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 yearJobs (base year)Median $/hr
1Solar installer+36.5%4,20031,100$25.55
2Wind turbine technician+29.5%1,50011,800$30.83
3HVAC technician+10.9%40,600440,900$29.33
4Lineman+10.3%10,900131,900$45.83
5Tile setter+9.8%3,30045,200$26.77
6Electrician+9.2%72,700821,000$30.38
7Construction manager+9.1%49,700609,100$55.28
8Construction laborer+7.3%120,0001,489,300$22.66
9Plumber+6.8%42,000510,600$30.67
10Elevator mechanic+5.7%1,90024,700$52.84
11Roofer+5.3%12,000166,900$26.65
12Construction supervisor+5.0%67,000913,300$38.42
13Heavy equipment operator+4.6%39,200489,500$28.78
14Carpenter+3.9%62,800889,700$29.12
15Crane operator+3.8%3,50042,900$32.73
16Diesel mechanic+3.6%24,400316,000$29.70
17Ironworker+3.1%5,90068,300$30.18
18Painter+3.0%24,900326,900$23.75
19Plasterer+2.8%1,50022,900$27.72
20Sheet metal worker+2.5%9,800131,100$29.71
21Drywall installer+2.5%6,600102,200$28.33
22Welder+2.4%40,300437,700$25.84
23Insulation worker+2.4%3,00045,100$23.62
24Glazier+1.9%3,90059,200$27.44
25Cement mason+1.6%13,600204,800$27.41
26Brickmason+1.1%4,10062,400$29.87
27Machinist+1.0%26,100288,300$28.24
28Millwright+0.9%3,20040,700$31.59
29Boilermaker-1.8%70010,200$36.74

Questions this page answers

Which trades are most in demand?

By projected growth: solar photovoltaic installers (+36.5%), wind turbine service technicians (+29.5%), hvac and refrigeration technicians (+10.9%), electrical power-line installers and repairers (+10.3%), tile and stone setters (+9.8%). By sheer openings per year, construction laborers (120,000), electricians (72,700), first-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers (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).