I took a paid apprenticeship instead of going to college. I'll make six figures within 5 years — the stability I feel is incredible.

• 18-year-old Chris Rocha chose a 5-year pipe-fitting apprenticeship over college.
• Rocha earns nearly $60,000 now and is on track to make six figures when his apprenticeship is over.
• He thinks the job is AI-proof and values the stability despite missing college's social aspect.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Chris Rocha, an 18-year-old pipe fitting apprentice for Local 533, based in Kansas City. It's been edited for length and clarity.

During my junior year of high school, I decided I would skip college and become a pipe fitter. Then, last summer, right after my 18th birthday, I applied to my local union, Local 533, for a pipe-fitting apprenticeship.

I know I would've gone into student debt if I chose college. Meanwhile, with my apprenticeship, I'm getting paid to work and go to school.

When I finish my five-year program, I'm on track to make six figures right away. I think it's hard not to feel a little nervous when it's not the normal career path, but the stability I feel is incredible.

I grew up around the trades and realized college wasn't for me

I started helping out in the office at my mom's construction company, probably at 15 or 16. It was small stuff: helping with paperwork and sorting things in the back of the shop area.

For a while, I considered pursuing construction science or engineering in school. I also wanted to see which college I could play baseball at. Then, junior year came, and I didn't see myself going anywhere for baseball. My grandfather was also a pipe fitter, so I had good background knowledge on the role.

Given all of that, plus the student loans I would've had to take on, it didn't feel like a hard decision.

At 18, I jumped straight into a paid apprenticeship

I couldn't apply to the union until I turned 18. Once I turned 18 last July, I went to my union and applied for my letter of eligibility with my high school diploma, birth certificate, and transcript.

After I applied and received my letter of eligibility, I had to get a job with a contractor before I could join the union. I started working at my mom's company to officially join the union and start my apprenticeship.

They said there are about 800 applicants on file who are eligible for the apprenticeship program spots each year. The program is on a rolling basis, but if you miss the summer cutoff date, you can't start classes until the following August.

I work full-time and go to class twice a week

I work five days a week, starting at 6 a.m. every day. I have class for my apprenticeship two nights a week. My first year includes a math, science, and skills class.

If I have class, I leave work early around 3 p.m. or 3:30 p.m. to get ready and drive to the union for school. If not, I'm done with work at 4 p.m.

There's a good number of us in the program straight out of high school, but there are also a lot of people with significant experience who just want to get into the union. Some are in their 30s and up, but the majority are a few years out of high school.

My earned income is nearly $60K already

I make $28.76 an hour, working 40 hours a week, so it's a little bit less than $60,000 a year right out of high school. Every year, I'll get a raise as I move through the program.

Right now, I make around 50% of what I am supposed to make by the time I graduate from my apprenticeship. My first year, I'll get a 5% raise, and then 10%, and so on, until I reach the full scale. I could be making around $115,000 when I finish the apprenticeship at 23 and become a journeyman.

The union provides health and welfare benefits and a vacation fund. I also have dental insurance and a standard health insurance plan through the union. They can also get me raises through their contract with the contractors.

The job is hands-on and super unpredictable — it's also AI-proof

I love the problem-solving aspect of pipe fitting; if something breaks, how do we fix it, how do we get this one piece to fit, etc. It's a lot of almost-maintenance-like work, but I really like working with my hands.

My favorite experience has been seeing all the different sites. I could be working in manufacturing plants or new builds. It's been really cool to see how different one job can be from the next.

The hours can sometimes be tough and long, and the job can take a toll on my body, but I'm also learning so much on those days. Another thing is that this career is more AI-proof than many other jobs right now. AI can't be working hands-on in the field.

I don't regret skipping college, but sometimes I miss the social life it could provide

I've made friends through my program by meeting people in class and out in the field. One of my classes includes the entire apprenticeship group. I can go to class and meet someone I've never seen before, even though I've had class with them for weeks.

A majority of my friends went off to college after high school. One or two stayed local for school, but not many stayed around. I don't feel regret over my decision, but there have been times when I feel like I'm missing out on the social aspect of college, especially when I'm not working on something with someone around my age.

At the same time, I'd rather be here, not have to take on any student loans, and be able to start working right away than pay off debt in five years just to be with friends.

Do you have a story to share about working in the trades? Contact this reporter, Agnes Applegate, at aapplegate@businessinsider.com.