The State of America's Skilled Trades report projects 1.7 million skilled-trade job openings annually through 2035, including more than 600,000 net new positions. Electricians, plumbers, maintenance workers and carpenters are among the occupations facing strong demand as infrastructure projects, AI data centers, housing construction, commercial development and power-grid expansion drive hiring. The workforce is also aging: nearly a quarter of workers across 124 trade occupations are at least 55, compared with 11% under 25, and one in 12 jobs will need replacement within five years. Despite broad parental and student support for trade careers, only 9% of teenagers are considering them, while fewer than half of entrants through apprenticeships or postsecondary programs complete their training. Retention is further affected by weather-related work interruptions, licensing barriers and difficult working conditions.