Three-quarters of Gen Z link desk jobs to burnout and instability—and one in four are picking up a toolbelt instead

(SeaPRwire) –   Desk jobs were once considered the ideal path to stable income, job security, and a fulfilling career. However, Generation Z holds a different perspective. They have observed millennials diligently follow traditional career advice, only to face financial strain, debt, or job loss. Furthermore, they are constantly being warned about the potential impact of AI on office jobs in the coming decade.

Consequently, three-quarters of Gen Z now associate desk jobs with burnout and instability. New research from SupplyHouse, shared exclusively with [News Outlet Name], indicates they are no longer willing to overlook these concerns.

Nearly one in four individuals in this demographic have either seriously contemplated or are actively pursuing a career in the skilled trades.

This represents a significant generational shift in career choices, driven by economic anxieties, student loan burdens, and the influence of platforms like TikTok. Gen Z is opting for hands-on professions over traditional office roles and appears committed to this direction.

TikTok is the new career counselor—and it’s sending Gen Z down the trades

Half of Gen Z report that their interest in trades such as welding, electrical work, and plumbing was sparked by social media. TikTok has emerged as the primary platform where Gen Z discovers trade careers, with one in three watching trade-related content and finding it appealing. The reasons for this allure are clear.

Trade influencers garner millions of views by showcasing how skilled labor offers autonomy, financial stability, and a better work-life balance than many entry-level office positions can provide.

Consider Chase Gallagher. At the age of 12, he began mowing lawns for his neighbors, earning $35 per job during the summer of 2013. By 16, Gallagher had already generated over $50,000. Today, his landscaping business boasts millions in revenue, and he openly shares his success online.

Simultaneously, they are witnessing college-educated millennials on TikTok express frustration that their office salaries are insufficient to afford independent living. Meanwhile, Gen Z graduates are posting about sending numerous job applications into a void, as AI is perceived to be displacing entry-level positions.

“It just feels like you’re just banging your head against the wall,” lamented a Gen Zer with a mathematics degree who is struggling to find employment.

Given this context, it is not surprising that 78% of Gen Z believe skilled trades are less susceptible to AI-driven disruption than white-collar professions.

The grass isn’t always greener on the construction site

Despite the growing interest, the reality of trade work may not always align with the idealized portrayal on TikTok. Approximately one in three Gen Z individuals (30%) report that a parent, teacher, or counselor discouraged them from pursuing a trade career, and their concerns may have merit.

Yijin Hardware analyzed jobs based on fatal injury rates, projected openings (2023-2033), median wages, and educational requirements. Office administrative and support roles ranked highest in terms of fatal injury rates. The researchers also found that trade jobs are among the most “dangerous” for individuals without a college degree, with logging, hunting, fishing, and refuse collection having the highest on-the-job fatality rates, coupled with unpredictable working conditions and limited advancement opportunities. Notably, no entry-level office jobs appeared at the bottom of their rankings.

This is not the first study to suggest that Gen Z might be viewing manual labor through an overly optimistic lens.

According to another recent WalletHub study ranking the best and worst entry-level U.S. jobs for 2025, trade roles predominantly occupy the lower end of the list. Welders, automotive mechanics, boilermakers, and drafters are all ranked among the least promising career starters due to limited job availability, weak growth potential, and potentially hazardous work environments.

“While trade work isn’t as easy to automate as some office jobs, new technologies like prefabrication and robotics are starting to take over parts of the workload, which can reduce demand,” WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo told [News Outlet Name]. He also noted that these jobs are not immune to mass layoffs and are subject to interest rates and market demand.

Furthermore, in many instances, trade jobs may not ultimately lead to greater happiness for Gen Z compared to desk jobs.

One study identified electricians as the least happy workers overall. According to this research, the physically demanding nature of the job and workweeks exceeding 40 hours were not sufficiently compensated by a merely “decent” salary. Strikingly, no trade jobs were included in the list of happiest professions.