Where Skilled Trades Are Growing Fastest: Pay, Openings, and Outlook by State
Compare wages, projected annual openings, workforce size, growth, and job concentration for 12 hands-on careers across all 50 states and Washington, DC.
Data updated July 24, 2026 | May 2025 wages | 2024–2034 projections
Quick answer
There is no single best state for skilled trades. The answer changes with the occupation and the metric. A state with the highest wage may not have the most openings, the largest workforce, or the fastest growth.
This comparison keeps raw pay, relative pay, current employment, projected annual openings, annualized growth, net job growth, and occupational concentration separate so you can rank the factor that matters to you.
Important: Projected annual openings are estimates across the 2024–2034 projection period, not current job postings. Relative pay compares a trade’s median wage with the same state’s all-occupations median; it is not a cost-of-living adjustment.
What the data shows
Texas dominates workforce size
Texas has the largest current workforce for nine of the 12 occupations studied.
Texas also leads openings
Texas has the most projected annual openings for eight of the 12 occupations.
Raw pay and relative pay disagree
Illinois leads relative pay for electricians, HVAC technicians, and plumbers, even though other jurisdictions lead their raw-wage rankings.
California is the electrician giant
California leads electrician projected annual openings at 8,650 and net job growth at about 1,210 jobs per year.
Florida is the HVAC heavyweight
Florida leads HVAC employment, projected annual openings, and net jobs added per year.
Fast growth is not always a huge market
Colorado leads annualized growth for electricians, HVAC technicians, and mobile heavy equipment mechanics.
Versioned findings: These rankings can change when wage estimates or state projections are updated.
Compare skilled trades by state
Start with the complete electrician ranking below, or load the data to switch occupations, explore one state, or compare two states.
Skip the comparison toolState and trade comparison tool
Loading the full comparison dataset. The electrician table below already works without it.
Electrician rankings by projected annual openings
All 50 states and Washington, DC. May 2025 employment and wages; 2024–2034 projections.
| State and rank | Median annual pay | Relative pay | Current workforce | Projected annual openings | Annualized growth | Net jobs added/year | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank 1 California | $76,160 | 1.31x | 73,310 | 8,650 | 1.40% | 1,210 | 0.83 |
| Rank 2 Texas | $58,570 | 1.20x | 76,770 | 8,100 | 1.36% | 1,102 | 1.12 |
| Rank 3 Florida | $57,250 | 1.20x | 49,700 | 5,920 | 1.78% | 1,013 | 1.03 |
| Rank 4 New York | $78,750 | 1.32x | 40,130 | 5,680 | 0.80% | 482 | 0.85 |
| Rank 5 Ohio | $64,700 | 1.31x | 28,950 | 2,920 | 0.75% | 235 | 1.07 |
| Rank 6 Arizona | $61,060 | 1.22x | 21,140 | 2,820 | 2.31% | 593 | 1.34 |
| Rank 7 North Carolina | $56,800 | 1.18x | 21,640 | 2,590 | 0.99% | 268 | 0.90 |
| Rank 8 Virginia | $62,900 | 1.13x | 23,630 | 2,560 | 0.88% | 234 | 1.18 |
| Rank 9 Washington | $95,220 | 1.51x | 19,380 | 2,490 | 0.63% | 160 | 1.12 |
| Rank 10 Michigan | $76,270 | 1.55x | 23,530 | 2,450 | 0.55% | 148 | 1.10 |
| Rank 11 Illinois | $99,560 | 1.92x | 23,120 | 2,380 | 0.93% | 232 | 0.78 |
| Rank 12 Colorado | $62,230 | 1.04x | 17,010 | 2,340 | 2.73% | 559 | 1.22 |
| Rank 12 Georgia | $58,320 | 1.21x | 21,650 | 2,340 | 1.40% | 328 | 0.91 |
| Rank 14 Pennsylvania | $67,600 | 1.36x | 22,730 | 2,320 | 0.78% | 193 | 0.77 |
| Rank 14 Tennessee | $61,090 | 1.29x | 17,070 | 2,320 | 2.01% | 437 | 1.07 |
| Rank 16 Indiana | $68,490 | 1.43x | 19,020 | 1,800 | 0.94% | 177 | 1.22 |
| Rank 17 Massachusetts | $79,420 | 1.25x | 17,810 | 1,790 | 1.10% | 204 | 1.01 |
| Rank 18 New Jersey | $77,250 | 1.32x | 13,520 | 1,710 | 1.21% | 210 | 0.65 |
| Rank 19 Missouri | $65,410 | 1.37x | 12,780 | 1,680 | 0.65% | 119 | 0.89 |
| Rank 20 Maryland | $73,490 | 1.23x | 13,690 | 1,520 | 1.10% | 173 | 1.02 |
| Rank 21 Minnesota | $78,160 | 1.37x | 14,350 | 1,490 | 1.25% | 188 | 1.00 |
| Rank 22 Wisconsin | $76,540 | 1.52x | 14,310 | 1,470 | 1.41% | 208 | 1.00 |
| Rank 23 Utah | $62,000 | 1.24x | 11,450 | 1,420 | 1.96% | 263 | 1.36 |
| Rank 24 Idaho | $63,000 | 1.31x | 5,690 | 1,380 | 2.60% | 316 | 1.36 |
| Rank 25 Louisiana | $61,540 | 1.35x | 10,550 | 1,190 | 0.99% | 123 | 1.12 |
| Rank 26 Oregon | $101,310 | 1.78x | 10,590 | 1,110 | 1.15% | 130 | 1.11 |
| Rank 27 Alabama | $55,690 | 1.22x | 10,900 | 1,040 | 0.67% | 74 | 1.06 |
| Rank 28 Kentucky | $59,720 | 1.27x | 11,030 | 1,020 | 0.38% | 43 | 1.13 |
| Rank 29 Arkansas | $49,070 | 1.12x | 7,500 | 1,010 | 1.42% | 143 | 1.18 |
| Rank 30 Nevada | $73,570 | 1.54x | 8,350 | 980 | 1.59% | 152 | 1.11 |
| Rank 31 South Carolina | $58,740 | 1.26x | 8,010 | 970 | 1.06% | 106 | 0.71 |
| Rank 32 Oklahoma | $61,010 | 1.34x | 8,500 | 920 | 0.87% | 85 | 1.02 |
| Rank 33 Connecticut | $77,540 | 1.30x | 7,710 | 870 | 1.15% | 103 | 0.93 |
| Rank 34 Iowa | $60,860 | 1.25x | 10,310 | 860 | 1.15% | 102 | 1.36 |
| Rank 35 Nebraska | $60,820 | 1.24x | 6,440 | 750 | 1.47% | 109 | 1.29 |
| Rank 36 Mississippi | $60,860 | 1.52x | 6,610 | 650 | 1.35% | 88 | 1.17 |
| Rank 37 Kansas | $65,860 | 1.37x | 6,350 | 610 | 0.91% | 59 | 0.91 |
| Rank 38 New Mexico | $58,390 | 1.24x | 5,020 | 580 | 1.19% | 71 | 1.18 |
| Rank 39 West Virginia | $64,810 | 1.43x | 4,290 | 430 | 0.59% | 28 | 1.25 |
| Rank 40 New Hampshire | $62,840 | 1.12x | 3,330 | 370 | 0.98% | 37 | 1.00 |
| Rank 41 Montana | $76,760 | 1.57x | 2,750 | 350 | 1.70% | 59 | 1.10 |
| Rank 41 North Dakota | $65,710 | 1.25x | 3,570 | 350 | 1.46% | 50 | 1.71 |
| Rank 41 Wyoming | $76,120 | 1.51x | 2,960 | 350 | 2.02% | 66 | 2.16 |
| Rank 44 Hawaii | $96,460 | 1.71x | 3,070 | 340 | 0.98% | 35 | 1.01 |
| Rank 44 Maine | $75,380 | 1.47x | 3,780 | 340 | 0.37% | 14 | 1.21 |
| Rank 46 South Dakota | $61,390 | 1.30x | 2,980 | 330 | 1.48% | 48 | 1.34 |
| Rank 47 Rhode Island | $74,090 | 1.30x | 2,420 | 280 | 1.53% | 43 | 0.99 |
| Rank 48 Delaware | $63,700 | 1.22x | 2,260 | 270 | 1.72% | 45 | 0.96 |
| Rank 49 District of Columbia | $78,970 | 0.86x | 2,440 | 220 | 1.16% | 26 | 0.71 |
| Rank 50 Alaska | $89,440 | 1.47x | 1,870 | 160 | 0.16% | 4 | 1.18 |
| Rank 50 Vermont | $63,430 | 1.12x | 1,270 | 160 | 0.95% | 16 | 0.86 |
Trades in Alabama
| Occupation | Median annual pay | Relative pay | Current workforce | Projected annual openings | Annualized growth | Location quotient |
|---|
Compare California and Texas
How to read the data
- Median annual pay
- The wage at which half of workers earn more and half earn less. It does not show living costs, entry-level pay, or what every worker earns.
- Relative pay
- The occupation’s median annual wage divided by the same state’s median across all occupations. It shows wage position within a state, not purchasing power.
- Current workforce
- BLS’s estimated employment for the occupation in the state. It is a survey estimate, not a worker registry or a count of available jobs.
- Projected annual openings
- The average yearly openings expected over the state’s 2024–2034 projection period, including growth and replacement needs. It is not a count of current vacancies.
- Annualized job growth
- The compound annual growth rate between projected base and end employment. A small occupation can post a high rate while adding relatively few jobs.
- Net jobs added per year
- The state’s reported numeric employment change divided by the 10-year projection period. It excludes openings created when workers leave the occupation.
- Location quotient
- The occupation’s concentration in a state relative to its national concentration. A high value does not prove a shortage, high pay, or strong future demand.
What stands out by trade
Electricians
Oregon has the highest median electrician pay at $101,310, while Illinois has the highest relative pay at 1.92 times its statewide all-occupations median. Texas has the largest electrician workforce, but California leads projected annual openings and net jobs added per year.
What this does not mean: California’s openings estimate is not a live vacancy count, and Oregon’s raw wage lead does not account for living costs.
Compare electrician opportunities by state or explore electrician training.
HVAC technicians
Washington, DC has the highest median HVAC pay at $84,390. Illinois leads relative pay, while Florida has the largest workforce, the most projected annual openings, and the most net jobs added per year.
What this does not mean: Florida’s large market does not guarantee equal opportunity in every city, specialty, or season.
Compare HVAC opportunities by state or explore HVAC training.
Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters
Washington, DC has the highest median pay at $101,020, while Illinois leads relative pay. California has the largest workforce, the most projected annual openings, and the most net jobs added per year.
What this does not mean: These occupation-level figures do not capture local licensing rules, union access, or differences among plumbing, pipefitting, and steamfitting work.
Compare plumbing opportunities by state or explore plumbing training.
Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers
Alaska has the highest median wage at $80,840, while Hawaii leads relative pay. Texas has the largest workforce, the most projected annual openings, and the most net jobs added per year.
What this does not mean: Statewide wage estimates can hide large differences by process, industry, certification, travel requirements, and overtime.
Compare welding opportunities by state or explore welding training.
Eight more trades in the dataset
These occupations are included in the same state comparison tool without turning the page into eight repetitive mini-articles.
Industrial machinery mechanics
Texas has the most projected annual openings at 6,380.
Diesel mechanics
Texas has the most projected annual openings at 2,990.
Automotive service technicians
Texas has the most projected annual openings at 7,480.
Aircraft mechanics
Florida has the most projected annual openings at 1,370.
Machinists
Texas has the most projected annual openings at 2,140.
CNC tool operators
Ohio has the most projected annual openings at 1,670.
Mobile heavy equipment mechanics
Texas has the most projected annual openings at 1,950.
Construction equipment operators
Texas has the most projected annual openings at 5,370.
Still deciding between occupations? Compare national training paths and career fit in our guide to trade-school careers, or see the practical differences among electrician, HVAC, and plumbing careers.
Methodology
This analysis covers the 50 states and Washington, DC for 12 detailed occupations. It joins May 2025 state Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics with 2024–2034 state occupational projections retrieved from Projections Central on July 24, 2026.
Federal Standard Occupational Classification codes define the occupation boundaries and provide stable join keys. We keep those codes in the technical downloads and data dictionary rather than cluttering the reader-facing controls.
Ranking rules
- Ranks use competition ranking within the same occupation. Ties share a rank.
- Missing values are excluded and are never converted to zero.
- Full-precision values control sorting; rounded values are display-only.
- Relative pay equals occupation median annual wage divided by the same-release state all-occupations median annual wage.
- Annualized growth is calculated as
(projected employment / base employment)^(1 / years) - 1. - Net jobs added per year uses Projections Central’s reported numeric change divided by 10.
- Projection bases below 500 jobs receive a warning in growth-focused views.
Source-rounding note: Projections Central’s reported numeric change differs from subtracting its displayed rounded employment endpoints in 155 rows. We use the source’s reported change field rather than manufacturing false precision from rounded values.
What is excluded
There is no composite opportunity score, cost-of-living adjustment, apprenticeship ranking, or education-program count. Those measures either hide important tradeoffs or require data that do not align cleanly enough with this state-occupation matrix.
Missing records
Federal or state data are missing for a small number of occupation-state combinations, primarily CNC tool operators in Alaska, Washington, DC, and Hawaii; aircraft mechanics in Washington, DC and South Dakota; and diesel mechanics in Washington, DC. The tool displays those records as Not available.
Download the skilled-trades dataset
The files below use data version July 24, 2026. The ZIP contains the full data package, dictionary, documentation, and checksums.
CSV
Excel workbook
JSON
Complete package
Data dictionary | README | SHA-256 checksums
Data use and attribution
These downloads are Trade-Schools.net’s filtered, joined, and ranked 12-occupation compilation. They are not copies of either source’s complete workbook, bulk download, or API response.
BLS states that its published material is in the public domain and asks users to cite BLS. State projections are attributed to Projections Central and the individual state source included in each data row. Projections Central does not publish an explicit reuse license on the source pages reviewed for this release, so do not describe its inputs as CC0 or as Trade-Schools.net-owned data. Check the source providers’ current terms before redistributing projection fields independently.
Trade-Schools.net calculated the relative-wage ratio, annualized growth rate, net jobs added per year, quality flags, and ranks. No source agency endorses this compilation.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025 OEWS state data
- BLS copyright and public-domain statement
- Projections Central long-term REST dataset, retrieved July 24, 2026
We did not use Projections Central’s July 2026 bulk workbook because it still contained the older 2022–2032 release and omitted Hawaii. The projections in this page come from the live 2024–2034 REST dataset.
Frequently asked questions
Which state is best for skilled trades?
There is no universal winner. The best state depends on the trade and whether you care most about pay, relative pay, openings, workforce size, growth, or concentration. Use the comparison tool to rank the metric that fits your decision.
Are projected annual openings the same as current job vacancies?
No. Projected annual openings are average estimates across 2024–2034 and include openings from growth and worker replacement. They are not current job postings.
Does the highest wage mean the best standard of living?
No. The wage figures are raw statewide medians and do not adjust for housing, taxes, transportation, or other living costs. Relative pay compares a trade with other occupations in the same state, but it is still not a purchasing-power measure.
What does location quotient mean?
A location quotient compares an occupation’s share of state employment with its share nationally. A value above 1.00 means the occupation is more concentrated in that state than it is nationwide. It does not prove a labor shortage.
Why can fast percentage growth be misleading?
A small occupation can grow quickly in percentage terms while adding few jobs. Compare annualized growth with the current workforce, projected annual openings, and net jobs added per year.
Why is data missing for some occupation-state combinations?
Some estimates are suppressed or absent because of sample size, confidentiality, or state reporting. Missing values remain missing and are never treated as zero.
How often will this page be updated?
We plan to review it annually when new state OEWS estimates and a usable consolidated projections release are available. The visible data-version label shows which releases support the current rankings.
