Highest-paying trades in Mississippi
26 trades ranked by median hourly wage, with the range, the rank among states and the union scale.
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 |
Construction jobs in Mississippi
55.9kConstruction jobs2026-08
+3.7%Change over 12 months
+23.9%Change over 5 years
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 electrical power-line installers and repairers ($36.49).
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 2026-08.
- BEA Regional Price Parities.
- SAM.gov Davis-Bacon wage determinations (not the official determination).