Highest-Paying Trades in Missouri 2026

50 skilled trades tracked in Missouri metro areas. The top-paying trade is Construction Manager at $110,565 median salary. Data from BLS OEWS (2025).

#	Trade	Median Salary	Cities	Avg Score
1	Construction Manager	$110,565	2	83
2	Elevator Mechanic	$98,798	2	89
3	Electrical Power-Line Tech	$86,359	2	90
4	Power Line Installer	$81,742	2	89
5	Underwater Welder	$80,000	2	69
6	Aircraft Mechanic	$69,694	2	70
7	Pile Driver Operator	$67,441	2	63
8	Building Inspector	$67,155	2	64
9	Pipefitter	$65,806	2	73
10	Fire Sprinkler Fitter	$65,685	2	75
11	Wind Turbine Technician	$63,494	2	93
12	Steamfitter	$63,328	2	67
13	Industrial Electrician	$62,608	2	75
14	Plumber	$62,456	2	76
15	Boilermaker	$61,847	2	57
16	Crane Operator	$61,483	2	71
17	Electrician	$58,702	2	74
18	Ironworker	$58,556	2	66
19	Telecommunications Tech	$58,347	2	70
20	Millwright	$56,993	2	66
21	Sheet Metal Worker	$56,694	2	61
22	Tool and Die Maker	$55,963	2	49
23	Industrial Machinery Mechanic	$55,746	2	69
24	HVAC Technician	$55,430	2	79
25	Heavy Equipment Operator	$53,798	2	62
26	Diesel Mechanic	$53,641	2	63
27	Carpenter	$53,116	2	58
28	Refrigeration Mechanic	$53,039	2	70
29	Plasterer	$51,687	2	47
30	Well Driller	$50,823	2	52
31	Drywall Installer	$50,377	2	50
32	Mason (Bricklayer)	$50,352	2	52
33	Structural Welder	$49,964	2	59
34	Auto Mechanic	$49,343	2	49
35	Environmental Engineering Tech	$48,838	2	64
36	Tile Setter	$48,418	2	50
37	Machinist	$48,090	2	54
38	Welder	$47,938	2	58
39	Glazier	$47,199	2	53
40	Solar PV Installer	$46,866	2	82
41	Maintenance Mechanic	$46,797	2	56
42	Insulation Worker	$46,346	2	57
43	Roofer	$46,053	2	51
44	Concrete Finisher	$45,869	2	53
45	Septic Tank Servicer	$44,916	2	46
46	Floor Layer	$44,844	2	47
47	Locksmith	$43,854	2	43
48	Painter (Construction)	$43,602	2	43
49	Scaffold Builder	$42,096	2	45
50	CNC Machine Operator	$41,549	2	45

Skilled trade wage data for Missouri 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 Missouri with a median salary of $110,565 across 2 metro areas.

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