Salary Data
Trade Salary Data
Real salary data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. See what electricians, plumbers, HVAC techs, and other trades actually earn—by state, experience level, and metro area.
Salary by Trade
Electrician
Median Salary
$61,590
Entry Level
$37,020
Top 10%
$99,800+
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Plumber
Median Salary
$59,880
Entry Level
$36,700
Top 10%
$99,920+
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HVAC Technician
Median Salary
$57,300
Entry Level
$35,180
Top 10%
$85,400+
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Welder
Median Salary
$47,540
Entry Level
$35,300
Top 10%
$70,230+
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Carpenter
Median Salary
$52,850
Entry Level
$33,770
Top 10%
$84,690+
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Solar Installer
Median Salary
$47,670
Entry Level
$34,700
Top 10%
$63,880+
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Pipefitter
Median Salary
$60,590
Entry Level
$38,120
Top 10%
$98,760+
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Ironworker
Median Salary
$57,160
Entry Level
$36,450
Top 10%
$92,340+
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Machinist
Median Salary
$47,940
Entry Level
$32,450
Top 10%
$68,560+
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Refrigeration Technician
Median Salary
$57,300
Entry Level
$38,450
Top 10%
$84,560+
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Cabinet Maker
Median Salary
$42,980
Entry Level
$30,120
Top 10%
$64,560+
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Roofer
Median Salary
$47,110
Entry Level
$32,340
Top 10%
$72,450+
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Quick Comparison
| Trade | Median | Entry Level | Top 10% | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrician | $61,590 | $37,020 | $99,800 | $29.61/hr |
| Pipefitter | $60,590 | $38,120 | $98,760 | $29.13/hr |
| Plumber | $59,880 | $36,700 | $99,920 | $28.79/hr |
| HVAC Technician | $57,300 | $35,180 | $85,400 | $27.55/hr |
| Refrigeration Technician | $57,300 | $38,450 | $84,560 | $27.55/hr |
| Ironworker | $57,160 | $36,450 | $92,340 | $27.48/hr |
| Carpenter | $52,850 | $33,770 | $84,690 | $25.41/hr |
| Machinist | $47,940 | $32,450 | $68,560 | $23.05/hr |
| Solar Installer | $47,670 | $34,700 | $63,880 | $22.92/hr |
| Welder | $47,540 | $35,300 | $70,230 | $22.86/hr |
| Roofer | $47,110 | $32,340 | $72,450 | $22.65/hr |
| Cabinet Maker | $42,980 | $30,120 | $64,560 | $20.66/hr |
Data source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
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