Highest-paying trades in Missouri
28 trades ranked by median hourly wage, with the range, the rank among states and the union scale.
Every trade in Missouri, ranked by median pay
| # | Trade | Median $/hr | Median $/yr | 90th pct $/hr | Jobs | State rank | 10-yr real change | vs US |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Elevator mechanic | $60.94 | $126,750 | $72.40 | 450 | 11th of 37 | +7.9% | 15% above |
| 2 | Construction manager | $53.96 | $112,230 | $82.97 | 3,680 | 23rd of 51 | +4.0% | 2% below |
| 3 | Lineman | $46.33 | $96,360 | $55.64 | 3,440 | 30th of 51 | -3.6% | 1% above |
| 4 | Construction supervisor | $42.08 | $87,520 | $57.83 | 13,330 | 13th of 51 | +0.7% | 10% above |
| 5 | Plasterer | $38.16 | $79,380 | $57.33 | 420 | 6th of 28 | +34.2% | 38% above |
| 6 | Boilermaker | $37.76 | $78,550 | $60.00 | 100 | 19th of 37 | -25.1% | 3% above |
| 7 | Ironworker | $37.22 | $77,410 | $42.96 | 1,320 | 13th of 50 | -5.1% | 23% above |
| 8 | Brickmason | $34.80 | $72,370 | $41.17 | 1,940 | 13th of 50 | -19.4% | 17% above |
| 9 | Plumber | $32.11 | $66,790 | $56.34 | 8,310 | 20th of 51 | -22.7% | 5% above |
| 10 | Millwright | $31.96 | $66,480 | $45.17 | 830 | 21st of 48 | +3.8% | 1% above |
| 11 | Electrician | $31.45 | $65,410 | $50.03 | 12,780 | 25th of 51 | -20.4% | 4% above |
| 12 | Wind turbine technician | $31.36 | $65,230 | $41.53 | 80 | 13th of 25 | — | 2% above |
| 13 | Sheet metal worker | $30.56 | $63,560 | $53.16 | 2,640 | 22nd of 50 | -15.1% | 3% above |
| 14 | Drywall installer | $30.09 | $62,580 | $44.12 | 550 | 9th of 49 | +13.8% | 6% above |
| 15 | Cement mason | $29.51 | $61,390 | $41.83 | 6,220 | 17th of 51 | +2.4% | 8% above |
| 16 | Carpenter | $29.25 | $60,840 | $46.30 | 14,410 | 22nd of 51 | -11.7% | about the same as |
| 17 | Tile setter | $29.13 | $60,590 | $38.21 | 470 | 13th of 47 | -5.3% | 9% above |
| 18 | Heavy equipment operator | $29.10 | $60,540 | $45.25 | 10,470 | 28th of 51 | -11.0% | 1% above |
| 19 | HVAC technician | $28.82 | $59,950 | $42.68 | 7,220 | 31st of 51 | -4.3% | 2% below |
| 20 | Diesel mechanic | $28.54 | $59,360 | $39.65 | 6,780 | 36th of 51 | +5.1% | 4% below |
| 21 | Machinist | $28.23 | $58,710 | $40.46 | 8,380 | 28th of 51 | +8.5% | about the same as |
| 22 | Crane operator | $28.10 | $58,450 | $45.95 | 630 | 45th of 50 | -11.3% | 14% below |
| 23 | Painter | $27.65 | $57,510 | $38.27 | 3,980 | 14th of 51 | -18.6% | 16% above |
| 24 | Construction laborer | $27.28 | $56,730 | $40.13 | 17,050 | 11th of 51 | +12.0% | 20% above |
| 25 | Insulation worker | $26.94 | $56,040 | $43.45 | 830 | 9th of 48 | — | 14% above |
| 26 | Welder | $24.98 | $51,950 | $37.57 | 10,600 | 32nd of 51 | +4.2% | 3% below |
| 27 | Glazier | $24.73 | $51,430 | $39.13 | 630 | 30th of 50 | -18.1% | 10% below |
| 28 | Roofer | $23.35 | $48,570 | $37.84 | 2,050 | 34th of 51 | -0.6% | 12% below |
Construction jobs in Missouri
Prevailing wage in Missouri
Davis-Bacon determinations set the minimum wage package on federally funded construction. In Missouri, 113 of 115 counties with a Building rate for electricians use a union contract rate (typical package $81.86/hr including fringe). Look up any county and trade.
Metros in Missouri
Questions this page answers
What is the highest-paying trade in Missouri?
Elevator and escalator installers and repairers had the highest median wage among the trades tracked here at $60.94 an hour in May 2025, followed by construction managers ($53.96) and electrical power-line installers and repairers ($46.33).
How does Missouri compare with the rest of the country?
Across the 28 trades listed, 20 pay above the national median in Missouri and 8 pay below it. The state's cost of living is 90.8% of the US average (BEA).
Sources and notes
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, Missouri.
- BLS Current Employment Statistics through 2026-08.
- BEA Regional Price Parities.
- SAM.gov Davis-Bacon wage determinations (not the official determination).