Highest-paying trades in Massachusetts
26 trades ranked by median hourly wage, with the range, the rank among states and the union scale.
Every trade in Massachusetts, ranked by median pay
| # | Trade | Median $/hr | Median $/yr | 90th pct $/hr | Jobs | State rank | 10-yr real change | vs US |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Construction manager | $69.71 | $145,010 | $104.29 | 9,870 | 3rd of 51 | +4.5% | 26% above |
| 2 | Elevator mechanic | $66.55 | $138,420 | $74.17 | — | 5th of 37 | +18.2% | 26% above |
| 3 | Ironworker | $58.10 | $120,840 | $61.58 | 2,050 | 1st of 50 | +28.2% | 93% above |
| 4 | Lineman | $52.99 | $110,210 | $61.36 | 2,350 | 10th of 51 | -6.7% | 16% above |
| 5 | Glazier | $48.47 | $100,810 | $53.20 | 1,080 | 1st of 50 | +52.8% | 77% above |
| 6 | Crane operator | $47.19 | $98,150 | $62.40 | 680 | 6th of 50 | +44.9% | 44% above |
| 7 | Construction supervisor | $47.04 | $97,850 | $64.82 | 18,330 | 8th of 51 | -3.2% | 22% above |
| 8 | Brickmason | $45.65 | $94,950 | $65.80 | 1,570 | 2nd of 50 | -4.1% | 53% above |
| 9 | Plumber | $45.14 | $93,880 | $64.94 | 13,460 | 6th of 51 | +9.2% | 47% above |
| 10 | Sheet metal worker | $39.47 | $82,100 | $58.20 | 2,890 | 6th of 50 | +11.3% | 33% above |
| 11 | Tile setter | $39.02 | $81,150 | $50.08 | 410 | 1st of 47 | -30.0% | 46% above |
| 12 | Electrician | $38.18 | $79,420 | $61.64 | 17,810 | 6th of 51 | -6.9% | 26% above |
| 13 | HVAC technician | $37.16 | $77,300 | $49.23 | 8,200 | 4th of 51 | +0.7% | 27% above |
| 14 | Heavy equipment operator | $36.93 | $76,820 | $60.29 | 9,680 | 11th of 51 | -11.5% | 28% above |
| 15 | Carpenter | $36.16 | $75,200 | $59.08 | 18,540 | 4th of 51 | -0.8% | 24% above |
| 16 | Diesel mechanic | $35.23 | $73,270 | $47.82 | 4,870 | 6th of 51 | +0.9% | 19% above |
| 17 | Roofer | $34.98 | $72,750 | $51.10 | 1,950 | 4th of 51 | +15.6% | 31% above |
| 18 | Drywall installer | $33.42 | $69,500 | $45.10 | 590 | 6th of 49 | +8.0% | 18% above |
| 19 | Machinist | $32.34 | $67,270 | $44.87 | 7,080 | 4th of 51 | +3.8% | 15% above |
| 20 | Millwright | $31.36 | $65,220 | $37.79 | — | 23rd of 48 | -17.0% | 1% below |
| 21 | Cement mason | $30.69 | $63,840 | $53.81 | 1,590 | 9th of 51 | +7.5% | 12% above |
| 22 | Construction laborer | $30.48 | $63,390 | $47.54 | 16,210 | 3rd of 51 | -5.2% | 35% above |
| 23 | Welder | $30.08 | $62,570 | $40.11 | 2,830 | 6th of 51 | +2.7% | 16% above |
| 24 | Solar installer | $28.45 | $59,180 | $36.67 | 620 | 10th of 32 | +7.2% | 11% above |
| 25 | Painter | $27.65 | $57,510 | $52.81 | 4,430 | 13th of 51 | -0.9% | 16% above |
| 26 | Insulation worker | $23.53 | $48,940 | $28.51 | 710 | 23rd of 48 | — | about the same as |
Construction jobs in Massachusetts
Prevailing wage in Massachusetts
Davis-Bacon determinations set the minimum wage package on federally funded construction. In Massachusetts, 14 of 14 counties with a Building rate for electricians use a union contract rate (typical package $84.36/hr including fringe). Look up any county and trade.
Metros in Massachusetts
Questions this page answers
What is the highest-paying trade in Massachusetts?
Construction managers had the highest median wage among the trades tracked here at $69.71 an hour in May 2025, followed by elevator and escalator installers and repairers ($66.55) and structural iron and steel workers ($58.10).
How does Massachusetts compare with the rest of the country?
Across the 26 trades listed, 24 pay above the national median in Massachusetts and 2 pay below it. The state's cost of living is 105.8% of the US average (BEA).
Sources and notes
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, Massachusetts.
- BLS Current Employment Statistics through 2026-08.
- BEA Regional Price Parities.
- SAM.gov Davis-Bacon wage determinations (not the official determination).