Grade C Trades, Fair (2024)
Average trades with moderate pay and growth. Decent options but not standout performers.
Grade C Trades
| Rank | Trade | Category | Median | Score | 5yr Growth | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boilermaker | Industrial | $89,510 | 53 | +-1% | 2,500 |
| 2 | Pile Driver Operator | Heavy Equipment | $87,644 | 56 | +4% | 1,070 |
| 3 | Building Inspector | Management | $75,182 | 56 | +1% | 63,540 |
| 4 | Crane Operator | Heavy Equipment | $75,123 | 60 | +4% | 16,150 |
| 5 | Millwright | Industrial | $72,209 | 62 | +6% | 11,870 |
| 6 | Ironworker | Structural | $70,146 | 54 | +4% | 5,830 |
| 7 | Plumber | Plumbing | $69,782 | 64 | +6% | 189,520 |
| 8 | Pipefitter | Plumbing | $69,782 | 64 | +6% | 189,520 |
| 9 | Fire Sprinkler Fitter | Plumbing | $69,782 | 64 | +6% | 189,520 |
| 10 | Steamfitter | Plumbing | $69,782 | 61 | +6% | 189,520 |
| 11 | Heavy Equipment Operator | Heavy Equipment | $68,475 | 58 | +4% | 160,130 |
| 12 | Sheet Metal Worker | Metalwork | $67,236 | 56 | +4% | 45,860 |
| 13 | Telecommunications Tech | Electrical | $66,876 | 55 | +1% | 63,360 |
| 14 | Diesel Mechanic | Automotive | $64,435 | 58 | +5% | 107,570 |
| 15 | Environmental Engineering Tech | Specialty | $63,192 | 60 | +5% | 3,820 |
| 16 | HVAC Technician | HVAC | $62,556 | 63 | +6% | 157,240 |
| 17 | Refrigeration Mechanic | HVAC | $62,556 | 61 | +6% | 157,240 |
| 18 | Carpenter | Construction | $61,080 | 53 | +2% | 299,230 |
| 19 | Concrete Finisher | Construction | $60,072 | 51 | +2% | 84,630 |
| 20 | Glazier | Construction | $58,622 | 56 | +8% | 26,230 |
| 21 | Welder | Welding | $54,982 | 53 | +4% | 124,810 |
| 22 | Structural Welder | Welding | $54,982 | 53 | +4% | 124,810 |
| 23 | Underwater Welder | Welding | $54,982 | 51 | +4% | 124,810 |
| 24 | Maintenance Mechanic | Industrial | $51,020 | 50 | +4% | 627,680 |
Frequently Asked Questions
A Grade C (Fair) Trade Pay Score indicates average trades with moderate pay and growth. decent options but not standout performers. The score is a composite of median wage vs. metro income, 5-year wage growth, job demand, and cost-of-living-adjusted pay.
There are 24 trades with a Grade C Trade Pay Score, representing approximately 2,966,460 total jobs. The average median salary for Grade C trades is $66,667.
Grade C trades offer moderate career prospects. They can be good options depending on your local market, personal interest, and willingness to specialize.
Wage data from BLS OEWS 2024. Trade Pay Scores are a composite of median wage vs. metro income, wage growth, job demand, and COL-adjusted pay.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES, 2026.