§ 03 Trade wages
What home trades earn where you live
OEWS reports what employers pay these workers per hour. A contractor’s bill also covers the business: insurance, licensing, vehicles, tools, office staff, warranty callbacks, unbilled travel time and profit. The wage is a floor for understanding a quote, never a price.
| Trade | US median | 25th–75th | US workers | Metros with reliable data |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electricians Install, maintain and repair wiring, panels, fixtures and controls. | $30.38/hr | $23.76–$40.36 | 757,220 | 374 |
| Plumbers Install and repair water supply, drain and gas piping, fixtures and water heaters. | $30.67/hr | $24.13–$40.92 | 465,840 | 334 |
| HVAC technicians Install, service and repair furnaces, air conditioners, heat pumps and ductwork. | $29.33/hr | $23.25–$37.05 | 409,670 | 350 |
| Roofers Install and repair roof coverings, flashing and underlayment. | $26.65/hr | $22.24–$31.44 | 135,490 | 154 |
| Carpenters Frame, install and repair wood structures, doors, windows, trim, decks and cabinets. | $29.12/hr | $23.32–$36.94 | 670,090 | 346 |
| Painters Prepare surfaces and apply paint, stain and coatings inside and out. | $23.75/hr | $21.46–$29.65 | 225,190 | 225 |
| General maintenance and repair workers Handle small repairs across trades: fixtures, drywall, doors, minor plumbing and electrical. | $23.84/hr | $19.64–$30.10 | 1,529,700 | 392 |
| Landscaping workers Plant, mow, trim and maintain yards, and install irrigation and hardscape with crews. | $18.82/hr | $17.40–$22.52 | 952,640 | 386 |
BLS OEWS May 2025 · national and metropolitan files“Reliable” = mean relative standard error at most 5% and at least 100 workers, computed at ingest.