Highest-paying trades in Connecticut
26 trades ranked by median hourly wage, with the range, the rank among states and the union scale.
Every trade in Connecticut, ranked by median pay
| # | Trade | Median $/hr | Median $/yr | 90th pct $/hr | Jobs | State rank | 10-yr real change | vs US |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lineman | $60.99 | $126,850 | $65.25 | 940 | 5th of 51 | +5.0% | 33% above |
| 2 | Construction manager | $60.19 | $125,190 | $93.80 | 3,620 | 13th of 51 | -8.9% | 9% above |
| 3 | Construction supervisor | $44.36 | $92,260 | $59.52 | 6,980 | 12th of 51 | -5.5% | 15% above |
| 4 | Crane operator | $39.12 | $81,360 | $51.43 | 220 | 13th of 50 | +62.7% | 20% above |
| 5 | Boilermaker | $38.64 | $80,360 | $45.63 | 50 | 18th of 37 | -6.5% | 5% above |
| 6 | Heavy equipment operator | $37.86 | $78,750 | $51.41 | 2,860 | 9th of 51 | -7.7% | 32% above |
| 7 | Sheet metal worker | $37.86 | $78,750 | $45.16 | 1,480 | 7th of 50 | +13.0% | 27% above |
| 8 | Electrician | $37.28 | $77,540 | $50.13 | 7,710 | 10th of 51 | +2.4% | 23% above |
| 9 | Plumber | $37.16 | $77,280 | $49.52 | 5,410 | 14th of 51 | -1.2% | 21% above |
| 10 | Millwright | $36.93 | $76,810 | $46.14 | 110 | 12th of 48 | +7.9% | 17% above |
| 11 | HVAC technician | $36.83 | $76,610 | $48.15 | 3,800 | 5th of 51 | +3.2% | 26% above |
| 12 | Brickmason | $32.67 | $67,960 | $42.09 | 480 | 18th of 50 | -24.2% | 9% above |
| 13 | Diesel mechanic | $32.36 | $67,300 | $46.74 | 2,860 | 12th of 51 | -6.1% | 9% above |
| 14 | Welder | $31.19 | $64,880 | $42.30 | 1,790 | 3rd of 51 | +14.4% | 21% above |
| 15 | Carpenter | $30.80 | $64,060 | $42.31 | 5,160 | 9th of 51 | -7.4% | 6% above |
| 16 | Glazier | $30.69 | $63,840 | $44.32 | 690 | 9th of 50 | -1.5% | 12% above |
| 17 | Tile setter | $30.36 | $63,150 | $50.03 | 230 | 8th of 47 | -16.7% | 13% above |
| 18 | Ironworker | $30.00 | $62,400 | $47.00 | 330 | 28th of 50 | -2.8% | 1% below |
| 19 | Machinist | $29.87 | $62,130 | $39.72 | 5,240 | 11th of 51 | +0.1% | 6% above |
| 20 | Roofer | $29.84 | $62,070 | $46.19 | 790 | 8th of 51 | -3.9% | 12% above |
| 21 | Drywall installer | $29.08 | $60,480 | $39.66 | 300 | 16th of 49 | -14.8% | 3% above |
| 22 | Cement mason | $28.19 | $58,640 | $43.61 | 610 | 24th of 51 | -8.5% | 3% above |
| 23 | Painter | $28.12 | $58,480 | $44.42 | 2,230 | 11th of 51 | +6.0% | 18% above |
| 24 | Construction laborer | $28.03 | $58,290 | $36.79 | 7,360 | 7th of 51 | +3.3% | 24% above |
| 25 | Solar installer | $26.73 | $55,590 | $34.05 | — | 13th of 32 | +13.2% | 5% above |
| 26 | Insulation worker | $23.34 | $48,550 | $29.78 | 300 | 27th of 48 | — | 1% below |
Construction jobs in Connecticut
Prevailing wage in Connecticut
Davis-Bacon determinations set the minimum wage package on federally funded construction. In Connecticut, 8 of 8 counties with a Building rate for electricians use a union contract rate (typical package $84.53/hr including fringe). Look up any county and trade.
Questions this page answers
What is the highest-paying trade in Connecticut?
Electrical power-line installers and repairers had the highest median wage among the trades tracked here at $60.99 an hour in May 2025, followed by construction managers ($60.19) and first-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers ($44.36).
How does Connecticut compare with the rest of the country?
Across the 26 trades listed, 24 pay above the national median in Connecticut and 2 pay below it. The state's cost of living is 103.6% of the US average (BEA).
Sources and notes
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, Connecticut.
- BLS Current Employment Statistics through 2026-08.
- BEA Regional Price Parities.
- SAM.gov Davis-Bacon wage determinations (not the official determination).