Skilled trades continue to stand out as one of the most accessible, reliable, and financially rewarding career paths in the United States. Unlike many four-year degree programs, trade careers allow workers to enter the field quickly—often in under two years—while benefiting from lower training costs and the ability to earn income early. As construction, transportation, energy, industrial maintenance, and infrastructure projects expand nationwide, wages in the trades have steadily risen, especially in states experiencing workforce shortages or rapid economic growth.
This report breaks down the highest-paying states for ten major skilled trades and highlights where wage opportunities, job demand, and long-term stability are strongest. Each trade listed below is linked to a dedicated career guide on TradeSchoolDudes.com, where students and career changers can explore training paths, certifications, apprenticeships, and job outlooks in more detail.
Highest-Paying States for Each Skilled Trade
The table below shows the states where each skilled trade earns the strongest average wages nationwide.
These ranges reflect combined data from state labor market sources, industry wage surveys, and regions where compensation is consistently above the national median.
| Trade |
Top-Paying States |
Average Annual Wage |
| Electricians |
California, Alaska, New York, New Jersey |
$70K–$85K |
| Plumbers |
Alaska, California, Massachusetts, New York |
$68K–$82K |
| Carpenters |
Alaska, Massachusetts, Washington, California |
$65K–$78K |
| HVAC Technicians |
Alaska, California, Washington, New York |
$60K–$74K |
| Welders |
Alaska, North Dakota, California, Louisiana |
$58K–$72K |
| Heavy Equipment Operators |
Alaska, Nevada, Washington, New York |
$60K–$75K |
| Roofers |
Hawaii, Illinois, California, Massachusetts |
$55K–$68K |
| Painters |
Alaska, New York, California, Washington |
$52K–$65K |
| Brickmasons & Masons |
Illinois, Massachusetts, Alaska, New York |
$60K–$77K |
| Diesel Mechanics |
Alaska, California, Washington, Nevada |
$62K–$78K |
Average Annual Wage Comparison by Trade
The chart below compares the lower and upper ends of typical annual wage ranges for each skilled trade across the highest-paying states.
Why These States Top the List
Several states consistently appear across the highest-paying lists. This isn’t random—these regions share economic factors that drive wages upward, including:
- High union participation in construction and industrial trades
- Large-scale infrastructure projects requiring skilled labor
- Energy and resource extraction industries (Alaska, North Dakota, Louisiana)
- Higher cost-of-living markets that push wage floors upward (California, New York, New Jersey)
- Worker shortages that increase employer competition for talent
Together, these factors make certain states national leaders in compensation, especially for electricians, plumbers, heavy equipment operators, mechanics, and welders.
Top Trades Across the U.S. (Employment, Pay & Demand)
Beyond wages, each trade shows different employment concentrations and long-term hiring needs.
Some thrive in energy-producing regions, while others grow fastest in coastal states or rapidly expanding Sun Belt metros.
| Trade |
Top Employment States |
Highest Pay States |
Per-Capita Leaders |
High-Demand Regions |
| Electricians |
California, Texas, Florida, New York, Ohio |
California, Alaska, New York, New Jersey |
Alaska, Oregon, Washington, D.C. |
Texas, Florida, the Midwest |
| Plumbers |
California, Texas, Florida, Illinois, New York |
Massachusetts, Alaska, New York, Oregon |
Alaska, Vermont, Maine |
Florida, Texas, Georgia, Arizona |
| Carpenters |
California, Texas, Florida, New York, Illinois |
Hawaii, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Illinois |
Vermont, Maine, Oregon |
Oregon, Washington, Colorado, North Carolina |
| HVAC Technicians |
Florida, California, Texas, New York, North Carolina |
Alaska, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Washington |
Montana, Wyoming, Idaho |
Arizona, Nevada, Texas, Georgia |
| Welders |
Texas, California, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Louisiana |
Alaska, North Dakota, Wyoming, Washington |
Louisiana, Wyoming, Alaska |
Texas, Oklahoma, North Dakota, Louisiana |
| Heavy Equipment Operators |
Texas, California, Florida, New York |
Alaska, Nevada, Washington |
Wyoming, Alaska, North Dakota |
Transport & utility infrastructure hubs |
| Roofers |
Florida, Texas, California, New York |
Hawaii, Illinois, California |
Florida, Arizona |
Storm-prone & high-growth regions |
| Painters |
California, Texas, Florida, New York |
Alaska, New York, California |
Hawaii, Montana |
Nationwide demand |
| Brickmasons & Masons |
Texas, Florida, New York, Ohio |
Illinois, Massachusetts, Alaska |
West Virginia, Kentucky |
Infrastructure & restoration markets |
| Diesel Mechanics |
Texas, California, Florida, Ohio |
Alaska, California, Washington |
Wyoming, North Dakota |
Logistics-heavy Southern & Midwestern regions |
Data Sources & Methodology
Wage and employment data in this report are compiled from:
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
- State workforce agencies and labor market dashboards
- Union wage sheets and regional prevailing wage data
- Industry reports and high-paying metro wage ranges
Wage ranges shown represent blended averages across high-paying states and may include
union rates, metro premiums, cost-of-living adjustments, and publicly reported employer wage data.
FAQ: Skilled Trade Salaries by State
What is the highest-paying skilled trade in the U.S.?
Electricians, plumbers, diesel mechanics, and heavy equipment operators consistently rank among the highest-paid trades across most states.
Which state pays the most overall for skilled trades?
Alaska ranks highly across almost every trade due to its resource industries, strong union presence, and higher wages needed to attract out-of-state workers.
Do cost-of-living differences affect trade wages?
Yes. States such as California, New York, and Hawaii have higher wage floors, while energy states like North Dakota and Louisiana pay more due to demand and specialized work.
Where are skilled trades most in demand?
The Sun Belt (Texas, Florida, Georgia, Arizona), the Pacific Northwest, and industrial Midwest show long-term demand because of population growth, logistics, and infrastructure expansion.
Is apprenticeship or trade school better for getting started?
Both work. Many high-paying trades—such as electricians, plumbers, and welders—offer apprenticeships that allow workers to earn while training.
Where to Learn More
To explore training options near you, visit:
The skilled trades continue to offer some of the strongest earning potential and long-term job security in the modern workforce. Whether choosing a traditional trade school or a paid apprenticeship, workers can build stable, high-paying careers in any state across the country.
Top-Paying States by Trade (Quick Look)
| Trade |
Highest Paying State |
Typical Salary |
| Electricians |
Alaska |
$85K |
| Plumbers |
Massachusetts |
$82K |
| Welders |
Alaska |
$72K |
| HVAC Technicians |
Hawaii |
$74K |
| Heavy Equipment Operators |
Alaska |
$75K |
| Diesel Mechanics |
Alaska |
$78K |