Trade Jobs Salary: How Much Do High-Demand Trade Roles in Each State Pay?
Learn what you could earn as a skilled professional in the trades
In today’s dynamic and ever-changing job landscape, high-demand home construction trades are among the most secure and indispensable roles in the country. From skilled electricians maintaining our electrical systems to HVAC technicians keeping our buildings comfortable, tradespeople are the backbone of our infrastructure. So, how much do high-demand home construction trade jobs pay in each state? We analyzed compensation data on five top trade roles to determine trade jobs salary averages by state.
Electrician
Average Salary: $53,852
Electricians are skilled professionals who install, maintain, and repair electrical systems and equipment. They’re responsible for important home repair tasks, such as ensuring safe and proper wiring, diagnosing and resolving malfunctions, and mitigating issues that could lead to power outages and electrical fires.
With an annual salary of $70,423—over $16,000 above the national average—New York pays the highest for electrician roles. Given that the state encompasses the largest city in America, this comes as no surprise. Behind New York, the second- and third-highest earners hail from New Jersey and Wisconsin at an average salary of about $60,000. At the low end of the salary spectrum, electricians in Arkansas earn $44,584, a salary that’s nearly $10,000 below the average, with North Carolina and Kentucky not far behind. Idaho, Nebraska, Texas, Missouri, Louisiana, and Michigan provide an average salary of $49,000 or below.
Home Inspector
Average Salary: $55,429
Home inspectors thoroughly examine various components of a residential home like its roof, plumbing, foundation, heating and cooling systems, insulation, and more. A local home inspection service provides potential buyers or current homeowners with a comprehensive understanding of a property’s structural integrity, safety, and system functionalities.
With an average salary of $69,184, New York takes the top spot for highest-paying home inspector roles. California follows closely with an average salary of $68,264. These states have the largest and second-largest cities in the U.S., so home inspector roles are clearly in high demand. The lowest average salary comes from Arkansas with $45,907, falling nearly $10,000 below the norm, with North Carolina and Kentucky providing similar numbers. Interestingly, the lowest-earning states for home inspectors mirror those for electricians.
HVAC Technician
Average Salary: $52,665
An HVAC technician specializes in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems, ensuring indoor comfort and proper air quality. HVAC technicians near you install, maintain, and repair HVAC equipment, troubleshoot issues, and perform tasks such as calibrating thermostats and inspecting ductwork.
At $62,321, the highest-paying HVAC roles are in Minnesota, with similar numbers for Nevada and Massachusetts. Hot and cold temperature extremes in these states likely contribute to the demand. Again, Florida takes the lowest-paying spot with an average of $41,994, with Alabama and West Virginia not far ahead.
Construction Manager
Average Salary: $87,786
A construction manager oversees and coordinates the various aspects of construction projects, from planning and budgeting to execution. A construction management service can help to manage schedules, allocate resources, and ensure projects finish on time, within budget, and in compliance with quality standards and safety regulations.
As the highest-paying trade role on this list, construction managers in the top six above-average states earn six-figure salaries. New Jersey takes the top spot overall with a salary of $105,911, with Wisconsin, Nevada, Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Oregon not far behind. At the low end, construction managers in Florida earn an average of $70,101, with similar numbers in Alabama and West Virginia.
Plumber
Average Salary: $56,590
A plumber is a skilled professional responsible for installing, repairing, and maintaining plumbing systems in residential, commercial, and industrial settings. Local plumbers diagnose issues, perform repairs, install new fixtures, pipes, and appliances, and ensure the safety and proper functionality of plumbing systems.
The highest-paying plumber salary goes to Nevada, with an average of $69,976—over $13,000 higher than the national average. Oregon is a close second with an average of $69,254. As with construction manager salaries, Florida, Alabama, and West Virginia are at the bottom for plumbers. Florida plumber salaries are the lowest at $45,656 (nearly $11,000 below the norm), with similar numbers for Alabama, West Virginia, and Louisiana.
Methodology:
This data was sourced through ZipRecruiter.com's "Average Salary" finder from February 24, 2023 to March 26, 2023.