Dollars, Sense, And The Trades Advantage

Earn now and build a career and your future at Millerbernd Manufacturing.

The pride that comes from working with your hands is something that Steve Sorensen always knew he wanted to pursue. What exactly that was, he wasn't sure. What he did know was the feeling he got when he completed or created something felt good, and he wanted more.

Upon graduating high-school, Steve attended a local technical college to become an automotive technician. Like many young men, he liked cars and working on them seemed like a good fit, but then the economy took a turn. 

“I found myself out of a job and Millerbernd was hiring for a maintenance position,” said Steve reflecting back on his first couple of years at the company. “I got the job, but I learned not long after that what they really needed was welders. I didn’t know too much about welding, but they were willing to teach me.”

Fast forward 17-years, and Steve Sorensen is a Manufacturing Engineer Level III at Millerbernd, the highest level of engineering attainable at the company, and someone they often rely on to create solutions for some of their most challenging projects. 

“I never was a school person,” said Steve. “But, I knew this was the path I wanted to go, and I just kept pushing. That along with their (Millerbernd’s) willingness and openness to help me learn the skills I needed has been amazing.”
 

The Rebirth of Trades
After an era where the traditional college path was often seen and promoted as the default way to success, trade careers are making a powerful comeback and for good reason. The trades offer a compelling alternative with fast entry into the workforce, competitive, if not better starting salaries without the crippling debt, and long-term stability at growing manufacturers like Millerbernd. 

While the advantages of a career in the trades are many, one that is often not considered is salary. However, the truth is the immediate earnings potential often surpasses the starting salary of a college graduate, and at Millerbernd, this advantage is even more distinct. When comparing the starting hourly wage of key in-demand positions with that of a recent college graduate, Millerbernd employees earn on average 19% more per hour. That equates to about $9,000 more annually in just the first year. 

Millerbernd also holds an advantage over comparable manufacturing jobs in Minnesota, with a starting pay of approximately 14% more. This along with exceptional benefits, training, and growth opportunities, has made Millerbernd a very attractive employer.

The $300,000 Advantage
One of the most significant advantages of a career in trades is the low cost of investment. Trades education, often through certificate programs, apprenticeships, or on the job training, is far more accessible and affordable. On average, trades require about 85% less upfront investment, costing somewhere between $14,500 to $23,000. Conversely, the average four-year public college costs between $100,000 to $113,000, with an average student loan debt of $30,000 or more. 

With a combination of low investment and fast earning potential, a career in the trades can lead to a serious earnings advantage over time.

Let’s assume the cost of a trades education is $18,000 with a $48,000 starting annual salary. Conversely, let’s say our college graduate has invested $112,000 and is earning a starting salary of $43,000. Given these two scenarios, the break-even timeline is just under 5 months for the trades worker, while college takes about 2.6 years. When we then factor in the cumulative effect of these earnings, the tradesperson is ahead by $243,000 in five years, and that gap grows to $316,000 in 10-years.

A Growing Demand
Perhaps the most appealing aspect of the trades is the demand is red hot. Minnesota's manufacturing sector projects 10% job growth for roles like welders and machinists by 2030, outpacing the 5% average for degree-requiring fields. At Millerbernd, we're at the forefront of the industries we serve, creating steady demand for skilled talent. This growth ensures job security and incredible potential for career growth, with many employees advancing to supervisory or specialized roles within years.

That kind of opportunity, combined with a determined work ethic and an openness to learn, is exactly what propelled Steve to excel in his career at Millerbernd.

“Millerbernd is a special place,” said Steve. “It’s a big company, but it still feels like a small family owned business. Everyone here wants to help each other…we’re just one big family and I couldn’t imagine being anywhere else.”

Sources: 
Wages: Glassdoor, Indeed, ZipRecruiter (Millerbernd-specific and MN averages); Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) for college grad data.
Costs: CollegeTuitionCompare.com, Research.com, Best-Trade-Schools.net (trades); Minnesota State, University of Minnesota Admissions, EducationData.org (college).
Job Growth: Minnesota DEED projections.
Break-Even Analysis: Custom modeling based on aggregated wage and cost data (as of December 2025).

You can find other stories and insights about Millerbernd and its products, people, and culture below. To learn about employment opportunities, benefits, and current job openings, visit our Careers page.