Highest-paying trades in Nebraska
25 trades ranked by median hourly wage, with the range, the rank among states and the union scale.
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 |
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 electrical power-line installers and repairers ($44.30).
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 2026-08.
- BEA Regional Price Parities.
- SAM.gov Davis-Bacon wage determinations (not the official determination).