Highest-paying trades
Computed from public data; nothing hand-picked.
- 1$55.28Construction manager
- 2$52.84Elevator mechanic
- 3$45.83Lineman
29 skilled trades ranked by median pay
| # | Trade | Median $/hr | Median $/yr | Top 10% earn over | Jobs | Projected growth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Construction manager | $55.28 | $114,990 | $189,440 | 380,360 | +9.1% |
| 2 | Elevator mechanic | $52.84 | $109,910 | $158,890 | 23,790 | +5.7% |
| 3 | Lineman | $45.83 | $95,320 | $128,690 | 131,070 | +10.3% |
| 4 | Construction supervisor | $38.42 | $79,920 | $128,260 | 812,210 | +5.0% |
| 5 | Boilermaker | $36.74 | $76,410 | $110,370 | 10,190 | -1.8% |
| 6 | Crane operator | $32.73 | $68,080 | $103,570 | 42,890 | +3.8% |
| 7 | Millwright | $31.59 | $65,700 | $93,600 | 40,330 | +0.9% |
| 8 | Wind turbine technician | $30.83 | $64,120 | $92,460 | 9,980 | +29.5% |
| 9 | Plumber | $30.67 | $63,800 | $108,420 | 465,840 | +6.8% |
| 10 | Electrician | $30.38 | $63,190 | $108,510 | 757,220 | +9.2% |
| 11 | Ironworker | $30.18 | $62,780 | $108,260 | 68,380 | +3.1% |
| 12 | Brickmason | $29.87 | $62,120 | $100,010 | 52,550 | +1.1% |
| 13 | Sheet metal worker | $29.71 | $61,800 | $105,650 | 119,770 | +2.5% |
| 14 | Diesel mechanic | $29.70 | $61,770 | $88,740 | 289,960 | +3.6% |
| 15 | HVAC technician | $29.33 | $61,010 | $95,210 | 409,670 | +10.9% |
| 16 | Carpenter | $29.12 | $60,580 | $99,910 | 670,090 | +3.9% |
| 17 | Heavy equipment operator | $28.78 | $59,850 | $101,090 | 478,090 | +4.6% |
| 18 | Drywall installer | $28.33 | $58,930 | $102,010 | 83,080 | +2.5% |
| 19 | Machinist | $28.24 | $58,750 | $80,010 | 287,050 | +1.0% |
| 20 | Plasterer | $27.72 | $57,660 | $96,710 | 19,310 | +2.8% |
| 21 | Glazier | $27.44 | $57,080 | $89,790 | 58,480 | +1.9% |
| 22 | Cement mason | $27.41 | $57,020 | $85,480 | 206,170 | +1.6% |
| 23 | Tile setter | $26.77 | $55,690 | $86,110 | 35,850 | +9.8% |
| 24 | Roofer | $26.65 | $55,440 | $81,720 | 135,490 | +5.3% |
| 25 | Welder | $25.84 | $53,750 | $77,530 | 416,210 | +2.4% |
| 26 | Solar installer | $25.55 | $53,140 | $79,970 | 31,350 | +36.5% |
| 27 | Painter | $23.75 | $49,400 | $78,810 | 225,190 | +3.0% |
| 28 | Insulation worker | $23.62 | $49,120 | $78,190 | 44,440 | +2.4% |
| 29 | Construction laborer | $22.66 | $47,120 | $78,090 | 1,096,780 | +7.3% |
Questions this page answers
What trade makes the most money?
Among the trades tracked here, construction managers had the highest median wage in May 2025 at $55.28 an hour ($114,990 a year). The top 10% of construction managers earn more than $189,440.
Which trades pay six figures?
Trades where the top 10% earn over $100,000 a year: construction managers, elevator mechanics, linemen, construction supervisors, boilermakers, crane operators, plumbers, electricians, ironworkers, brickmasons, sheet metal workers, heavy equipment operators, drywall installers. Median pay above $100,000 is rare in the trades; the 90th percentile reflects foremen, specialists and high-cost metros.
Are these figures before overtime?
Yes. BLS OEWS wages are straight-time hourly rates reported by employers; overtime, per-diem and union fringe benefits are excluded. Union total packages by county are on each trade's state pages.
Sources and notes
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
- BLS Employment Projections; BLS CPI-U; BEA Regional Price Parities; SAM.gov Davis-Bacon wage determinations (not the official determination).