Highest-paying and most in-demand trades in Texas
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 Texas, ranked by median pay
| # | Trade | Median $/hr | Median $/yr | 90th pct $/hr | Jobs | State rank | 10-yr real change | vs US |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Elevator mechanic | $49.11 | $102,140 | $58.56 | 2,030 | 25th of 37 | +1.2% | 7% below |
| 2 | Construction manager | $48.78 | $101,470 | $80.19 | 59,060 | 42nd of 51 | -9.2% | 12% below |
| 3 | Lineman | $37.95 | $78,940 | $51.71 | 17,280 | 42nd of 51 | +8.0% | 17% below |
| 4 | Boilermaker | $36.42 | $75,750 | $48.16 | 2,340 | 24th of 37 | -5.1% | 1% below |
| 5 | Construction supervisor | $35.83 | $74,520 | $52.63 | 90,010 | 45th of 51 | -12.2% | 7% below |
| 6 | Crane operator | $35.23 | $73,280 | $44.90 | 6,010 | 19th of 50 | +2.5% | 8% above |
| 7 | Millwright | $30.11 | $62,630 | $44.47 | 3,540 | 32nd of 48 | +3.1% | 5% below |
| 8 | Wind turbine technician | $29.79 | $61,950 | $37.64 | 3,890 | 18th of 25 | -11.9% | 3% below |
| 9 | Plumber | $28.77 | $59,840 | $39.37 | 44,090 | 39th of 51 | -1.2% | 6% below |
| 10 | Machinist | $28.45 | $59,180 | $39.94 | 21,700 | 24th of 51 | +10.2% | 1% above |
| 11 | Diesel mechanic | $28.27 | $58,810 | $39.26 | 29,870 | 41st of 51 | +0.8% | 5% below |
| 12 | Electrician | $28.16 | $58,570 | $38.61 | 76,770 | 45th of 51 | -1.2% | 7% below |
| 13 | HVAC technician | $27.77 | $57,760 | $39.36 | 34,730 | 38th of 51 | +4.7% | 5% below |
| 14 | Brickmason | $27.12 | $56,410 | $29.30 | 4,300 | 37th of 50 | +2.5% | 9% below |
| 15 | Sheet metal worker | $26.08 | $54,240 | $37.69 | 9,540 | 38th of 50 | +10.5% | 12% below |
| 16 | Welder | $25.64 | $53,340 | $38.58 | 52,000 | 29th of 51 | +0.2% | 1% below |
| 17 | Ironworker | $25.12 | $52,240 | $37.27 | 9,700 | 43rd of 50 | +5.4% | 17% below |
| 18 | Plasterer | $24.59 | $51,140 | $30.00 | 1,400 | 20th of 28 | +10.9% | 11% below |
| 19 | Heavy equipment operator | $24.26 | $50,460 | $33.66 | 55,540 | 43rd of 51 | +0.7% | 16% below |
| 20 | Carpenter | $23.51 | $48,900 | $31.69 | 33,540 | 45th of 51 | +4.3% | 19% below |
| 21 | Insulation worker | $23.43 | $48,740 | $30.40 | 7,120 | 26th of 48 | — | 1% below |
| 22 | Solar installer | $23.19 | $48,240 | $35.43 | 5,270 | 24th of 32 | +5.6% | 9% below |
| 23 | Glazier | $22.95 | $47,730 | $28.84 | 5,850 | 39th of 50 | -1.2% | 16% below |
| 24 | Drywall installer | $22.88 | $47,590 | $29.34 | 5,760 | 37th of 49 | +4.3% | 19% below |
| 25 | Cement mason | $22.84 | $47,500 | $29.22 | 26,430 | 44th of 51 | +13.6% | 17% below |
| 26 | Tile setter | $22.61 | $47,030 | $38.89 | 1,260 | 35th of 47 | +10.2% | 16% below |
| 27 | Roofer | $22.13 | $46,030 | $29.59 | 5,740 | 44th of 51 | +4.7% | 17% below |
| 28 | Painter | $21.86 | $45,460 | $28.32 | 18,330 | 41st of 51 | +2.4% | 8% below |
| 29 | Construction laborer | $19.53 | $40,620 | $27.37 | 123,250 | 44th of 51 | +7.8% | 14% below |
Most in-demand trades in Texas
By the Texas labor market agency's 2024–2034 projections, the fastest-growing trades are wind turbine technicians (+51.3%), solar installers (+43.1%), electricians (+14.4%). The most openings a year, counting replacements as well as growth, come from construction laborers (15,270 a year), construction supervisors (8,780 a year), electricians (8,100 a year). The largest specialty-contractor group in the state is building equipment contractors (electrical, plumbing, HVAC), with 254,256 jobs (2025 annual average, QCEW).
| Trade | Projected change 2024–2034 | Openings a year | Jobs in 2024 | Median $/hr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wind turbine technician | +51.3% | 1,020 | 6,010 | $29.79 |
| Solar installer | +43.1% | 730 | 5,050 | $23.19 |
| Electrician | +14.4% | 8,100 | 76,440 | $28.16 |
| Tile setter | +13.7% | 200 | 2,310 | $22.61 |
| Construction manager | +13.1% | 7,330 | 80,470 | $48.78 |
| HVAC technician | +13.0% | 3,350 | 33,120 | $27.77 |
| Construction laborer | +12.2% | 15,270 | 159,660 | $19.53 |
| Diesel mechanic | +11.8% | 2,990 | 31,130 | $28.27 |
| Heavy equipment operator | +10.3% | 5,370 | 56,600 | $24.26 |
| Elevator mechanic | +10.2% | 120 | 1,340 | $49.11 |
| Construction supervisor | +10.0% | 8,780 | 100,880 | $35.83 |
| Roofer | +9.9% | 600 | 7,440 | $22.13 |
| Plumber | +8.9% | 4,220 | 45,260 | $28.77 |
| Carpenter | +8.4% | 3,840 | 46,540 | $23.51 |
| Crane operator | +8.2% | 640 | 6,560 | $35.23 |
| Glazier | +7.4% | 600 | 6,670 | $22.95 |
| Painter | +7.3% | 2,370 | 27,290 | $21.86 |
| Plasterer | +7.1% | 70 | 870 | $24.59 |
| Brickmason | +6.9% | 480 | 5,920 | $27.12 |
| Welder | +6.8% | 6,300 | 59,130 | $25.64 |
| Lineman | +6.4% | 1,230 | 14,810 | $37.95 |
| Drywall installer | +5.4% | 580 | 7,500 | $22.88 |
| Sheet metal worker | +5.3% | 950 | 10,870 | $26.08 |
| Millwright | +5.0% | 300 | 3,140 | $30.11 |
| Machinist | +4.9% | 2,140 | 20,310 | $28.45 |
| Cement mason | +4.7% | 1,730 | 23,820 | $22.84 |
| Boilermaker | +4.0% | 220 | 2,430 | $36.42 |
| Ironworker | +3.6% | 850 | 10,260 | $25.12 |
| Insulation worker | +2.9% | 490 | 5,900 | $23.43 |
Source: Texas 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 Texas
Prevailing wage in Texas
Davis-Bacon determinations set the minimum wage package on federally funded construction. In Texas, 47 of 251 counties with a Building rate for electricians use a union contract rate (typical package $47.19/hr including fringe). Look up any county and trade.
Metros in Texas
Questions this page answers
What is the highest-paying trade in Texas?
Elevator and escalator installers and repairers had the highest median wage among the trades tracked here at $49.11 an hour in May 2025, followed by construction managers ($48.78) and linemen ($37.95).
Which trades are in highest demand in Texas?
By projected growth between 2024 and 2034, wind turbine technicians (+51.3%), solar installers (+43.1%), electricians (+14.4%). By openings a year, construction laborers (15,270 a year), construction supervisors (8,780 a year), electricians (8,100 a year). The figures come from Texas's labor market agency via Projections Central and count replacement openings as well as new jobs.
How does Texas compare with the rest of the country?
Across the 29 trades listed, 2 pay above the national median in Texas and 27 pay below it. The state's cost of living is 97.1% of the US average (BEA).
Sources and notes
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, Texas.
- BLS Current Employment Statistics through 2026-09.
- BEA Regional Price Parities.
- SAM.gov Davis-Bacon wage determinations (not the official determination).