Highest-paying trades in Nevada
28 trades ranked by median hourly wage, with the range, the rank among states and the union scale.
Every trade in Nevada, ranked by median pay
| # | Trade | Median $/hr | Median $/yr | 90th pct $/hr | Jobs | State rank | 10-yr real change | vs US |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Elevator mechanic | $68.25 | $141,950 | $83.99 | 510 | 2nd of 37 | — | 29% above |
| 2 | Crane operator | $55.69 | $115,840 | $64.91 | 380 | 2nd of 50 | +49.8% | 70% above |
| 3 | Construction manager | $55.41 | $115,250 | $84.44 | 4,460 | 19th of 51 | +11.2% | about the same as |
| 4 | Lineman | $46.42 | $96,560 | $64.87 | 920 | 29th of 51 | -8.9% | 1% above |
| 5 | Construction supervisor | $39.42 | $81,990 | $62.91 | 9,680 | 18th of 51 | -9.6% | 3% above |
| 6 | Electrician | $35.37 | $73,570 | $58.27 | 8,350 | 19th of 51 | -9.4% | 16% above |
| 7 | Heavy equipment operator | $34.33 | $71,410 | $53.46 | 5,410 | 15th of 51 | -3.7% | 19% above |
| 8 | Diesel mechanic | $32.89 | $68,410 | $46.98 | 1,990 | 11th of 51 | -8.9% | 11% above |
| 9 | Solar installer | $32.60 | $67,810 | $42.89 | 100 | 3rd of 32 | — | 28% above |
| 10 | Millwright | $30.31 | $63,040 | $44.44 | 150 | 27th of 48 | -9.9% | 4% below |
| 11 | Ironworker | $30.05 | $62,510 | $49.89 | 1,400 | 27th of 50 | +18.7% | about the same as |
| 12 | Carpenter | $29.99 | $62,380 | $49.21 | 12,700 | 16th of 51 | +5.0% | 3% above |
| 13 | Plumber | $29.62 | $61,610 | $56.94 | 5,370 | 35th of 51 | -4.1% | 3% below |
| 14 | Welder | $29.58 | $61,520 | $45.70 | 1,600 | 11th of 51 | +17.2% | 14% above |
| 15 | Boilermaker | $29.53 | $61,430 | $44.94 | 70 | 34th of 37 | -34.5% | 20% below |
| 16 | Cement mason | $29.44 | $61,230 | $43.28 | 3,290 | 19th of 51 | +13.8% | 7% above |
| 17 | Tile setter | $29.42 | $61,200 | $56.58 | 1,450 | 12th of 47 | +17.5% | 10% above |
| 18 | Brickmason | $29.17 | $60,670 | $37.09 | 810 | 27th of 50 | +11.6% | 2% below |
| 19 | HVAC technician | $29.09 | $60,510 | $43.15 | 4,170 | 28th of 51 | -18.4% | 1% below |
| 20 | Painter | $27.11 | $56,390 | $47.21 | 4,120 | 16th of 51 | +6.9% | 14% above |
| 21 | Plasterer | $25.78 | $53,610 | $49.31 | 1,150 | 17th of 28 | +14.6% | 7% below |
| 22 | Machinist | $25.51 | $53,050 | $37.16 | 900 | 43rd of 51 | +7.7% | 10% below |
| 23 | Drywall installer | $25.13 | $52,280 | $48.94 | 2,980 | 26th of 49 | -3.6% | 11% below |
| 24 | Roofer | $24.56 | $51,090 | $38.31 | 2,120 | 27th of 51 | +3.0% | 8% below |
| 25 | Glazier | $23.80 | $49,490 | $35.97 | 730 | 34th of 50 | -6.8% | 13% below |
| 26 | Construction laborer | $23.55 | $48,990 | $36.86 | 11,890 | 23rd of 51 | -1.3% | 4% above |
| 27 | Sheet metal worker | $22.47 | $46,730 | $58.53 | 1,270 | 48th of 50 | -21.6% | 24% below |
| 28 | Insulation worker | $22.36 | $46,510 | $36.55 | 660 | 37th of 48 | — | 5% below |
Construction jobs in Nevada
119.5kConstruction jobs2026-08
+3.2%Change over 12 months
+20.1%Change over 5 years
Prevailing wage in Nevada
Davis-Bacon determinations set the minimum wage package on federally funded construction. In Nevada, 0 of 17 counties with a Building rate for electricians use a union contract rate (typical package —/hr including fringe). Look up any county and trade.
Metros in Nevada
Questions this page answers
What is the highest-paying trade in Nevada?
Elevator and escalator installers and repairers had the highest median wage among the trades tracked here at $68.25 an hour in May 2025, followed by crane and tower operators ($55.69) and construction managers ($55.41).
How does Nevada compare with the rest of the country?
Across the 28 trades listed, 15 pay above the national median in Nevada and 13 pay below it. The state's cost of living is 100.0% of the US average (BEA).
Sources and notes
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, Nevada.
- BLS Current Employment Statistics through 2026-08.
- BEA Regional Price Parities.
- SAM.gov Davis-Bacon wage determinations (not the official determination).