Skilled Trade Salary Comparison (2025)
Updated April 13, 2025 | Brad Fishbein
Skilled trades continue to offer some of the most stable, high-demand, and well-paying careers in the U.S. With rising labor shortages and increased demand for infrastructure and clean energy, wages for licensed tradespeople are climbing year over year.
We compiled the latest 2025 wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and trade licensing boards across the country.
Below is a breakdown of median salaries for popular trades—and what you can expect to earn as an apprentice, journeyman, or master-level technician.
2025 Skilled Trade Salary Table (U.S. Median)
| Trade | Apprentice Salary | Journeyman Salary | Master/Top 10% Salary | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrician | $38,000 | $61,590 | $90,000+ | BLS1 |
| HVAC Technician | $36,000 | $51,390 | $78,000+ | BLS1 |
| Plumber | $39,000 | $59,880 | $95,000+ | BLS1 |
| Welder | $35,000 | $47,010 | $70,000+ | BLS1 |
| Carpenter | $33,000 | $48,260 | $72,000+ | BLS1 |
| Solar Installer | $34,000 | $48,880 | $80,000+ | BLS1 |
| Mold Inspector | $40,000 | $60,000 | $85,000+ | Industry Avg2 |
Salaries vary by state, specialization, union affiliation, and experience level. Licensed tradespeople with additional certifications or business ownership can exceed $100K+ annually.
Top-Paying States for Skilled Trades (2025)
| State | Avg Electrician Salary | Avg HVAC Salary | Avg Plumber Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $76,200 | $62,300 | $72,450 |
| Alaska | $75,850 | $61,000 | $73,190 |
| New York | $74,980 | $60,750 | $71,800 |
| Washington | $73,120 | $59,200 | $70,910 |
| Illinois | $71,300 | $58,450 | $69,500 |
Want to see your state? Check out our State Licensing Pages for local salary breakdowns and licensing steps.
Which Skilled Trades Make the Most in 2025?
Top earners in these trades consistently surpass six figures:
- Electrical Contractors (owning their business)
- HVAC Specialists (working in commercial systems or controls)
- Plumbing Contractors (with gas-fitting or medical gas certs)
- Welders (in pipeline, shipbuilding, or nuclear sectors)
- Solar Designers & Lead Installers (in high-growth markets)
If you're willing to specialize, relocate, or build your own business, the earning ceiling is even higher.
Want to Increase Your Earning Potential?
Here’s how:
- Get licensed in a high-demand state
- Add special certifications (e.g., EPA 608, OSHA 30, medical gas)
- Join a union or work on prevailing wage projects
- Start your own contracting business
Explore by Trade
- Electrician Salary Guide
- HVAC Tech Salary Guide
- Plumber Salary Guide
- Welder Salary Guide
- Solar Technician Salary Guide
- Mold Inspector Salary Guide
Citations
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Meet the author: Brad Fishbein is a Florida Licensed Mold Assessor and council-certified Microbial Investigator. He’s the founder of TradeCareerPath.com and has completed over 5,000 mold inspections since 2009. Brad now helps homeowners and tradespeople make smart decisions about mold, licensing, and skilled career paths.
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