Highest Paying Trades in Charlotte
2025 salary data · COL Index: 98
50
Trades Tracked
$55,529
Avg Median Salary
98
COL Index
60
Avg Trade Pay Score
Trade Salaries in Charlotte
| Trade | Category | Median | Range (10th-90th) | Grade | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction Manager | Management | $100,828 | $59,975 – $152,419 | B | 3,890 |
| Elevator Mechanic | Specialty | $94,453 | $56,159 – $139,438 | A | 3,522 |
| Electrical Power-Line Tech | Electrical | $82,931 | $53,500 – $119,106 | A | 6,713 |
| Underwater Welder | Welding | $75,948 | $46,036 – $107,308 | C | 3,881 |
| Power Line Installer | Electrical | $74,545 | $46,443 – $105,450 | A | 6,830 |
| Pile Driver Operator | Heavy Equipment | $70,452 | $45,589 – $107,953 | C | 2,334 |
| Aircraft Mechanic | Automotive | $68,730 | $41,787 – $103,061 | C | 3,857 |
| Building Inspector | Management | $67,281 | $40,588 – $104,198 | C | 3,582 |
| Crane Operator | Heavy Equipment | $64,816 | $40,413 – $97,514 | B | 4,522 |
| Boilermaker | Industrial | $64,566 | $40,918 – $99,652 | C | 1,836 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanic | Industrial | $61,342 | $37,796 – $86,280 | B | 3,168 |
| Fire Sprinkler Fitter | Plumbing | $59,682 | $37,247 – $90,037 | B | 4,485 |
| Electrician | Electrical | $59,666 | $36,107 – $90,957 | B | 5,443 |
| Pipefitter | Plumbing | $59,255 | $38,555 – $84,925 | C | 4,842 |
| Ironworker | Structural | $59,148 | $37,174 – $83,791 | C | 3,646 |
| Steamfitter | Plumbing | $59,094 | $35,739 – $90,708 | C | 3,771 |
| Wind Turbine Technician | Energy | $58,938 | $37,683 – $91,309 | A | 4,999 |
| Millwright | Industrial | $57,154 | $33,905 – $85,826 | C | 2,586 |
| Carpenter | Construction | $56,728 | $36,381 – $82,192 | C | 3,474 |
| Industrial Electrician | Electrical | $55,639 | $36,103 – $80,996 | B | 4,402 |
| Telecommunications Tech | Electrical | $55,137 | $34,753 – $84,231 | C | 5,275 |
| Plumber | Plumbing | $54,720 | $33,859 – $77,563 | B | 3,397 |
| Refrigeration Mechanic | HVAC | $53,414 | $32,835 – $77,323 | C | 3,514 |
| Mason (Bricklayer) | Construction | $53,139 | $34,063 – $79,763 | D | 2,822 |
| Tool and Die Maker | Metalwork | $51,437 | $31,735 – $79,341 | D | 2,247 |
| Structural Welder | Welding | $51,202 | $31,902 – $77,156 | C | 3,387 |
| Drywall Installer | Construction | $51,121 | $32,142 – $73,260 | D | 2,065 |
| HVAC Technician | HVAC | $50,658 | $32,340 – $75,083 | B | 4,561 |
| Heavy Equipment Operator | Heavy Equipment | $50,422 | $32,708 – $75,675 | C | 4,175 |
| Diesel Mechanic | Automotive | $49,453 | $29,301 – $74,665 | C | 3,275 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | Metalwork | $49,190 | $31,675 – $69,475 | D | 2,480 |
| Solar PV Installer | Electrical | $49,101 | $31,869 – $69,450 | B | 4,432 |
| Welder | Welding | $49,035 | $29,277 – $71,125 | C | 3,335 |
| Concrete Finisher | Construction | $47,942 | $29,488 – $69,363 | D | 2,430 |
| Glazier | Construction | $47,850 | $30,723 – $67,858 | D | 3,854 |
| Machinist | Metalwork | $47,451 | $30,614 – $69,815 | D | 3,576 |
| Auto Mechanic | Automotive | $47,394 | $28,002 – $72,690 | D | 1,958 |
| Environmental Engineering Tech | Specialty | $47,152 | $29,383 – $67,325 | C | 4,720 |
| Roofer | Construction | $46,827 | $28,904 – $71,915 | D | 2,528 |
| Tile Setter | Construction | $46,152 | $27,770 – $67,690 | D | 2,272 |
| Floor Layer | Construction | $44,340 | $26,380 – $65,910 | D | 3,003 |
| Well Driller | Specialty | $43,997 | $27,900 – $64,510 | D | 2,972 |
| Painter (Construction) | Construction | $43,696 | $27,422 – $62,296 | D | 1,333 |
| Plasterer | Construction | $43,503 | $26,467 – $65,068 | D | 1,826 |
| Scaffold Builder | Construction | $43,358 | $25,762 – $64,226 | D | 1,951 |
| Maintenance Mechanic | Industrial | $43,035 | $26,238 – $63,166 | D | 4,001 |
| Insulation Worker | Construction | $42,888 | $25,676 – $65,754 | D | 3,655 |
| Locksmith | Specialty | $42,870 | $26,936 – $65,766 | D | 2,058 |
| Septic Tank Servicer | Plumbing | $40,143 | $23,917 – $60,793 | D | 2,933 |
| CNC Machine Operator | Metalwork | $38,621 | $24,726 – $56,160 | D | 2,067 |
About Trade Pay in Charlotte
Charlotte, NC has a cost-of-living index of 98, which is 2% below the national average. This means trade salaries here need to be may be lower to maintain equivalent purchasing power.
The highest-paying trade in Charlotte is Construction Manager with a median salary of $100,828. Across all 50 trades tracked, the average median salary is $55,529. With below-average living costs, trade workers in Charlotte often enjoy strong purchasing power relative to coastal metro areas.
Compare Charlotte against other metros on the best cities for trade workers ranking, or see the highest paying trades nationally.