Highest-paying and most in-demand trades in Pennsylvania
29 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 Pennsylvania, ranked by median pay
| # | Trade | Median $/hr | Median $/yr | 90th pct $/hr | Jobs | State rank | 10-yr real change | vs US |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Elevator mechanic | $56.37 | $117,250 | $63.77 | 900 | 16th of 37 | +47.3% | 7% above |
| 2 | Construction manager | $52.04 | $108,250 | $83.25 | 6,840 | 29th of 51 | -20.0% | 6% below |
| 3 | Lineman | $51.07 | $106,230 | $58.90 | 4,150 | 14th of 51 | +11.7% | 11% above |
| 4 | Boilermaker | $41.75 | $86,850 | $50.17 | 260 | 12th of 37 | +1.9% | 14% above |
| 5 | Ironworker | $39.89 | $82,970 | $53.21 | 1,610 | 11th of 50 | +18.9% | 32% above |
| 6 | Construction supervisor | $39.20 | $81,540 | $64.01 | 26,860 | 19th of 51 | -10.0% | 2% above |
| 7 | Tile setter | $33.77 | $70,230 | $46.62 | 880 | 6th of 47 | +31.8% | 26% above |
| 8 | Plasterer | $33.67 | $70,030 | $43.34 | 180 | 9th of 28 | +11.0% | 21% above |
| 9 | Brickmason | $33.44 | $69,560 | $49.41 | 2,910 | 15th of 50 | -0.9% | 12% above |
| 10 | Plumber | $32.73 | $68,080 | $64.48 | 13,620 | 18th of 51 | -3.8% | 7% above |
| 11 | Electrician | $32.50 | $67,600 | $58.95 | 22,730 | 22nd of 51 | -7.3% | 7% above |
| 12 | Crane operator | $31.34 | $65,190 | $51.14 | 1,630 | 29th of 50 | +3.0% | 4% below |
| 13 | Millwright | $30.96 | $64,410 | $48.93 | 1,700 | 25th of 48 | -6.5% | 2% below |
| 14 | HVAC technician | $30.00 | $62,400 | $43.00 | 15,880 | 20th of 51 | -0.2% | 2% above |
| 15 | Diesel mechanic | $29.68 | $61,740 | $38.67 | 12,630 | 22nd of 51 | +6.0% | about the same as |
| 16 | Cement mason | $29.62 | $61,610 | $37.55 | 5,180 | 15th of 51 | +4.4% | 8% above |
| 17 | Sheet metal worker | $29.52 | $61,400 | $60.78 | 3,260 | 29th of 50 | -13.2% | 1% below |
| 18 | Drywall installer | $29.40 | $61,160 | $37.49 | 1,690 | 15th of 49 | +2.6% | 4% above |
| 19 | Wind turbine technician | $29.25 | $60,830 | $42.28 | 50 | 20th of 25 | — | 5% below |
| 20 | Heavy equipment operator | $29.10 | $60,530 | $45.64 | 22,120 | 29th of 51 | +1.3% | 1% above |
| 21 | Carpenter | $28.54 | $59,370 | $44.29 | 30,630 | 26th of 51 | +1.9% | 2% below |
| 22 | Glazier | $28.27 | $58,810 | $45.32 | 1,510 | 24th of 50 | +0.3% | 3% above |
| 23 | Machinist | $27.79 | $57,810 | $37.06 | 12,380 | 34th of 51 | +5.2% | 2% below |
| 24 | Roofer | $26.79 | $55,710 | $36.87 | 3,830 | 24th of 51 | +12.3% | 1% above |
| 25 | Welder | $25.43 | $52,900 | $35.99 | 17,850 | 30th of 51 | +0.9% | 2% below |
| 26 | Painter | $25.06 | $52,120 | $34.73 | 5,980 | 20th of 51 | -0.7% | 6% above |
| 27 | Insulation worker | $24.33 | $50,600 | $35.38 | 610 | 20th of 48 | — | 3% above |
| 28 | Construction laborer | $23.75 | $49,400 | $35.90 | 35,920 | 21st of 51 | +5.0% | 5% above |
| 29 | Solar installer | $22.96 | $47,760 | $29.45 | 1,210 | 26th of 32 | — | 10% below |
Most in-demand trades in Pennsylvania
By the Pennsylvania labor market agency's 2024–2034 projections, the fastest-growing trades are solar installers (+26.7%), tile setters (+10.1%), wind turbine technicians (+9.0%). The most openings a year, counting replacements as well as growth, come from construction laborers (4,480 a year), carpenters (3,030 a year), construction supervisors (2,360 a year). The largest specialty-contractor group in the state is building equipment contractors (electrical, plumbing, HVAC), with 82,930 jobs (2025 annual average, QCEW).
| Trade | Projected change 2024–2034 | Openings a year | Jobs in 2024 | Median $/hr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solar installer | +26.7% | 50 | 440 | $22.96 |
| Tile setter | +10.1% | 60 | 780 | $33.77 |
| Wind turbine technician | +9.0% | 20 | 140 | $29.25 |
| Electrician | +8.1% | 2,320 | 23,970 | $32.50 |
| Construction manager | +7.8% | 1,110 | 13,210 | $52.04 |
| Lineman | +7.5% | 340 | 3,990 | $51.07 |
| Construction laborer | +6.9% | 4,480 | 50,780 | $23.75 |
| HVAC technician | +6.4% | 1,640 | 17,890 | $30.00 |
| Roofer | +5.1% | 320 | 4,210 | $26.79 |
| Plasterer | +4.5% | 20 | 260 | $33.67 |
| Construction supervisor | +4.4% | 2,360 | 29,760 | $39.20 |
| Drywall installer | +4.2% | 150 | 1,950 | $29.40 |
| Insulation worker | +4.2% | 60 | 670 | $24.33 |
| Painter | +4.1% | 740 | 8,960 | $25.06 |
| Carpenter | +3.8% | 3,030 | 39,720 | $28.54 |
| Elevator mechanic | +3.7% | 50 | 680 | $56.37 |
| Welder | +3.7% | 1,800 | 17,620 | $25.43 |
| Millwright | +3.6% | 150 | 1,560 | $30.96 |
| Ironworker | +3.4% | 120 | 1,430 | $39.89 |
| Diesel mechanic | +3.3% | 1,180 | 14,020 | $29.68 |
| Plumber | +3.1% | 1,310 | 15,400 | $32.73 |
| Cement mason | +2.8% | 300 | 4,340 | $29.62 |
| Brickmason | +2.5% | 310 | 4,190 | $33.44 |
| Crane operator | +2.5% | 170 | 1,950 | $31.34 |
| Heavy equipment operator | +2.4% | 1,820 | 21,680 | $29.10 |
| Machinist | +2.4% | 1,510 | 14,810 | $27.79 |
| Glazier | +2.2% | 130 | 1,580 | $28.27 |
| Sheet metal worker | +1.6% | 220 | 2,630 | $29.52 |
| Boilermaker | -6.3% | 40 | 480 | $41.75 |
Source: Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania
Prevailing wage in Pennsylvania
Davis-Bacon determinations set the minimum wage package on federally funded construction. In Pennsylvania, 58 of 62 counties with a Building rate for electricians use a union contract rate (typical package $82.64/hr including fringe). Look up any county and trade.
Metros in Pennsylvania
Questions this page answers
What is the highest-paying trade in Pennsylvania?
Elevator and escalator installers and repairers had the highest median wage among the trades tracked here at $56.37 an hour in May 2025, followed by construction managers ($52.04) and linemen ($51.07).
Which trades are in highest demand in Pennsylvania?
By projected growth between 2024 and 2034, solar installers (+26.7%), tile setters (+10.1%), wind turbine technicians (+9.0%). By openings a year, construction laborers (4,480 a year), carpenters (3,030 a year), construction supervisors (2,360 a year). The figures come from Pennsylvania's labor market agency via Projections Central and count replacement openings as well as new jobs.
How does Pennsylvania compare with the rest of the country?
Across the 29 trades listed, 19 pay above the national median in Pennsylvania and 10 pay below it. The state's cost of living is 97.6% of the US average (BEA).
Sources and notes
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, Pennsylvania.
- BLS Current Employment Statistics through 2026-09.
- BEA Regional Price Parities.
- SAM.gov Davis-Bacon wage determinations (not the official determination).