How to Become a Construction Trades Worker in Michigan (2026)
Michigan employs about 28,490 construction trades workers earning a median $49,590 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Most construction trades workers train through a trade school program or a registered apprenticeship before entering the field in Michigan.
Key Facts
- Median wage (Michigan): $49,590/yr (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
- Employed in Michigan: 28,490 workers (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
- Location quotient: 0.92x U.S. average (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
- Projected growth: 7.3% (2024-2034) (Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024)
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Compare Construction Trades Worker Schools in Michigan
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washtenaw Community College | 54.4 | Contact school for pricing | $52,304 | Not reported | Yes* | 83 mi |
| 2 | Henry Ford College | 53.9 | Contact school for pricing | $54,466 | 14% | Yes* | 95 mi |
| 3 | Lansing Community College | 48.5 | Contact school for pricing | $56,314 | 24% | Yes* | 34 mi |
| 4 | Muskegon Community College | 47.2 | Contact school for pricing | $47,476 | 30% | Yes* | 78 mi |
| 5 | Delta College | 46.8 | $4,820 - $13,541 | $52,169 | 21% | Yes* | 40 mi |
| 6 | Grand Rapids Community College | 41.4 | Contact school for pricing | $49,887 | 20% | Yes* | 55 mi |
| 7 | Mott Community College | 38.0 | $6,845 - $15,460 | $52,696 | 26% | Yes* | 50 mi |
| 8 | Michigan Career and Technical Institute | 31.2 | Contact school for pricing | $30,769 | Not reported | — | 74 mi |
Schools closest to the page's primary location are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the page's primary location is shown for reference. The BOC Score is an independent measure of school outcomes (graduation, earnings, net price, retention) expressed as a 0–100 percentile within each school's peer group; higher is better and advertising never affects it. *Online availability refers to coursework; hands-on trade training is completed in person. Read the full methodology.
Michigan employs approximately 28,490 construction trades workers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $49,590 1. Nationally, construction trades worker employment is projected to grow 7.3% from 2024 to 2034, with about 129,400 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a Construction Trades Worker in Michigan, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Median wage (Michigan): $49,590 per year 1
Quick Answers About How to Become a Construction Trades Worker in Michigan
How to become a Construction Trades Worker in Michigan? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for construction trades workers in Michigan.
How long does it take? Most paths into the construction trades worker field take 1 to 5 years, depending on whether you complete a trade school program, a registered apprenticeship, or a combination of both.
What do construction trades workers earn in Michigan? The median annual wage for construction trades workers in Michigan is $49,590 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $37,220 and experienced professionals can earn $69,890 or more 1.
How to Become a Construction Trades Worker in Michigan
- Finish high school or earn a GED. Most Michigan training programs and registered apprenticeships require a high school diploma or GED to enroll.
- Complete a training program or apprenticeship. Enroll in an approved trade school program or a registered apprenticeship in Michigan that combines classroom instruction with supervised hands-on hours.
- Gain supervised work experience. Build documented on-the-job hours under a qualified supervisor; confirm the exact total currently required with the licensing board.
- Meet state and employer requirements. Confirm any registration, certification, or employer requirements that apply to construction trades workers in Michigan before you start working.
Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.
Construction Trades Worker Apprenticeship Information in Michigan
Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years. Michigan’s apprenticeship program is administered by the Michigan Workforce Development - Registered Apprenticeship 3.
Contact Information:
- Office: Mott Community College - Apprenticeship Program
- Address: 1401 E. Court St., Flint, MI 48503-2089
- Phone: (810) 762-0200
- Email: [email protected]
Construction Trades Worker Wages by Metro Area in Michigan
Construction Laborers Wages by Metro Area in Michigan
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), construction laborers wages in Michigan vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn | 11,610 | $57,430 | $55,960 | $38,590 | $72,520 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood | 3,990 | $47,780 | $51,510 | $37,580 | $66,570 |
| Lansing-East Lansing | 1,450 | $57,570 | $54,700 | $37,430 | $69,040 |
| Flint | 980 | $57,170 | $55,910 | $37,760 | $80,970 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka | 800 | $50,870 | $55,760 | $36,910 | $86,160 |
| Traverse City | 740 | $48,400 | $50,660 | $37,020 | $62,370 |
| Kalamazoo-Portage | 620 | $51,380 | $54,000 | $37,360 | $66,900 |
| Saginaw | 540 | $49,000 | $49,770 | $31,200 | $64,990 |
| Ann Arbor | 510 | $50,910 | $54,190 | $38,230 | $70,790 |
| Michigan City-La Porte | 430 | $58,240 | $57,160 | $36,350 | $78,260 |
| Jackson | 340 | $48,130 | $48,550 | $32,000 | $61,830 |
| Monroe | 330 | $51,200 | $53,300 | $37,100 | $71,580 |
| Niles | 290 | $46,530 | $48,370 | $34,880 | $62,290 |
| Midland | 270 | $48,790 | $54,120 | $38,690 | $67,120 |
| Muskegon-Norton Shores | 270 | $47,010 | $49,830 | $36,880 | $63,520 |
| Bay City | 250 | $47,360 | $48,330 | $32,900 | $61,290 |
| Battle Creek | 220 | $56,700 | $53,660 | $39,380 | $65,000 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for construction trades workers in Michigan? Michigan currently employs approximately 28,490 construction trades workers 1. Nationally, construction trades worker employment is projected to grow 7.3% from 2024 to 2034 2.
What training programs are available in Michigan? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Michigan. You can also contact the Michigan Workforce Development - Registered Apprenticeship for apprenticeship opportunities.
How much do construction trades workers earn in Michigan compared to the national average? The median annual wage for construction trades workers in Michigan is $49,590, which is $2,860 above the national median of $46,730 according to BLS data 1.
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Citations
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Michigan Workforce Development - Registered Apprenticeship: https://www.apprenticeship.gov/ ↩︎
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |