SAN FRANCISCO — Nearly half of Gen Z surveyed by Thumbtack are learning or seriously considering a career in the skilled trades as artificial intelligence (AI) and economic uncertainty reshape career planning.

The findings come from Thumbtack’s third annual Future of the Skilled Trades Report, which examines changing career decisions, technology adoption, and conditions affecting skilled trades professionals.

More than 80% of Gen Z respondents said building a stable career has become harder for young people than it was a few years ago. Four out of five also believe AI will eliminate many traditional entry-level jobs.

That uncertainty is prompting changes in career planning. According to Thumbtack, 92% of respondents have changed at least one aspect of their career strategy in response to the job market.

At the same time, interest in the skilled trades is growing. Nearly half of Gen Z respondents are learning or seriously considering a skilled trade. Thirty percent said AI has made them more interested in the field.

Three in four respondents believe the trades could become one of the smartest career choices for their generation.

The shift also extends beyond younger workers. Among skilled trades professionals with less than two years of experience, 38% previously worked in a corporate or white-collar career. Another 26% entered the trades after experiencing burnout and seeking a career change.

“As AI reshapes the workforce, America’s need for skilled labor is only becoming more urgent,” said Marco Zappacosta, co-founder and CEO of Thumbtack. “The opportunity isn’t to choose between technology and the trades, it’s to bring them together. AI can help skilled professionals become more productive, build stronger businesses and spend more time doing the work only they can do.”

AI adoption is also spreading among trades professionals. Thumbtack found that 35% of pros regularly use AI for their businesses. Common uses include marketing, customer communication, and research.

AI use varies by experience level. Fifty-two percent of professionals with less than two years in the trades use AI routinely, compared with more than one-quarter of professionals with 20 or more years in the field.

Despite the challenges of running a trade business, nearly eight in 10 professionals surveyed said they would recommend the trades to a young person. Nearly half also reported higher demand and income compared with a year earlier.

Business growth remains more complicated. Nearly three-quarters of professionals said they turned away work during the past year. Thumbtack said project fit and profitability were the most common reasons.

The report also identified differences among local markets. Using marketplace data, Thumbtack ranked metropolitan areas based on the strength and growth of professional supply and homeowner demand.

The top 10 markets identified in the report are Washington, D.C.; Charlotte; Atlanta; Raleigh-Durham; Baltimore; Chicago; West Palm Beach; Austin; Seattle; and Dallas.

For HVACR contractors, the findings highlight two workforce trends: growing interest in skilled-trade careers among younger workers and increasing use of AI among established professionals. The report also points to the business challenges that can affect how effectively contractors convert demand into sustainable growth.