Which trades pay the most
The Bureau of Labor Statistics measures pay for every occupation each May. For the trades on this site, the May 2025 medians range from $47,120 to $95,320 a year, against $50,980 for all U.S. occupations.
Median pay by trade, May 2025
| Occupation | Schools | Median | Bottom 10% | Top 10% | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers | Lineworker Schools | $95,320 | $51,470 | $128,690 | 131,070 |
| Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians | Aviation Maintenance Schools | $79,870 | $48,780 | $128,890 | 138,090 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanics | Industrial Maintenance Schools | $64,520 | $46,120 | $95,170 | 439,640 |
| Wind Turbine Service Technicians | Solar and Wind Technician Schools | $64,120 | $49,230 | $92,460 | 9,980 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | Plumbing Schools | $63,800 | $44,150 | $108,420 | 465,840 |
| Electricians | Electrician Schools | $63,190 | $42,640 | $108,510 | 757,220 |
| Brickmasons and Blockmasons | Construction Trade Schools | $62,120 | $44,820 | $100,010 | 52,550 |
| Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists | Diesel Mechanic Schools | $61,770 | $44,530 | $88,740 | 289,960 |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers | HVAC Schools | $61,010 | $40,050 | $95,210 | 409,670 |
| Carpenters | Carpentry Schools | $60,580 | $40,410 | $99,910 | 670,090 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | Heavy Equipment Operator Schools | $59,850 | $42,190 | $101,090 | 478,090 |
| Machinists | Machining and CNC Schools | $58,750 | $39,200 | $80,010 | 287,050 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | CDL Schools | $58,640 | $40,140 | $79,380 | 2,062,040 |
| Automotive Body and Related Repairers | Auto Body and Collision Schools | $54,890 | $36,910 | $87,940 | 149,310 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | Welding Schools | $53,750 | $39,240 | $77,530 | 416,210 |
| Solar Photovoltaic Installers | Solar and Wind Technician Schools | $53,140 | $41,600 | $79,970 | 31,350 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators | Machining and CNC Schools | $50,690 | $38,140 | $73,890 | 169,450 |
| Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics | Auto Mechanic Schools | $50,620 | $34,660 | $81,790 | 704,640 |
| Maintenance and Repair Workers, General | Construction Trade Schools | $49,590 | $35,350 | $77,180 | 1,529,700 |
| Construction Laborers | Construction Trade Schools | $47,120 | $35,090 | $78,090 | 1,096,780 |
What drives trade pay
- Licensing. Licensed trades (electrical, plumbing) pay journeyworkers more than helpers and apprentices; the median mixes all of them.
- Overtime and travel. Lineworkers, pipeline welders and over-the-road drivers earn more partly through hours and time away from home.
- Region. Every trade page by state shows that state's BLS median.
- Union coverage and the industry you work in.
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, national estimates for May 2025. BLS OEWS tables.
More guides
- How to choose a trade school
- How much trade school costs
- Apprenticeship vs trade school
- Company-paid CDL training, explained
- ELDT and the FMCSA Training Provider Registry
Sources: IPEDS Completions 2023-24 (C2024_A) and Directory (HD2024), NCES; College Scorecard institution data (2025-26 charges, released Nov 2, 2026) and field-of-study data (Oct 15, 2026); FMCSA Training Provider Registry (as of 2026-11-02); BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Checked 2026-11-02. How we build this list.