Highest-paying and most in-demand trades in Alabama
26 trades ranked by median hourly wage, with the range, the rank among states, the union scale and the state's own projection of which trades are growing.
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 |
Most in-demand trades in Alabama
By the Alabama labor market agency's 2024–2034 projections, the fastest-growing trades are tile setters (+15.4%), electricians (+11.7%), construction managers (+11.5%). The most openings a year, counting replacements as well as growth, come from construction laborers (2,210 a year), welders (1,520 a year), construction supervisors (1,380 a year). The largest specialty-contractor group in the state is building equipment contractors (electrical, plumbing, HVAC), with 38,744 jobs (2025 annual average, QCEW).
| Trade | Projected change 2024–2034 | Openings a year | Jobs in 2024 | Median $/hr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tile setter | +15.4% | 40 | 420 | $21.54 |
| Electrician | +11.7% | 1,120 | 10,930 | $26.78 |
| Construction manager | +11.5% | 1,060 | 11,890 | $46.61 |
| Roofer | +11.5% | 100 | 1,240 | $21.96 |
| Welder | +10.3% | 1,520 | 13,600 | $23.31 |
| HVAC technician | +10.2% | 780 | 8,000 | $23.26 |
| Construction laborer | +9.9% | 2,210 | 23,950 | $17.74 |
| Crane operator | +9.4% | 120 | 1,190 | $29.22 |
| Glazier | +9.2% | 40 | 480 | $21.89 |
| Construction supervisor | +8.9% | 1,380 | 16,090 | $30.83 |
| Brickmason | +8.5% | 40 | 520 | $23.90 |
| Machinist | +7.8% | 630 | 5,700 | $26.71 |
| Carpenter | +7.8% | 650 | 7,940 | $23.18 |
| Plumber | +7.4% | 880 | 9,610 | $28.21 |
| Drywall installer | +7.3% | 70 | 830 | $23.08 |
| Insulation worker | +7.2% | 70 | 820 | $23.43 |
| Ironworker | +7.1% | 110 | 1,210 | $27.23 |
| Cement mason | +7.1% | 160 | 2,060 | $21.50 |
| Painter | +7.1% | 240 | 2,730 | $21.12 |
| Lineman | +6.9% | 300 | 3,590 | $44.24 |
| Elevator mechanic | +6.4% | 20 | 280 | $49.86 |
| Heavy equipment operator | +6.4% | 880 | 9,850 | $22.84 |
| Sheet metal worker | +6.3% | 160 | 1,750 | $22.85 |
| Diesel mechanic | +5.5% | 560 | 6,360 | $24.26 |
| Millwright | +4.8% | 180 | 1,900 | $29.52 |
| Boilermaker | -0.8% | 20 | 250 | $30.56 |
Source: Alabama long-term occupational projections via Projections Central; state counts include the self-employed. Projections, not guarantees; see each trade page for the national BLS outlook.
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 linemen ($44.24).
Which trades are in highest demand in Alabama?
By projected growth between 2024 and 2034, tile setters (+15.4%), electricians (+11.7%), construction managers (+11.5%). By openings a year, construction laborers (2,210 a year), welders (1,520 a year), construction supervisors (1,380 a year). The figures come from Alabama's labor market agency via Projections Central and count replacement openings as well as new jobs.
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 2026-09.
- BEA Regional Price Parities.
- SAM.gov Davis-Bacon wage determinations (not the official determination).