Highest-Paying Trades in Michigan 2026

50 skilled trades tracked in Michigan metro areas. The top-paying trade is Elevator Mechanic at $108,274 median salary. Data from BLS OEWS (2025).

#	Trade	Median Salary	Cities	Avg Score
1	Elevator Mechanic	$108,274	1	89
2	Construction Manager	$103,783	1	83
3	Power Line Installer	$85,790	1	90
4	Underwater Welder	$81,669	1	70
5	Electrical Power-Line Tech	$81,167	1	90
6	Aircraft Mechanic	$80,116	1	75
7	Pile Driver Operator	$72,359	1	66
8	Boilermaker	$69,644	1	61
9	Fire Sprinkler Fitter	$69,558	1	77
10	Steamfitter	$69,093	1	70
11	Crane Operator	$68,748	1	75
12	Wind Turbine Technician	$66,382	1	95
13	Ironworker	$64,916	1	68
14	Electrician	$64,745	1	77
15	Building Inspector	$64,713	1	63
16	Industrial Machinery Mechanic	$64,110	1	73
17	Industrial Electrician	$64,024	1	76
18	Telecommunications Tech	$63,282	1	72
19	Pipefitter	$62,517	1	72
20	Millwright	$61,610	1	68
21	Refrigeration Mechanic	$61,359	1	75
22	Carpenter	$61,203	1	62
23	Plumber	$61,084	1	76
24	HVAC Technician	$60,268	1	82
25	Tool and Die Maker	$59,677	1	52
26	Drywall Installer	$57,398	1	55
27	Mason (Bricklayer)	$55,754	1	56
28	Diesel Mechanic	$55,569	1	65
29	Sheet Metal Worker	$55,260	1	61
30	Well Driller	$55,236	1	56
31	Structural Welder	$54,320	1	63
32	Heavy Equipment Operator	$53,257	1	63
33	Insulation Worker	$52,996	1	63
34	Maintenance Mechanic	$52,996	1	62
35	Machinist	$52,203	1	59
36	Floor Layer	$52,114	1	55
37	Glazier	$51,967	1	57
38	Environmental Engineering Tech	$51,857	1	67
39	Auto Mechanic	$50,828	1	52
40	Locksmith	$49,634	1	49
41	Plasterer	$49,383	1	46
42	Welder	$49,210	1	59
43	Painter (Construction)	$48,562	1	47
44	Septic Tank Servicer	$48,268	1	50
45	Tile Setter	$48,005	1	51
46	Concrete Finisher	$47,934	1	56
47	Solar PV Installer	$47,056	1	84
48	Roofer	$46,234	1	52
49	CNC Machine Operator	$43,408	1	47
50	Scaffold Builder	$43,224	1	47

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Elevator Mechanic is the highest-paying skilled trade in Michigan with a median salary of $108,274 across 1 metro areas.

We track 50 skilled trades across metro areas in Michigan 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 Michigan →