Skilled trade pay rates: 10 trades compared

Median hourly pay for 10 skilled trades across 25 US metros, from BLS OEWS May 2025. Pick a trade to see where it pays best.

Electricians

SOC 47-2111

Median pay across metros: $24.43–$50.53/hr

Top metro: Portland, OR at $50.53/hr

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

Median pay across metros: $25.00–$49.70/hr

Top metro: Chicago, IL at $49.70/hr

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

HVAC Technicians

SOC 49-9021

Median pay across metros: $24.30–$38.51/hr

Top metro: Seattle, WA at $38.51/hr

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

Welders

SOC 51-4121

Median pay across metros: $23.18–$31.85/hr

Top metro: Seattle, WA at $31.85/hr

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

Carpenters

SOC 47-2031

Median pay across metros: $23.44–$42.89/hr

Top metro: San Francisco, CA at $42.89/hr

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

Median pay across metros: $22.54–$36.55/hr

Top metro: San Francisco, CA at $36.55/hr

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

Median pay across metros: $20.88–$30.58/hr

Top metro: San Francisco, CA at $30.58/hr

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

Roofers

SOC 47-2181

Median pay across metros: $21.02–$39.47/hr

Top metro: Chicago, IL at $39.47/hr

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

Median pay across metros: $17.13–$23.57/hr

Top metro: Boston, MA at $23.57/hr

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

Median pay across metros: $21.82–$30.59/hr

Top metro: San Francisco, CA at $30.59/hr

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

Don't see your trade?

We started with the 10 most common skilled trades. If enough workers ask for another, we will add it — the BLS tracks hundreds of occupations.