Highest-paying trades in Georgia
27 trades ranked by median hourly wage, with the range, the rank among states and the union scale.
Every trade in Georgia, ranked by median pay
| # | Trade | Median $/hr | Median $/yr | 90th pct $/hr | Jobs | State rank | 10-yr real change | vs US |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Construction manager | $53.27 | $110,810 | $86.90 | 10,740 | 24th of 51 | -7.5% | 4% below |
| 2 | Elevator mechanic | $40.14 | $83,500 | $59.77 | 640 | 32nd of 37 | -0.1% | 24% below |
| 3 | Lineman | $38.50 | $80,080 | $56.20 | 4,960 | 41st of 51 | +25.2% | 16% below |
| 4 | Construction supervisor | $37.71 | $78,430 | $57.57 | 26,770 | 30th of 51 | +4.2% | 2% below |
| 5 | Boilermaker | $30.86 | $64,200 | $39.28 | — | 31st of 37 | -22.2% | 16% below |
| 6 | Millwright | $30.17 | $62,760 | $37.97 | 1,780 | 31st of 48 | -1.6% | 4% below |
| 7 | Crane operator | $29.83 | $62,050 | $36.95 | 1,370 | 35th of 50 | +2.8% | 9% below |
| 8 | Diesel mechanic | $29.50 | $61,370 | $40.99 | 10,910 | 26th of 51 | +5.7% | 1% below |
| 9 | Electrician | $28.04 | $58,320 | $40.39 | 21,650 | 47th of 51 | -1.5% | 8% below |
| 10 | Drywall installer | $28.01 | $58,260 | $37.98 | 690 | 22nd of 49 | +12.7% | 1% below |
| 11 | Plumber | $27.50 | $57,200 | $38.82 | 8,930 | 43rd of 51 | -0.3% | 10% below |
| 12 | Sheet metal worker | $27.31 | $56,800 | $36.97 | 3,590 | 36th of 50 | -2.1% | 8% below |
| 13 | HVAC technician | $27.11 | $56,390 | $38.05 | 12,290 | 43rd of 51 | -1.8% | 8% below |
| 14 | Machinist | $25.29 | $52,610 | $37.22 | 6,090 | 44th of 51 | +4.3% | 10% below |
| 15 | Brickmason | $24.35 | $50,650 | $35.79 | — | 42nd of 50 | +8.1% | 18% below |
| 16 | Carpenter | $23.72 | $49,350 | $30.51 | 9,190 | 43rd of 51 | +0.8% | 19% below |
| 17 | Welder | $23.28 | $48,430 | $31.33 | 13,130 | 49th of 51 | +4.1% | 10% below |
| 18 | Painter | $23.24 | $48,340 | $32.72 | 2,760 | 29th of 51 | +1.0% | 2% below |
| 19 | Ironworker | $23.12 | $48,090 | $33.98 | 980 | 47th of 50 | -0.1% | 23% below |
| 20 | Heavy equipment operator | $23.02 | $47,880 | $30.21 | 15,700 | 48th of 51 | +6.9% | 20% below |
| 21 | Tile setter | $23.00 | $47,840 | $31.93 | 360 | 32nd of 47 | -1.0% | 14% below |
| 22 | Insulation worker | $22.99 | $47,810 | $45.73 | 900 | 31st of 48 | — | 3% below |
| 23 | Solar installer | $22.98 | $47,790 | $27.84 | — | 25th of 32 | — | 10% below |
| 24 | Roofer | $22.57 | $46,940 | $30.63 | 2,160 | 41st of 51 | +12.7% | 15% below |
| 25 | Cement mason | $22.23 | $46,240 | $34.69 | 3,400 | 48th of 51 | +11.3% | 19% below |
| 26 | Glazier | $20.84 | $43,340 | $34.23 | 2,530 | 49th of 50 | -8.0% | 24% below |
| 27 | Construction laborer | $18.74 | $38,990 | $27.14 | 27,800 | 46th of 51 | +8.2% | 17% below |
Construction jobs in Georgia
Prevailing wage in Georgia
Davis-Bacon determinations set the minimum wage package on federally funded construction. In Georgia, 123 of 159 counties with a Building rate for electricians use a union contract rate (typical package $49.20/hr including fringe). Look up any county and trade.
Metros in Georgia
Questions this page answers
What is the highest-paying trade in Georgia?
Construction managers had the highest median wage among the trades tracked here at $53.27 an hour in May 2025, followed by elevator and escalator installers and repairers ($40.14) and electrical power-line installers and repairers ($38.50).
How does Georgia compare with the rest of the country?
Across the 27 trades listed, 0 pay above the national median in Georgia and 27 pay below it. The state's cost of living is 96.3% of the US average (BEA).
Sources and notes
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, Georgia.
- BLS Current Employment Statistics through 2026-08.
- BEA Regional Price Parities.
- SAM.gov Davis-Bacon wage determinations (not the official determination).