Highest-paying trades in Utah
27 trades ranked by median hourly wage, with the range, the rank among states and the union scale.
Every trade in Utah, ranked by median pay
| # | Trade | Median $/hr | Median $/yr | 90th pct $/hr | Jobs | State rank | 10-yr real change | vs US |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Construction manager | $50.58 | $105,200 | $76.55 | — | 33rd of 51 | +1.7% | 9% below |
| 2 | Lineman | $48.66 | $101,220 | $59.70 | 1,030 | 25th of 51 | +9.0% | 6% above |
| 3 | Elevator mechanic | $38.97 | $81,060 | $58.55 | 280 | 33rd of 37 | -24.9% | 26% below |
| 4 | Construction supervisor | $37.15 | $77,280 | $55.00 | 14,270 | 35th of 51 | +3.7% | 3% below |
| 5 | Crane operator | $32.41 | $67,410 | $46.70 | 440 | 25th of 50 | -3.6% | 1% below |
| 6 | Diesel mechanic | $30.94 | $64,350 | $39.97 | 2,690 | 17th of 51 | +10.3% | 4% above |
| 7 | Sheet metal worker | $30.36 | $63,140 | $41.24 | 1,810 | 23rd of 50 | +8.9% | 2% above |
| 8 | Millwright | $30.31 | $63,040 | $40.48 | 220 | 28th of 48 | — | 4% below |
| 9 | Electrician | $29.81 | $62,000 | $42.84 | 11,450 | 34th of 51 | -7.7% | 2% below |
| 10 | Plumber | $29.76 | $61,900 | $39.96 | 7,030 | 34th of 51 | -9.7% | 3% below |
| 11 | Machinist | $29.46 | $61,280 | $38.51 | 3,810 | 15th of 51 | -2.3% | 4% above |
| 12 | Heavy equipment operator | $29.20 | $60,740 | $36.48 | 7,880 | 26th of 51 | +6.0% | 1% above |
| 13 | Brickmason | $29.06 | $60,450 | $37.64 | 1,590 | 28th of 50 | +4.3% | 3% below |
| 14 | HVAC technician | $28.24 | $58,730 | $38.70 | 5,580 | 35th of 51 | -8.0% | 4% below |
| 15 | Welder | $28.07 | $58,380 | $38.23 | 4,440 | 23rd of 51 | +14.7% | 9% above |
| 16 | Ironworker | $28.01 | $58,250 | $36.16 | 1,630 | 37th of 50 | +2.6% | 7% below |
| 17 | Cement mason | $27.13 | $56,420 | $32.13 | 5,340 | 29th of 51 | +16.0% | 1% below |
| 18 | Plasterer | $25.82 | $53,710 | $37.07 | 820 | 16th of 28 | +15.8% | 7% below |
| 19 | Carpenter | $25.17 | $52,360 | $36.14 | 15,220 | 36th of 51 | +8.2% | 14% below |
| 20 | Glazier | $24.75 | $51,470 | $31.81 | 990 | 29th of 50 | +2.2% | 10% below |
| 21 | Drywall installer | $24.53 | $51,020 | $33.13 | 2,610 | 28th of 49 | +2.8% | 13% below |
| 22 | Solar installer | $24.03 | $49,980 | $36.89 | 770 | 18th of 32 | — | 6% below |
| 23 | Tile setter | $23.72 | $49,340 | $33.48 | 1,590 | 26th of 47 | -1.9% | 11% below |
| 24 | Roofer | $23.40 | $48,680 | $32.40 | 2,710 | 32nd of 51 | +4.5% | 12% below |
| 25 | Construction laborer | $22.38 | $46,550 | $30.44 | 20,950 | 31st of 51 | +17.9% | 1% below |
| 26 | Painter | $22.14 | $46,050 | $31.62 | 3,510 | 39th of 51 | -4.6% | 7% below |
| 27 | Insulation worker | $19.27 | $40,080 | $25.52 | 300 | 47th of 48 | — | 18% below |
Construction jobs in Utah
148.6kConstruction jobs2026-08
+2.6%Change over 12 months
+17.9%Change over 5 years
Prevailing wage in Utah
Davis-Bacon determinations set the minimum wage package on federally funded construction. In Utah, 28 of 29 counties with a Building rate for electricians use a union contract rate (typical package $58.89/hr including fringe). Look up any county and trade.
Metros in Utah
Questions this page answers
What is the highest-paying trade in Utah?
Construction managers had the highest median wage among the trades tracked here at $50.58 an hour in May 2025, followed by electrical power-line installers and repairers ($48.66) and elevator and escalator installers and repairers ($38.97).
How does Utah compare with the rest of the country?
Across the 27 trades listed, 6 pay above the national median in Utah and 21 pay below it. The state's cost of living is 98.9% of the US average (BEA).
Sources and notes
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, Utah.
- BLS Current Employment Statistics through 2026-08.
- BEA Regional Price Parities.
- SAM.gov Davis-Bacon wage determinations (not the official determination).