The Most Overworked vs. Best Paid Trades (Hours Worked vs Salary)

Some trades look great on paper until you realize the paycheck is built on 55–60 hour weeks. Others quietly pay solid money for a relatively normal 40–45 hour schedule. If you’re comparing trade careers, you shouldn’t just ask, “How much does it pay?” You should also ask, “How many hours do I have to work to earn it?”

This guide looks at hours worked versus pay across key trades, including:

• Average weekly hours (typical schedule, not just the extreme overtime stories)
• Overtime trends and where long weeks are most common
• Estimated pay per hour vs pay per week, using realistic national ranges

Note: All figures below are rounded, national-level estimates based on typical full-time schedules and wage ranges. Actual hours and pay vary by state, union contracts, and specialization.

Why Hours Matter Just as Much as Salary

Two trades can both advertise “$80,000 per year,” but the lifestyle behind those numbers may be completely different:

• An industrial electrician working 50–55 hours a week with regular overtime in plants and factories.
• A commercial HVAC tech doing mostly 40–45 hour weeks with occasional emergency calls.

On paper, the pay looks similar. But if one person earns that income in 40–45 hours and another earns it in 55–60, their effective hourly rate and quality of life are totally different.

Average Weekly Hours & Pay by Trade (Estimates)

The table below shows estimated averages for full-time workers in common skilled trades. These are typical ranges for experienced workers, not entry-level apprentices.

Trade	Approx. Median Pay	Typical Weekly Hours	Estimated Pay per Hour	Notes
Lineman (Power Line Installer) (Guide)	$80,000–$95,000	50–55 hrs	$28–$35/hr (base), more with OT	High pay but long weeks, storm work, travel, and frequent overtime.
Aviation Mechanic (Guide)	$65,000–$80,000	45–50 hrs	$27–$32/hr	Shift work at airports and hangars; overtime around maintenance cycles and peak travel seasons.
Industrial Maintenance Technician (Guide)	$60,000–$75,000	45–50 hrs	$25–$30/hr	Plant shutdowns and 24/7 facilities often lead to longer shifts and on-call rotations.
Electrician (Guide)	$60,000–$75,000	42–48 hrs	$25–$32/hr	Residential and commercial work see steady overtime during busy seasons and big projects.
Plumber (Guide)	$58,000–$72,000	42–48 hrs	$24–$30/hr	Emergency calls, weekend work, and new construction drive both overtime and pay.
HVAC Technician (Guide)	$55,000–$70,000	40–46 hrs	$23–$30/hr	Seasonal spikes (heat waves, cold snaps) can add overtime, but many techs stay close to 40–45 hours.
Diesel Mechanic (Guide)	$55,000–$70,000	42–48 hrs	$23–$30/hr	Fleet shops and truck repair centers often run long shifts and nights to keep trucks on the road.
Heavy Equipment Operator (Guide)	$55,000–$70,000	45–50 hrs	$23–$28/hr	Construction and infrastructure projects may run dawn-to-dusk schedules with overtime built in.
Welder (Guide)	$48,000–$65,000	42–48 hrs	$21–$27/hr	Shop welders may stay close to 40 hours; field and pipeline welders often work much more with high OT pay.
CNC Machinist (Guide)	$45,000–$60,000	40–45 hrs	$20–$26/hr	Many work regular shifts in manufacturing plants with optional overtime, not mandatory.
Carpenter (Guide)	$48,000–$62,000	42–48 hrs	$22–$27/hr	Hours spike around big builds and tight deadlines; weather can cut or extend work weeks.
Roofer (Guide)	$45,000–$58,000	45–50 hrs (seasonal)	$20–$25/hr	Fast-paced, physically demanding work; long summer weeks and shorter off-season periods.
Mason / Brickmason (Guide)	$50,000–$65,000	42–48 hrs	$22–$28/hr	Steady hours on commercial and infrastructure projects; weather and union rules shape schedules.
Sheet Metal Worker (Guide)	$55,000–$70,000	40–46 hrs	$24–$30/hr	Many enjoy strong union contracts with predictable hours and premium overtime rates.
Concrete / Cement Worker (Guide)	$45,000–$60,000	45–50 hrs (project-based)	$20–$26/hr	Pours and finishing work often run long days; short bursts of intense work followed by slower weeks.
CDL Truck Driver (Long-Haul) (Guide)	$52,000–$75,000	55–70 hrs (on duty)	$20–$27/hr (effective)	FMCSA rules limit driving hours, but on-duty time (waiting, loading, paperwork) can make weeks very long.
Marine Mechanic (Guide)	$50,000–$65,000	40–46 hrs	$22–$28/hr	Busy boating seasons mean more hours; off-season work often more stable and close to 40 hrs.
Construction (Skilled Labor) (Guide)	$45,000–$60,000	44–50 hrs	$20–$26/hr	Big projects and overtime are common; some crews run 6-day weeks at peak times.
Ironworker (Guide)	$58,000–$75,000	45–50 hrs	$24–$30/hr	High-risk work at height; overtime and hazard pay can significantly boost weekly checks.

Most Overworked Trades (Long Hours, Heavy Overtime)

While almost any trade can have busy seasons, some are consistently associated with very long weeks and frequent overtime:

• CDL Truck Drivers (long-haul) – 55–70 on-duty hours isn’t unusual when you factor in driving, waiting at docks, loading/unloading, and paperwork. Pay can look strong annually, but the effective hourly rate may be lower than people expect.
• Lineman – Base schedules may be reasonable, but storm work and emergency repairs can turn into 60–80 hour weeks with call-outs in bad weather. The upside: overtime often pays extremely well.
• Heavy Equipment Operators & Concrete Workers – Big infrastructure or highway projects often run long days to hit deadlines, especially during good weather.
• Roofers – In peak season or after major storms, crews may work early mornings until evening, sometimes six days per week.

If you’re okay with long weeks and physically demanding work, these fields often offer strong weekly checks and opportunities to stack overtime. But if you value consistency and free time, they may feel “overworked” relative to the pay.

Best Paid per Hour (High Pay Without Extreme Hours)

On the other end of the spectrum, some trades pay solid wages without requiring 55–60 hours every week. These careers often offer the best balance between hourly pay and weekly workload:

• Aviation Mechanics – Many work stable 40–45 hour shifts with clear schedules, and overtime is often optional rather than mandatory.
• Electricians & Plumbers (established) – Journey-level and master-level tradespeople commonly hit $30+/hr with 40–45 hours per week. Self-employed electricians and plumbers can earn even more while controlling their schedules.
• Industrial Maintenance & Sheet Metal Workers – Plant and union shop roles often have predictable shifts plus premium overtime pay for nights, weekends, or emergencies—without nonstop 60-hour weeks.
• HVAC Techs in good shops – While summers and winters can be wild, many HVAC techs work a very normal 40–45 hour week the rest of the year.

If your priority is max pay per hour instead of max total hours, targeting trades like electrician, industrial maintenance, sheet metal, aviation mechanic, and HVAC is often a smart move.

Overtime Trends: Who Lives on OT vs. Who Uses It as a Bonus

Not all overtime is created equal. In some trades, overtime is how you reach a decent paycheck; in others, it’s a lucrative bonus on top of already strong hourly pay.

Trades Where Overtime Is “Baked In”

• CDL Trucking – Long weeks are part of the job. If you don’t want to live on the road or work irregular hours, this can feel like permanent overtime.
• Road & Civil Construction (operators, concrete, laborers) – Many contractors run long shifts during good weather and major projects; winter can be slower.
• Storm or Emergency Response Roles (linemen, some electricians and tree crews) – Extraordinary money during disaster events, but the hours can be brutal.

Trades Where Overtime Is More “Optional Bonus”

• Shop Welders & CNC Machinists – Many manufacturing roles offer OT to those who want it but don’t require 50+ hours every week.
• Plant-Based Industrial Maintenance – Rotating shifts and on-call schedules exist, but some techs choose lower overtime in exchange for more predictable hours.
• Union Sheet Metal & Electrical Work – Good contracts can mean strong base pay plus time-and-a-half or double-time when you choose to pick up extra hours.

Pay per Week vs Pay per Hour: Who Really Wins?

When you stack everything together, the “overworked vs best paid” picture looks something like this:

Trade	Typical Weekly Hours	Strongest Advantage	Potential Drawback
Lineman	50–55 (spikes higher in storms)	Very high weekly pay; top earners can clear six figures.	Physically risky, weather-exposed, long and unpredictable hours.
Aviation Mechanic	45–50	Strong pay per hour with shift stability and clear career ladders.	Certification requirements and shift work (nights/weekends) at some employers.
Electrician	42–48	High hourly rates, good mix of residential/commercial/industrial paths.	Busy seasons and big projects can push long weeks.
Plumber	42–48	Strong pay, great self-employment potential, constant demand.	Emergency calls, nights, and weekends can cut into family time.
HVAC Technician	40–46 (higher in weather extremes)	Solid pay, strong job security, many steady 40–45 hour roles.	Summer and winter rush can mean long hot or cold days.
Diesel Mechanic	42–48	Stable work, fleets always need repairs, overtime often available.	Evening/night shifts and weekends common at some employers.
CDL Truck Driver	55–70 on duty	Big weekly checks possible; travel if you enjoy the road.	Very long weeks, time away from home, fatigue, lifestyle strain.
Heavy Equipment Operator	45–50	Good pay for non-degree work; big projects can be very lucrative.	Seasonal; long days in heat, cold, or dust.
CNC Machinist	40–45	Predictable hours, plant work, optional overtime.	Pay can plateau without moving into programming or supervision.
Welder	42–48 (much higher in field work)	High earning potential in niche or high-risk environments.	Repetitive strain, burns, fumes, and sometimes very long shifts.

How to Calculate Your Own Real Hourly Rate

If you want to compare offers or trades properly, it helps to run the numbers yourself. Here’s a simple way to estimate your real hourly rate for any job:

• Step 1: Take your total yearly pay (including realistic overtime you actually expect to work).
• Step 2: Estimate your average weekly hours, including on-call time and unpaid “hurry up and wait” time.
• Step 3: Multiply weekly hours by 52 to get your total hours per year.
• Step 4: Divide your yearly pay by your total yearly hours.

Example: A job pays $70,000 per year, but you average 50 hours per week.

• Total hours per year ≈ 50 × 52 = 2,600
• Real hourly rate ≈ $70,000 ÷ 2,600 ≈ $26.90/hour

Now compare that to a $60,000 job at 40 hours per week:

• Total hours per year ≈ 40 × 52 = 2,080
• Real hourly rate ≈ $60,000 ÷ 2,080 ≈ $28.85/hour

On paper, $70,000 looks better — but per hour, the $60,000 job actually wins. This is why understanding hours is so important when you’re comparing trades.

How to Choose the Right Trade Based on Hours & Pay

When you’re picking a trade, don’t just look at the salary number on a website. Ask yourself:

• Do I want maximum money, even if it means long weeks?
  
  Then consider: lineman, CDL trucking, heavy equipment, road construction, and certain industrial roles.
• Do I want a strong hourly rate with more typical 40–45 hour weeks?
  
  Then consider: electrician, plumber, HVAC, aviation mechanic, sheet metal, industrial maintenance, and CNC machining.
• Do I want high overtime potential I can say yes/no to?
  
  Look at union trades, plant-based maintenance, and shop-based welding/machining where OT is offered but not mandatory.

Next Steps: Compare Trades Before You Commit

The sweet spot for most people is a trade that pays well and doesn’t burn you out with nonstop 60-hour weeks. That usually means:

• Strong hourly pay at or above $25–$30/hr once you’re established
• Typical weeks around 40–45 hours, with OT available but not required
• Clear pathways to specialization, foreman/supervisor roles, or self-employment

To dig deeper into what each trade looks like in the real world—training length, certifications, pay, and day-to-day work—check out these step-by-step guides:

• How to Become an Electrician
• How to Become a Plumber
• How to Become an HVAC Technician
• How to Become a Welder
• How to Become a Diesel Mechanic
• How to Become an Aviation Mechanic
• How to Become a Heavy Equipment Operator
• How to Become a Lineman
• How to Become a Commercial Truck Driver

The more you understand the balance between hours worked, overtime expectations, and true hourly pay, the easier it is to choose a trade that fits your lifestyle—not just your paycheck.