Highest-paying trades in Alaska
22 trades ranked by median hourly wage, with the range, the rank among states and the union scale.
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 |
Construction jobs in Alaska
20.9kConstruction jobs2026-08
-1.9%Change over 12 months
+11.8%Change over 5 years
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 first-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers ($49.10) and sheet metal workers ($45.48).
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 2026-08.
- BEA Regional Price Parities.
- SAM.gov Davis-Bacon wage determinations (not the official determination).