Lightcast Report Identifies 1.3M Skilled Trades Worker Gap, 3 Openings Per New Graduate

NewsData.io · United States · Aug 25, 2026

Lightcast has released a report establishing the first standardized definition of skilled trades, identifying 135 occupations and roughly 20 million U.S. jobs in the category. The analysis finds 2.1 million skilled-trade openings per year against a talent pipeline producing only one-third enough graduates, creating a gap of 1.3 million workers. With 40% of annual openings driven by retirements and over a quarter of the workforce aged 55+, staffing firms serving construction, manufacturing, infrastructure, and technical sectors face sustained and deepening demand. Skilled-trade roles also pay a 31% wage premium over comparable non-degree occupations, adding competitive pressure to recruitment and placement efforts.