Highest-paying and most in-demand trades in Georgia
27 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 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 |
Most in-demand trades in Georgia
By the Georgia labor market agency's 2024–2034 projections, the fastest-growing trades are electricians (+14.9%), HVAC technicians (+14.8%), welders (+14.0%). The most openings a year, counting replacements as well as growth, come from construction laborers (3,420 a year), construction supervisors (2,390 a year), electricians (2,340 a year). The largest specialty-contractor group in the state is building equipment contractors (electrical, plumbing, HVAC), with 80,829 jobs (2025 annual average, QCEW).
| Trade | Projected change 2024–2034 | Openings a year | Jobs in 2024 | Median $/hr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrician | +14.9% | 2,340 | 21,950 | $28.04 |
| HVAC technician | +14.8% | 1,290 | 12,490 | $27.11 |
| Welder | +14.0% | 1,720 | 14,710 | $23.28 |
| Construction manager | +12.7% | 1,020 | 11,310 | $53.27 |
| Tile setter | +12.3% | 20 | 230 | $23.00 |
| Brickmason | +12.0% | 20 | 210 | $24.35 |
| Roofer | +11.5% | 200 | 2,330 | $22.57 |
| Construction laborer | +11.3% | 3,420 | 36,240 | $18.74 |
| Diesel mechanic | +10.8% | 1,180 | 12,500 | $29.50 |
| Plumber | +10.1% | 760 | 7,990 | $27.50 |
| Machinist | +9.7% | 760 | 6,750 | $25.29 |
| Construction supervisor | +9.5% | 2,390 | 27,660 | $37.71 |
| Elevator mechanic | +9.4% | 40 | 500 | $40.14 |
| Carpenter | +8.5% | 1,010 | 12,250 | $23.72 |
| Ironworker | +7.8% | 50 | 530 | $23.12 |
| Drywall installer | +7.5% | 90 | 1,110 | $28.01 |
| Painter | +6.8% | 410 | 4,740 | $23.24 |
| Heavy equipment operator | +6.8% | 1,440 | 15,960 | $23.02 |
| Insulation worker | +6.5% | 70 | 770 | $22.99 |
| Cement mason | +6.5% | 200 | 2,590 | $22.23 |
| Lineman | +6.3% | 360 | 4,290 | $38.50 |
| Crane operator | +6.0% | 160 | 1,720 | $29.83 |
| Sheet metal worker | +5.1% | 340 | 3,960 | $27.31 |
| Boilermaker | +3.5% | 20 | 230 | $30.86 |
| Millwright | +2.0% | 200 | 2,180 | $30.17 |
Source: Georgia 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 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 mechanics ($40.14) and linemen ($38.50).
Which trades are in highest demand in Georgia?
By projected growth between 2024 and 2034, electricians (+14.9%), HVAC technicians (+14.8%), welders (+14.0%). By openings a year, construction laborers (3,420 a year), construction supervisors (2,390 a year), electricians (2,340 a year). The figures come from Georgia's labor market agency via Projections Central and count replacement openings as well as new jobs.
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 2026-09.
- BEA Regional Price Parities.
- SAM.gov Davis-Bacon wage determinations (not the official determination).