I have mixed feelings about this. Both still require that you elevate to the top to make a really good living but I feel like a diploma gives you a better start.
I have a friend that balances drive shafts for cars. He's one of only a few that do this and he makes boatloads of money. But to me, those types of jobs are like winning the lottery Nobody ever got rich from laying carpet. My dad did well as a machinist, but he was at the top in this area. If you talk to any old-time machinists, they know my dad's name and respect his work. The days of being comfortable working in a grocery store are gone.
I see kids every day thinking they're going to learn to cook and make millions and be famous. The reality is that they'll probably make $40K a year in an area you need to make 4X that to afford a mortgage. It's like Pretty Woman. They believe the millionaire will marry the hooker.
Trades are gaining value again though. We've pushed education so hard for so long that the trades are suffering. Plus they're changing. You have to train for a job that isn't invented yet.
