Missouri Skilled Trade Salaries & Job Outlook
Trade Industry Insights / Missouri Skilled Trade Salaries & Job Outlook
Quick Takeaways on Trade Pay in Missouri
Missouri’s trade demand follows major transportation corridors and metro regions such as St. Louis and Kansas City. Manufacturing, logistics facilities, and institutional buildings create steady need for electrical, mechanical, and maintenance trades.
- Higher-paying paths on this page: Lineworker, CDL Truck Driver, AV Technician.
- Highest-paying trade in Missouri (from this table): Lineworker ($83,567)
- Typical mid-range trade pay: Median across listed trades is about $55,258 per year.
- Pay range across these trades: About $35,353 separates the highest vs lowest listed trades in Missouri.
- Most stable demand in Missouri: plant maintenance, utility work, and commercial service roles tied to long-standing employers.
- Best way to increase earnings: stay close to facilities work, learn systems end-to-end, and move into troubleshooting rather than installs.
- Top paying trades on this page: Lineworker ($83,567) · CDL Truck Driver ($70,179) · AV Technician ($65,042)
Job Outlook for Skilled Trades in Missouri
Demand is shaped most by a mix of legacy manufacturing, river and rail logistics, and metro-area facilities that prioritize uptime over expansion, plus licensing rules, employer mix, and metro growth.
In Missouri, earnings stability often shows up around logistics and facilities work near major distribution corridors, where long-term operations matter more than short residential builds.
- Outlook: Stable (logistics and facilities)
- What drives demand: a mix of legacy manufacturing, river and rail logistics, and metro-area facilities that prioritize uptime over expansion.
- 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 Missouri
Below is a snapshot of typical pay for popular trades in Missouri. 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 | $25.14 | $1,006 | $4,360 | $52,275 |
| AV Technician | $31.27 | $1,251 | $5,420 | $65,042 |
| Carpenter | $24.50 | $978 | $4,237 | $50,840 |
| CDL Truck Driver | $33.74 | $1,349 | $5,848 | $70,179 |
| CNC Machinist | $23.18 | $927 | $4,018 | $48,214 |
| Construction | $24.60 | $984 | $4,264 | $51,168 |
| Concrete Finisher | $26.97 | $1,079 | $4,675 | $56,098 |
| Diesel Technician | $28.02 | $1,121 | $4,857 | $58,282 |
| Electrician | $29.69 | $1,188 | $5,146 | $61,755 |
| Heavy Equipment | $24.25 | $937 | $4,061 | $48,736 |
| HVAC Technician | $27.26 | $1,092 | $4,734 | $56,803 |
| Industrial Mechanic | $26.94 | $1,078 | $4,670 | $56,041 |
| Ironworker | $25.66 | $1,025 | $4,442 | $53,302 |
| Lineworker | $40.18 | $1,607 | $6,964 | $83,567 |
| Marine Mechanic | $27.87 | $1,115 | $4,831 | $57,927 |
| Mason | $26.19 | $1,048 | $4,539 | $54,475 |
| Plumber | $31.51 | $1,220 | $5,286 | $63,436 |
| Roofer | $23.65 | $946 | $4,099 | $49,192 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $25.03 | $958 | $4,148 | $49,782 |
| Welder | $23.88 | $952 | $4,126 | $49,514 |
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 Missouri Is a Strong State for Trade Careers
Missouri’s trade economy is supported by manufacturing, logistics, utilities, transportation infrastructure, and steady residential and commercial construction. Central geography, major river ports, rail hubs, and interstate corridors drive ongoing demand for electricians, plumbers, HVAC technicians, welders, pipefitters, and construction trades across the state.
Where Trade Demand Is Concentrated
- St. Louis metro area: Manufacturing, utilities, healthcare construction, and infrastructure upgrades.
- Kansas City metro area: Logistics facilities, commercial construction, data centers, and transportation projects.
- Springfield: Manufacturing support, residential construction, and regional service trades.
- Rural Missouri: Ongoing demand for electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and utility maintenance work.
Major Employers and Contractors in Missouri
Tradespeople in Missouri frequently work with employers tied to manufacturing, utilities, and infrastructure, including:
- Boeing (St. Louis) — Aerospace manufacturing supporting electricians, welders, and industrial maintenance trades.
- Ameren Missouri — Electrical utility infrastructure and power generation work.
- Burns & McDonnell — Kansas City–based engineering and construction firm supporting large infrastructure projects.
Union vs Non-Union Trade Paths in Missouri
Missouri offers a balanced mix of union and non-union trade opportunities. Union representation is common on large commercial, manufacturing, and public works projects, while non-union contractors dominate residential construction and service trades.
Union Apprenticeships in Missouri
Union apprenticeship programs are widely used for commercial construction, manufacturing, and infrastructure-focused careers.
- IBEW Local 1 — Electrical apprenticeships serving the St. Louis metro area.
- IBEW Local 124 — Electrical training covering Kansas City and surrounding regions.
- UA Local 562 — Plumbing, pipefitting, and HVAC apprenticeships based in St. Louis.
- SMART Local 2 — Sheet metal and HVAC fabrication apprenticeships serving Missouri.
- Carpenters Local 1827 — Commercial and industrial carpentry training programs.
Ready to start a trade career in Missouri?
Compare accredited trade schools and registered apprenticeships across Missouri.
Missouri Trade Schools & Apprenticeships