Highest-paying trades in North Carolina
28 trades ranked by median hourly wage, with the range, the rank among states and the union scale.
Every trade in North Carolina, ranked by median pay
| # | Trade | Median $/hr | Median $/yr | 90th pct $/hr | Jobs | State rank | 10-yr real change | vs US |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Elevator mechanic | $51.78 | $107,700 | $59.50 | 240 | 20th of 37 | +9.5% | 2% below |
| 2 | Construction manager | $51.27 | $106,640 | $84.95 | 16,310 | 31st of 51 | -10.5% | 7% below |
| 3 | Lineman | $37.15 | $77,270 | $50.69 | 5,650 | 43rd of 51 | +6.8% | 19% below |
| 4 | Construction supervisor | $36.19 | $75,270 | $50.41 | 32,460 | 43rd of 51 | +0.2% | 6% below |
| 5 | Wind turbine technician | $31.91 | $66,380 | $47.31 | 120 | 11th of 25 | — | 4% above |
| 6 | Crane operator | $31.00 | $64,480 | $39.77 | 1,050 | 30th of 50 | -2.7% | 5% below |
| 7 | Millwright | $30.29 | $62,990 | $36.87 | 700 | 29th of 48 | +3.2% | 4% below |
| 8 | Diesel mechanic | $27.64 | $57,490 | $36.65 | 11,070 | 44th of 51 | +2.7% | 7% below |
| 9 | HVAC technician | $27.53 | $57,260 | $37.10 | 15,230 | 40th of 51 | +7.9% | 6% below |
| 10 | Plumber | $27.44 | $57,080 | $36.47 | 14,510 | 44th of 51 | +6.1% | 11% below |
| 11 | Electrician | $27.31 | $56,800 | $36.09 | 21,640 | 49th of 51 | +5.1% | 10% below |
| 12 | Machinist | $26.56 | $55,230 | $36.33 | 8,330 | 42nd of 51 | +4.5% | 6% below |
| 13 | Sheet metal worker | $24.39 | $50,730 | $37.51 | 2,780 | 40th of 50 | +5.5% | 18% below |
| 14 | Welder | $24.32 | $50,590 | $34.25 | 11,750 | 37th of 51 | -1.8% | 6% below |
| 15 | Brickmason | $24.01 | $49,940 | $29.61 | 1,760 | 44th of 50 | +2.4% | 20% below |
| 16 | Boilermaker | $23.90 | $49,720 | $38.35 | 150 | 36th of 37 | -24.0% | 35% below |
| 17 | Heavy equipment operator | $23.71 | $49,310 | $30.98 | 16,580 | 45th of 51 | +3.4% | 18% below |
| 18 | Carpenter | $23.61 | $49,100 | $30.36 | 13,480 | 44th of 51 | +5.2% | 19% below |
| 19 | Roofer | $23.56 | $49,010 | $29.14 | 3,060 | 30th of 51 | +18.9% | 12% below |
| 20 | Ironworker | $23.43 | $48,740 | $38.04 | 2,000 | 46th of 50 | -2.4% | 22% below |
| 21 | Cement mason | $22.49 | $46,780 | $28.99 | 4,610 | 46th of 51 | +4.7% | 18% below |
| 22 | Glazier | $22.20 | $46,170 | $29.25 | 840 | 45th of 50 | -2.3% | 19% below |
| 23 | Drywall installer | $21.67 | $45,080 | $28.93 | 1,520 | 44th of 49 | -2.2% | 24% below |
| 24 | Construction laborer | $21.50 | $44,720 | $28.83 | 35,620 | 39th of 51 | +26.1% | 5% below |
| 25 | Tile setter | $21.47 | $44,650 | $27.93 | 680 | 40th of 47 | -12.5% | 20% below |
| 26 | Painter | $21.21 | $44,110 | $28.03 | 5,220 | 46th of 51 | +3.9% | 11% below |
| 27 | Solar installer | $21.09 | $43,860 | $28.93 | 710 | 31st of 32 | -6.0% | 17% below |
| 28 | Insulation worker | $20.67 | $42,990 | $28.88 | 2,090 | 44th of 48 | — | 12% below |
Construction jobs in North Carolina
Prevailing wage in North Carolina
Davis-Bacon determinations set the minimum wage package on federally funded construction. In North Carolina, 32 of 100 counties with a Building rate for electricians use a union contract rate (typical package $45.41/hr including fringe). Look up any county and trade.
Metros in North Carolina
Questions this page answers
What is the highest-paying trade in North Carolina?
Elevator and escalator installers and repairers had the highest median wage among the trades tracked here at $51.78 an hour in May 2025, followed by construction managers ($51.27) and electrical power-line installers and repairers ($37.15).
How does North Carolina compare with the rest of the country?
Across the 28 trades listed, 1 pay above the national median in North Carolina and 27 pay below it. The state's cost of living is 94.3% of the US average (BEA).
Sources and notes
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, North Carolina.
- BLS Current Employment Statistics through 2026-08.
- BEA Regional Price Parities.
- SAM.gov Davis-Bacon wage determinations (not the official determination).