Highest-paying trades in Minnesota
28 trades ranked by median hourly wage, with the range, the rank among states and the union scale.
Every trade in Minnesota, ranked by median pay
| # | Trade | Median $/hr | Median $/yr | 90th pct $/hr | Jobs | State rank | 10-yr real change | vs US |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Elevator mechanic | $61.55 | $128,020 | $65.14 | 550 | 10th of 37 | +11.7% | 16% above |
| 2 | Construction manager | $59.33 | $123,400 | $88.59 | 5,800 | 15th of 51 | +6.8% | 7% above |
| 3 | Lineman | $50.09 | $104,180 | $58.71 | 2,190 | 19th of 51 | +0.9% | 9% above |
| 4 | Plasterer | $49.29 | $102,530 | $52.00 | 160 | 3rd of 28 | +37.7% | 78% above |
| 5 | Construction supervisor | $46.93 | $97,610 | $61.72 | 13,580 | 10th of 51 | +3.6% | 22% above |
| 6 | Boilermaker | $46.25 | $96,190 | $53.29 | 140 | 7th of 37 | -1.4% | 26% above |
| 7 | Ironworker | $45.83 | $95,320 | $47.60 | 910 | 8th of 50 | +2.4% | 52% above |
| 8 | Brickmason | $45.78 | $95,220 | $48.55 | 1,040 | 1st of 50 | +6.2% | 53% above |
| 9 | Plumber | $45.39 | $94,410 | $58.20 | 10,720 | 4th of 51 | +1.9% | 48% above |
| 10 | Crane operator | $38.91 | $80,930 | $56.20 | 370 | 14th of 50 | -10.5% | 19% above |
| 11 | Heavy equipment operator | $38.04 | $79,130 | $49.01 | 8,590 | 8th of 51 | +2.6% | 32% above |
| 12 | Millwright | $37.77 | $78,570 | $44.54 | 480 | 8th of 48 | +15.0% | 20% above |
| 13 | Electrician | $37.58 | $78,160 | $57.13 | 14,350 | 9th of 51 | -4.3% | 24% above |
| 14 | HVAC technician | $36.71 | $76,350 | $48.09 | 4,200 | 6th of 51 | +8.2% | 25% above |
| 15 | Roofer | $35.81 | $74,490 | $47.68 | 1,890 | 3rd of 51 | -8.1% | 34% above |
| 16 | Sheet metal worker | $35.08 | $72,970 | $56.24 | 2,980 | 13th of 50 | -14.3% | 18% above |
| 17 | Tile setter | $33.92 | $70,560 | $39.41 | 610 | 5th of 47 | +19.6% | 27% above |
| 18 | Diesel mechanic | $32.14 | $66,840 | $43.52 | 7,300 | 14th of 51 | +7.0% | 8% above |
| 19 | Cement mason | $32.13 | $66,830 | $47.41 | 3,070 | 6th of 51 | +5.8% | 17% above |
| 20 | Glazier | $31.79 | $66,130 | $48.98 | 460 | 7th of 50 | -14.5% | 16% above |
| 21 | Wind turbine technician | $31.25 | $65,000 | $45.14 | 450 | 14th of 25 | -13.0% | 1% above |
| 22 | Carpenter | $31.22 | $64,930 | $47.66 | 14,930 | 8th of 51 | +2.3% | 7% above |
| 23 | Drywall installer | $29.46 | $61,290 | $44.00 | 1,050 | 13th of 49 | -14.5% | 4% above |
| 24 | Machinist | $29.39 | $61,140 | $38.64 | 12,500 | 16th of 51 | -1.2% | 4% above |
| 25 | Welder | $28.98 | $60,280 | $36.40 | 9,270 | 14th of 51 | +9.6% | 12% above |
| 26 | Construction laborer | $28.97 | $60,260 | $46.23 | 28,530 | 6th of 51 | +11.7% | 28% above |
| 27 | Painter | $27.54 | $57,270 | $42.30 | 3,810 | 15th of 51 | +9.2% | 16% above |
| 28 | Insulation worker | $26.13 | $54,350 | $49.01 | 1,090 | 12th of 48 | — | 11% above |
Construction jobs in Minnesota
164.2kConstruction jobs2026-08
+4.9%Change over 12 months
+11.9%Change over 5 years
Prevailing wage in Minnesota
Davis-Bacon determinations set the minimum wage package on federally funded construction. In Minnesota, 0 of 87 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 Minnesota
Questions this page answers
What is the highest-paying trade in Minnesota?
Elevator and escalator installers and repairers had the highest median wage among the trades tracked here at $61.55 an hour in May 2025, followed by construction managers ($59.33) and electrical power-line installers and repairers ($50.09).
How does Minnesota compare with the rest of the country?
Across the 28 trades listed, 28 pay above the national median in Minnesota and 0 pay below it. The state's cost of living is 98.6% of the US average (BEA).
Sources and notes
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, Minnesota.
- BLS Current Employment Statistics through 2026-08.
- BEA Regional Price Parities.
- SAM.gov Davis-Bacon wage determinations (not the official determination).