💡 What they didn't tell you
They told you to go to college.
They didn't tell you about this.
No degree. No debt. Six figures by 30.
Here's the career map they never gave you in high school.
Used by workers at Bruce Power, OPG, Vogtle, and 25+ nuclear projects across North America
375,000
nuclear jobs needed by 2030
40%
of trades workforce retiring
$85K
median nuclear trades salary
$0
average apprenticeship debt
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The Numbers They Don't Show You
College vs. Trades — the honest comparison
🧮 Try the Interactive Calculator →
Move the sliders. See the math. Share with your parents.
🎓 College Path
❌
$37,574 average debt
National average, often higher
❌
4+ years before earning
No income during school
❌
Degree ≠ guaranteed job
Many grads underemployed
❌
Start paying loans at 22-23
$200-500/month for 10+ years
⚡ Trades Path
✅
$0 debt (apprenticeships paid)
You get paid while you learn
✅
3-6 months to start earning
Some programs even faster
✅
Skills = guaranteed demand
500K+ jobs going unfilled
✅
$85K median by 25-27
Nuclear trades, no ceiling
💡 Reality Check: A nuclear welder at 28 earning $95K with zero debt has more wealth than a 28-year-old software engineer earning $110K with $40K in loans.
Pick Your Path
Click any trade to see the full breakdown — pay, certifications, timeline, hiring projects
⚡
Nuclear Electrician
$39-48/hr
·
3-5 months
See Details →
🔥
Nuclear Welder
$40-54/hr
·
4-7 months
See Details →
🔧
Nuclear Pipefitter
$38-50/hr
·
3-6 months
See Details →
❄️
Nuclear HVAC Tech
$36-48/hr
·
3-5 months
See Details →
🏗️
Nuclear Ironworker
$38-50/hr
·
4-6 months
See Details →
⚙️
Nuclear Millwright
$40-52/hr
·
3-5 months
See Details →
🔨
Nuclear Boilermaker
$42-56/hr
·
5-8 months
See Details →
🖥️
Nuclear I&C Technician
$42-58/hr
·
6-9 months
See Details →
💻
Data Center Electrician
$32-42/hr
·
2-4 months
See Details →
🌡️
Data Center HVAC
$30-40/hr
·
2-3 months
See Details →
⚡
Transmission Lineman
$36-52/hr
·
4-5 years*
See Details →
🚜
Heavy Equipment Operator
$28-44/hr
·
2-4 months
See Details →
* Lineman requires 4-5 year apprenticeship but you earn while you learn (paid from day one)
Your parents think trades are a backup plan.
The data says otherwise.
375,000 nuclear jobs need to be filled by 2030. Data centers are being built in every state. The infrastructure boom is real. The question is: are you going to be part of it?
Find Your Path — It's Free →
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