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

The Federal Reserve’s latest survey of businesses observed that while demand for workers has softened, “firms reported continued challenges finding skilled labor, particularly in engineering, health care, and other trades.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 8, 2026

That’s as those companies face bottlenecks from lack of contractors, skilled labor, equipment and transmission to deliver power to compute, he said.

From MarketWatch • Dec. 29, 2025

And although skilled labor shortages persist in the U.S., pharmaceutical training demands are lower than those in high-tech sectors.

From Barron's • Oct. 8, 2025

If we reframe parenthood as a form of skilled labor instead of an innate instinct, we can find room for both men and women to excel as parents.

From Slate • Jun. 15, 2025

This process is the most important one in forwarding, calling for skilled labor.

From Library Bookbinding by Bailey, Arthur Low