Highest-Paying Trades in Massachusetts 2026

50 skilled trades tracked in Massachusetts metro areas. The top-paying trade is Construction Manager at $129,499 median salary. Data from BLS OEWS (2025).

#	Trade	Median Salary	Cities	Avg Score
1	Construction Manager	$129,499	1	81
2	Elevator Mechanic	$126,690	1	87
3	Electrical Power-Line Tech	$101,479	1	82
4	Power Line Installer	$98,333	1	82
5	Underwater Welder	$97,912	1	61
6	Pile Driver Operator	$89,432	1	59
7	Steamfitter	$86,351	1	62
8	Crane Operator	$86,242	1	67
9	Building Inspector	$85,936	1	57
10	Aircraft Mechanic	$85,928	1	63
11	Fire Sprinkler Fitter	$85,733	1	69
12	Wind Turbine Technician	$78,075	1	84
13	Industrial Electrician	$78,070	1	66
14	Pipefitter	$77,572	1	63
15	Boilermaker	$77,322	1	49
16	Industrial Machinery Mechanic	$76,425	1	63
17	Electrician	$76,009	1	67
18	Millwright	$75,387	1	59
19	Plumber	$74,304	1	65
20	Carpenter	$73,183	1	51
21	Telecommunications Tech	$72,714	1	60
22	Heavy Equipment Operator	$71,868	1	55
23	Ironworker	$70,882	1	56
24	Refrigeration Mechanic	$70,719	1	64
25	Tool and Die Maker	$69,797	1	40
26	Mason (Bricklayer)	$69,339	1	45
27	HVAC Technician	$68,062	1	69
28	Tile Setter	$66,995	1	45
29	Structural Welder	$66,637	1	53
30	Sheet Metal Worker	$66,514	1	50
31	Drywall Installer	$65,704	1	42
32	Machinist	$65,491	1	47
33	Diesel Mechanic	$65,267	1	52
34	Plasterer	$64,267	1	38
35	Environmental Engineering Tech	$62,965	1	57
36	Concrete Finisher	$62,354	1	48
37	Solar PV Installer	$62,081	1	76
38	Insulation Worker	$62,032	1	51
39	Floor Layer	$61,816	1	43
40	Locksmith	$61,601	1	39
41	Glazier	$60,569	1	45
42	Well Driller	$60,003	1	41
43	Painter (Construction)	$59,939	1	37
44	Maintenance Mechanic	$59,065	1	48
45	Roofer	$58,179	1	44
46	Auto Mechanic	$57,104	1	40
47	Welder	$56,411	1	47
48	Septic Tank Servicer	$54,960	1	38
49	CNC Machine Operator	$54,225	1	39
50	Scaffold Builder	$50,229	1	37

Skilled trade wage data for Massachusetts is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program.
— BLS OEWS (2025)

Frequently Asked Questions

Construction Manager is the highest-paying skilled trade in Massachusetts with a median salary of $129,499 across 1 metro areas.

We track 50 skilled trades across metro areas in Massachusetts using Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data.

The Trade Pay Score (0-100, A-F) rates each trade-city combination on median wage vs. household income (30%), 5-year wage growth (25%), job demand (25%), and cost-of-living adjusted pay (20%).

Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS

Trades ranked by median salary across metro areas in the state. Trade Pay Score: wage vs. household income (30%), 5-year growth (25%), job demand (25%), COL-adjusted pay (20%).

Best-Paying Trades Nationwide →All Trade Data for Massachusetts →