Highest-paying and most in-demand trades in Michigan
29 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 Michigan, ranked by median pay
| # | Trade | Median $/hr | Median $/yr | 90th pct $/hr | Jobs | State rank | 10-yr real change | vs US |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lineman | $51.39 | $106,890 | $63.25 | 2,800 | 13th of 51 | +7.6% | 12% above |
| 2 | Construction manager | $49.63 | $103,230 | $82.38 | 9,620 | 39th of 51 | -6.6% | 10% below |
| 3 | Elevator mechanic | $47.67 | $99,140 | $68.32 | 560 | 27th of 37 | -9.0% | 10% below |
| 4 | Boilermaker | $47.22 | $98,220 | $51.52 | — | 5th of 37 | +4.0% | 29% above |
| 5 | Millwright | $42.88 | $89,190 | $46.86 | 2,900 | 3rd of 48 | -0.8% | 36% above |
| 6 | Plumber | $38.56 | $80,190 | $49.73 | 14,120 | 9th of 51 | +5.1% | 26% above |
| 7 | Construction supervisor | $37.59 | $78,180 | $57.69 | 16,660 | 32nd of 51 | -3.4% | 2% below |
| 8 | Electrician | $36.67 | $76,270 | $49.58 | 23,530 | 14th of 51 | -4.9% | 21% above |
| 9 | Plasterer | $35.09 | $72,990 | $38.59 | 210 | 7th of 28 | -4.9% | 27% above |
| 10 | Sheet metal worker | $31.01 | $64,490 | $46.34 | 4,000 | 19th of 50 | -6.1% | 4% above |
| 11 | Brickmason | $30.53 | $63,500 | $43.72 | 2,240 | 24th of 50 | -8.6% | 2% above |
| 12 | Ironworker | $30.21 | $62,830 | $38.05 | 1,750 | 26th of 50 | -8.1% | about the same as |
| 13 | Wind turbine technician | $30.19 | $62,800 | $44.45 | 70 | 16th of 25 | — | 2% below |
| 14 | Heavy equipment operator | $30.14 | $62,690 | $43.55 | 9,500 | 19th of 51 | -0.2% | 5% above |
| 15 | Carpenter | $29.66 | $61,680 | $39.36 | 18,590 | 19th of 51 | +7.0% | 2% above |
| 16 | Diesel mechanic | $29.53 | $61,420 | $38.95 | 9,020 | 25th of 51 | +6.7% | 1% below |
| 17 | HVAC technician | $29.26 | $60,850 | $45.81 | 12,590 | 25th of 51 | -1.5% | about the same as |
| 18 | Cement mason | $28.78 | $59,860 | $36.37 | 6,350 | 22nd of 51 | +5.9% | 5% above |
| 19 | Crane operator | $28.72 | $59,740 | $47.64 | 1,310 | 43rd of 50 | -25.6% | 12% below |
| 20 | Roofer | $28.62 | $59,530 | $38.59 | 3,090 | 16th of 51 | +8.9% | 7% above |
| 21 | Drywall installer | $28.10 | $58,440 | $37.00 | 1,050 | 21st of 49 | -3.1% | 1% below |
| 22 | Glazier | $25.37 | $52,770 | $35.41 | 2,040 | 28th of 50 | -14.2% | 8% below |
| 23 | Machinist | $25.17 | $52,360 | $36.22 | 20,350 | 45th of 51 | -2.7% | 11% below |
| 24 | Painter | $24.35 | $50,650 | $36.38 | 4,920 | 21st of 51 | -3.8% | 3% above |
| 25 | Welder | $24.03 | $49,990 | $33.75 | 13,330 | 41st of 51 | +3.2% | 7% below |
| 26 | Construction laborer | $23.84 | $49,590 | $33.60 | 28,490 | 20th of 51 | +2.4% | 5% above |
| 27 | Tile setter | $23.05 | $47,950 | $32.79 | 1,010 | 31st of 47 | -19.8% | 14% below |
| 28 | Solar installer | $22.63 | $47,080 | $28.97 | 310 | 27th of 32 | — | 11% below |
| 29 | Insulation worker | $22.35 | $46,490 | $38.28 | 710 | 38th of 48 | — | 5% below |
Most in-demand trades in Michigan
By the Michigan labor market agency's 2024–2034 projections, the fastest-growing trades are wind turbine technicians (+22.0%), tile setters (+7.4%), HVAC technicians (+6.6%). The most openings a year, counting replacements as well as growth, come from construction laborers (3,110 a year), electricians (2,450 a year), machinists (2,040 a year). The largest specialty-contractor group in the state is building equipment contractors (electrical, plumbing, HVAC), with 67,286 jobs (2025 annual average, QCEW).
| Trade | Projected change 2024–2034 | Openings a year | Jobs in 2024 | Median $/hr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wind turbine technician | +22.0% | 20 | 140 | $30.19 |
| Tile setter | +7.4% | 110 | 1,400 | $23.05 |
| HVAC technician | +6.6% | 1,360 | 14,780 | $29.26 |
| Lineman | +6.4% | 300 | 3,550 | $51.39 |
| Construction manager | +6.4% | 1,070 | 12,990 | $49.63 |
| Electrician | +5.6% | 2,450 | 26,240 | $36.67 |
| Construction laborer | +5.1% | 3,110 | 36,280 | $23.84 |
| Roofer | +3.4% | 290 | 3,950 | $28.62 |
| Drywall installer | +3.4% | 100 | 1,430 | $28.10 |
| Elevator mechanic | +3.1% | 50 | 670 | $47.67 |
| Construction supervisor | +2.9% | 1,370 | 17,720 | $37.59 |
| Heavy equipment operator | +2.4% | 810 | 9,640 | $30.14 |
| Painter | +2.4% | 660 | 8,280 | $24.35 |
| Plumber | +2.1% | 1,150 | 13,670 | $38.56 |
| Diesel mechanic | +1.9% | 720 | 8,710 | $29.53 |
| Plasterer | +1.8% | 20 | 270 | $35.09 |
| Ironworker | +1.7% | 160 | 2,050 | $30.21 |
| Crane operator | +1.3% | 100 | 1,190 | $28.72 |
| Carpenter | +1.1% | 1,990 | 27,380 | $29.66 |
| Glazier | +1.0% | 140 | 1,760 | $25.37 |
| Insulation worker | +0.8% | 60 | 750 | $22.35 |
| Brickmason | +0.5% | 200 | 2,740 | $30.53 |
| Cement mason | -0.5% | 380 | 5,700 | $28.78 |
| Sheet metal worker | -1.0% | 370 | 4,730 | $31.01 |
| Welder | -2.4% | 1,320 | 14,210 | $24.03 |
| Millwright | -3.4% | 210 | 2,580 | $42.88 |
| Machinist | -5.8% | 2,040 | 22,720 | $25.17 |
| Boilermaker | -8.0% | 40 | 500 | $47.22 |
Source: Michigan 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 Michigan
Prevailing wage in Michigan
Davis-Bacon determinations set the minimum wage package on federally funded construction. In Michigan, 62 of 73 counties with a Building rate for electricians use a union contract rate (typical package $63.35/hr including fringe). Look up any county and trade.
Metros in Michigan
Questions this page answers
What is the highest-paying trade in Michigan?
Electrical power-line installers and repairers had the highest median wage among the trades tracked here at $51.39 an hour in May 2025, followed by construction managers ($49.63) and elevator mechanics ($47.67).
Which trades are in highest demand in Michigan?
By projected growth between 2024 and 2034, wind turbine technicians (+22.0%), tile setters (+7.4%), HVAC technicians (+6.6%). By openings a year, construction laborers (3,110 a year), electricians (2,450 a year), machinists (2,040 a year). The figures come from Michigan's labor market agency via Projections Central and count replacement openings as well as new jobs.
How does Michigan compare with the rest of the country?
Across the 29 trades listed, 15 pay above the national median in Michigan and 14 pay below it. The state's cost of living is 96.2% of the US average (BEA).
Sources and notes
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, Michigan.
- BLS Current Employment Statistics through 2026-09.
- BEA Regional Price Parities.
- SAM.gov Davis-Bacon wage determinations (not the official determination).