Highest-paying and most in-demand trades in Florida
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 Florida, ranked by median pay
| # | Trade | Median $/hr | Median $/yr | 90th pct $/hr | Jobs | State rank | 10-yr real change | vs US |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Construction manager | $54.39 | $113,130 | $100.70 | 34,010 | 22nd of 51 | +6.1% | 2% below |
| 2 | Elevator mechanic | $50.35 | $104,730 | $59.53 | 2,790 | 23rd of 37 | +22.5% | 5% below |
| 3 | Lineman | $41.76 | $86,870 | $52.55 | 6,420 | 36th of 51 | +25.7% | 9% below |
| 4 | Construction supervisor | $36.44 | $75,790 | $56.87 | 69,830 | 38th of 51 | +1.4% | 5% below |
| 5 | Crane operator | $34.40 | $71,560 | $45.27 | 2,570 | 21st of 50 | +5.2% | 5% above |
| 6 | Boilermaker | $33.55 | $69,790 | $35.00 | 400 | 29th of 37 | +1.2% | 9% below |
| 7 | Millwright | $29.81 | $62,000 | $42.70 | 530 | 34th of 48 | +2.6% | 6% below |
| 8 | Diesel mechanic | $29.08 | $60,490 | $38.08 | 14,900 | 30th of 51 | +3.9% | 2% below |
| 9 | Electrician | $27.52 | $57,250 | $37.10 | 49,700 | 48th of 51 | +5.1% | 9% below |
| 10 | Machinist | $27.47 | $57,140 | $36.64 | 8,400 | 38th of 51 | +11.9% | 3% below |
| 11 | HVAC technician | $27.24 | $56,670 | $37.60 | 39,160 | 41st of 51 | +10.8% | 7% below |
| 12 | Ironworker | $26.78 | $55,700 | $35.23 | 2,730 | 41st of 50 | +5.1% | 11% below |
| 13 | Plumber | $25.44 | $52,910 | $35.39 | 29,260 | 48th of 51 | +4.3% | 17% below |
| 14 | Brickmason | $25.37 | $52,760 | $33.78 | 2,610 | 41st of 50 | +11.9% | 15% below |
| 15 | Welder | $24.35 | $50,640 | $33.84 | 16,420 | 36th of 51 | +5.1% | 6% below |
| 16 | Solar installer | $24.30 | $50,550 | $36.80 | 2,980 | 15th of 32 | +27.6% | 5% below |
| 17 | Carpenter | $23.98 | $49,870 | $33.63 | 39,300 | 42nd of 51 | +5.3% | 18% below |
| 18 | Sheet metal worker | $23.87 | $49,640 | $34.49 | 8,040 | 44th of 50 | +4.5% | 20% below |
| 19 | Heavy equipment operator | $23.75 | $49,400 | $30.78 | 27,510 | 44th of 51 | +4.4% | 17% below |
| 20 | Drywall installer | $23.54 | $48,970 | $29.58 | 6,000 | 32nd of 49 | +21.0% | 17% below |
| 21 | Cement mason | $23.40 | $48,680 | $30.44 | 15,240 | 42nd of 51 | +12.7% | 15% below |
| 22 | Roofer | $22.88 | $47,590 | $30.68 | 23,550 | 37th of 51 | +12.1% | 14% below |
| 23 | Painter | $22.85 | $47,530 | $29.47 | 22,450 | 33rd of 51 | +18.0% | 4% below |
| 24 | Plasterer | $22.80 | $47,420 | $30.18 | 1,970 | 26th of 28 | +1.3% | 18% below |
| 25 | Tile setter | $22.73 | $47,280 | $34.80 | 4,070 | 34th of 47 | +11.5% | 15% below |
| 26 | Insulation worker | $22.65 | $47,100 | $31.21 | 2,690 | 34th of 48 | — | 4% below |
| 27 | Glazier | $22.61 | $47,030 | $30.39 | 6,370 | 43rd of 50 | +2.2% | 18% below |
| 28 | Construction laborer | $21.17 | $44,030 | $28.32 | 87,040 | 40th of 51 | +21.7% | 7% below |
Most in-demand trades in Florida
By the Florida labor market agency's 2024–2034 projections, the fastest-growing trades are solar installers (+90.8%), electricians (+19.4%), roofers (+18.8%). The most openings a year, counting replacements as well as growth, come from construction laborers (10,660 a year), construction supervisors (7,620 a year), electricians (5,920 a year). The largest specialty-contractor group in the state is building equipment contractors (electrical, plumbing, HVAC), with 195,527 jobs (2025 annual average, QCEW).
| Trade | Projected change 2024–2034 | Openings a year | Jobs in 2024 | Median $/hr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solar installer | +90.8% | 410 | 1,920 | $24.30 |
| Electrician | +19.4% | 5,920 | 52,340 | $27.52 |
| Roofer | +18.8% | 2,690 | 28,840 | $22.88 |
| Construction manager | +18.5% | 4,320 | 43,910 | $54.39 |
| HVAC technician | +18.4% | 4,430 | 40,700 | $27.24 |
| Tile setter | +17.9% | 600 | 6,690 | $22.73 |
| Construction laborer | +17.1% | 10,660 | 103,980 | $21.17 |
| Elevator mechanic | +15.6% | 210 | 2,120 | $50.35 |
| Ironworker | +15.4% | 210 | 2,080 | $26.78 |
| Construction supervisor | +15.3% | 7,620 | 80,840 | $36.44 |
| Brickmason | +15.2% | 460 | 5,000 | $25.37 |
| Glazier | +14.5% | 620 | 6,190 | $22.61 |
| Plumber | +14.1% | 2,940 | 29,250 | $25.44 |
| Cement mason | +13.6% | 1,280 | 15,180 | $23.40 |
| Carpenter | +13.5% | 5,360 | 60,000 | $23.98 |
| Plasterer | +13.4% | 230 | 2,490 | $22.80 |
| Heavy equipment operator | +13.1% | 3,040 | 30,700 | $23.75 |
| Sheet metal worker | +12.6% | 980 | 10,100 | $23.87 |
| Insulation worker | +12.6% | 190 | 1,970 | $22.65 |
| Welder | +12.4% | 2,010 | 17,510 | $24.35 |
| Painter | +12.0% | 2,920 | 31,280 | $22.85 |
| Crane operator | +11.9% | 250 | 2,490 | $34.40 |
| Drywall installer | +11.8% | 520 | 6,110 | $23.54 |
| Diesel mechanic | +9.5% | 1,270 | 13,680 | $29.08 |
| Lineman | +8.3% | 640 | 7,450 | $41.76 |
| Machinist | +8.2% | 900 | 8,120 | $27.47 |
| Millwright | +7.7% | 80 | 800 | $29.81 |
Source: Florida 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 Florida
Prevailing wage in Florida
Davis-Bacon determinations set the minimum wage package on federally funded construction. In Florida, 40 of 67 counties with a Building rate for electricians use a union contract rate (typical package $47.70/hr including fringe). Look up any county and trade.
Metros in Florida
Questions this page answers
What is the highest-paying trade in Florida?
Construction managers had the highest median wage among the trades tracked here at $54.39 an hour in May 2025, followed by elevator mechanics ($50.35) and linemen ($41.76).
Which trades are in highest demand in Florida?
By projected growth between 2024 and 2034, solar installers (+90.8%), electricians (+19.4%), roofers (+18.8%). By openings a year, construction laborers (10,660 a year), construction supervisors (7,620 a year), electricians (5,920 a year). The figures come from Florida's labor market agency via Projections Central and count replacement openings as well as new jobs.
How does Florida compare with the rest of the country?
Across the 28 trades listed, 1 pay above the national median in Florida and 27 pay below it. The state's cost of living is 103.4% of the US average (BEA).
Sources and notes
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, Florida.
- BLS Current Employment Statistics through 2026-09.
- BEA Regional Price Parities.
- SAM.gov Davis-Bacon wage determinations (not the official determination).