GoKawiilOnDeck report: 67% of construction business owners lack college degrees
A new OnDeck analysis of Annual Business Survey data from census.gov ranked U.S. industries by the share of business owners without college degrees. Construction topped the list at 67%, followed by personal, home and automotive services at 64%, and transportation and warehousing at 62%. ZipRecruiter data cited in the report shows construction business owners can earn up to $339,500 annually, with average pay around $127,973.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
The findings suggest that in certain trades, practical experience and hands-on skills may carry more weight than formal education when it comes to starting a profitable business. This could reflect broader hesitation among young people toward rising tuition costs, positioning skilled trades as an alternative path to entrepreneurship rather than a fallback option.
- Construction has the highest share (67%) of business owners without college degrees, per OnDeck.
- Construction business owners can earn up to $339,500 a year, according to ZipRecruiter data cited in the report.
- Personal/home/automotive services (64%) and transportation/warehousing (62%) also rank high in non-degree ownership.
Source: entrepreneur.com — Amanda Breen, 2026-10-19
Published there as: “People Without College Degrees Are Starting Businesses in These Industries — No. 1 Can Bring In Over $330,000 a Year”
Read the original report → The summary and analysis above are GoKawiil's own, written from reporting by the source above. Facts and quotes belong to the original publisher.