Highest-paying and most in-demand trades in Nebraska
25 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 Nebraska, ranked by median pay
| # | Trade | Median $/hr | Median $/yr | 90th pct $/hr | Jobs | State rank | 10-yr real change | vs US |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Elevator mechanic | $56.58 | $117,690 | $58.85 | 140 | 15th of 37 | — | 7% above |
| 2 | Construction manager | $48.47 | $100,820 | $76.03 | 3,430 | 43rd of 51 | -4.5% | 12% below |
| 3 | Lineman | $44.30 | $92,150 | $56.75 | 1,490 | 34th of 51 | +13.8% | 3% below |
| 4 | Construction supervisor | $36.33 | $75,570 | $50.58 | 6,020 | 39th of 51 | -1.1% | 5% below |
| 5 | Insulation worker | $35.16 | $73,140 | $39.56 | 310 | 1st of 48 | — | 49% above |
| 6 | Ironworker | $31.48 | $65,470 | $38.00 | 610 | 24th of 50 | +16.7% | 4% above |
| 7 | Sheet metal worker | $30.98 | $64,440 | $45.67 | 440 | 20th of 50 | +10.6% | 4% above |
| 8 | Brickmason | $29.42 | $61,200 | $34.86 | 350 | 26th of 50 | -13.0% | 2% below |
| 9 | Plumber | $29.31 | $60,970 | $47.13 | 4,110 | 37th of 51 | -14.9% | 4% below |
| 10 | Electrician | $29.24 | $60,820 | $45.21 | 6,440 | 42nd of 51 | +1.4% | 4% below |
| 11 | Crane operator | $29.19 | $60,720 | $39.62 | 410 | 41st of 50 | -3.5% | 11% below |
| 12 | Millwright | $29.00 | $60,320 | $35.82 | 590 | 40th of 48 | -8.4% | 8% below |
| 13 | HVAC technician | $28.77 | $59,850 | $39.00 | 3,020 | 32nd of 51 | 0.0% | 2% below |
| 14 | Tile setter | $28.53 | $59,350 | $41.12 | — | 14th of 47 | +14.0% | 7% above |
| 15 | Diesel mechanic | $28.44 | $59,140 | $38.18 | 2,720 | 40th of 51 | +5.5% | 4% below |
| 16 | Heavy equipment operator | $28.06 | $58,360 | $36.40 | 3,180 | 33rd of 51 | +15.5% | 3% below |
| 17 | Machinist | $26.86 | $55,860 | $42.37 | 1,810 | 39th of 51 | +4.5% | 5% below |
| 18 | Welder | $25.10 | $52,220 | $32.16 | 4,200 | 31st of 51 | +6.9% | 3% below |
| 19 | Carpenter | $24.19 | $50,320 | $35.00 | 5,710 | 40th of 51 | +9.9% | 17% below |
| 20 | Glazier | $24.13 | $50,190 | $37.99 | 440 | 32nd of 50 | +6.4% | 12% below |
| 21 | Cement mason | $23.80 | $49,510 | $30.27 | 3,200 | 38th of 51 | +3.6% | 13% below |
| 22 | Drywall installer | $23.38 | $48,620 | $30.09 | 770 | 34th of 49 | +3.8% | 17% below |
| 23 | Painter | $22.73 | $47,280 | $27.88 | 1,590 | 35th of 51 | +7.0% | 4% below |
| 24 | Construction laborer | $22.72 | $47,260 | $29.70 | 8,530 | 27th of 51 | +24.5% | about the same as |
| 25 | Roofer | $22.34 | $46,460 | $28.69 | 1,730 | 43rd of 51 | +13.0% | 16% below |
Most in-demand trades in Nebraska
By the Nebraska labor market agency's 2024–2034 projections, the fastest-growing trades are electricians (+15.7%), tile setters (+14.3%), HVAC technicians (+14.2%). The most openings a year, counting replacements as well as growth, come from construction laborers (970 a year), electricians (750 a year), carpenters (730 a year). The largest specialty-contractor group in the state is building equipment contractors (electrical, plumbing, HVAC), with 21,594 jobs (2025 annual average, QCEW).
| Trade | Projected change 2024–2034 | Openings a year | Jobs in 2024 | Median $/hr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrician | +15.7% | 750 | 6,920 | $29.24 |
| Tile setter | +14.3% | 10 | 90 | $28.53 |
| HVAC technician | +14.2% | 330 | 3,260 | $28.77 |
| Construction manager | +12.7% | 470 | 5,200 | $48.47 |
| Construction laborer | +12.0% | 970 | 10,170 | $22.72 |
| Roofer | +12.0% | 160 | 1,930 | $22.34 |
| Elevator mechanic | +11.5% | 10 | 60 | $56.58 |
| Drywall installer | +9.7% | 70 | 880 | $23.38 |
| Construction supervisor | +9.2% | 560 | 6,540 | $36.33 |
| Insulation worker | +8.9% | 20 | 220 | $35.16 |
| Plumber | +8.9% | 480 | 5,090 | $29.31 |
| Painter | +8.7% | 210 | 2,390 | $22.73 |
| Ironworker | +8.3% | 50 | 540 | $31.48 |
| Carpenter | +8.3% | 730 | 8,880 | $24.19 |
| Brickmason | +7.8% | 40 | 510 | $29.42 |
| Crane operator | +7.4% | 30 | 280 | $29.19 |
| Welder | +7.1% | 480 | 4,440 | $25.10 |
| Cement mason | +6.8% | 260 | 3,440 | $23.80 |
| Sheet metal worker | +6.7% | 40 | 510 | $30.98 |
| Heavy equipment operator | +6.1% | 290 | 3,230 | $28.06 |
| Glazier | +6.1% | 40 | 460 | $24.13 |
| Diesel mechanic | +5.4% | 340 | 3,830 | $28.44 |
| Lineman | +4.8% | 130 | 1,550 | $44.30 |
| Machinist | +3.9% | 230 | 2,200 | $26.86 |
| Millwright | +2.2% | 30 | 360 | $29.00 |
Source: Nebraska 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 Nebraska
Prevailing wage in Nebraska
Davis-Bacon determinations set the minimum wage package on federally funded construction. In Nebraska, 93 of 93 counties with a Building rate for electricians use a union contract rate (typical package $53.88/hr including fringe). Look up any county and trade.
Metros in Nebraska
Questions this page answers
What is the highest-paying trade in Nebraska?
Elevator and escalator installers and repairers had the highest median wage among the trades tracked here at $56.58 an hour in May 2025, followed by construction managers ($48.47) and linemen ($44.30).
Which trades are in highest demand in Nebraska?
By projected growth between 2024 and 2034, electricians (+15.7%), tile setters (+14.3%), HVAC technicians (+14.2%). By openings a year, construction laborers (970 a year), electricians (750 a year), carpenters (730 a year). The figures come from Nebraska's labor market agency via Projections Central and count replacement openings as well as new jobs.
How does Nebraska compare with the rest of the country?
Across the 25 trades listed, 6 pay above the national median in Nebraska and 19 pay below it. The state's cost of living is 90.1% of the US average (BEA).
Sources and notes
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, Nebraska.
- BLS Current Employment Statistics through 2026-09.
- BEA Regional Price Parities.
- SAM.gov Davis-Bacon wage determinations (not the official determination).