Highest-paying trades in Vermont
25 trades ranked by median hourly wage, with the range, the rank among states and the union scale.
Every trade in Vermont, ranked by median pay
| # | Trade | Median $/hr | Median $/yr | 90th pct $/hr | Jobs | State rank | 10-yr real change | vs US |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lineman | $52.17 | $108,520 | $60.42 | 270 | 11th of 51 | +14.7% | 14% above |
| 2 | Construction manager | $49.74 | $103,450 | $69.07 | 930 | 38th of 51 | -8.4% | 10% below |
| 3 | Construction supervisor | $39.66 | $82,490 | $59.82 | 1,010 | 17th of 51 | +6.3% | 3% above |
| 4 | Crane operator | $34.98 | $72,760 | $50.92 | 170 | 20th of 50 | +13.1% | 7% above |
| 5 | Millwright | $30.86 | $64,180 | $38.13 | 60 | 26th of 48 | — | 2% below |
| 6 | Electrician | $30.49 | $63,430 | $63.50 | 1,270 | 29th of 51 | +2.8% | about the same as |
| 7 | Machinist | $30.14 | $62,680 | $46.01 | 220 | 9th of 51 | +16.5% | 7% above |
| 8 | Carpenter | $30.00 | $62,400 | $36.95 | 3,080 | 15th of 51 | +9.8% | 3% above |
| 9 | Plumber | $29.89 | $62,170 | $44.20 | 980 | 32nd of 51 | -6.2% | 3% below |
| 10 | HVAC technician | $29.88 | $62,150 | $44.77 | 970 | 22nd of 51 | -3.6% | 2% above |
| 11 | Cement mason | $29.40 | $61,160 | $36.78 | 270 | 20th of 51 | +25.2% | 7% above |
| 12 | Welder | $29.27 | $60,890 | $35.99 | 340 | 12th of 51 | +33.7% | 13% above |
| 13 | Glazier | $29.04 | $60,390 | $30.66 | 110 | 17th of 50 | +22.9% | 6% above |
| 14 | Drywall installer | $28.76 | $59,820 | $34.27 | 90 | 20th of 49 | -0.0% | 2% above |
| 15 | Brickmason | $28.65 | $59,590 | $36.74 | 100 | 32nd of 50 | -18.3% | 4% below |
| 16 | Diesel mechanic | $28.55 | $59,390 | $40.41 | 550 | 35th of 51 | +2.4% | 4% below |
| 17 | Roofer | $28.39 | $59,040 | $30.41 | 210 | 19th of 51 | +20.7% | 7% above |
| 18 | Heavy equipment operator | $28.30 | $58,870 | $35.51 | 1,280 | 32nd of 51 | +8.0% | 2% below |
| 19 | Sheet metal worker | $28.00 | $58,250 | $39.87 | 370 | 34th of 50 | -4.0% | 6% below |
| 20 | Tile setter | $26.87 | $55,890 | $31.25 | 140 | 19th of 47 | +14.4% | about the same as |
| 21 | Ironworker | $26.75 | $55,640 | $40.21 | 50 | 42nd of 50 | +1.6% | 11% below |
| 22 | Insulation worker | $25.76 | $53,570 | $33.78 | 110 | 13th of 48 | — | 9% above |
| 23 | Painter | $25.54 | $53,120 | $30.77 | 550 | 18th of 51 | +10.1% | 8% above |
| 24 | Solar installer | $23.79 | $49,490 | $34.63 | 250 | 21st of 32 | -6.1% | 7% below |
| 25 | Construction laborer | $23.36 | $48,580 | $29.67 | 1,430 | 24th of 51 | +18.9% | 3% above |
Construction jobs in Vermont
Prevailing wage in Vermont
Davis-Bacon determinations set the minimum wage package on federally funded construction. In Vermont, 4 of 14 counties with a Building rate for electricians use a union contract rate (typical package $42.85/hr including fringe). Look up any county and trade.
Questions this page answers
What is the highest-paying trade in Vermont?
Electrical power-line installers and repairers had the highest median wage among the trades tracked here at $52.17 an hour in May 2025, followed by construction managers ($49.74) and first-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers ($39.66).
How does Vermont compare with the rest of the country?
Across the 25 trades listed, 16 pay above the national median in Vermont and 9 pay below it. The state's cost of living is 98.0% of the US average (BEA).
Sources and notes
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, Vermont.
- BLS Current Employment Statistics through 2026-08.
- BEA Regional Price Parities.
- SAM.gov Davis-Bacon wage determinations (not the official determination).