Salaries for skilled trades rising, especially in Michigan
Photo by Timur Shakerzianov on Unsplash.
New wage data shows that skilled-trade pay is rising unevenly across the country — and Michigan stands out.
Construction Coverage released three companion reports that break down wages for the country’s most in-demand trades: plumbers, electricians, and carpenters.
Each report ranks cities and states using the latest federal wage data, including median pay, employment concentration, and regional cost-of-living context, allowing readers to compare how different trades stack up within the same local market.
Key Takeaways
- Skilled trades are outpacing the broader job market. Plumbers and carpenters are projected to grow about 50% faster than the overall U.S. job market, while electrician jobs are expected to grow three times faster than average, driven by electrification, infrastructure upgrades, and data-center expansion.
- Pay rivals (and often beats) white-collar jobs — without a four-year degree. Median annual pay sits around $63K for plumbers and electricians and $59K for carpenters, putting all three trades well above the national median wage for U.S. workers.
- Plumbers, electricians, and carpenters in Michigan: After adjusting for cost of living, Michigan ranks among the top 10 best-paying states in the nation for plumbers, electricians, and carpenters.
