10 Eye-Opening Skilled Trade Facts

While many college grads are burdened with debt, skilled trades offer high earnings, job security, and career growth without a four-year degree. The May 2025 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) release from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reveal some surprising, and motivating, facts.

A note on methodology. “Skilled trades” is not a single BLS category. Throughout this post we cite the specific BLS Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) major group behind each fact:

• 47-0000 Construction and Extraction Occupations
• 49-0000 Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations
• 51-0000 Production Occupations
• Specific detailed SOC codes (for example, 11-9021 Construction Managers) where named

All figures are from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) state and national files, May 2025 release.

Here’s what the data says, plus tips to help you turn these facts into career advantages.

1. Alaska Has the Highest Median Wage for Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Trades ($74,780 in May 2025)

Source: BLS OEWS state file, major group 49-0000 (Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations). Why it matters: Location can make a big difference in pay. Alaska’s remote worksites, union strength, and high cost of living help drive wages higher. Career Tip: If you’re open to relocation, targeting high-demand states like Alaska or Washington can lift earnings well above the national median.

2. Puerto Rico Reports the Lowest Median Wage in 49-0000 ($27,650)

Source: BLS OEWS state file, major group 49-0000. Why it matters: That’s less than half the national 49-0000 median of $59,620, showing the importance of researching local wage trends before committing to a market. Career Tip: Consider upgrading your skills or certifications to work in higher-paying regions if possible.

3. Texas Leads in Skilled Trade Employment (About 2.01 Million Workers)

Source: BLS OEWS state file, sum of major groups 47-0000, 49-0000, and 51-0000, May 2025. Why it matters: More jobs mean more opportunities, especially in construction, manufacturing, and energy. California is a close second at about 1.96 million. Career Tip: Even in high-cost states, demand can outweigh competition if you have in-demand certifications. Related Guide: Trade Careers in Texas

4. The U.S. Virgin Islands Have the Smallest Skilled Trade Workforce (About 3,750 Workers)

Source: BLS OEWS state file, sum of major groups 47-0000, 49-0000, and 51-0000, May 2025. Why it matters: Small markets can mean fewer job openings, but also less competition for niche roles. Career Tip: In small markets, networking and personal reputation can be your biggest job-getting tools.

5. Top-Paying Skilled-Trade Role: Construction Managers in New York ($155,360 Median)

Source: BLS OEWS state file, SOC 11-9021 Construction Managers, May 2025. Why it matters: Leadership roles pay big, especially in complex or high-cost markets. Washington ($155,070) and Massachusetts ($145,010) are close behind. Career Tip: If you’re in the trades now, consider management training, it can move pay well into six figures.

6. Largest Skilled-Trade Major Group: Construction and Extraction (About 6.43 Million Jobs)

Source: BLS OEWS national file, major group 47-0000, May 2025. Why it matters: These jobs, electricians, heavy equipment operators, welders, are the heart of the construction workforce. The Installation, Maintenance, and Repair major group is close behind at 6.09 million jobs. Career Tip: Demand in these roles means more job security and room for advancement.

7. New York’s Construction Managers Have the Largest Wage Gap ($158,340 Between 10th and 90th Percentile)

Source: BLS OEWS state file, SOC 11-9021 Construction Managers, May 2025 (10th percentile $86,250 to 90th percentile $244,590). Why it matters: The difference between entry-level and top earners is massive, showing how experience, certifications, and project scale impact pay. Career Tip: Target certifications like PMP (Project Management Professional) or OSHA leadership training to move up the pay ladder.

8. Guam Has the Highest Concentration of Construction and Extraction Jobs (Location Quotient 2.69)

Source: BLS OEWS state file, major group 47-0000 location quotient, May 2025. Why it matters: A location quotient of 2.69 means Guam’s share of construction and extraction jobs is roughly 2.7 times the U.S. average. Among U.S. states, Wyoming leads in Installation, Maintenance, and Repair concentration (LQ 1.58, major group 49-0000). Career Tip: Areas with high trade concentrations often have stronger union presence and better job stability.

9. National Median Wage for 49-0000 Trades: $59,620 per Year

Source: BLS OEWS national file, major group 49-0000 (Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations), May 2025. Why it matters: This is meaningfully above the $50,980 median for all U.S. occupations, and most of these trades can be entered in under two years of training. Career Tip: Use this number as a benchmark when negotiating your pay.

10. Skilled Trades Employ Over 21 Million People Nationwide

Source: BLS OEWS national file, sum of major groups 47-0000, 49-0000, and 51-0000, May 2025 (6.43M + 6.09M + 8.57M = 21.08M). Why it matters: This is one of the largest segments of the U.S. economy, and demand is projected to stay strong as older workers retire. Career Tip: The best time to start is now, many trades offer paid apprenticeships that let you earn while you learn.

Quick Reference: Highest Median Wages by State, Installation/Maintenance/Repair Trades (May 2025)

The five highest-paying states for BLS major group 49-0000 (Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations), per the May 2025 OEWS state file:

These are the BLS-published median annual wages for the entire 49-0000 major occupational group in each state. They reflect the typical “middle” wage for trades like electricians’ helpers, HVAC technicians, industrial machinery mechanics, lineworkers, automotive technicians, and similar installation, maintenance, and repair occupations.

Why You Should Pay Attention

These facts aren’t just trivia, they’re a career roadmap. If you choose the right state, the right trade, and the right certifications, you can build a strong career with solid earnings.

Next Step: Find the Best Trade Schools in Your State to start your skilled trades journey.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. May 2025 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), National and State Data (XLSX). Retrieved from the BLS OEWS Data Explorer and State Data Files. Specific BLS Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) major groups cited inline: 47-0000 (Construction and Extraction), 49-0000 (Installation, Maintenance, and Repair), 51-0000 (Production), and SOC 11-9021 (Construction Managers).