Highest-paying and most in-demand trades in Maryland
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 Maryland, ranked by median pay
| # | Trade | Median $/hr | Median $/yr | 90th pct $/hr | Jobs | State rank | 10-yr real change | vs US |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Construction manager | $61.70 | $128,330 | $99.21 | 5,770 | 11th of 51 | +0.6% | 12% above |
| 2 | Elevator mechanic | $58.78 | $122,260 | $63.72 | 810 | 14th of 37 | +9.1% | 11% above |
| 3 | Lineman | $51.01 | $106,090 | $59.98 | 1,830 | 15th of 51 | +22.8% | 11% above |
| 4 | Crane operator | $42.28 | $87,950 | $45.53 | — | 8th of 50 | +1.8% | 29% above |
| 5 | Construction supervisor | $37.87 | $78,760 | $58.58 | 15,400 | 26th of 51 | -10.2% | 1% below |
| 6 | Diesel mechanic | $35.96 | $74,790 | $47.02 | 3,030 | 4th of 51 | +13.2% | 21% above |
| 7 | Electrician | $35.33 | $73,490 | $56.91 | 13,690 | 20th of 51 | +4.8% | 16% above |
| 8 | Ironworker | $34.49 | $71,730 | $39.50 | 710 | 20th of 50 | +13.3% | 14% above |
| 9 | HVAC technician | $33.67 | $70,020 | $51.32 | 8,560 | 13th of 51 | -4.7% | 15% above |
| 10 | Plumber | $31.44 | $65,400 | $52.13 | 11,420 | 21st of 51 | -9.4% | 3% above |
| 11 | Carpenter | $30.27 | $62,960 | $45.66 | 9,770 | 11th of 51 | +4.3% | 4% above |
| 12 | Sheet metal worker | $30.08 | $62,560 | $40.70 | 1,940 | 25th of 50 | -1.6% | 1% above |
| 13 | Heavy equipment operator | $29.53 | $61,410 | $37.92 | 6,610 | 25th of 51 | -1.0% | 3% above |
| 14 | Welder | $29.00 | $60,310 | $45.81 | 2,850 | 13th of 51 | -0.4% | 12% above |
| 15 | Roofer | $28.89 | $60,090 | $38.69 | 2,050 | 12th of 51 | +12.7% | 8% above |
| 16 | Glazier | $28.79 | $59,890 | $37.92 | 1,820 | 20th of 50 | -6.9% | 5% above |
| 17 | Machinist | $28.76 | $59,810 | $39.36 | 1,380 | 22nd of 51 | -5.9% | 2% above |
| 18 | Millwright | $28.47 | $59,220 | $39.37 | 160 | 42nd of 48 | -17.2% | 10% below |
| 19 | Brickmason | $28.38 | $59,030 | $33.96 | 1,650 | 35th of 50 | +0.9% | 5% below |
| 20 | Insulation worker | $28.09 | $58,420 | $42.00 | 1,240 | 6th of 48 | — | 19% above |
| 21 | Plasterer | $27.35 | $56,890 | $32.92 | 140 | 14th of 28 | +12.4% | 1% below |
| 22 | Drywall installer | $26.29 | $54,680 | $35.21 | 1,470 | 24th of 49 | +4.6% | 7% below |
| 23 | Cement mason | $24.98 | $51,950 | $34.53 | 2,540 | 34th of 51 | -7.2% | 9% below |
| 24 | Painter | $23.62 | $49,120 | $37.52 | 3,750 | 27th of 51 | +0.5% | 1% below |
| 25 | Construction laborer | $22.58 | $46,960 | $29.65 | 20,920 | 28th of 51 | +8.9% | about the same as |
| 26 | Tile setter | $21.96 | $45,670 | $36.16 | 240 | 37th of 47 | -25.8% | 18% below |
| 27 | Solar installer | $21.84 | $45,430 | $29.52 | 670 | 29th of 32 | — | 15% below |
| 28 | Boilermaker | $20.31 | $42,250 | $35.50 | 30 | 37th of 37 | -54.7% | 45% below |
Most in-demand trades in Maryland
By the Maryland labor market agency's 2024–2034 projections, the fastest-growing trades are solar installers (+39.7%), tile setters (+11.9%), electricians (+11.6%). The most openings a year, counting replacements as well as growth, come from construction laborers (2,610 a year), electricians (1,520 a year), construction supervisors (1,460 a year). The largest specialty-contractor group in the state is building equipment contractors (electrical, plumbing, HVAC), with 58,096 jobs (2025 annual average, QCEW).
| Trade | Projected change 2024–2034 | Openings a year | Jobs in 2024 | Median $/hr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solar installer | +39.7% | 90 | 660 | $21.84 |
| Tile setter | +11.9% | 30 | 320 | $21.96 |
| Electrician | +11.6% | 1,520 | 14,910 | $35.33 |
| Construction manager | +9.5% | 790 | 9,170 | $61.70 |
| HVAC technician | +9.2% | 880 | 9,130 | $33.67 |
| Construction laborer | +8.8% | 2,610 | 28,690 | $22.58 |
| Lineman | +8.2% | 160 | 1,810 | $51.01 |
| Elevator mechanic | +7.3% | 70 | 810 | $58.78 |
| Construction supervisor | +7.2% | 1,460 | 17,530 | $37.87 |
| Roofer | +7.1% | 200 | 2,520 | $28.89 |
| Ironworker | +7.0% | 60 | 720 | $34.49 |
| Plasterer | +6.9% | 10 | 160 | $27.35 |
| Welder | +6.5% | 330 | 3,110 | $29.00 |
| Plumber | +6.2% | 1,110 | 12,420 | $31.44 |
| Drywall installer | +5.9% | 140 | 1,820 | $26.29 |
| Brickmason | +5.4% | 180 | 2,260 | $28.38 |
| Carpenter | +5.3% | 1,060 | 13,500 | $30.27 |
| Heavy equipment operator | +5.3% | 600 | 6,820 | $29.53 |
| Insulation worker | +5.3% | 110 | 1,280 | $28.09 |
| Painter | +5.3% | 480 | 5,710 | $23.62 |
| Crane operator | +5.1% | 70 | 760 | $42.28 |
| Machinist | +4.7% | 150 | 1,420 | $28.76 |
| Glazier | +4.5% | 170 | 1,960 | $28.79 |
| Sheet metal worker | +3.9% | 180 | 2,080 | $30.08 |
| Diesel mechanic | +3.8% | 280 | 3,340 | $35.96 |
| Cement mason | +2.4% | 180 | 2,550 | $24.98 |
| Millwright | +0.6% | 20 | 160 | $28.47 |
Source: Maryland 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 Maryland
Prevailing wage in Maryland
Davis-Bacon determinations set the minimum wage package on federally funded construction. In Maryland, 0 of 24 counties with a Building rate for electricians use a union contract rate (typical package —/hr including fringe). Look up any county and trade.
Metros in Maryland
Questions this page answers
What is the highest-paying trade in Maryland?
Construction managers had the highest median wage among the trades tracked here at $61.70 an hour in May 2025, followed by elevator mechanics ($58.78) and linemen ($51.01).
Which trades are in highest demand in Maryland?
By projected growth between 2024 and 2034, solar installers (+39.7%), tile setters (+11.9%), electricians (+11.6%). By openings a year, construction laborers (2,610 a year), electricians (1,520 a year), construction supervisors (1,460 a year). The figures come from Maryland's labor market agency via Projections Central and count replacement openings as well as new jobs.
How does Maryland compare with the rest of the country?
Across the 28 trades listed, 17 pay above the national median in Maryland and 11 pay below it. The state's cost of living is 105.0% of the US average (BEA).
Sources and notes
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, Maryland.
- BLS Current Employment Statistics through 2026-09.
- BEA Regional Price Parities.
- SAM.gov Davis-Bacon wage determinations (not the official determination).