New Jersey Skilled Trade Salaries & Job Outlook
Trade Industry Insights / New Jersey Skilled Trade Salaries & Job Outlook
Quick Takeaways on Trade Pay in New Jersey
New Jersey’s trade market is compressed, dense, and deadline-driven. Tight sites, heavy traffic corridors, and commercial facilities push demand toward experienced service trades and crews that can work efficiently in occupied buildings rather than open construction zones.
- Higher-paying paths on this page: Lineworker, CDL Truck Driver, AV Technician.
- Highest-paying trade in New Jersey (from this table): Lineworker ($90,357)
- Typical mid-range trade pay: Median across listed trades is about $59,665 per year.
- Pay range across these trades: About $38,336 separates the highest vs lowest listed trades in New Jersey.
- Most stable demand in New Jersey: building systems service (HVAC/electrical/plumbing) for apartments, hospitals, and commercial properties that can’t tolerate downtime.
- Best way to increase earnings: lean into code-driven commercial work (controls, service diagnostics, inspections) where specialization actually moves the pay needle.
- Top paying trades on this page: Lineworker ($90,357) · CDL Truck Driver ($75,816) · AV Technician ($70,282)
Job Outlook for Skilled Trades in New Jersey
Demand is shaped most by high-density commercial corridors from North Jersey into the shore, plus constant rehab/retrofit work in older building stock, plus licensing rules, employer mix, and metro growth.
New Jersey wages tend to rise fastest in dense commercial zones, where regulatory requirements and complex systems favor experienced, specialized service trades.
- Outlook: Strong (dense commercial markets)
- What drives demand: high-density commercial corridors from North Jersey into the shore, plus constant rehab/retrofit work in older building stock.
- 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 New Jersey
Below is a snapshot of typical pay for popular trades in New Jersey. 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 | $27.16 | $1,086 | $4,710 | $56,515 |
| AV Technician | $33.77 | $1,352 | $5,857 | $70,282 |
| Carpenter | $26.44 | $1,058 | $4,583 | $54,995 |
| CDL Truck Driver | $36.45 | $1,458 | $6,318 | $75,816 |
| CNC Machinist | $25.01 | $1,000 | $4,335 | $52,021 |
| Construction | $26.54 | $1,062 | $4,600 | $55,203 |
| Concrete Finisher | $29.10 | $1,164 | $5,044 | $60,528 |
| Diesel Technician | $30.20 | $1,208 | $5,235 | $62,816 |
| Electrician | $31.96 | $1,278 | $5,539 | $66,477 |
| Heavy Equipment | $26.08 | $1,027 | $4,446 | $53,358 |
| HVAC Technician | $29.44 | $1,178 | $5,106 | $61,274 |
| Industrial Mechanic | $29.10 | $1,164 | $5,045 | $60,541 |
| Ironworker | $27.73 | $1,110 | $4,807 | $57,686 |
| Lineworker | $43.44 | $1,738 | $7,530 | $90,357 |
| Marine Mechanic | $30.08 | $1,203 | $5,213 | $62,567 |
| Mason | $28.27 | $1,131 | $4,900 | $58,802 |
| Plumber | $33.86 | $1,333 | $5,775 | $69,303 |
| Roofer | $25.27 | $1,011 | $4,380 | $52,562 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $26.76 | $1,045 | $4,529 | $54,353 |
| Welder | $25.60 | $1,018 | $4,409 | $52,912 |
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 New Jersey Is a Strong State for Trade Careers
New Jersey is a high-demand trade state because it packs major infrastructure, dense housing, ports, and industrial facilities into a small footprint. Between constant commercial build-outs, year-round service work, transit projects, and coastal resiliency upgrades, the state consistently needs electricians, plumbers, HVAC techs, ironworkers, welders, and construction crews—especially in North Jersey and along the I-95 corridor.
Where Trade Demand Is Concentrated
- North Jersey / Newark–Jersey City corridor: Commercial construction, high-rise work, transit upgrades, and constant service demand keep electrical, HVAC, plumbing, and fire protection trades busy.
- Port + warehouse belt: Port Newark–Elizabeth and the surrounding logistics/warehouse buildout drives electrical, low-voltage, HVAC, sprinkler/pipefitting, and industrial maintenance work.
- Central Jersey: Healthcare, education, and large mixed-use projects support steady mechanical and electrical demand.
- Shore and flood-resiliency work: Coastal weather drives ongoing repair, elevation, retrofit, and storm-hardening work—plus heavy HVAC replacement cycles.
Major Employers and Contractors in New Jersey
Because New Jersey is a hub for port/logistics, utilities, and large institutional projects, tradespeople commonly run into major contractors and employers like:
- PSE&G — Utility infrastructure work and long-term demand for electrical and line-related trades (including contractor networks).
- Turner Construction — Large commercial and institutional projects in NJ metros and the NYC/NJ market.
- Skanska — Major infrastructure and complex commercial projects in the region.
Union vs Non-Union Trade Paths in New Jersey
New Jersey offers strong union apprenticeship pipelines—especially for large commercial, infrastructure, transit, and industrial work—while non-union routes are common in residential construction and service trades. The best path depends on whether you want structured training and negotiated benefits, or faster entry and flexibility with a specific employer.
Union Apprenticeships in New Jersey
Union programs are a major advantage in New Jersey because they connect directly to high-value project types (commercial builds, refits, industrial facilities, transit, and major public works). Common union pathways include:
- IBEW Local 102 — Major electrical local serving a large portion of NJ (and parts of the region), tied into commercial/industrial demand.
- IBEW Local 164 — Northern NJ electrical work with strong commercial/industrial presence.
- UA Local 24 — Plumbers/pipefitters/HVAC-related training tied to large mechanical work in NJ.
- SMART Local 25 — Sheet metal/HVAC fabrication and installation pathways serving NJ/NYC market work.
- New Jersey Regional Council of Carpenters — Carpenters apprenticeship network supporting commercial and heavy construction across NJ.
Ready to start a trade career in New Jersey?
Compare accredited trade schools and registered apprenticeships across New Jersey.
New Jersey Trade Schools & Apprenticeships