Highest Paying Trades in New York
2025 salary data · COL Index: 187
50
Trades Tracked
$76,662
Avg Median Salary
187
COL Index
51
Avg Trade Pay Score
Trade Salaries in New York
| Trade | Category | Median | Range (10th-90th) | Grade | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction Manager | Management | $138,742 | $88,569 – $214,135 | B | 9,140 |
| Elevator Mechanic | Specialty | $120,570 | $71,738 – $180,698 | B | 13,865 |
| Power Line Installer | Electrical | $112,855 | $69,522 – $171,589 | B | 10,299 |
| Electrical Power-Line Tech | Electrical | $101,842 | $61,340 – $143,478 | B | 14,450 |
| Aircraft Mechanic | Automotive | $98,834 | $58,959 – $148,561 | C | 11,658 |
| Underwater Welder | Welding | $94,611 | $59,766 – $139,606 | D | 8,139 |
| Steamfitter | Plumbing | $90,757 | $53,542 – $140,752 | C | 11,866 |
| Boilermaker | Industrial | $90,363 | $53,621 – $132,372 | D | 5,970 |
| Building Inspector | Management | $87,341 | $53,662 – $129,560 | D | 10,278 |
| Crane Operator | Heavy Equipment | $86,258 | $54,860 – $129,210 | C | 10,528 |
| Industrial Electrician | Electrical | $85,074 | $55,013 – $129,870 | C | 10,290 |
| Pile Driver Operator | Heavy Equipment | $85,010 | $51,743 – $122,013 | D | 8,247 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanic | Industrial | $83,686 | $52,472 – $124,067 | C | 8,898 |
| Pipefitter | Plumbing | $83,369 | $49,811 – $117,938 | C | 9,279 |
| Wind Turbine Technician | Energy | $82,594 | $50,232 – $127,887 | B | 12,148 |
| Fire Sprinkler Fitter | Plumbing | $82,002 | $49,157 – $117,563 | C | 10,960 |
| Telecommunications Tech | Electrical | $81,442 | $48,251 – $121,964 | C | 13,443 |
| Millwright | Industrial | $81,176 | $51,032 – $121,228 | D | 12,228 |
| Tool and Die Maker | Metalwork | $79,551 | $47,823 – $115,467 | F | 5,305 |
| Carpenter | Construction | $79,122 | $48,211 – $117,079 | D | 6,882 |
| Electrician | Electrical | $78,080 | $46,082 – $118,230 | C | 12,442 |
| HVAC Technician | HVAC | $77,543 | $46,866 – $118,843 | C | 14,205 |
| Ironworker | Structural | $76,788 | $48,989 – $114,623 | D | 8,048 |
| Plumber | Plumbing | $76,532 | $47,627 – $109,887 | C | 13,112 |
| Mason (Bricklayer) | Construction | $73,787 | $46,484 – $109,200 | D | 5,808 |
| Refrigeration Mechanic | HVAC | $73,363 | $46,306 – $113,210 | C | 11,589 |
| Diesel Mechanic | Automotive | $72,771 | $44,652 – $106,903 | D | 8,334 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | Metalwork | $70,408 | $45,788 – $103,456 | D | 7,310 |
| Drywall Installer | Construction | $68,811 | $43,130 – $98,684 | F | 7,546 |
| Plasterer | Construction | $68,547 | $41,205 – $102,074 | F | 4,245 |
| Glazier | Construction | $68,018 | $43,895 – $96,010 | D | 6,622 |
| Tile Setter | Construction | $67,374 | $41,744 – $96,375 | F | 6,728 |
| Structural Welder | Welding | $67,193 | $40,416 – $100,960 | D | 11,546 |
| Environmental Engineering Tech | Specialty | $66,742 | $41,997 – $103,340 | D | 9,140 |
| Welder | Welding | $66,632 | $42,452 – $101,746 | D | 7,786 |
| Heavy Equipment Operator | Heavy Equipment | $66,378 | $39,634 – $99,592 | D | 6,785 |
| Solar PV Installer | Electrical | $65,753 | $39,452 – $98,132 | B | 16,887 |
| Roofer | Construction | $64,719 | $40,974 – $99,361 | D | 6,733 |
| Auto Mechanic | Automotive | $63,879 | $40,587 – $97,553 | F | 6,473 |
| Insulation Worker | Construction | $62,638 | $39,744 – $89,952 | D | 11,183 |
| Concrete Finisher | Construction | $61,732 | $36,413 – $86,912 | D | 6,958 |
| Machinist | Metalwork | $61,662 | $40,074 – $88,467 | D | 7,694 |
| CNC Machine Operator | Metalwork | $60,333 | $38,433 – $85,536 | F | 5,657 |
| Locksmith | Specialty | $60,244 | $37,496 – $90,421 | F | 4,880 |
| Maintenance Mechanic | Industrial | $59,912 | $36,110 – $87,802 | D | 10,724 |
| Painter (Construction) | Construction | $59,015 | $36,487 – $88,068 | F | 4,735 |
| Well Driller | Specialty | $58,988 | $35,428 – $89,703 | F | 6,043 |
| Scaffold Builder | Construction | $57,839 | $36,695 – $82,828 | F | 5,455 |
| Floor Layer | Construction | $57,420 | $36,827 – $82,663 | F | 6,532 |
| Septic Tank Servicer | Plumbing | $54,807 | $35,012 – $81,452 | F | 7,695 |
About Trade Pay in New York
New York, NY has a cost-of-living index of 187, which is 87% above the national average. This means trade salaries here need to be higher to maintain equivalent purchasing power.
The highest-paying trade in New York is Construction Manager with a median salary of $138,742. Across all 50 trades tracked, the average median salary is $76,662. Despite higher living costs, strong union presence and infrastructure demand keep trade wages competitive.
Compare New York against other metros on the best cities for trade workers ranking, or see the highest paying trades nationally.