Highest-paying and most in-demand trades in New Jersey
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 New Jersey, ranked by median pay
| # | Trade | Median $/hr | Median $/yr | 90th pct $/hr | Jobs | State rank | 10-yr real change | vs US |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Construction manager | $66.46 | $138,230 | $107.01 | 6,910 | 5th of 51 | -18.0% | 20% above |
| 2 | Elevator mechanic | $66.31 | $137,920 | $83.43 | 800 | 6th of 37 | +15.5% | 25% above |
| 3 | Lineman | $58.45 | $121,580 | $60.75 | 1,310 | 7th of 51 | +6.7% | 28% above |
| 4 | Ironworker | $54.43 | $113,220 | $62.84 | 1,060 | 2nd of 50 | -9.1% | 80% above |
| 5 | Millwright | $51.70 | $107,540 | $69.87 | 340 | 1st of 48 | +42.6% | 64% above |
| 6 | Construction supervisor | $50.73 | $105,510 | $74.01 | 16,230 | 3rd of 51 | +5.4% | 32% above |
| 7 | Crane operator | $48.39 | $100,640 | $62.29 | 1,000 | 5th of 50 | +8.2% | 48% above |
| 8 | Sheet metal worker | $44.64 | $92,840 | $62.80 | 2,790 | 4th of 50 | +18.7% | 50% above |
| 9 | Heavy equipment operator | $43.11 | $89,660 | $64.10 | 5,980 | 3rd of 51 | +1.5% | 50% above |
| 10 | Boilermaker | $39.62 | $82,410 | $55.42 | 280 | 17th of 37 | -16.4% | 8% above |
| 11 | Solar installer | $37.96 | $78,950 | $49.06 | 1,880 | 1st of 32 | +37.3% | 49% above |
| 12 | Plumber | $37.61 | $78,240 | $65.73 | 8,750 | 11th of 51 | -7.8% | 23% above |
| 13 | Electrician | $37.14 | $77,250 | $62.91 | 13,520 | 11th of 51 | -5.9% | 22% above |
| 14 | Brickmason | $37.03 | $77,010 | $53.68 | 520 | 11th of 50 | -9.3% | 24% above |
| 15 | Roofer | $36.83 | $76,600 | $49.87 | 1,860 | 2nd of 51 | +3.4% | 38% above |
| 16 | Drywall installer | $36.09 | $75,080 | $56.83 | 1,340 | 2nd of 49 | -7.7% | 27% above |
| 17 | HVAC technician | $35.79 | $74,450 | $56.03 | 10,330 | 9th of 51 | -2.1% | 22% above |
| 18 | Diesel mechanic | $34.78 | $72,340 | $45.27 | 8,160 | 7th of 51 | -3.3% | 17% above |
| 19 | Glazier | $34.08 | $70,890 | $52.89 | 820 | 4th of 50 | -14.1% | 24% above |
| 20 | Plasterer | $33.65 | $69,990 | $52.16 | 50 | 10th of 28 | +22.4% | 21% above |
| 21 | Construction laborer | $30.80 | $64,060 | $51.03 | 23,590 | 2nd of 51 | +3.2% | 36% above |
| 22 | Carpenter | $30.77 | $64,010 | $58.41 | 14,230 | 10th of 51 | -10.2% | 6% above |
| 23 | Machinist | $30.38 | $63,190 | $43.63 | 3,210 | 7th of 51 | -3.4% | 8% above |
| 24 | Tile setter | $29.99 | $62,370 | $54.78 | 460 | 10th of 47 | +3.3% | 12% above |
| 25 | Cement mason | $29.52 | $61,410 | $50.92 | 2,390 | 16th of 51 | -17.1% | 8% above |
| 26 | Welder | $28.58 | $59,440 | $39.31 | 3,730 | 17th of 51 | -0.0% | 11% above |
| 27 | Painter | $28.49 | $59,250 | $46.13 | 4,110 | 8th of 51 | +17.8% | 20% above |
| 28 | Insulation worker | $25.36 | $52,750 | $45.45 | 820 | 16th of 48 | — | 7% above |
Most in-demand trades in New Jersey
By the New Jersey labor market agency's 2024–2034 projections, the fastest-growing trades are solar installers (+44.6%), electricians (+12.7%), tile setters (+11.8%). The most openings a year, counting replacements as well as growth, come from construction laborers (2,540 a year), electricians (1,710 a year), construction supervisors (1,470 a year). The largest specialty-contractor group in the state is building equipment contractors (electrical, plumbing, HVAC), with 60,136 jobs (2025 annual average, QCEW).
| Trade | Projected change 2024–2034 | Openings a year | Jobs in 2024 | Median $/hr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solar installer | +44.6% | 180 | 1,260 | $37.96 |
| Electrician | +12.7% | 1,710 | 16,470 | $37.14 |
| Tile setter | +11.8% | 90 | 1,090 | $29.99 |
| HVAC technician | +9.7% | 1,090 | 11,290 | $35.79 |
| Lineman | +9.4% | 110 | 1,290 | $58.45 |
| Elevator mechanic | +8.8% | 40 | 410 | $66.31 |
| Construction manager | +8.3% | 1,130 | 13,410 | $66.46 |
| Roofer | +8.0% | 180 | 2,300 | $36.83 |
| Plasterer | +7.9% | 10 | 130 | $33.65 |
| Construction laborer | +7.6% | 2,540 | 28,390 | $30.80 |
| Plumber | +7.0% | 980 | 10,770 | $37.61 |
| Insulation worker | +6.9% | 100 | 1,100 | $25.36 |
| Ironworker | +6.4% | 110 | 1,280 | $54.43 |
| Construction supervisor | +6.4% | 1,470 | 17,870 | $50.73 |
| Painter | +6.0% | 550 | 6,480 | $28.49 |
| Glazier | +5.3% | 120 | 1,370 | $34.08 |
| Brickmason | +4.9% | 100 | 1,290 | $37.03 |
| Heavy equipment operator | +4.6% | 580 | 6,660 | $43.11 |
| Drywall installer | +4.4% | 60 | 810 | $36.09 |
| Carpenter | +4.1% | 1,370 | 17,890 | $30.77 |
| Sheet metal worker | +3.8% | 150 | 1,810 | $44.64 |
| Cement mason | +3.5% | 270 | 3,850 | $29.52 |
| Welder | +3.5% | 360 | 3,500 | $28.58 |
| Millwright | +2.8% | 20 | 210 | $51.70 |
| Crane operator | +2.8% | 60 | 720 | $48.39 |
| Diesel mechanic | +2.2% | 760 | 9,150 | $34.78 |
| Machinist | +1.7% | 350 | 3,470 | $30.38 |
| Boilermaker | -2.6% | 20 | 310 | $39.62 |
Source: New Jersey 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 New Jersey
Prevailing wage in New Jersey
Davis-Bacon determinations set the minimum wage package on federally funded construction. In New Jersey, 18 of 18 counties with a Building rate for electricians use a union contract rate (typical package $103.81/hr including fringe). Look up any county and trade.
Metros in New Jersey
Questions this page answers
What is the highest-paying trade in New Jersey?
Construction managers had the highest median wage among the trades tracked here at $66.46 an hour in May 2025, followed by elevator mechanics ($66.31) and linemen ($58.45).
Which trades are in highest demand in New Jersey?
By projected growth between 2024 and 2034, solar installers (+44.6%), electricians (+12.7%), tile setters (+11.8%). By openings a year, construction laborers (2,540 a year), electricians (1,710 a year), construction supervisors (1,470 a year). The figures come from New Jersey's labor market agency via Projections Central and count replacement openings as well as new jobs.
How does New Jersey compare with the rest of the country?
Across the 28 trades listed, 28 pay above the national median in New Jersey and 0 pay below it. The state's cost of living is 108.8% of the US average (BEA).
Sources and notes
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, New Jersey.
- BLS Current Employment Statistics through 2026-09.
- BEA Regional Price Parities.
- SAM.gov Davis-Bacon wage determinations (not the official determination).