Highest Paying Trades in Milwaukee
2025 salary data · COL Index: 96
50
Trades Tracked
$60,127
Avg Median Salary
96
COL Index
63
Avg Trade Pay Score
Trade Salaries in Milwaukee
| Trade | Category | Median | Range (10th-90th) | Grade | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction Manager | Management | $103,583 | $67,283 – $147,100 | B | 4,370 |
| Elevator Mechanic | Specialty | $95,647 | $61,586 – $135,299 | A | 5,299 |
| Power Line Installer | Electrical | $91,683 | $56,337 – $139,867 | A | 5,316 |
| Electrical Power-Line Tech | Electrical | $91,187 | $58,944 – $131,205 | A | 6,584 |
| Underwater Welder | Welding | $84,645 | $54,773 – $127,387 | C | 3,324 |
| Aircraft Mechanic | Automotive | $74,970 | $48,185 – $110,038 | B | 3,465 |
| Building Inspector | Management | $71,196 | $45,418 – $108,001 | C | 2,291 |
| Pipefitter | Plumbing | $69,089 | $44,345 – $102,337 | B | 4,288 |
| Steamfitter | Plumbing | $68,959 | $43,355 – $102,454 | C | 2,878 |
| Fire Sprinkler Fitter | Plumbing | $67,892 | $43,050 – $100,888 | B | 5,159 |
| Telecommunications Tech | Electrical | $67,636 | $41,210 – $96,403 | B | 4,231 |
| Crane Operator | Heavy Equipment | $66,628 | $41,924 – $94,903 | B | 3,158 |
| Pile Driver Operator | Heavy Equipment | $66,570 | $42,148 – $100,130 | C | 2,304 |
| Electrician | Electrical | $66,341 | $39,699 – $95,569 | B | 4,168 |
| Industrial Electrician | Electrical | $66,054 | $41,688 – $98,424 | B | 4,804 |
| Boilermaker | Industrial | $62,668 | $37,904 – $91,792 | C | 1,704 |
| Tool and Die Maker | Metalwork | $62,663 | $37,066 – $96,373 | D | 2,238 |
| Wind Turbine Technician | Energy | $61,382 | $37,991 – $87,811 | A | 5,299 |
| Carpenter | Construction | $61,073 | $36,652 – $91,440 | C | 2,882 |
| Ironworker | Structural | $60,368 | $36,934 – $85,968 | C | 3,033 |
| Plumber | Plumbing | $59,307 | $38,358 – $85,737 | B | 5,174 |
| Millwright | Industrial | $58,913 | $34,750 – $83,575 | C | 4,475 |
| Heavy Equipment Operator | Heavy Equipment | $58,389 | $35,789 – $83,868 | C | 4,333 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanic | Industrial | $58,078 | $34,404 – $88,260 | C | 5,247 |
| Mason (Bricklayer) | Construction | $57,729 | $35,004 – $83,942 | C | 2,205 |
| HVAC Technician | HVAC | $57,122 | $34,344 – $84,511 | B | 6,690 |
| Diesel Mechanic | Automotive | $56,188 | $34,870 – $86,371 | C | 4,036 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | Metalwork | $55,229 | $35,365 – $81,758 | C | 3,045 |
| Glazier | Construction | $54,290 | $34,102 – $83,483 | C | 3,617 |
| Environmental Engineering Tech | Specialty | $53,793 | $31,946 – $76,321 | C | 5,194 |
| Refrigeration Mechanic | HVAC | $53,734 | $33,922 – $77,135 | B | 4,461 |
| Well Driller | Specialty | $53,668 | $34,137 – $77,623 | D | 1,828 |
| Machinist | Metalwork | $53,383 | $32,866 – $81,117 | C | 3,460 |
| Structural Welder | Welding | $53,382 | $32,859 – $77,244 | C | 2,919 |
| Floor Layer | Construction | $51,458 | $32,338 – $77,180 | D | 2,185 |
| Plasterer | Construction | $51,041 | $33,043 – $75,332 | D | 1,267 |
| Drywall Installer | Construction | $50,595 | $30,846 – $77,579 | D | 2,825 |
| Tile Setter | Construction | $49,971 | $29,675 – $72,617 | D | 2,805 |
| Maintenance Mechanic | Industrial | $49,798 | $30,566 – $73,737 | C | 4,275 |
| Locksmith | Specialty | $49,778 | $30,799 – $75,745 | D | 2,220 |
| Insulation Worker | Construction | $48,861 | $29,894 – $75,091 | C | 3,545 |
| Septic Tank Servicer | Plumbing | $48,844 | $30,133 – $68,712 | D | 2,754 |
| Welder | Welding | $48,469 | $29,348 – $74,143 | C | 3,940 |
| Concrete Finisher | Construction | $47,192 | $28,578 – $70,139 | D | 3,698 |
| Auto Mechanic | Automotive | $46,362 | $29,870 – $65,486 | D | 2,010 |
| Roofer | Construction | $46,312 | $29,876 – $67,375 | D | 3,159 |
| Solar PV Installer | Electrical | $46,122 | $27,835 – $68,685 | B | 6,292 |
| Painter (Construction) | Construction | $43,455 | $27,359 – $62,240 | D | 2,014 |
| CNC Machine Operator | Metalwork | $42,983 | $26,363 – $64,667 | D | 2,521 |
| Scaffold Builder | Construction | $41,658 | $25,335 – $62,172 | D | 2,488 |
About Trade Pay in Milwaukee
Milwaukee, WI has a cost-of-living index of 96, which is 4% 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 Milwaukee is Construction Manager with a median salary of $103,583. Across all 50 trades tracked, the average median salary is $60,127. With below-average living costs, trade workers in Milwaukee often enjoy strong purchasing power relative to coastal metro areas.
Compare Milwaukee against other metros on the best cities for trade workers ranking, or see the highest paying trades nationally.