Get into a trade, get licensed, run a shop
Pay, apprenticeships, schools and licensing rules for five construction trades in all 50 states and DC, plus license records for 540,789 active contractors in 6 states.
What does each trade pay?
Median pay in the US, May 2025. Each trade's page breaks it down by state and city.
| Trade | Median hourly | Median yearly | Top 10% earn | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electricians | $30.38 | $63,190 | $108,510 | 757,220 |
| Plumbers | $30.67 | $63,800 | $108,420 | 465,840 |
| HVAC Technicians | $29.33 | $61,010 | $95,210 | 409,670 |
| General Contractors | $38.42 | $79,920 | $128,260 | 812,210 |
| Roofers | $26.65 | $55,440 | $81,720 | 135,490 |
General contractor pay is BLS's figure for first-line supervisors of construction trades. It doesn't count self-employed owners.
Where do electricians earn the most?
State median hourly pay. Darker is higher; select a state for its pay page.
Is my contractor licensed?
Search state license records, with bond and insurance dates where the state publishes them.
- California233,629
- Washington76,309
- Oregon45,709
- Florida97,790
- Minnesota36,846
- Virginia50,506