Highest Paying Trades in Los Angeles
2025 salary data · COL Index: 166
50
Trades Tracked
$69,992
Avg Median Salary
166
COL Index
52
Avg Trade Pay Score
Trade Salaries in Los Angeles
| Trade | Category | Median | Range (10th-90th) | Grade | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction Manager | Management | $134,046 | $83,477 – $188,934 | B | 16,636 |
| Elevator Mechanic | Specialty | $112,984 | $66,841 – $169,536 | B | 13,227 |
| Power Line Installer | Electrical | $99,425 | $61,382 – $140,164 | B | 11,294 |
| Electrical Power-Line Tech | Electrical | $95,867 | $57,975 – $141,965 | B | 17,929 |
| Underwater Welder | Welding | $94,867 | $56,653 – $140,811 | C | 6,109 |
| Industrial Electrician | Electrical | $81,768 | $50,313 – $119,379 | C | 12,247 |
| Aircraft Mechanic | Automotive | $81,080 | $50,618 – $124,286 | C | 11,422 |
| Pile Driver Operator | Heavy Equipment | $80,582 | $52,296 – $119,875 | D | 7,449 |
| Crane Operator | Heavy Equipment | $79,753 | $48,076 – $116,854 | C | 12,715 |
| Building Inspector | Management | $78,261 | $49,076 – $121,323 | D | 6,382 |
| Millwright | Industrial | $76,395 | $48,388 – $118,224 | C | 11,269 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanic | Industrial | $74,227 | $46,496 – $106,093 | C | 11,978 |
| Fire Sprinkler Fitter | Plumbing | $74,081 | $43,702 – $109,248 | C | 12,008 |
| Ironworker | Structural | $73,852 | $43,733 – $106,357 | D | 10,312 |
| Plumber | Plumbing | $73,748 | $44,277 – $112,253 | C | 13,709 |
| Steamfitter | Plumbing | $73,690 | $44,211 – $113,352 | D | 12,138 |
| Pipefitter | Plumbing | $73,346 | $45,687 – $105,448 | C | 7,918 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | Metalwork | $73,244 | $43,521 – $106,843 | D | 10,073 |
| Wind Turbine Technician | Energy | $73,060 | $47,492 – $103,790 | B | 14,835 |
| Boilermaker | Industrial | $73,049 | $44,532 – $106,901 | D | 5,440 |
| Electrician | Electrical | $69,360 | $41,005 – $102,174 | C | 12,596 |
| Telecommunications Tech | Electrical | $68,994 | $43,867 – $105,519 | C | 12,668 |
| Refrigeration Mechanic | HVAC | $67,807 | $40,222 – $100,936 | C | 10,197 |
| HVAC Technician | HVAC | $67,089 | $42,372 – $99,067 | C | 17,003 |
| Carpenter | Construction | $66,853 | $43,409 – $96,638 | D | 5,606 |
| Diesel Mechanic | Automotive | $66,424 | $42,912 – $96,146 | D | 8,458 |
| Mason (Bricklayer) | Construction | $66,349 | $42,697 – $96,683 | D | 7,623 |
| Tool and Die Maker | Metalwork | $65,591 | $40,160 – $98,778 | F | 4,779 |
| Machinist | Metalwork | $64,169 | $40,433 – $94,365 | D | 10,176 |
| Glazier | Construction | $63,067 | $38,609 – $90,660 | D | 5,706 |
| Drywall Installer | Construction | $62,727 | $38,741 – $95,605 | D | 7,994 |
| Environmental Engineering Tech | Specialty | $62,543 | $38,767 – $89,726 | C | 14,424 |
| Heavy Equipment Operator | Heavy Equipment | $61,813 | $39,574 – $87,012 | D | 7,248 |
| Structural Welder | Welding | $60,583 | $36,254 – $92,693 | D | 12,213 |
| Welder | Welding | $60,560 | $38,100 – $86,806 | D | 9,174 |
| Floor Layer | Construction | $59,691 | $36,781 – $88,646 | F | 6,950 |
| Auto Mechanic | Automotive | $59,462 | $37,707 – $88,171 | F | 4,516 |
| Tile Setter | Construction | $59,398 | $37,380 – $88,661 | F | 4,486 |
| Insulation Worker | Construction | $59,220 | $36,400 – $90,055 | D | 10,268 |
| Roofer | Construction | $58,623 | $35,553 – $84,473 | D | 10,054 |
| Plasterer | Construction | $56,741 | $35,928 – $82,359 | F | 5,616 |
| Septic Tank Servicer | Plumbing | $56,723 | $33,704 – $86,782 | F | 5,537 |
| Locksmith | Specialty | $56,591 | $35,361 – $83,986 | F | 5,097 |
| Well Driller | Specialty | $56,230 | $33,466 – $82,446 | F | 4,811 |
| Solar PV Installer | Electrical | $55,155 | $33,023 – $82,383 | B | 16,180 |
| CNC Machine Operator | Metalwork | $54,661 | $33,455 – $79,332 | F | 7,408 |
| Painter (Construction) | Construction | $54,522 | $32,384 – $80,511 | F | 3,965 |
| Maintenance Mechanic | Industrial | $54,199 | $32,245 – $81,780 | D | 10,268 |
| Concrete Finisher | Construction | $53,779 | $34,420 – $77,866 | D | 8,122 |
| Scaffold Builder | Construction | $53,351 | $33,437 – $77,017 | F | 5,823 |
About Trade Pay in Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA has a cost-of-living index of 166, which is 66% above the national average. This means trade salaries here need to be higher to maintain equivalent purchasing power.
The highest-paying trade in Los Angeles is Construction Manager with a median salary of $134,046. Across all 50 trades tracked, the average median salary is $69,992. Despite higher living costs, strong union presence and infrastructure demand keep trade wages competitive.
Compare Los Angeles against other metros on the best cities for trade workers ranking, or see the highest paying trades nationally.