Highest-paying and most in-demand trades in California
29 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 California, ranked by median pay
| # | Trade | Median $/hr | Median $/yr | 90th pct $/hr | Jobs | State rank | 10-yr real change | vs US |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Elevator mechanic | $67.88 | $141,180 | $83.62 | 1,910 | 3rd of 37 | +8.8% | 28% above |
| 2 | Construction manager | $64.02 | $133,160 | $101.91 | 34,750 | 6th of 51 | +0.7% | 16% above |
| 3 | Lineman | $62.04 | $129,040 | $80.33 | 8,930 | 4th of 51 | -9.1% | 35% above |
| 4 | Boilermaker | $56.80 | $118,150 | $65.82 | 720 | 1st of 37 | +6.5% | 55% above |
| 5 | Construction supervisor | $46.96 | $97,680 | $75.25 | 71,750 | 9th of 51 | -3.3% | 22% above |
| 6 | Heavy equipment operator | $41.90 | $87,160 | $63.56 | 36,020 | 4th of 51 | +0.7% | 46% above |
| 7 | Crane operator | $38.25 | $79,570 | $65.30 | 2,130 | 15th of 50 | -15.7% | 17% above |
| 8 | Millwright | $37.48 | $77,950 | $61.48 | 2,230 | 9th of 48 | +0.6% | 19% above |
| 9 | Wind turbine technician | $37.46 | $77,910 | $54.94 | 400 | 3rd of 25 | +14.8% | 22% above |
| 10 | Sheet metal worker | $36.82 | $76,590 | $63.55 | 8,390 | 9th of 50 | +0.3% | 24% above |
| 11 | Ironworker | $36.72 | $76,370 | $56.75 | 7,110 | 16th of 50 | -14.7% | 22% above |
| 12 | Electrician | $36.62 | $76,160 | $67.47 | 73,310 | 15th of 51 | -10.6% | 21% above |
| 13 | Carpenter | $36.50 | $75,920 | $57.67 | 100,750 | 3rd of 51 | +10.4% | 25% above |
| 14 | Diesel mechanic | $35.55 | $73,950 | $46.50 | 20,940 | 5th of 51 | +5.4% | 20% above |
| 15 | Plumber | $35.01 | $72,830 | $63.03 | 47,660 | 17th of 51 | -1.7% | 14% above |
| 16 | HVAC technician | $34.88 | $72,560 | $52.44 | 35,130 | 12th of 51 | +4.5% | 19% above |
| 17 | Brickmason | $33.20 | $69,050 | $52.02 | 3,820 | 17th of 50 | -12.0% | 11% above |
| 18 | Drywall installer | $31.67 | $65,880 | $57.81 | 27,280 | 7th of 49 | -4.4% | 12% above |
| 19 | Glazier | $30.79 | $64,040 | $58.47 | 7,020 | 8th of 50 | -12.0% | 12% above |
| 20 | Roofer | $30.58 | $63,600 | $42.79 | 21,190 | 7th of 51 | -6.1% | 15% above |
| 21 | Cement mason | $30.15 | $62,700 | $48.95 | 28,700 | 12th of 51 | -3.0% | 10% above |
| 22 | Solar installer | $29.14 | $60,600 | $40.27 | 6,830 | 8th of 32 | +7.8% | 14% above |
| 23 | Construction laborer | $28.98 | $60,270 | $45.01 | 88,240 | 5th of 51 | +17.5% | 28% above |
| 24 | Plasterer | $28.82 | $59,940 | $45.79 | 6,780 | 13th of 28 | +14.2% | 4% above |
| 25 | Painter | $28.38 | $59,020 | $43.75 | 38,430 | 9th of 51 | +2.4% | 19% above |
| 26 | Tile setter | $28.31 | $58,880 | $48.00 | 8,250 | 15th of 47 | -3.3% | 6% above |
| 27 | Welder | $27.91 | $58,060 | $39.40 | 26,060 | 24th of 51 | +10.5% | 8% above |
| 28 | Machinist | $27.49 | $57,190 | $42.44 | 18,950 | 37th of 51 | +5.7% | 3% below |
| 29 | Insulation worker | $23.48 | $48,840 | $50.69 | 3,080 | 24th of 48 | — | 1% below |
Most in-demand trades in California
By the California labor market agency's 2024–2034 projections, the fastest-growing trades are solar installers (+42.0%), electricians (+14.9%), HVAC technicians (+12.8%). The most openings a year, counting replacements as well as growth, come from construction laborers (11,150 a year), carpenters (11,040 a year), electricians (8,650 a year). The largest specialty-contractor group in the state is building equipment contractors (electrical, plumbing, HVAC), with 259,643 jobs (2025 annual average, QCEW).
| Trade | Projected change 2024–2034 | Openings a year | Jobs in 2024 | Median $/hr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solar installer | +42.0% | 990 | 6,900 | $29.14 |
| Electrician | +14.9% | 8,650 | 81,000 | $36.62 |
| HVAC technician | +12.8% | 3,770 | 37,400 | $34.88 |
| Construction manager | +10.9% | 4,780 | 54,300 | $64.02 |
| Construction laborer | +10.2% | 11,150 | 120,100 | $28.98 |
| Tile setter | +9.9% | 890 | 11,100 | $28.31 |
| Plumber | +8.6% | 4,870 | 52,300 | $35.01 |
| Construction supervisor | +8.0% | 6,860 | 81,400 | $46.96 |
| Lineman | +7.8% | 770 | 9,000 | $62.04 |
| Heavy equipment operator | +7.0% | 3,340 | 36,900 | $41.90 |
| Roofer | +6.8% | 2,050 | 26,400 | $30.58 |
| Carpenter | +6.4% | 11,040 | 138,400 | $36.50 |
| Brickmason | +5.7% | 410 | 5,300 | $33.20 |
| Sheet metal worker | +5.5% | 790 | 9,100 | $36.82 |
| Ironworker | +5.5% | 620 | 7,300 | $36.72 |
| Painter | +5.3% | 4,890 | 58,100 | $28.38 |
| Diesel mechanic | +5.1% | 2,040 | 23,500 | $35.55 |
| Plasterer | +5.1% | 630 | 7,800 | $28.82 |
| Elevator mechanic | +5.0% | 170 | 2,000 | $67.88 |
| Drywall installer | +5.0% | 2,590 | 34,000 | $31.67 |
| Crane operator | +4.8% | 200 | 2,100 | $38.25 |
| Glazier | +3.9% | 650 | 7,700 | $30.79 |
| Welder | +3.2% | 2,890 | 28,500 | $27.91 |
| Cement mason | +3.1% | 2,070 | 29,200 | $30.15 |
| Insulation worker | +3.1% | 270 | 3,200 | $23.48 |
| Millwright | 0.0% | 210 | 2,300 | $37.48 |
| Machinist | -1.6% | 1,840 | 19,200 | $27.49 |
Source: California 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 California
Prevailing wage in California
Davis-Bacon determinations set the minimum wage package on federally funded construction. In California, 53 of 58 counties with a Building rate for electricians use a union contract rate (typical package $80.15/hr including fringe). Look up any county and trade.
Metros in California
Questions this page answers
What is the highest-paying trade in California?
Elevator and escalator installers and repairers had the highest median wage among the trades tracked here at $67.88 an hour in May 2025, followed by construction managers ($64.02) and linemen ($62.04).
Which trades are in highest demand in California?
By projected growth between 2024 and 2034, solar installers (+42.0%), electricians (+14.9%), HVAC technicians (+12.8%). By openings a year, construction laborers (11,150 a year), carpenters (11,040 a year), electricians (8,650 a year). The figures come from California's labor market agency via Projections Central and count replacement openings as well as new jobs.
How does California compare with the rest of the country?
Across the 29 trades listed, 27 pay above the national median in California and 2 pay below it. The state's cost of living is 110.7% of the US average (BEA).
Sources and notes
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, California.
- BLS Current Employment Statistics through 2026-09.
- BEA Regional Price Parities.
- SAM.gov Davis-Bacon wage determinations (not the official determination).