Highest-paying and most in-demand trades in Mississippi
26 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 Mississippi, ranked by median pay
| # | Trade | Median $/hr | Median $/yr | 90th pct $/hr | Jobs | State rank | 10-yr real change | vs US |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boilermaker | $50.92 | $105,910 | $52.38 | 280 | 2nd of 37 | +32.6% | 39% above |
| 2 | Construction manager | $47.85 | $99,520 | $77.68 | 1,640 | 45th of 51 | +21.9% | 13% below |
| 3 | Lineman | $36.49 | $75,890 | $47.21 | 2,290 | 50th of 51 | -3.4% | 20% below |
| 4 | Construction supervisor | $32.17 | $66,910 | $49.88 | 7,040 | 49th of 51 | -3.2% | 16% below |
| 5 | Insulation worker | $30.23 | $62,880 | $30.23 | 290 | 3rd of 48 | — | 28% above |
| 6 | Crane operator | $29.45 | $61,260 | $35.50 | 550 | 38th of 50 | +2.7% | 10% below |
| 7 | Electrician | $29.26 | $60,860 | $36.80 | 6,610 | 41st of 51 | -4.0% | 4% below |
| 8 | Millwright | $28.02 | $58,280 | $34.40 | 1,280 | 44th of 48 | -14.5% | 11% below |
| 9 | Machinist | $26.71 | $55,550 | $36.86 | 1,920 | 41st of 51 | -1.0% | 5% below |
| 10 | Plumber | $26.67 | $55,480 | $36.29 | 3,360 | 46th of 51 | +1.2% | 13% below |
| 11 | Diesel mechanic | $26.14 | $54,360 | $39.43 | 3,140 | 48th of 51 | +13.9% | 12% below |
| 12 | Welder | $24.57 | $51,100 | $30.98 | 6,460 | 35th of 51 | -9.3% | 5% below |
| 13 | Ironworker | $24.37 | $50,690 | $35.83 | 480 | 45th of 50 | -7.3% | 19% below |
| 14 | Wind turbine technician | $24.06 | $50,040 | $30.09 | 30 | 25th of 25 | — | 22% below |
| 15 | Sheet metal worker | $23.80 | $49,500 | $33.96 | 1,260 | 45th of 50 | +5.7% | 20% below |
| 16 | Brickmason | $23.47 | $48,820 | $28.86 | 160 | 47th of 50 | -5.7% | 21% below |
| 17 | HVAC technician | $23.41 | $48,680 | $36.65 | 2,700 | 49th of 51 | +7.2% | 20% below |
| 18 | Carpenter | $23.39 | $48,650 | $30.50 | 2,950 | 47th of 51 | +6.3% | 20% below |
| 19 | Heavy equipment operator | $22.79 | $47,410 | $32.23 | 4,170 | 50th of 51 | -4.0% | 21% below |
| 20 | Roofer | $21.61 | $44,940 | $30.21 | 480 | 50th of 51 | +16.5% | 19% below |
| 21 | Painter | $21.54 | $44,800 | $31.12 | 1,060 | 44th of 51 | +2.7% | 9% below |
| 22 | Cement mason | $21.14 | $43,980 | $27.42 | 930 | 51st of 51 | +20.3% | 23% below |
| 23 | Tile setter | $18.81 | $39,130 | $29.01 | 60 | 46th of 47 | -8.4% | 30% below |
| 24 | Construction laborer | $18.13 | $37,710 | $25.31 | 8,800 | 49th of 51 | +4.9% | 20% below |
| 25 | Drywall installer | $17.94 | $37,310 | $25.43 | 110 | 49th of 49 | -18.4% | 37% below |
| 26 | Glazier | $17.67 | $36,750 | $23.48 | 820 | 50th of 50 | -11.0% | 36% below |
Most in-demand trades in Mississippi
By the Mississippi labor market agency's 2024–2034 projections, the fastest-growing trades are tile setters (+16.4%), insulation workers (+15.7%), electricians (+14.3%). The most openings a year, counting replacements as well as growth, come from construction laborers (1,050 a year), welders (770 a year), construction supervisors (750 a year). The largest specialty-contractor group in the state is building equipment contractors (electrical, plumbing, HVAC), with 18,050 jobs (2025 annual average, QCEW).
| Trade | Projected change 2024–2034 | Openings a year | Jobs in 2024 | Median $/hr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tile setter | +16.4% | 10 | 150 | $18.81 |
| Insulation worker | +15.7% | 40 | 400 | $30.23 |
| Electrician | +14.3% | 650 | 6,180 | $29.26 |
| HVAC technician | +13.7% | 320 | 3,170 | $23.41 |
| Plumber | +12.0% | 330 | 3,340 | $26.67 |
| Roofer | +12.0% | 50 | 570 | $21.61 |
| Sheet metal worker | +11.5% | 120 | 1,220 | $23.80 |
| Construction manager | +11.2% | 250 | 2,790 | $47.85 |
| Lineman | +11.0% | 170 | 1,850 | $36.49 |
| Drywall installer | +10.6% | 20 | 210 | $17.94 |
| Brickmason | +10.0% | 20 | 210 | $23.47 |
| Welder | +9.7% | 770 | 6,950 | $24.57 |
| Construction laborer | +9.7% | 1,050 | 11,400 | $18.13 |
| Painter | +9.5% | 110 | 1,240 | $21.54 |
| Ironworker | +8.3% | 50 | 530 | $24.37 |
| Machinist | +8.1% | 230 | 2,090 | $26.71 |
| Construction supervisor | +7.5% | 750 | 8,910 | $32.17 |
| Carpenter | +7.1% | 250 | 3,110 | $23.39 |
| Heavy equipment operator | +5.8% | 390 | 4,380 | $22.79 |
| Glazier | +5.0% | 60 | 640 | $17.67 |
| Crane operator | +4.9% | 70 | 770 | $29.45 |
| Diesel mechanic | +4.7% | 290 | 3,310 | $26.14 |
| Cement mason | +4.6% | 80 | 1,080 | $21.14 |
| Millwright | +2.7% | 90 | 980 | $28.02 |
| Boilermaker | -7.1% | 20 | 250 | $50.92 |
Source: Mississippi 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 Mississippi
Prevailing wage in Mississippi
Davis-Bacon determinations set the minimum wage package on federally funded construction. In Mississippi, 57 of 82 counties with a Building rate for electricians use a union contract rate (typical package $42.94/hr including fringe). Look up any county and trade.
Questions this page answers
What is the highest-paying trade in Mississippi?
Boilermakers had the highest median wage among the trades tracked here at $50.92 an hour in May 2025, followed by construction managers ($47.85) and linemen ($36.49).
Which trades are in highest demand in Mississippi?
By projected growth between 2024 and 2034, tile setters (+16.4%), insulation workers (+15.7%), electricians (+14.3%). By openings a year, construction laborers (1,050 a year), welders (770 a year), construction supervisors (750 a year). The figures come from Mississippi's labor market agency via Projections Central and count replacement openings as well as new jobs.
How does Mississippi compare with the rest of the country?
Across the 26 trades listed, 2 pay above the national median in Mississippi and 24 pay below it. The state's cost of living is 87.0% of the US average (BEA).
Sources and notes
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, Mississippi.
- BLS Current Employment Statistics through 2026-09.
- BEA Regional Price Parities.
- SAM.gov Davis-Bacon wage determinations (not the official determination).