skilled labor

American  

noun

1. labor that requires special training for its satisfactory performance.

2. the workers employed in such labor.

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Etymology

Origin of skilled labor

First recorded in 1770–80

Example Sentences

In terms of skilled labor, electricians have added more positions than average since 2021.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 23, 2026

Some tech leaders attribute the drop in industry employment mostly to overhiring following the pandemic, when skilled labor was hard to obtain and retain.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 1, 2026

Massive data-center and chip-factory projects expose severe shortfalls in skilled labor.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 8, 2026

Only a handful of emerging economies combine digital capability, a skilled labor force, and a meaningful export base in tech.

From Barron's • Dec. 22, 2025

Silver mining is a business requiring for its successful prosecution skill, experience, and energy, while nine-tenths of the gold of the world has come from placers; requiring neither organization, capital, nor skilled labor.

From Money: Speech of Hon. John P. Jones, of Nevada, On the Free Coinage of Silver; in the United States Senate, May 12 and 13, 1890 by Jones, John P. (John Percival)