Skilled Wages

Most in-demand trades

Computed from public data; nothing hand-picked.

Data compiled by Skilled WagesBLS OEWS May 2025

  1. 1+36.5%Solar installer
  2. 2+29.5%Wind turbine technician
  3. 3+10.9%HVAC technician

Trades ranked by projected growth

Projected employment change by trade, 2025-35-20%0%20%40%Solar installer: +36.5%Solar installer+36.5%Wind turbine technician: +29.5%Wind turbine technician+29.5%HVAC technician: +10.9%HVAC technician+10.9%Lineman: +10.3%Lineman+10.3%Tile setter: +9.8%Tile setter+9.8%Electrician: +9.2%Electrician+9.2%Construction manager: +9.1%Construction manager+9.1%Construction laborer: +7.3%Construction laborer+7.3%Plumber: +6.8%Plumber+6.8%Elevator mechanic: +5.7%Elevator mechanic+5.7%Roofer: +5.3%Roofer+5.3%Construction supervisor: +5.0%Construction supervisor+5.0%Heavy equipment operator: +4.6%Heavy equipment operator+4.6%Carpenter: +3.9%Carpenter+3.9%Crane operator: +3.8%Crane operator+3.8%Diesel mechanic: +3.6%Diesel mechanic+3.6%Ironworker: +3.1%Ironworker+3.1%Painter: +3.0%Painter+3.0%Plasterer: +2.8%Plasterer+2.8%Sheet metal worker: +2.5%Sheet metal worker+2.5%Drywall installer: +2.5%Drywall installer+2.5%Welder: +2.4%Welder+2.4%Insulation worker: +2.4%Insulation worker+2.4%Glazier: +1.9%Glazier+1.9%Cement mason: +1.6%Cement mason+1.6%Brickmason: +1.1%Brickmason+1.1%Machinist: +1.0%Machinist+1.0%Millwright: +0.9%Millwright+0.9%Boilermaker: -1.8%Boilermaker-1.8%
Projected employment change 2025-35, BLS Employment Projections.
#TradeProjected growth 2025-35Openings per yearOpenings from growthOpenings from replacementSelf-employedJobs (base year)Median $/hr
1Solar installer+36.5%4,2001,2003,000—31,100$25.55
2Wind turbine technician+29.5%1,5003001,20014.7%11,800$30.83
3HVAC technician+10.9%40,6004,90035,7006.3%440,900$29.33
4Lineman+10.3%10,9001,4009,5000.3%131,900$45.83
5Tile setter+9.8%3,3004002,90021.1%45,200$26.77
6Electrician+9.2%72,7007,50065,2007.1%821,000$30.38
7Construction manager+9.1%49,7005,50044,20037.6%609,100$55.28
8Construction laborer+7.3%120,00010,900109,10026.9%1,489,300$22.66
9Plumber+6.8%42,0003,50038,5008.0%510,600$30.67
10Elevator mechanic+5.7%1,9002001,700—24,700$52.84
11Roofer+5.3%12,00090011,10019.8%166,900$26.65
12Construction supervisor+5.0%67,0004,60062,40011.2%913,300$38.42
13Heavy equipment operator+4.6%39,2002,20037,0002.3%489,500$28.78
14Carpenter+3.9%62,8003,60059,20025.1%889,700$29.12
15Crane operator+3.8%3,5002003,300—42,900$32.73
16Diesel mechanic+3.6%24,4001,10023,3005.9%316,000$29.70
17Ironworker+3.1%5,9003005,600—68,300$30.18
18Painter+3.0%24,9001,00023,90031.3%326,900$23.75
19Plasterer+2.8%1,50001,50016.8%22,900$27.72
20Sheet metal worker+2.5%9,8004009,4008.4%131,100$29.71
21Drywall installer+2.5%6,6003006,30019.4%102,200$28.33
22Welder+2.4%40,3001,10039,2004.3%437,700$25.84
23Insulation worker+2.4%3,0002002,8001.8%45,100$23.62
24Glazier+1.9%3,9002003,7001.0%59,200$27.44
25Cement mason+1.6%13,60030013,3001.5%204,800$27.41
26Brickmason+1.1%4,1001004,00017.5%62,400$29.87
27Machinist+1.0%26,10030025,8000.5%288,300$28.24
28Millwright+0.9%3,2001003,100—40,700$31.59
29Boilermaker-1.8%7000800—10,200$36.74

Openings from growth are new positions; openings from replacement cover people who retire, leave the workforce or move to another occupation (BLS Table 1.10). The self-employed share is not included in the BLS employer survey counts on the trade pages.

Questions this page answers

Which trades are most in demand?

By projected growth: solar installers (+36.5%), wind turbine technicians (+29.5%), HVAC technicians (+10.9%), linemen (+10.3%), tile setters (+9.8%). By sheer openings per year, construction laborers (120,000), electricians (72,700), construction supervisors (67,000).

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).