Highest-paying and most in-demand trades in Nevada
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 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 |
Most in-demand trades in Nevada
By the Nevada labor market agency's 2024–2034 projections, the fastest-growing trades are solar installers (+127.0%), boilermakers (+22.3%), construction managers (+19.0%). The most openings a year, counting replacements as well as growth, come from carpenters (1,490 a year), construction laborers (1,480 a year), electricians (980 a year). The largest specialty-contractor group in the state is building equipment contractors (electrical, plumbing, HVAC), with 32,446 jobs (2025 annual average, QCEW).
| Trade | Projected change 2024–2034 | Openings a year | Jobs in 2024 | Median $/hr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solar installer | +127.0% | 50 | 170 | $32.60 |
| Boilermaker | +22.3% | 10 | 90 | $29.53 |
| Construction manager | +19.0% | 640 | 6,420 | $55.41 |
| Tile setter | +17.7% | 180 | 1,950 | $29.42 |
| Machinist | +17.6% | 110 | 900 | $25.51 |
| Electrician | +17.0% | 980 | 8,980 | $35.37 |
| Welder | +16.8% | 280 | 2,270 | $29.58 |
| Sheet metal worker | +16.2% | 120 | 1,220 | $22.47 |
| Construction laborer | +15.2% | 1,480 | 14,800 | $23.55 |
| Ironworker | +14.4% | 100 | 1,070 | $30.05 |
| HVAC technician | +14.3% | 450 | 4,390 | $29.09 |
| Construction supervisor | +12.9% | 930 | 10,260 | $39.42 |
| Carpenter | +11.8% | 1,490 | 17,150 | $29.99 |
| Heavy equipment operator | +11.3% | 540 | 5,630 | $34.33 |
| Roofer | +11.2% | 220 | 2,610 | $24.56 |
| Millwright | +11.0% | 10 | 130 | $30.31 |
| Diesel mechanic | +10.4% | 190 | 1,980 | $32.89 |
| Plumber | +9.9% | 540 | 5,670 | $29.62 |
| Painter | +9.9% | 440 | 4,850 | $27.11 |
| Drywall installer | +9.5% | 280 | 3,430 | $25.13 |
| Plasterer | +8.8% | 120 | 1,360 | $25.78 |
| Insulation worker | +8.3% | 30 | 300 | $22.36 |
| Cement mason | +8.1% | 240 | 3,080 | $29.44 |
| Brickmason | +8.0% | 100 | 1,240 | $29.17 |
| Lineman | +7.7% | 70 | 850 | $46.42 |
| Glazier | +7.3% | 50 | 570 | $23.80 |
Source: Nevada 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 Nevada
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 operators ($55.69) and construction managers ($55.41).
Which trades are in highest demand in Nevada?
By projected growth between 2024 and 2034, solar installers (+127.0%), boilermakers (+22.3%), construction managers (+19.0%). By openings a year, carpenters (1,490 a year), construction laborers (1,480 a year), electricians (980 a year). The figures come from Nevada's labor market agency via Projections Central and count replacement openings as well as new jobs.
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 2026-09.
- BEA Regional Price Parities.
- SAM.gov Davis-Bacon wage determinations (not the official determination).