Trades Salaries (2025)
Compare salaries across 5 trades roles. National median pay, total employment, and links to city-by-city breakdowns.
The Trades category covers 5 BLS-tracked occupations.
Each role page in the Trades category breaks wage data down by metropolitan area and reports the full p25-p90 percentile distribution. The percentile data is the most useful framing for individual wage comparisons — the median alone hides the distribution within a role.
Trades Roles by Salary
| Rank | Role | SOC Code | Median Salary | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Plumber | 47-2152 | $69,663 | 282,530 |
| 2 | Electrician | 47-2111 | $69,189 | 459,620 |
| 3 | Carpenter | 47-2031 | $60,398 | 407,300 |
| 4 | Welder | 51-4121 | $56,053 | 181,670 |
| 5 | Automotive Technician | 49-3023 | $54,808 | 398,610 |
Frequently Asked Questions
The highest paying trades role is Plumber with a national median salary of $69,663. This is based on 2025 BLS occupational wage data across all tracked metro areas.
There are approximately 1,729,730 trades positions across 5 roles tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The average median salary across all trades roles is $62,022.
Trades roles have an average median salary of $62,022. The highest paid role (Plumber) earns $69,663, while the lowest starts at $54,808. Pay varies significantly by specific role, city, and experience level.
Salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. Roles grouped by BLS occupational category.
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2026.