Highest-paying and most in-demand trades in Hawaii
24 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 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 |
Most in-demand trades in Hawaii
By the Hawaii labor market agency's 2024–2034 projections, the fastest-growing trades are solar installers (+38.5%), tile setters (+11.4%), electricians (+10.2%). The most openings a year, counting replacements as well as growth, come from carpenters (640 a year), construction laborers (540 a year), construction managers (410 a year). The largest specialty-contractor group in the state is building equipment contractors (electrical, plumbing, HVAC), with 10,790 jobs (2025 annual average, QCEW).
| Trade | Projected change 2024–2034 | Openings a year | Jobs in 2024 | Median $/hr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solar installer | +38.5% | 50 | 370 | $33.83 |
| Tile setter | +11.4% | 60 | 740 | $38.11 |
| Electrician | +10.2% | 340 | 3,400 | $46.38 |
| Construction manager | +8.6% | 410 | 4,820 | $61.98 |
| Construction laborer | +8.2% | 540 | 5,940 | $37.07 |
| HVAC technician | +7.2% | 110 | 1,200 | $31.47 |
| Ironworker | +6.9% | 10 | 90 | $48.01 |
| Roofer | +6.6% | 90 | 1,220 | $28.64 |
| Construction supervisor | +6.1% | 280 | 3,470 | $49.34 |
| Lineman | +5.9% | 40 | 460 | $64.59 |
| Drywall installer | +5.2% | 80 | 1,050 | $50.40 |
| Glazier | +4.8% | 30 | 400 | $38.85 |
| Carpenter | +4.6% | 640 | 8,320 | $41.00 |
| Plumber | +4.5% | 260 | 2,960 | $37.53 |
| Heavy equipment operator | +4.3% | 160 | 1,870 | $55.70 |
| Painter | +3.9% | 210 | 2,550 | $32.80 |
| Plasterer | +3.6% | 10 | 80 | $50.13 |
| Cement mason | +2.4% | 60 | 800 | $46.10 |
| Diesel mechanic | +1.9% | 60 | 770 | $38.50 |
| Welder | +1.5% | 70 | 670 | $37.98 |
| Sheet metal worker | +1.4% | 40 | 490 | $46.32 |
| Brickmason | +1.4% | 0 | 70 | $38.10 |
| Crane operator | +0.9% | 20 | 230 | $59.74 |
| Machinist | -2.1% | 30 | 330 | $40.58 |
Source: Hawaii 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 Hawaii
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 operators ($59.74).
Which trades are in highest demand in Hawaii?
By projected growth between 2024 and 2034, solar installers (+38.5%), tile setters (+11.4%), electricians (+10.2%). By openings a year, carpenters (640 a year), construction laborers (540 a year), construction managers (410 a year). The figures come from Hawaii's labor market agency via Projections Central and count replacement openings as well as new jobs.
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 2026-09.
- BEA Regional Price Parities.
- SAM.gov Davis-Bacon wage determinations (not the official determination).