Highest-paying trades in Hawaii
24 trades ranked by median hourly wage, with the range, the rank among states and the union scale.
Every trade in Hawaii, ranked by median pay
| # | Trade | Median $/hr | Median $/yr | 90th pct $/hr | Jobs | State rank | 10-yr real change | vs US |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lineman | $64.59 | $134,340 | $69.31 | 600 | 1st of 51 | +24.2% | 41% above |
| 2 | Construction manager | $61.98 | $128,910 | $92.30 | 2,890 | 10th of 51 | +6.1% | 12% above |
| 3 | Crane operator | $59.74 | $124,260 | $63.09 | 190 | 1st of 50 | +22.3% | 83% above |
| 4 | Heavy equipment operator | $55.70 | $115,860 | $62.31 | 2,380 | 1st of 51 | +17.0% | 94% above |
| 5 | Drywall installer | $50.40 | $104,830 | $57.53 | 800 | 1st of 49 | +40.9% | 78% above |
| 6 | Plasterer | $50.13 | $104,260 | $51.40 | 110 | 2nd of 28 | +20.3% | 81% above |
| 7 | Construction supervisor | $49.34 | $102,630 | $63.73 | 2,890 | 5th of 51 | +1.1% | 28% above |
| 8 | Ironworker | $48.01 | $99,860 | $58.50 | 290 | 5th of 50 | +8.2% | 59% above |
| 9 | Electrician | $46.38 | $96,460 | $59.90 | 3,070 | 3rd of 51 | +1.0% | 53% above |
| 10 | Sheet metal worker | $46.32 | $96,350 | $57.19 | 490 | 2nd of 50 | +3.2% | 56% above |
| 11 | Cement mason | $46.10 | $95,890 | $53.00 | 650 | 1st of 51 | +6.1% | 68% above |
| 12 | Carpenter | $41.00 | $85,280 | $55.72 | 4,810 | 1st of 51 | -4.8% | 41% above |
| 13 | Machinist | $40.58 | $84,410 | $51.43 | 260 | 1st of 51 | +4.4% | 44% above |
| 14 | Glazier | $38.85 | $80,800 | $50.46 | 280 | 2nd of 50 | -8.2% | 42% above |
| 15 | Diesel mechanic | $38.50 | $80,080 | $48.34 | 690 | 1st of 51 | +4.1% | 30% above |
| 16 | Tile setter | $38.11 | $79,270 | $54.95 | 440 | 2nd of 47 | -7.0% | 42% above |
| 17 | Brickmason | $38.10 | $79,250 | $47.18 | 120 | 10th of 50 | -4.0% | 28% above |
| 18 | Welder | $37.98 | $79,000 | $48.18 | 520 | 2nd of 51 | -7.4% | 47% above |
| 19 | Plumber | $37.53 | $78,060 | $54.47 | 2,500 | 12th of 51 | -12.0% | 22% above |
| 20 | Construction laborer | $37.07 | $77,110 | $46.39 | 4,580 | 1st of 51 | +13.4% | 64% above |
| 21 | Solar installer | $33.83 | $70,370 | $50.58 | 420 | 2nd of 32 | +3.5% | 32% above |
| 22 | Painter | $32.80 | $68,220 | $43.67 | 1,900 | 1st of 51 | -5.0% | 38% above |
| 23 | HVAC technician | $31.47 | $65,450 | $47.80 | 1,300 | 15th of 51 | -21.4% | 7% above |
| 24 | Roofer | $28.64 | $59,580 | $38.17 | 1,110 | 15th of 51 | -8.8% | 7% above |
Construction jobs in Hawaii
41.4kConstruction jobs2026-08
+1.7%Change over 12 months
+11.9%Change over 5 years
Prevailing wage in Hawaii
Davis-Bacon determinations set the minimum wage package on federally funded construction. In Hawaii, 5 of 5 counties with a Building rate for electricians use a union contract rate (typical package $89.71/hr including fringe). Look up any county and trade.
Questions this page answers
What is the highest-paying trade in Hawaii?
Electrical power-line installers and repairers had the highest median wage among the trades tracked here at $64.59 an hour in May 2025, followed by construction managers ($61.98) and crane and tower operators ($59.74).
How does Hawaii compare with the rest of the country?
Across the 24 trades listed, 24 pay above the national median in Hawaii and 0 pay below it. The state's cost of living is 110.0% of the US average (BEA).
Sources and notes
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, Hawaii.
- BLS Current Employment Statistics through 2026-08.
- BEA Regional Price Parities.
- SAM.gov Davis-Bacon wage determinations (not the official determination).