Highest-paying and most in-demand trades in Arizona
28 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 Arizona, ranked by median pay
| # | Trade | Median $/hr | Median $/yr | 90th pct $/hr | Jobs | State rank | 10-yr real change | vs US |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Construction manager | $55.14 | $114,680 | $81.04 | 9,910 | 20th of 51 | +1.4% | about the same as |
| 2 | Construction supervisor | $37.76 | $78,550 | $49.51 | 21,550 | 28th of 51 | -0.2% | 2% below |
| 3 | Boilermaker | $37.47 | $77,940 | $40.46 | 170 | 20th of 37 | +18.0% | 2% above |
| 4 | Lineman | $36.26 | $75,420 | $59.76 | 3,360 | 51st of 51 | -32.2% | 21% below |
| 5 | Crane operator | $32.38 | $67,350 | $42.31 | 930 | 26th of 50 | +14.3% | 1% below |
| 6 | Wind turbine technician | $31.89 | $66,330 | $44.57 | 80 | 12th of 25 | — | 3% above |
| 7 | Plumber | $29.84 | $62,070 | $48.13 | 11,810 | 33rd of 51 | -2.1% | 3% below |
| 8 | Diesel mechanic | $29.65 | $61,680 | $40.56 | 5,140 | 23rd of 51 | +3.3% | about the same as |
| 9 | Machinist | $29.37 | $61,080 | $36.83 | 4,330 | 18th of 51 | +14.7% | 4% above |
| 10 | Electrician | $29.36 | $61,060 | $43.08 | 21,140 | 38th of 51 | -2.9% | 3% below |
| 11 | Heavy equipment operator | $29.14 | $60,620 | $38.20 | 13,200 | 27th of 51 | +1.4% | 1% above |
| 12 | HVAC technician | $28.56 | $59,400 | $38.54 | 10,860 | 34th of 51 | +4.9% | 3% below |
| 13 | Ironworker | $28.55 | $59,390 | $44.36 | 3,980 | 34th of 50 | +15.0% | 5% below |
| 14 | Brickmason | $28.49 | $59,260 | $36.08 | 1,190 | 33rd of 50 | +11.9% | 5% below |
| 15 | Cement mason | $28.32 | $58,910 | $36.90 | 7,520 | 23rd of 51 | +18.7% | 3% above |
| 16 | Carpenter | $28.17 | $58,580 | $36.52 | 16,230 | 29th of 51 | +13.5% | 3% below |
| 17 | Millwright | $27.59 | $57,380 | $51.95 | 450 | 45th of 48 | -8.8% | 13% below |
| 18 | Glazier | $27.19 | $56,560 | $33.89 | 2,370 | 26th of 50 | +21.1% | 1% below |
| 19 | Welder | $26.73 | $55,600 | $39.08 | 7,270 | 26th of 51 | +9.8% | 3% above |
| 20 | Tile setter | $25.00 | $52,000 | $33.74 | 1,060 | 22nd of 47 | +8.3% | 7% below |
| 21 | Solar installer | $24.60 | $51,160 | $37.88 | 1,280 | 14th of 32 | -3.7% | 4% below |
| 22 | Drywall installer | $24.18 | $50,290 | $32.09 | 2,590 | 29th of 49 | +2.1% | 15% below |
| 23 | Sheet metal worker | $24.16 | $50,260 | $38.82 | 3,060 | 42nd of 50 | -14.6% | 19% below |
| 24 | Plasterer | $23.80 | $49,510 | $36.53 | 1,910 | 23rd of 28 | +11.0% | 14% below |
| 25 | Painter | $23.20 | $48,250 | $30.59 | 5,210 | 30th of 51 | +2.3% | 2% below |
| 26 | Roofer | $22.76 | $47,340 | $30.10 | 3,420 | 39th of 51 | -0.6% | 15% below |
| 27 | Construction laborer | $22.40 | $46,590 | $29.29 | 37,630 | 30th of 51 | +16.4% | 1% below |
| 28 | Insulation worker | $20.29 | $42,210 | $29.43 | 780 | 45th of 48 | — | 14% below |
Most in-demand trades in Arizona
By the Arizona labor market agency's 2024–2034 projections, the fastest-growing trades are solar installers (+40.6%), wind turbine technicians (+32.9%), boilermakers (+28.7%). The most openings a year, counting replacements as well as growth, come from construction laborers (4,620 a year), electricians (2,820 a year), construction supervisors (2,550 a year). The largest specialty-contractor group in the state is building equipment contractors (electrical, plumbing, HVAC), with 72,807 jobs (2025 annual average, QCEW).
| Trade | Projected change 2024–2034 | Openings a year | Jobs in 2024 | Median $/hr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solar installer | +40.6% | 200 | 1,390 | $24.60 |
| Wind turbine technician | +32.9% | 50 | 320 | $31.89 |
| Boilermaker | +28.7% | 10 | 120 | $37.47 |
| HVAC technician | +27.3% | 1,390 | 11,460 | $28.56 |
| Tile setter | +26.0% | 210 | 2,080 | $25.00 |
| Electrician | +25.6% | 2,820 | 23,160 | $29.36 |
| Roofer | +24.0% | 460 | 4,580 | $22.76 |
| Construction manager | +23.5% | 1,520 | 14,400 | $55.14 |
| Construction laborer | +23.1% | 4,620 | 41,680 | $22.40 |
| Ironworker | +22.5% | 350 | 3,210 | $28.55 |
| Insulation worker | +22.5% | 80 | 710 | $20.29 |
| Plumber | +21.7% | 1,540 | 13,840 | $29.84 |
| Crane operator | +21.5% | 130 | 1,140 | $32.38 |
| Construction supervisor | +21.1% | 2,550 | 24,940 | $37.76 |
| Glazier | +20.9% | 240 | 2,220 | $27.19 |
| Drywall installer | +20.3% | 380 | 3,970 | $24.18 |
| Brickmason | +19.1% | 210 | 2,130 | $28.49 |
| Carpenter | +18.8% | 2,430 | 25,200 | $28.17 |
| Sheet metal worker | +18.8% | 350 | 3,270 | $24.16 |
| Welder | +17.8% | 1,060 | 8,670 | $26.73 |
| Cement mason | +17.7% | 600 | 6,690 | $28.32 |
| Heavy equipment operator | +17.3% | 1,490 | 14,180 | $29.14 |
| Painter | +16.0% | 960 | 9,690 | $23.20 |
| Plasterer | +15.3% | 160 | 1,660 | $23.80 |
| Machinist | +14.2% | 650 | 5,440 | $29.37 |
| Diesel mechanic | +12.1% | 610 | 6,300 | $29.65 |
| Lineman | +9.9% | 180 | 2,090 | $36.26 |
| Millwright | +7.5% | 70 | 730 | $27.59 |
Source: Arizona 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 Arizona
Prevailing wage in Arizona
Davis-Bacon determinations set the minimum wage package on federally funded construction. In Arizona, 14 of 15 counties with a Building rate for electricians use a union contract rate (typical package $51.34/hr including fringe). Look up any county and trade.
Metros in Arizona
Questions this page answers
What is the highest-paying trade in Arizona?
Construction managers had the highest median wage among the trades tracked here at $55.14 an hour in May 2025, followed by construction supervisors ($37.76) and boilermakers ($37.47).
Which trades are in highest demand in Arizona?
By projected growth between 2024 and 2034, solar installers (+40.6%), wind turbine technicians (+32.9%), boilermakers (+28.7%). By openings a year, construction laborers (4,620 a year), electricians (2,820 a year), construction supervisors (2,550 a year). The figures come from Arizona's labor market agency via Projections Central and count replacement openings as well as new jobs.
How does Arizona compare with the rest of the country?
Across the 28 trades listed, 6 pay above the national median in Arizona and 22 pay below it. The state's cost of living is 100.7% of the US average (BEA).
Sources and notes
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, Arizona.
- BLS Current Employment Statistics through 2026-09.
- BEA Regional Price Parities.
- SAM.gov Davis-Bacon wage determinations (not the official determination).