Highest-paying and most in-demand trades in Missouri
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 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 |
Most in-demand trades in Missouri
By the Missouri labor market agency's 2024–2034 projections, the fastest-growing trades are wind turbine technicians (+59.5%), roofers (+13.1%), glaziers (+11.1%). The most openings a year, counting replacements as well as growth, come from construction laborers (1,970 a year), electricians (1,680 a year), carpenters (1,370 a year). The largest specialty-contractor group in the state is building equipment contractors (electrical, plumbing, HVAC), with 45,816 jobs (2025 annual average, QCEW).
| Trade | Projected change 2024–2034 | Openings a year | Jobs in 2024 | Median $/hr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wind turbine technician | +59.5% | 20 | 110 | $31.36 |
| Roofer | +13.1% | 260 | 3,010 | $23.35 |
| Glazier | +11.1% | 80 | 860 | $24.73 |
| Construction manager | +10.1% | 600 | 6,930 | $53.96 |
| Tile setter | +10.0% | 60 | 720 | $29.13 |
| Construction laborer | +8.5% | 1,970 | 21,770 | $27.28 |
| Brickmason | +7.6% | 180 | 2,140 | $34.80 |
| Ironworker | +6.9% | 110 | 1,300 | $37.22 |
| Carpenter | +6.8% | 1,370 | 17,060 | $29.25 |
| Electrician | +6.7% | 1,680 | 17,740 | $31.45 |
| Lineman | +6.3% | 300 | 3,650 | $46.33 |
| Construction supervisor | +5.5% | 1,300 | 16,030 | $42.08 |
| Millwright | +5.5% | 60 | 580 | $31.96 |
| HVAC technician | +5.1% | 580 | 6,510 | $28.82 |
| Plasterer | +4.8% | 40 | 460 | $38.16 |
| Crane operator | +4.7% | 60 | 700 | $28.10 |
| Welder | +4.4% | 1,200 | 11,650 | $24.98 |
| Drywall installer | +4.2% | 60 | 780 | $30.09 |
| Painter | +4.1% | 500 | 6,090 | $27.65 |
| Heavy equipment operator | +4.0% | 940 | 10,950 | $29.10 |
| Sheet metal worker | +3.8% | 350 | 4,060 | $30.56 |
| Insulation worker | +3.8% | 70 | 810 | $26.94 |
| Cement mason | +3.6% | 280 | 3,850 | $29.51 |
| Machinist | +3.4% | 1,120 | 10,800 | $28.23 |
| Diesel mechanic | +3.3% | 590 | 7,000 | $28.54 |
| Plumber | +1.8% | 640 | 7,720 | $32.11 |
| Boilermaker | -7.0% | 0 | 40 | $37.76 |
| Elevator mechanic | -8.8% | 20 | 410 | $60.94 |
Source: Missouri 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 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 linemen ($46.33).
Which trades are in highest demand in Missouri?
By projected growth between 2024 and 2034, wind turbine technicians (+59.5%), roofers (+13.1%), glaziers (+11.1%). By openings a year, construction laborers (1,970 a year), electricians (1,680 a year), carpenters (1,370 a year). The figures come from Missouri's labor market agency via Projections Central and count replacement openings as well as new jobs.
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 2026-09.
- BEA Regional Price Parities.
- SAM.gov Davis-Bacon wage determinations (not the official determination).