Highest Paying Trades in Detroit
2025 salary data · COL Index: 89
50
Trades Tracked
$60,855
Avg Median Salary
89
COL Index
66
Avg Trade Pay Score
Trade Salaries in Detroit
| Trade | Category | Median | Range (10th-90th) | Grade | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elevator Mechanic | Specialty | $108,274 | $64,628 – $155,790 | A | 3,813 |
| Construction Manager | Management | $103,783 | $66,778 – $158,712 | B | 4,988 |
| Power Line Installer | Electrical | $85,790 | $51,889 – $128,512 | A | 6,640 |
| Underwater Welder | Welding | $81,669 | $51,756 – $126,253 | B | 2,257 |
| Electrical Power-Line Tech | Electrical | $81,167 | $48,222 – $123,944 | A | 6,035 |
| Aircraft Mechanic | Automotive | $80,116 | $50,514 – $113,603 | B | 4,371 |
| Pile Driver Operator | Heavy Equipment | $72,359 | $45,908 – $105,027 | C | 3,869 |
| Boilermaker | Industrial | $69,644 | $44,849 – $101,934 | C | 1,945 |
| Fire Sprinkler Fitter | Plumbing | $69,558 | $42,174 – $105,080 | B | 3,023 |
| Steamfitter | Plumbing | $69,093 | $41,208 – $97,928 | B | 3,578 |
| Crane Operator | Heavy Equipment | $68,748 | $42,233 – $98,909 | B | 3,119 |
| Wind Turbine Technician | Energy | $66,382 | $40,902 – $103,067 | A | 6,592 |
| Ironworker | Structural | $64,916 | $40,969 – $99,984 | C | 3,495 |
| Electrician | Electrical | $64,745 | $40,102 – $94,673 | B | 5,934 |
| Building Inspector | Management | $64,713 | $38,889 – $98,057 | C | 3,210 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanic | Industrial | $64,110 | $38,365 – $92,244 | B | 4,421 |
| Industrial Electrician | Electrical | $64,024 | $38,110 – $94,082 | B | 3,190 |
| Telecommunications Tech | Electrical | $63,282 | $38,064 – $91,543 | B | 4,352 |
| Pipefitter | Plumbing | $62,517 | $39,074 – $94,065 | B | 3,407 |
| Millwright | Industrial | $61,610 | $38,628 – $88,746 | C | 3,474 |
| Refrigeration Mechanic | HVAC | $61,359 | $38,581 – $88,265 | B | 4,379 |
| Carpenter | Construction | $61,203 | $38,031 – $88,059 | C | 2,953 |
| Plumber | Plumbing | $61,084 | $37,552 – $92,159 | B | 5,376 |
| HVAC Technician | HVAC | $60,268 | $38,083 – $89,317 | B | 4,544 |
| Tool and Die Maker | Metalwork | $59,677 | $38,657 – $92,334 | D | 2,194 |
| Drywall Installer | Construction | $57,398 | $36,960 – $87,079 | C | 2,096 |
| Mason (Bricklayer) | Construction | $55,754 | $34,808 – $80,135 | C | 2,867 |
| Diesel Mechanic | Automotive | $55,569 | $34,193 – $80,002 | C | 2,872 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | Metalwork | $55,260 | $34,399 – $82,040 | C | 3,073 |
| Well Driller | Specialty | $55,236 | $35,315 – $85,544 | C | 3,040 |
| Structural Welder | Welding | $54,320 | $33,697 – $77,751 | C | 2,982 |
| Heavy Equipment Operator | Heavy Equipment | $53,257 | $33,816 – $80,591 | C | 3,566 |
| Insulation Worker | Construction | $52,996 | $32,607 – $79,497 | C | 3,131 |
| Maintenance Mechanic | Industrial | $52,996 | $34,165 – $80,809 | C | 4,267 |
| Machinist | Metalwork | $52,203 | $31,414 – $77,293 | C | 2,580 |
| Floor Layer | Construction | $52,114 | $33,718 – $73,892 | C | 2,502 |
| Glazier | Construction | $51,967 | $31,867 – $74,263 | C | 2,695 |
| Environmental Engineering Tech | Specialty | $51,857 | $31,839 – $78,516 | C | 3,869 |
| Auto Mechanic | Automotive | $50,828 | $32,655 – $78,218 | D | 1,921 |
| Locksmith | Specialty | $49,634 | $29,808 – $70,051 | D | 1,329 |
| Plasterer | Construction | $49,383 | $29,366 – $76,064 | D | 1,475 |
| Welder | Welding | $49,210 | $30,858 – $76,174 | C | 2,762 |
| Painter (Construction) | Construction | $48,562 | $29,007 – $69,102 | D | 2,048 |
| Septic Tank Servicer | Plumbing | $48,268 | $29,514 – $73,837 | D | 2,278 |
| Tile Setter | Construction | $48,005 | $30,563 – $74,285 | D | 2,923 |
| Concrete Finisher | Construction | $47,934 | $30,274 – $69,865 | C | 3,576 |
| Solar PV Installer | Electrical | $47,056 | $29,109 – $70,859 | B | 6,789 |
| Roofer | Construction | $46,234 | $27,345 – $65,781 | D | 3,528 |
| CNC Machine Operator | Metalwork | $43,408 | $27,407 – $63,157 | D | 2,184 |
| Scaffold Builder | Construction | $43,224 | $25,647 – $65,846 | D | 3,092 |
About Trade Pay in Detroit
Detroit, MI has a cost-of-living index of 89, which is 11% 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 Detroit is Elevator Mechanic with a median salary of $108,274. Across all 50 trades tracked, the average median salary is $60,855. With below-average living costs, trade workers in Detroit often enjoy strong purchasing power relative to coastal metro areas.
Compare Detroit against other metros on the best cities for trade workers ranking, or see the highest paying trades nationally.