Maine Skilled Trade Salaries & Job Outlook
Trade Industry Insights / Maine Skilled Trade Salaries & Job Outlook
Quick Takeaways on Trade Pay in Maine
Maine’s trade demand is shaped by an aging housing stock, rural utilities, and long travel distances between job sites. Heating, electrical, and retrofit-focused service work tends to be more reliable than large-scale new construction, especially outside coastal areas.
- Higher-paying paths on this page: Lineworker, CDL Truck Driver, AV Technician.
- Highest-paying trade in Maine (from this table): Lineworker ($86,222)
- Typical mid-range trade pay: Median across listed trades is about $56,972 per year.
- Pay range across these trades: About $36,531 separates the highest vs lowest listed trades in Maine.
- Most stable demand in Maine: service and maintenance work keeping existing buildings, utilities, and systems operational.
- Best way to increase earnings: become the go-to fixer—diagnostic ability in aging systems often pays better than new installs.
- Top paying trades on this page: Lineworker ($86,222) · CDL Truck Driver ($72,384) · AV Technician ($67,080)
Job Outlook for Skilled Trades in Maine
Demand is shaped most by older infrastructure, dispersed populations, and a strong need for upkeep over replacement, plus licensing rules, employer mix, and metro growth.
Maine trade earnings are shaped by seasonality and housing age, with retrofit and maintenance skills often producing steadier income than new builds.
- Outlook: Seasonal (service-heavy winters)
- What drives demand: older infrastructure, dispersed populations, and a strong need for upkeep over replacement.
- Where it’s hottest: major metros + fast-growing corridors (varies by trade).
- Biggest pay factors: experience, union coverage, licensing, overtime, and employer type.
Average Skilled Trade Pay in Maine
Below is a snapshot of typical pay for popular trades in Maine. Click a trade name to explore training paths, licensing steps, and career details.
Note: Some trades can rank high across many states due to national labor demand and standardized pay structures, but the exact pay levels still vary by state and metro area.
| Trade | Avg Hourly | Avg Weekly | Avg Monthly | Avg Annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Automotive Technician | $25.93 | $1,037 | $4,494 | $53,938 |
| AV Technician | $32.25 | $1,290 | $5,590 | $67,080 |
| Carpenter | $25.26 | $1,010 | $4,378 | $52,541 |
| CDL Truck Driver | $34.80 | $1,392 | $6,032 | $72,384 |
| CNC Machinist | $23.89 | $955 | $4,141 | $49,691 |
| Construction | $25.36 | $1,014 | $4,396 | $52,749 |
| Concrete Finisher | $27.80 | $1,111 | $4,815 | $57,784 |
| Diesel Technician | $28.87 | $1,155 | $5,004 | $60,050 |
| Electrician | $30.58 | $1,223 | $5,301 | $63,606 |
| Heavy Equipment | $24.96 | $973 | $4,217 | $50,602 |
| HVAC Technician | $28.11 | $1,126 | $4,881 | $58,572 |
| Industrial Mechanic | $27.78 | $1,111 | $4,817 | $57,799 |
| Ironworker | $26.47 | $1,058 | $4,587 | $55,042 |
| Lineworker | $41.45 | $1,658 | $7,185 | $86,222 |
| Marine Mechanic | $28.74 | $1,149 | $4,980 | $59,727 |
| Mason | $27.00 | $1,080 | $4,680 | $56,160 |
| Plumber | $32.43 | $1,264 | $5,476 | $65,718 |
| Roofer | $24.29 | $972 | $4,210 | $50,523 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $25.70 | $997 | $4,320 | $51,843 |
| Welder | $24.55 | $984 | $4,263 | $51,152 |
Wage figures are estimates and can vary by experience level, metro area, union status, and employer.
About this table: wage data sources and methodology.
Why Maine Is a Strong State for Trade Careers
Maine’s trade economy is driven by residential construction, infrastructure maintenance, utilities, shipbuilding, and energy projects. An aging housing stock, rural service needs, and ongoing public works investment continue to support steady demand for electricians, plumbers, HVAC technicians, carpenters, welders, and heavy equipment operators across the state.
Where Trade Demand Is Concentrated
- Portland metro area: Residential construction, commercial renovation, electrical, HVAC, and plumbing services.
- Bangor region: Utilities, healthcare facilities, and regional construction projects.
- Bath–Midcoast: Shipbuilding, metal fabrication, and industrial maintenance.
- Statewide rural areas: Ongoing demand for service trades, especially electrical, plumbing, and HVAC.
Major Employers and Contractors in Maine
Tradespeople in Maine commonly work with employers tied to construction, shipbuilding, and utilities, including:
- Bath Iron Works — Major shipbuilding employer supporting welders, electricians, pipefitters, and metal trades.
- Central Maine Power — Electrical utility infrastructure and lineworker-related trades.
- Cianbro — Maine-based construction and industrial contractor working on commercial and infrastructure projects.
Union vs Non-Union Trade Paths in Maine
Maine offers both union and non-union trade routes. Union representation is common on larger commercial, industrial, and public works projects, while non-union contractors dominate residential construction and service trades.
Union Apprenticeships in Maine
Union apprenticeship programs are most often associated with commercial construction, utilities, shipbuilding, and public infrastructure work.
- IBEW Local 1253 — Electrical apprenticeships serving much of central and southern Maine.
- IBEW Local 567 — Electrical training covering eastern and northern Maine.
- UA Local 716 — Plumbing, pipefitting, and HVAC apprenticeships based in Maine.
- SMART Local 17 — Sheet metal and HVAC fabrication training serving New England, including Maine.
- Carpenters Local 1996 — Commercial and residential carpentry apprenticeships.
Ready to start a trade career in Maine?
Compare accredited trade schools and registered apprenticeships across Maine.
Maine Trade Schools & Apprenticeships