Highest-Paying Trades in Wisconsin 2026

50 skilled trades tracked in Wisconsin metro areas. The top-paying trade is Construction Manager at $103,583 median salary. Data from BLS OEWS (2025).

#	Trade	Median Salary	Cities	Avg Score
1	Construction Manager	$103,583	1	83
2	Elevator Mechanic	$95,647	1	89
3	Power Line Installer	$91,683	1	90
4	Electrical Power-Line Tech	$91,187	1	90
5	Underwater Welder	$84,645	1	69
6	Aircraft Mechanic	$74,970	1	71
7	Building Inspector	$71,196	1	64
8	Pipefitter	$69,089	1	73
9	Steamfitter	$68,959	1	68
10	Fire Sprinkler Fitter	$67,892	1	75
11	Telecommunications Tech	$67,636	1	71
12	Crane Operator	$66,628	1	72
13	Pile Driver Operator	$66,570	1	62
14	Electrician	$66,341	1	76
15	Industrial Electrician	$66,054	1	75
16	Boilermaker	$62,668	1	57
17	Tool and Die Maker	$62,663	1	52
18	Wind Turbine Technician	$61,382	1	91
19	Carpenter	$61,073	1	60
20	Ironworker	$60,368	1	65
21	Plumber	$59,307	1	74
22	Millwright	$58,913	1	65
23	Heavy Equipment Operator	$58,389	1	63
24	Industrial Machinery Mechanic	$58,078	1	69
25	Mason (Bricklayer)	$57,729	1	55
26	HVAC Technician	$57,122	1	79
27	Diesel Mechanic	$56,188	1	64
28	Sheet Metal Worker	$55,229	1	58
29	Glazier	$54,290	1	57
30	Environmental Engineering Tech	$53,793	1	67
31	Refrigeration Mechanic	$53,734	1	70
32	Well Driller	$53,668	1	53
33	Machinist	$53,383	1	57
34	Structural Welder	$53,382	1	61
35	Floor Layer	$51,458	1	51
36	Plasterer	$51,041	1	46
37	Drywall Installer	$50,595	1	50
38	Tile Setter	$49,971	1	49
39	Maintenance Mechanic	$49,798	1	56
40	Locksmith	$49,778	1	45
41	Insulation Worker	$48,861	1	57
42	Septic Tank Servicer	$48,844	1	48
43	Welder	$48,469	1	57
44	Concrete Finisher	$47,192	1	52
45	Auto Mechanic	$46,362	1	46
46	Roofer	$46,312	1	50
47	Solar PV Installer	$46,122	1	80
48	Painter (Construction)	$43,455	1	41
49	CNC Machine Operator	$42,983	1	45
50	Scaffold Builder	$41,658	1	43

Skilled trade wage data for Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin with a median salary of $103,583 across 1 metro areas.

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