Highest-paying and most in-demand trades in Vermont
25 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 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 |
Most in-demand trades in Vermont
By the Vermont labor market agency's 2024–2034 projections, the fastest-growing trades are solar installers (+20.8%), electricians (+9.9%), construction managers (+9.4%). The most openings a year, counting replacements as well as growth, come from carpenters (410 a year), construction laborers (300 a year), electricians (160 a year). The largest specialty-contractor group in the state is building equipment contractors (electrical, plumbing, HVAC), with 4,525 jobs (2025 annual average, QCEW).
| Trade | Projected change 2024–2034 | Openings a year | Jobs in 2024 | Median $/hr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solar installer | +20.8% | 10 | 80 | $23.79 |
| Electrician | +9.9% | 160 | 1,610 | $30.49 |
| Construction manager | +9.4% | 140 | 1,670 | $49.74 |
| Tile setter | +9.2% | 10 | 150 | $26.87 |
| Construction laborer | +9.1% | 300 | 3,260 | $23.36 |
| Machinist | +8.3% | 40 | 380 | $30.14 |
| Painter | +6.9% | 140 | 1,670 | $25.54 |
| Ironworker | +6.8% | 0 | 60 | $26.75 |
| Roofer | +6.7% | 30 | 400 | $28.39 |
| HVAC technician | +6.5% | 120 | 1,280 | $29.88 |
| Carpenter | +6.4% | 410 | 5,190 | $30.00 |
| Construction supervisor | +5.8% | 110 | 1,310 | $39.66 |
| Insulation worker | +5.6% | 10 | 90 | $25.76 |
| Plumber | +5.4% | 100 | 1,130 | $29.89 |
| Brickmason | +5.2% | 20 | 210 | $28.65 |
| Drywall installer | +4.6% | 10 | 150 | $28.76 |
| Heavy equipment operator | +3.4% | 100 | 1,200 | $28.30 |
| Crane operator | +3.1% | 10 | 130 | $34.98 |
| Cement mason | +2.9% | 20 | 280 | $29.40 |
| Welder | +2.7% | 40 | 360 | $29.27 |
| Sheet metal worker | +0.8% | 40 | 490 | $28.00 |
| Lineman | +0.4% | 20 | 280 | $52.17 |
| Diesel mechanic | +0.2% | 50 | 630 | $28.55 |
| Millwright | -9.3% | 0 | 40 | $30.86 |
Source: Vermont 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 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 construction supervisors ($39.66).
Which trades are in highest demand in Vermont?
By projected growth between 2024 and 2034, solar installers (+20.8%), electricians (+9.9%), construction managers (+9.4%). By openings a year, carpenters (410 a year), construction laborers (300 a year), electricians (160 a year). The figures come from Vermont's labor market agency via Projections Central and count replacement openings as well as new jobs.
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 2026-09.
- BEA Regional Price Parities.
- SAM.gov Davis-Bacon wage determinations (not the official determination).