Pennsylvania Skilled Trade Salaries & Job Outlook
Trade Industry Insights / Pennsylvania Skilled Trade Salaries & Job Outlook
Quick Takeaways on Trade Pay in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania rarely clears the slate and starts fresh. Much of the trade economy revolves around updating, repairing, and adapting older industrial sites, utilities, and commercial buildings—work that rewards experience over speed.
- Higher-paying paths on this page: Lineworker, CDL Truck Driver, AV Technician.
- Highest-paying trade in Pennsylvania (from this table): Lineworker ($89,228)
- Typical mid-range trade pay: Median across listed trades is about $58,933 per year.
- Pay range across these trades: About $37,852 separates the highest vs lowest listed trades in Pennsylvania.
- Most stable demand in Pennsylvania: industrial maintenance, utility work, and service trades in aging buildings that always need repair and modernization.
- Best way to increase earnings: target employers with long maintenance budgets (plants, utilities, campuses) and stack certs that match their systems.
- Top paying trades on this page: Lineworker ($89,228) · CDL Truck Driver ($74,880) · AV Technician ($69,368)
Job Outlook for Skilled Trades in Pennsylvania
Demand is shaped most by old infrastructure meets constant replacement—Philly/Pittsburgh metros plus utilities and manufacturing in between, plus licensing rules, employer mix, and metro growth.
Pennsylvania earnings reflect aging infrastructure, where repair and upgrade work often provides steadier income than new construction.
- Outlook: Stable (aging infrastructure)
- What drives demand: old infrastructure meets constant replacement—Philly/Pittsburgh metros plus utilities and manufacturing in between.
- 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 Pennsylvania
Below is a snapshot of typical pay for popular trades in Pennsylvania. 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 | $26.82 | $1,073 | $4,651 | $55,766 |
| AV Technician | $33.35 | $1,334 | $5,781 | $69,368 |
| Carpenter | $26.12 | $1,045 | $4,528 | $54,330 |
| CDL Truck Driver | $36.00 | $1,440 | $6,240 | $74,880 |
| CNC Machinist | $24.70 | $988 | $4,281 | $51,376 |
| Construction | $26.22 | $1,049 | $4,545 | $54,538 |
| Concrete Finisher | $28.75 | $1,150 | $4,983 | $59,800 |
| Diesel Technician | $29.84 | $1,194 | $5,172 | $62,067 |
| Electrician | $31.59 | $1,264 | $5,476 | $65,707 |
| Heavy Equipment | $25.77 | $1,011 | $4,380 | $52,561 |
| HVAC Technician | $29.08 | $1,165 | $5,049 | $60,590 |
| Industrial Mechanic | $28.74 | $1,150 | $4,983 | $59,792 |
| Ironworker | $27.39 | $1,095 | $4,745 | $56,944 |
| Lineworker | $42.90 | $1,716 | $7,436 | $89,228 |
| Marine Mechanic | $29.71 | $1,188 | $5,149 | $61,802 |
| Mason | $27.92 | $1,117 | $4,839 | $58,074 |
| Plumber | $33.46 | $1,312 | $5,686 | $68,237 |
| Roofer | $25.00 | $1,000 | $4,333 | $52,000 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $26.47 | $1,032 | $4,473 | $53,675 |
| Welder | $25.31 | $1,007 | $4,364 | $52,371 |
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 Pennsylvania Is a Strong State for Trade Careers
Pennsylvania has one of the deepest skilled-trade labor markets in the country, driven by aging infrastructure, dense urban construction, healthcare systems, utilities, and legacy manufacturing. The state’s older building stock and continued public investment create steady demand for electricians, plumbers, HVAC technicians, pipefitters, welders, and maintenance trades across multiple sectors.
Where Trade Demand Is Concentrated
- Philadelphia metro: Large-scale commercial construction, healthcare facilities, universities, and public infrastructure projects drive continuous demand for licensed trades.
- Pittsburgh: Industrial redevelopment, utilities, healthcare systems, and advanced manufacturing support electrical, mechanical, and pipe trades.
- Allentown–Bethlehem–Easton: Warehouse development, logistics facilities, and manufacturing maintenance work.
- Statewide: Aging residential and municipal infrastructure keeps service and retrofit trades consistently busy.
Major Employers and Contractors in Pennsylvania
Tradespeople in Pennsylvania often work with long-established contractors, utilities, and institutional employers, including:
- Turner Construction (Pennsylvania operations) — Commercial, healthcare, and institutional projects.
- UPMC — Healthcare facilities requiring ongoing electrical, HVAC, and mechanical maintenance.
- PECO Energy Company — Utility infrastructure and electrical system work across eastern Pennsylvania.
Union vs Non-Union Trade Paths in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania is one of the most union-dense states in the country for construction and mechanical trades. Union labor dominates large commercial, healthcare, institutional, and public works projects, particularly in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. Non-union work remains more common in residential construction and smaller private projects.
Union Apprenticeships in Pennsylvania
Union apprenticeship programs in Pennsylvania are highly structured and often tied directly to large employers, prevailing-wage projects, and long-term career pipelines:
- IBEW Local 98 — Philadelphia-area electricians supporting commercial, transit, and institutional projects.
- IBEW Local 5 — Pittsburgh electrical apprenticeships tied to utilities and industrial construction.
- UA Local 690 — Plumbers and pipefitters serving eastern Pennsylvania industrial and municipal systems.
- UA Local 449 — Pipefitting and HVAC apprenticeships in western Pennsylvania.
- SMART Local 12 — Sheet metal fabrication and HVAC-related training across the Philadelphia region.
Ready to start a trade career in Pennsylvania?
Compare accredited trade schools and registered apprenticeships across Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania Trade Schools & Apprenticeships