Highest-paying and most in-demand trades in North Dakota
25 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 North Dakota, ranked by median pay
| # | Trade | Median $/hr | Median $/yr | 90th pct $/hr | Jobs | State rank | 10-yr real change | vs US |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lineman | $50.90 | $105,870 | $58.65 | 740 | 16th of 51 | +20.3% | 11% above |
| 2 | Construction manager | $49.07 | $102,070 | $81.04 | 1,450 | 40th of 51 | -1.6% | 11% below |
| 3 | Crane operator | $39.85 | $82,890 | $46.53 | 180 | 11th of 50 | +15.0% | 22% above |
| 4 | Ironworker | $39.48 | $82,120 | $48.00 | 270 | 12th of 50 | +17.6% | 31% above |
| 5 | Construction supervisor | $39.12 | $81,370 | $70.61 | 4,350 | 20th of 51 | -15.5% | 2% above |
| 6 | Brickmason | $38.43 | $79,940 | $44.11 | 150 | 7th of 50 | -1.9% | 29% above |
| 7 | HVAC technician | $35.81 | $74,490 | $45.22 | 970 | 8th of 51 | +6.8% | 22% above |
| 8 | Wind turbine technician | $32.07 | $66,700 | $50.64 | 310 | 10th of 25 | -14.9% | 4% above |
| 9 | Diesel mechanic | $31.78 | $66,110 | $44.00 | 1,790 | 15th of 51 | -5.4% | 7% above |
| 10 | Electrician | $31.59 | $65,710 | $48.57 | 3,570 | 24th of 51 | -14.3% | 4% above |
| 11 | Sheet metal worker | $31.34 | $65,180 | $40.74 | 290 | 17th of 50 | +13.8% | 5% above |
| 12 | Plumber | $30.56 | $63,560 | $40.17 | 1,620 | 28th of 51 | -8.5% | about the same as |
| 13 | Heavy equipment operator | $29.88 | $62,150 | $48.35 | 4,890 | 22nd of 51 | -14.1% | 4% above |
| 14 | Welder | $29.81 | $62,000 | $40.05 | 2,590 | 10th of 51 | -2.7% | 15% above |
| 15 | Machinist | $29.72 | $61,820 | $38.48 | 560 | 12th of 51 | +8.5% | 5% above |
| 16 | Glazier | $29.71 | $61,800 | $32.83 | 80 | 14th of 50 | +1.0% | 8% above |
| 17 | Millwright | $29.21 | $60,750 | $39.71 | 170 | 39th of 48 | -5.2% | 8% below |
| 18 | Roofer | $28.72 | $59,740 | $42.00 | 290 | 14th of 51 | +17.3% | 8% above |
| 19 | Carpenter | $27.83 | $57,890 | $36.90 | 2,360 | 30th of 51 | +10.8% | 4% below |
| 20 | Cement mason | $27.74 | $57,710 | $34.35 | 1,190 | 27th of 51 | +10.3% | 1% above |
| 21 | Painter | $26.38 | $54,870 | $37.64 | 420 | 17th of 51 | +6.4% | 11% above |
| 22 | Construction laborer | $23.59 | $49,070 | $34.23 | 5,050 | 22nd of 51 | -2.4% | 4% above |
| 23 | Insulation worker | $22.33 | $46,450 | $29.05 | 260 | 39th of 48 | — | 5% below |
| 24 | Drywall installer | $21.69 | $45,110 | $27.65 | 130 | 43rd of 49 | -10.3% | 23% below |
| 25 | Tile setter | $20.49 | $42,620 | $37.32 | 70 | 45th of 47 | -8.4% | 23% below |
Most in-demand trades in North Dakota
By the North Dakota labor market agency's 2024–2034 projections, the fastest-growing trades are wind turbine technicians (+44.8%), electricians (+15.4%), tile setters (+15.2%). The most openings a year, counting replacements as well as growth, come from construction laborers (480 a year), heavy equipment operators (430 a year), construction supervisors (380 a year). The largest specialty-contractor group in the state is building equipment contractors (electrical, plumbing, HVAC), with 9,238 jobs (2025 annual average, QCEW).
| Trade | Projected change 2024–2034 | Openings a year | Jobs in 2024 | Median $/hr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wind turbine technician | +44.8% | 40 | 290 | $32.07 |
| Electrician | +15.4% | 350 | 3,270 | $31.59 |
| Tile setter | +15.2% | 10 | 100 | $20.49 |
| HVAC technician | +12.4% | 120 | 1,170 | $35.81 |
| Construction manager | +10.9% | 120 | 1,350 | $49.07 |
| Construction laborer | +9.6% | 480 | 5,150 | $23.59 |
| Ironworker | +9.2% | 20 | 270 | $39.48 |
| Roofer | +8.8% | 30 | 350 | $28.72 |
| Crane operator | +8.7% | 20 | 220 | $39.85 |
| Plumber | +8.3% | 160 | 1,720 | $30.56 |
| Welder | +8.1% | 310 | 2,820 | $29.81 |
| Machinist | +7.8% | 60 | 510 | $29.72 |
| Construction supervisor | +7.4% | 380 | 4,500 | $39.12 |
| Insulation worker | +7.3% | 20 | 250 | $22.33 |
| Carpenter | +7.1% | 250 | 3,150 | $27.83 |
| Glazier | +6.9% | 20 | 190 | $29.71 |
| Heavy equipment operator | +6.8% | 430 | 4,770 | $29.88 |
| Diesel mechanic | +5.9% | 140 | 1,650 | $31.78 |
| Sheet metal worker | +5.9% | 30 | 390 | $31.34 |
| Brickmason | +5.7% | 20 | 260 | $38.43 |
| Cement mason | +5.7% | 100 | 1,280 | $27.74 |
| Lineman | +5.5% | 60 | 800 | $50.90 |
| Painter | +4.6% | 50 | 610 | $26.38 |
| Drywall installer | +4.5% | 0 | 70 | $21.69 |
| Millwright | +3.1% | 10 | 130 | $29.21 |
Source: North Dakota 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 North Dakota
Prevailing wage in North Dakota
Davis-Bacon determinations set the minimum wage package on federally funded construction. In North Dakota, 42 of 53 counties with a Building rate for electricians use a union contract rate (typical package $57.59/hr including fringe). Look up any county and trade.
Questions this page answers
What is the highest-paying trade in North Dakota?
Electrical power-line installers and repairers had the highest median wage among the trades tracked here at $50.90 an hour in May 2025, followed by construction managers ($49.07) and crane operators ($39.85).
Which trades are in highest demand in North Dakota?
By projected growth between 2024 and 2034, wind turbine technicians (+44.8%), electricians (+15.4%), tile setters (+15.2%). By openings a year, construction laborers (480 a year), heavy equipment operators (430 a year), construction supervisors (380 a year). The figures come from North Dakota's labor market agency via Projections Central and count replacement openings as well as new jobs.
How does North Dakota compare with the rest of the country?
Across the 25 trades listed, 18 pay above the national median in North Dakota and 7 pay below it. The state's cost of living is 89.0% of the US average (BEA).
Sources and notes
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, North Dakota.
- BLS Current Employment Statistics through 2026-09.
- BEA Regional Price Parities.
- SAM.gov Davis-Bacon wage determinations (not the official determination).