Highest-paying trades in Oklahoma
28 trades ranked by median hourly wage, with the range, the rank among states and the union scale.
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 |
Construction jobs in Oklahoma
92.9kConstruction jobs2026-08
+2.9%Change over 12 months
+16.6%Change over 5 years
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).
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 2026-08.
- BEA Regional Price Parities.
- SAM.gov Davis-Bacon wage determinations (not the official determination).