Highest-paying and most in-demand trades in Alaska
22 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 Alaska, ranked by median pay
| # | Trade | Median $/hr | Median $/yr | 90th pct $/hr | Jobs | State rank | 10-yr real change | vs US |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Construction manager | $66.92 | $139,190 | $102.75 | 1,720 | 4th of 51 | -8.0% | 21% above |
| 2 | Construction supervisor | $49.10 | $102,140 | $76.19 | 2,690 | 6th of 51 | -15.2% | 28% above |
| 3 | Sheet metal worker | $45.48 | $94,600 | $56.05 | 240 | 3rd of 50 | -6.9% | 53% above |
| 4 | Plumber | $45.15 | $93,920 | $58.97 | 1,200 | 5th of 51 | -0.7% | 47% above |
| 5 | Cement mason | $44.69 | $92,960 | $59.56 | 240 | 2nd of 51 | +11.0% | 63% above |
| 6 | Crane operator | $44.47 | $92,490 | $56.00 | 50 | 7th of 50 | -4.3% | 36% above |
| 7 | Lineman | $44.46 | $92,470 | $67.19 | 490 | 33rd of 51 | -24.7% | 3% below |
| 8 | Electrician | $43.00 | $89,440 | $59.23 | 1,870 | 5th of 51 | -17.5% | 42% above |
| 9 | Welder | $38.87 | $80,840 | $52.85 | 790 | 1st of 51 | -15.5% | 50% above |
| 10 | Heavy equipment operator | $37.41 | $77,810 | $49.95 | 3,050 | 10th of 51 | -12.5% | 30% above |
| 11 | Machinist | $37.34 | $77,670 | $50.74 | 120 | 2nd of 51 | +18.9% | 32% above |
| 12 | HVAC technician | $37.23 | $77,430 | $50.55 | 610 | 2nd of 51 | -11.3% | 27% above |
| 13 | Ironworker | $37.01 | $76,970 | $48.07 | 120 | 15th of 50 | -13.7% | 23% above |
| 14 | Millwright | $36.99 | $76,940 | $44.40 | 300 | 11th of 48 | -18.2% | 17% above |
| 15 | Diesel mechanic | $36.34 | $75,580 | $47.41 | 860 | 3rd of 51 | -10.5% | 22% above |
| 16 | Carpenter | $35.51 | $73,860 | $72.85 | 2,560 | 6th of 51 | -19.6% | 22% above |
| 17 | Drywall installer | $35.43 | $73,690 | $42.45 | 100 | 3rd of 49 | -26.8% | 25% above |
| 18 | Roofer | $32.09 | $66,750 | $44.45 | 310 | 5th of 51 | -13.6% | 20% above |
| 19 | Glazier | $30.29 | $63,000 | $36.33 | 270 | 10th of 50 | -27.2% | 10% above |
| 20 | Painter | $29.32 | $60,980 | $41.08 | 440 | 3rd of 51 | -17.9% | 23% above |
| 21 | Construction laborer | $27.91 | $58,060 | $40.25 | 3,690 | 8th of 51 | -8.2% | 23% above |
| 22 | Insulation worker | $27.15 | $56,470 | $40.00 | 170 | 8th of 48 | — | 15% above |
Most in-demand trades in Alaska
By the Alaska labor market agency's 2024–2034 projections, the fastest-growing trades are millwrights (+12.1%), crane operators (+3.5%), insulation workers (+3.0%). The most openings a year, counting replacements as well as growth, come from construction laborers (300 a year), heavy equipment operators (260 a year), electricians (160 a year). The largest specialty-contractor group in the state is building equipment contractors (electrical, plumbing, HVAC), with 4,079 jobs (2025 annual average, QCEW).
| Trade | Projected change 2024–2034 | Openings a year | Jobs in 2024 | Median $/hr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Millwright | +12.1% | 20 | 220 | $36.99 |
| Crane operator | +3.5% | 10 | 80 | $44.47 |
| Insulation worker | +3.0% | 10 | 100 | $27.15 |
| Electrician | +2.1% | 160 | 1,820 | $43.00 |
| Construction supervisor | +1.3% | 80 | 1,000 | $49.10 |
| Glazier | +0.9% | 10 | 120 | $30.29 |
| Sheet metal worker | +0.6% | 30 | 340 | $45.48 |
| Machinist | +0.4% | 20 | 250 | $37.34 |
| Drywall installer | 0.0% | 10 | 90 | $35.43 |
| Roofer | 0.0% | 20 | 280 | $32.09 |
| HVAC technician | -0.5% | 40 | 430 | $37.23 |
| Plumber | -0.7% | 100 | 1,260 | $45.15 |
| Ironworker | -1.1% | 10 | 90 | $37.01 |
| Lineman | -1.5% | 20 | 340 | $44.46 |
| Heavy equipment operator | -1.6% | 260 | 3,320 | $37.41 |
| Diesel mechanic | -2.0% | 60 | 750 | $36.34 |
| Welder | -2.2% | 80 | 860 | $38.87 |
| Painter | -2.2% | 40 | 540 | $29.32 |
| Construction laborer | -2.6% | 300 | 3,960 | $27.91 |
| Construction manager | -2.7% | 90 | 1,250 | $66.92 |
| Cement mason | -3.8% | 20 | 240 | $44.69 |
| Carpenter | -4.8% | 160 | 2,410 | $35.51 |
Source: Alaska 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 Alaska
Prevailing wage in Alaska
Davis-Bacon determinations set the minimum wage package on federally funded construction. In Alaska, 30 of 30 counties with a Building rate for electricians use a union contract rate (typical package $85.77/hr including fringe). Look up any county and trade.
Questions this page answers
What is the highest-paying trade in Alaska?
Construction managers had the highest median wage among the trades tracked here at $66.92 an hour in May 2025, followed by construction supervisors ($49.10) and sheet metal workers ($45.48).
Which trades are in highest demand in Alaska?
By projected growth between 2024 and 2034, millwrights (+12.1%), crane operators (+3.5%), insulation workers (+3.0%). By openings a year, construction laborers (300 a year), heavy equipment operators (260 a year), electricians (160 a year). The figures come from Alaska's labor market agency via Projections Central and count replacement openings as well as new jobs.
How does Alaska compare with the rest of the country?
Across the 22 trades listed, 21 pay above the national median in Alaska and 1 pay below it. The state's cost of living is 102.4% of the US average (BEA).
Sources and notes
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, Alaska.
- BLS Current Employment Statistics through 2026-09.
- BEA Regional Price Parities.
- SAM.gov Davis-Bacon wage determinations (not the official determination).