Highest-paying and most in-demand trades in Oklahoma
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 Oklahoma, ranked by median pay
| # | Trade | Median $/hr | Median $/yr | 90th pct $/hr | Jobs | State rank | 10-yr real change | vs US |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Elevator mechanic | $50.69 | $105,430 | $58.80 | 140 | 21st of 37 | — | 4% below |
| 2 | Construction manager | $48.41 | $100,690 | $84.66 | 1,980 | 44th of 51 | +4.2% | 12% below |
| 3 | Boilermaker | $37.38 | $77,750 | $41.15 | — | 22nd of 37 | +2.5% | 2% above |
| 4 | Lineman | $36.54 | $76,010 | $56.26 | 3,290 | 49th of 51 | +5.2% | 20% below |
| 5 | Construction supervisor | $35.11 | $73,040 | $57.81 | 11,520 | 48th of 51 | -8.3% | 9% below |
| 6 | Sheet metal worker | $31.56 | $65,640 | $38.02 | 2,820 | 16th of 50 | -3.2% | 6% above |
| 7 | Crane operator | $30.57 | $63,590 | $39.67 | 620 | 32nd of 50 | -10.0% | 7% below |
| 8 | Electrician | $29.33 | $61,010 | $44.59 | 8,500 | 39th of 51 | -5.3% | 3% below |
| 9 | Wind turbine technician | $28.51 | $59,290 | $35.61 | 340 | 22nd of 25 | — | 8% below |
| 10 | Plumber | $27.87 | $57,970 | $39.69 | 6,050 | 42nd of 51 | -1.7% | 9% below |
| 11 | HVAC technician | $27.67 | $57,560 | $38.30 | 5,650 | 39th of 51 | +0.2% | 6% below |
| 12 | Diesel mechanic | $26.61 | $55,340 | $36.60 | 3,970 | 47th of 51 | +4.5% | 10% below |
| 13 | Machinist | $24.58 | $51,120 | $34.07 | 4,230 | 48th of 51 | -3.2% | 13% below |
| 14 | Millwright | $24.50 | $50,950 | $34.69 | 510 | 48th of 48 | -11.1% | 22% below |
| 15 | Brickmason | $24.34 | $50,620 | $33.02 | 580 | 43rd of 50 | -11.1% | 19% below |
| 16 | Welder | $23.90 | $49,720 | $33.96 | 9,960 | 44th of 51 | -2.6% | 8% below |
| 17 | Plasterer | $23.78 | $49,450 | $27.50 | — | 24th of 28 | -13.4% | 14% below |
| 18 | Heavy equipment operator | $23.06 | $47,970 | $30.95 | 7,050 | 47th of 51 | -4.4% | 20% below |
| 19 | Ironworker | $22.92 | $47,660 | $30.61 | 1,140 | 48th of 50 | -10.9% | 24% below |
| 20 | Carpenter | $22.55 | $46,910 | $31.22 | 3,820 | 51st of 51 | -3.5% | 23% below |
| 21 | Insulation worker | $22.54 | $46,880 | $33.73 | 570 | 36th of 48 | — | 5% below |
| 22 | Drywall installer | $22.15 | $46,080 | $23.94 | 280 | 41st of 49 | -6.3% | 22% below |
| 23 | Cement mason | $22.00 | $45,750 | $27.82 | 2,980 | 49th of 51 | -2.0% | 20% below |
| 24 | Glazier | $21.82 | $45,380 | $26.24 | 430 | 47th of 50 | +1.6% | 20% below |
| 25 | Painter | $21.59 | $44,900 | $32.41 | 1,880 | 42nd of 51 | -5.3% | 9% below |
| 26 | Tile setter | $21.32 | $44,340 | $50.75 | 280 | 42nd of 47 | +8.5% | 20% below |
| 27 | Roofer | $21.00 | $43,680 | $39.29 | 1,260 | 51st of 51 | +3.1% | 21% below |
| 28 | Construction laborer | $18.92 | $39,360 | $27.92 | 13,710 | 45th of 51 | +0.9% | 17% below |
Most in-demand trades in Oklahoma
By the Oklahoma labor market agency's 2024–2034 projections, the fastest-growing trades are wind turbine technicians (+60.9%), electricians (+9.1%), construction managers (+8.6%). The most openings a year, counting replacements as well as growth, come from construction laborers (1,570 a year), construction supervisors (1,050 a year), welders (1,040 a year). The largest specialty-contractor group in the state is building equipment contractors (electrical, plumbing, HVAC), with 30,880 jobs (2025 annual average, QCEW).
| Trade | Projected change 2024–2034 | Openings a year | Jobs in 2024 | Median $/hr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wind turbine technician | +60.9% | 60 | 350 | $28.51 |
| Electrician | +9.1% | 920 | 9,380 | $29.33 |
| Construction manager | +8.6% | 270 | 3,190 | $48.41 |
| Tile setter | +8.5% | 20 | 260 | $21.32 |
| HVAC technician | +8.2% | 480 | 5,140 | $27.67 |
| Construction laborer | +6.9% | 1,570 | 17,790 | $18.92 |
| Roofer | +5.9% | 90 | 1,160 | $21.00 |
| Lineman | +5.8% | 250 | 3,010 | $36.54 |
| Construction supervisor | +4.7% | 1,050 | 13,180 | $35.11 |
| Elevator mechanic | +4.5% | 10 | 110 | $50.69 |
| Plumber | +4.4% | 680 | 7,820 | $27.87 |
| Ironworker | +4.4% | 70 | 830 | $22.92 |
| Carpenter | +4.3% | 410 | 5,290 | $22.55 |
| Heavy equipment operator | +3.8% | 610 | 7,080 | $23.06 |
| Insulation worker | +3.7% | 70 | 830 | $22.54 |
| Drywall installer | +3.6% | 20 | 250 | $22.15 |
| Brickmason | +3.4% | 60 | 750 | $24.34 |
| Crane operator | +3.3% | 50 | 540 | $30.57 |
| Glazier | +3.3% | 40 | 520 | $21.82 |
| Diesel mechanic | +3.1% | 320 | 3,810 | $26.61 |
| Painter | +2.9% | 230 | 2,830 | $21.59 |
| Welder | +1.4% | 1,040 | 10,520 | $23.90 |
| Cement mason | +0.5% | 190 | 2,800 | $22.00 |
| Millwright | 0.0% | 20 | 220 | $24.50 |
| Machinist | -0.9% | 390 | 4,050 | $24.58 |
| Sheet metal worker | -2.0% | 230 | 2,970 | $31.56 |
Source: Oklahoma 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 Oklahoma
Prevailing wage in Oklahoma
Davis-Bacon determinations set the minimum wage package on federally funded construction. In Oklahoma, 70 of 77 counties with a Building rate for electricians use a union contract rate (typical package $54.54/hr including fringe). Look up any county and trade.
Questions this page answers
What is the highest-paying trade in Oklahoma?
Elevator and escalator installers and repairers had the highest median wage among the trades tracked here at $50.69 an hour in May 2025, followed by construction managers ($48.41) and boilermakers ($37.38).
Which trades are in highest demand in Oklahoma?
By projected growth between 2024 and 2034, wind turbine technicians (+60.9%), electricians (+9.1%), construction managers (+8.6%). By openings a year, construction laborers (1,570 a year), construction supervisors (1,050 a year), welders (1,040 a year). The figures come from Oklahoma's labor market agency via Projections Central and count replacement openings as well as new jobs.
How does Oklahoma compare with the rest of the country?
Across the 28 trades listed, 2 pay above the national median in Oklahoma and 26 pay below it. The state's cost of living is 87.8% of the US average (BEA).
Sources and notes
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, Oklahoma.
- BLS Current Employment Statistics through 2026-09.
- BEA Regional Price Parities.
- SAM.gov Davis-Bacon wage determinations (not the official determination).