end of July 2025, largely align with opinion and landscape outcomes from our own past research.

Skilled Trades are Respected:

• 91 percent agree trade jobs are just as important to society as white-collar jobs
• 63 percent strongly agree skilled trades are respected
• 90 percent agree skilled trades offer a faster and more affordable path to a good career

…But Still Undervalued and Overlooked:

• 90 percent say most people don’t realize how well-paying skilled trades can be
• 86 percent agree skilled trades careers are overlooked in schools today

See more on The Harris Poll’s website and download a copy of the report.