Highest-paying and most in-demand trades in Connecticut
26 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 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 |
Most in-demand trades in Connecticut
By the Connecticut labor market agency's 2024–2034 projections, the fastest-growing trades are tile setters (+17.2%), insulation workers (+16.4%), boilermakers (+14.1%). The most openings a year, counting replacements as well as growth, come from construction laborers (1,190 a year), electricians (870 a year), carpenters (770 a year). The largest specialty-contractor group in the state is building equipment contractors (electrical, plumbing, HVAC), with 24,658 jobs (2025 annual average, QCEW).
| Trade | Projected change 2024–2034 | Openings a year | Jobs in 2024 | Median $/hr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tile setter | +17.2% | 40 | 470 | $30.36 |
| Insulation worker | +16.4% | 30 | 320 | $23.34 |
| Boilermaker | +14.1% | 10 | 60 | $38.64 |
| Painter | +12.9% | 330 | 3,490 | $28.12 |
| Machinist | +12.8% | 750 | 6,370 | $29.87 |
| Electrician | +12.1% | 870 | 8,500 | $37.28 |
| Drywall installer | +11.6% | 40 | 420 | $29.08 |
| Welder | +10.7% | 270 | 2,430 | $31.19 |
| Construction manager | +10.5% | 470 | 5,360 | $60.19 |
| Carpenter | +10.3% | 770 | 9,090 | $30.80 |
| Crane operator | +9.6% | 20 | 230 | $39.12 |
| Plumber | +9.4% | 450 | 4,750 | $37.16 |
| Ironworker | +9.3% | 30 | 290 | $30.00 |
| Construction supervisor | +8.5% | 670 | 7,860 | $44.36 |
| Construction laborer | +8.4% | 1,190 | 13,150 | $28.03 |
| Sheet metal worker | +7.4% | 110 | 1,190 | $37.86 |
| HVAC technician | +7.3% | 440 | 4,730 | $36.83 |
| Heavy equipment operator | +6.6% | 260 | 2,900 | $37.86 |
| Roofer | +6.4% | 100 | 1,320 | $29.84 |
| Diesel mechanic | +5.7% | 260 | 2,930 | $32.36 |
| Brickmason | +4.9% | 50 | 650 | $32.67 |
| Glazier | +4.8% | 40 | 520 | $30.69 |
| Millwright | +4.7% | 20 | 190 | $36.93 |
| Lineman | +4.6% | 70 | 890 | $60.99 |
| Cement mason | +4.6% | 50 | 700 | $28.19 |
Source: Connecticut 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 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 construction supervisors ($44.36).
Which trades are in highest demand in Connecticut?
By projected growth between 2024 and 2034, tile setters (+17.2%), insulation workers (+16.4%), boilermakers (+14.1%). By openings a year, construction laborers (1,190 a year), electricians (870 a year), carpenters (770 a year). The figures come from Connecticut's labor market agency via Projections Central and count replacement openings as well as new jobs.
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 2026-09.
- BEA Regional Price Parities.
- SAM.gov Davis-Bacon wage determinations (not the official determination).