Plumbers can earn $120,000: Indian man's take on Australia's blue-collar jobs

An Indian man in Australia has described how plumbers, electricians and carpenters enjoy high pay and social respect. His viral comparison with India has revived debate over how dignity at work shapes career choices, job satisfaction and the value attached to skilled labour. Plumbers, electricians are dream jobs: Why blue-collar jobs thrive in Australia For generations, millions of Indian children have grown up hearing the same advice: study hard, become a doctor or an engineer, and build a successful life. Alongside this aspiration often came a warning, that if they didn't perform well in school, they could end up in manual trades such as plumbing, carpentry, or electrical work. But what if those very professions were among the most respected and well-paid careers? That is exactly the cultural contrast an Indian man living in Australia has highlighted in a viral Instagram video. His observations have reignited an important conversation about how societies value different kinds of work, why skilled trades command respect in countries like Australia, and how our attitudes toward blue-collar professions shape children's career choices. More importantly, psychology suggests that respect, not just salary, plays a crucial role in career satisfaction, motivation, and success. WHY MANY AUSTRALIAN CHILDREN WANT TO BECOME PLUMBERS According to Addy Khaneja, the biggest surprise after moving to Australia wasn't just the salaries, it was the social respect attached to skilled trade professions. Unlike in many Indian households, where careers like plumbing or carpentry are often viewed as backup options, many Australian children genuinely aspire to become plumbers, electricians, or carpenters. The reason is simple: these careers offer excellent incomes, long-term stability, and social recognition. Instead of being seen as "less prestigious," skilled trades are considered valuable professions that keep homes, businesses, and cities functioning every day. HIGH SALARIES MAKE SKILLED TRADES A SERIOUS CAREER OPTION Financial rewards are one of the biggest reasons these careers attract young Australians. Khaneja claims that: Construction managers can earn close to AUD 200,000 annually (around Rs 1.1 crore per year). Experienced plumbers and electricians often make more than AUD 120,000 a year (around Rs 67 lakh annually). Skilled workers frequently enjoy steady demand and consistent employment. He also shared a personal experience that perfectly illustrates the difference. A carpenter visited his home to repair a jammed door lock. The entire job took roughly 15 minutes, yet the service cost AUD 150. Rather than questioning the price, the experience made him reflect on how differently skilled labour is valued in Australia compared to India. A SIMPLE REPAIR THAT CHANGED HIS PERSPECTIVE Khaneja recalled a carpenter named Bhupinder who worked in his residential society back in India. Despite possessing valuable skills, Bhupinder earned only a fraction of what Australian tradespeople typically make. The comparison left a lasting impression. It wasn't simply about higher wages, it was about how society values expertise. In Australia, customers pay not just for the few minutes spent repairing something, but for years of training, technical knowledge, and professional skill. That shift in thinking completely changed Khaneja's perception of career success. WHY HE WOULD ENCOURAGE HIS CHILD TO LEARN CARPENTRY Khaneja jokingly remarked that if he ever had children, he might first encourage them to learn carpentry instead of immediately chasing a university degree. His humorous explanation? It would save him from paying AUD 150 every time something broke around the house. Behind the joke, however, lies a serious point. Practical skills can be just as valuable as academic qualifications. Learning a trade provides independence, employability, and lifelong earning potential—qualities that many traditional career paths also promise. RESPECT MATTERS AS MUCH AS MONEY For Khaneja, the most striking difference isn't the paycheck. It's the respect. In Australia, plumbers, electricians, carpenters, mechanics, and other skilled professionals are widely appreciated for their expertise. Their work is viewed as essential rather than inferior. Whether someone works with tools or behind a desk, every profession is treated with dignity. He believes this cultural mindset is something India could benefit from embracing. Even as wages improve in some sectors, blue-collar jobs are still frequently burdened by outdated stereotypes that associate physical labour with lower social status. Changing those perceptions, he argues, is just as important as improving incomes. TRADE SKILLS OFFER GREATER CAREER FREEDOM Another advantage of skilled trades is flexibility. Khaneja explained that professionals working in corporate jobs often need employers willing to sponsor or hire them before relocating. Tradespeople, however, enjoy much greater mobility. A plumber, electrician, or carpenter can often move to another Australian city and quickly find work because these skills remain in constant demand across the country. This combination of job security and geographic flexibility makes skilled trades especially attractive. WHAT PSYCHOLOGY SAYS ABOUT RESPECT AT WORK Modern psychology suggests that social respect plays an important role in career satisfaction. According to Self-Determination Theory, developed by Edward Deci and Richard Ryan, people thrive when three basic psychological needs are met: competence (feeling capable), autonomy (having control over one's work), and relatedness (feeling respected and valued). When a profession is respected by society, individuals are more likely to feel motivated, confident, and proud of their work, making respect a key source of personal fulfilment rather than just social prestige. WHY FEELING VALUED IMPROVES JOB SATISFACTION Research by Gallup consistently reinforces this idea. Employees who feel respected and appreciated at work are generally: More engaged More productive More satisfied with their careers Less likely to experience burnout Better positioned for long-term well-being In other words, respect is not simply a social courtesy, it directly affects motivation, confidence, and workplace performance. When children grow up seeing every profession as valuable, they are more likely to choose careers based on their interests and strengths instead of societal pressure. WHAT INDIA CAN LEARN FROM THIS DIFFERENT MINDSET India has no shortage of talented plumbers, electricians, carpenters, mechanics, and technicians. What often remains missing is equal recognition. As infrastructure expands, urbanisation accelerates, and demand for skilled labour increases, vocational careers could offer excellent opportunities for millions of young people. But this shift requires more than better wages. It requires changing the narrative. Parents, educators, and society must stop presenting skilled trades as careers people "settle for" and instead recognise them as professions that require expertise, training, and dedication. THE BIGGER QUESTION: HOW DO WE DEFINE SUCCESS? Khaneja's viral video is ultimately about much more than Australia versus India. It challenges a deeply rooted belief about what success looks like. Every society depends on people with different skills. Doctors save lives. Teachers educate future generations. Engineers build infrastructure. Plumbers ensure clean water reaches homes. Electricians keep businesses running. Carpenters shape the spaces we live and work in. None of these professions exists in isolation. Success should not be measured solely by the colour of someone's collar but by the value they create for society. Perhaps the most important lesson is one that children deserve to learn early: no honest work is beneath respect. When every profession is treated with dignity, young people gain the freedom to choose careers based on passion, talent, and opportunity—not outdated stereotypes. That cultural shift may ultimately prove more valuable than any salary.