Highest-paying and most in-demand trades in Minnesota
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 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 |
Most in-demand trades in Minnesota
By the Minnesota labor market agency's 2024–2034 projections, the fastest-growing trades are wind turbine technicians (+57.6%), electricians (+13.2%), HVAC technicians (+11.1%). The most openings a year, counting replacements as well as growth, come from construction laborers (3,510 a year), carpenters (1,720 a year), electricians (1,490 a year). The largest specialty-contractor group in the state is building equipment contractors (electrical, plumbing, HVAC), with 43,306 jobs (2025 annual average, QCEW).
| Trade | Projected change 2024–2034 | Openings a year | Jobs in 2024 | Median $/hr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wind turbine technician | +57.6% | 120 | 660 | $31.25 |
| Electrician | +13.2% | 1,490 | 14,270 | $37.58 |
| HVAC technician | +11.1% | 540 | 5,490 | $36.71 |
| Elevator mechanic | +8.9% | 40 | 480 | $61.55 |
| Tile setter | +8.6% | 60 | 800 | $33.92 |
| Construction manager | +8.5% | 870 | 10,320 | $59.33 |
| Lineman | +7.7% | 150 | 1,740 | $50.09 |
| Plumber | +7.4% | 850 | 9,300 | $45.39 |
| Construction laborer | +7.4% | 3,510 | 39,450 | $28.97 |
| Heavy equipment operator | +6.1% | 730 | 8,220 | $38.04 |
| Construction supervisor | +5.9% | 1,120 | 13,690 | $46.93 |
| Drywall installer | +4.6% | 60 | 800 | $29.46 |
| Plasterer | +4.3% | 10 | 140 | $49.29 |
| Carpenter | +4.2% | 1,720 | 22,430 | $31.22 |
| Painter | +3.9% | 530 | 6,430 | $27.54 |
| Insulation worker | +3.9% | 100 | 1,160 | $26.13 |
| Millwright | +3.5% | 40 | 460 | $37.77 |
| Sheet metal worker | +3.1% | 200 | 2,390 | $35.08 |
| Diesel mechanic | +2.2% | 620 | 7,440 | $32.14 |
| Roofer | +1.5% | 180 | 2,490 | $35.81 |
| Welder | +0.9% | 980 | 10,000 | $28.98 |
| Cement mason | +0.7% | 270 | 3,990 | $32.13 |
| Crane operator | +0.6% | 20 | 170 | $38.91 |
| Machinist | +0.3% | 1,470 | 14,870 | $29.39 |
| Brickmason | 0.0% | 120 | 1,660 | $45.78 |
| Ironworker | -1.3% | 60 | 820 | $45.83 |
| Glazier | -2.0% | 30 | 340 | $31.79 |
Source: Minnesota 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 Minnesota
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 linemen ($50.09).
Which trades are in highest demand in Minnesota?
By projected growth between 2024 and 2034, wind turbine technicians (+57.6%), electricians (+13.2%), HVAC technicians (+11.1%). By openings a year, construction laborers (3,510 a year), carpenters (1,720 a year), electricians (1,490 a year). The figures come from Minnesota's labor market agency via Projections Central and count replacement openings as well as new jobs.
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 2026-09.
- BEA Regional Price Parities.
- SAM.gov Davis-Bacon wage determinations (not the official determination).