Highest-paying trades in Alabama
26 trades ranked by median hourly wage, with the range, the rank among states and the union scale.
Every trade in Alabama, ranked by median pay
| # | Trade | Median $/hr | Median $/yr | 90th pct $/hr | Jobs | State rank | 10-yr real change | vs US |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Elevator mechanic | $49.86 | $103,700 | $54.59 | 170 | 24th of 37 | +0.7% | 6% below |
| 2 | Construction manager | $46.61 | $96,960 | $75.70 | 8,560 | 48th of 51 | -12.5% | 16% below |
| 3 | Lineman | $44.24 | $92,030 | $50.67 | 2,730 | 35th of 51 | +0.7% | 3% below |
| 4 | Construction supervisor | $30.83 | $64,120 | $50.49 | 13,580 | 50th of 51 | -12.5% | 20% below |
| 5 | Boilermaker | $30.56 | $63,570 | $38.17 | 180 | 33rd of 37 | -6.1% | 17% below |
| 6 | Millwright | $29.52 | $61,410 | $36.57 | 1,400 | 38th of 48 | +5.2% | 7% below |
| 7 | Crane operator | $29.22 | $60,790 | $47.78 | 1,280 | 40th of 50 | -7.9% | 11% below |
| 8 | Plumber | $28.21 | $58,670 | $36.87 | 6,950 | 40th of 51 | +8.6% | 8% below |
| 9 | Ironworker | $27.23 | $56,640 | $32.55 | 1,740 | 40th of 50 | +7.8% | 10% below |
| 10 | Electrician | $26.78 | $55,690 | $37.61 | 10,900 | 50th of 51 | -5.2% | 12% below |
| 11 | Machinist | $26.71 | $55,560 | $38.16 | 5,170 | 40th of 51 | +1.5% | 5% below |
| 12 | Diesel mechanic | $24.26 | $50,470 | $36.37 | 6,130 | 50th of 51 | -1.7% | 18% below |
| 13 | Brickmason | $23.90 | $49,710 | $29.44 | 370 | 45th of 50 | -2.9% | 20% below |
| 14 | Insulation worker | $23.43 | $48,740 | $29.46 | 660 | 25th of 48 | — | 1% below |
| 15 | Welder | $23.31 | $48,490 | $32.12 | 12,450 | 48th of 51 | -0.6% | 10% below |
| 16 | HVAC technician | $23.26 | $48,370 | $31.58 | 8,260 | 50th of 51 | -3.4% | 21% below |
| 17 | Carpenter | $23.18 | $48,220 | $30.36 | 5,560 | 48th of 51 | +4.5% | 20% below |
| 18 | Drywall installer | $23.08 | $48,000 | $29.28 | 650 | 36th of 49 | +5.1% | 19% below |
| 19 | Sheet metal worker | $22.85 | $47,530 | $34.26 | 1,450 | 47th of 50 | -5.8% | 23% below |
| 20 | Heavy equipment operator | $22.84 | $47,520 | $32.54 | 9,640 | 49th of 51 | -2.2% | 21% below |
| 21 | Roofer | $21.96 | $45,670 | $29.29 | 1,010 | 47th of 51 | +14.6% | 18% below |
| 22 | Glazier | $21.89 | $45,520 | $30.24 | 260 | 46th of 50 | -2.2% | 20% below |
| 23 | Tile setter | $21.54 | $44,800 | $24.88 | 260 | 38th of 47 | -5.6% | 20% below |
| 24 | Cement mason | $21.50 | $44,720 | $28.96 | 2,110 | 50th of 51 | -1.7% | 22% below |
| 25 | Painter | $21.12 | $43,930 | $27.64 | 1,570 | 47th of 51 | -1.2% | 11% below |
| 26 | Construction laborer | $17.74 | $36,900 | $23.91 | 18,400 | 51st of 51 | +2.2% | 22% below |
Construction jobs in Alabama
Prevailing wage in Alabama
Davis-Bacon determinations set the minimum wage package on federally funded construction. In Alabama, 24 of 67 counties with a Building rate for electricians use a union contract rate (typical package $41.24/hr including fringe). Look up any county and trade.
Questions this page answers
What is the highest-paying trade in Alabama?
Elevator and escalator installers and repairers had the highest median wage among the trades tracked here at $49.86 an hour in May 2025, followed by construction managers ($46.61) and electrical power-line installers and repairers ($44.24).
How does Alabama compare with the rest of the country?
Across the 26 trades listed, 0 pay above the national median in Alabama and 26 pay below it. The state's cost of living is 88.8% of the US average (BEA).
Sources and notes
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, Alabama.
- BLS Current Employment Statistics through 2026-08.
- BEA Regional Price Parities.
- SAM.gov Davis-Bacon wage determinations (not the official determination).