Highest Paying Trades in Raleigh
2025 salary data · COL Index: 100
50
Trades Tracked
$55,650
Avg Median Salary
100
COL Index
60
Avg Trade Pay Score
Trade Salaries in Raleigh
| Trade | Category | Median | Range (10th-90th) | Grade | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction Manager | Management | $102,831 | $61,175 – $146,036 | B | 5,669 |
| Elevator Mechanic | Specialty | $93,293 | $55,284 – $137,031 | A | 5,113 |
| Electrical Power-Line Tech | Electrical | $85,252 | $51,387 – $127,047 | A | 4,677 |
| Power Line Installer | Electrical | $82,108 | $52,474 – $126,621 | A | 5,872 |
| Underwater Welder | Welding | $74,101 | $46,717 – $104,927 | C | 2,454 |
| Aircraft Mechanic | Automotive | $70,706 | $43,475 – $105,465 | C | 4,443 |
| Pile Driver Operator | Heavy Equipment | $70,555 | $44,458 – $103,780 | C | 2,143 |
| Steamfitter | Plumbing | $65,938 | $41,040 – $102,150 | C | 3,408 |
| Fire Sprinkler Fitter | Plumbing | $64,179 | $39,952 – $95,967 | B | 4,744 |
| Crane Operator | Heavy Equipment | $61,834 | $36,896 – $94,499 | B | 4,456 |
| Millwright | Industrial | $61,483 | $36,538 – $89,472 | C | 4,407 |
| Pipefitter | Plumbing | $60,805 | $37,731 – $85,953 | C | 4,356 |
| Electrician | Electrical | $60,187 | $36,322 – $86,259 | B | 3,580 |
| Telecommunications Tech | Electrical | $59,944 | $35,792 – $89,110 | C | 3,791 |
| Building Inspector | Management | $59,708 | $37,943 – $86,193 | C | 3,798 |
| HVAC Technician | HVAC | $59,335 | $36,775 – $91,968 | B | 6,747 |
| Industrial Electrician | Electrical | $58,364 | $36,431 – $86,013 | B | 4,161 |
| Boilermaker | Industrial | $57,695 | $35,402 – $81,476 | D | 2,342 |
| Plumber | Plumbing | $56,029 | $33,932 – $84,143 | B | 4,389 |
| Tool and Die Maker | Metalwork | $55,722 | $35,900 – $81,411 | D | 1,511 |
| Wind Turbine Technician | Energy | $55,491 | $33,255 – $78,143 | A | 4,645 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanic | Industrial | $55,315 | $35,215 – $80,847 | C | 3,241 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | Metalwork | $53,885 | $33,417 – $81,472 | C | 3,634 |
| Ironworker | Structural | $52,177 | $31,127 – $74,007 | C | 4,506 |
| Diesel Mechanic | Automotive | $51,277 | $33,020 – $77,620 | C | 3,958 |
| Carpenter | Construction | $51,034 | $32,009 – $75,883 | D | 2,641 |
| Refrigeration Mechanic | HVAC | $50,024 | $30,082 – $74,881 | C | 3,611 |
| Drywall Installer | Construction | $49,707 | $31,929 – $74,672 | D | 1,945 |
| Welder | Welding | $49,553 | $31,755 – $74,709 | C | 3,963 |
| Heavy Equipment Operator | Heavy Equipment | $49,246 | $29,632 – $75,650 | C | 4,278 |
| Well Driller | Specialty | $48,770 | $29,550 – $69,175 | D | 1,762 |
| Structural Welder | Welding | $48,419 | $29,351 – $69,022 | C | 3,850 |
| Mason (Bricklayer) | Construction | $48,075 | $29,284 – $73,450 | D | 1,830 |
| Maintenance Mechanic | Industrial | $47,490 | $29,458 – $68,013 | D | 3,706 |
| Plasterer | Construction | $46,371 | $28,671 – $65,879 | D | 1,263 |
| Machinist | Metalwork | $46,215 | $29,418 – $66,501 | D | 2,148 |
| Concrete Finisher | Construction | $45,973 | $28,623 – $67,184 | D | 3,857 |
| Auto Mechanic | Automotive | $45,595 | $26,979 – $68,581 | D | 2,497 |
| Environmental Engineering Tech | Specialty | $45,409 | $26,989 – $67,509 | C | 3,057 |
| Painter (Construction) | Construction | $45,210 | $27,127 – $66,654 | D | 1,265 |
| Tile Setter | Construction | $44,876 | $27,319 – $64,138 | D | 1,721 |
| Glazier | Construction | $44,857 | $28,896 – $64,940 | D | 3,291 |
| CNC Machine Operator | Metalwork | $44,337 | $27,944 – $67,293 | D | 1,791 |
| Locksmith | Specialty | $44,265 | $28,217 – $66,905 | D | 1,579 |
| Solar PV Installer | Electrical | $43,665 | $27,241 – $67,755 | B | 6,872 |
| Insulation Worker | Construction | $43,398 | $27,940 – $61,532 | D | 4,625 |
| Roofer | Construction | $43,396 | $26,448 – $63,672 | D | 3,236 |
| Floor Layer | Construction | $43,286 | $27,197 – $61,833 | D | 2,964 |
| Septic Tank Servicer | Plumbing | $43,087 | $25,392 – $64,461 | D | 2,088 |
| Scaffold Builder | Construction | $42,048 | $26,289 – $62,216 | D | 2,630 |
About Trade Pay in Raleigh
Raleigh, NC has a cost-of-living index of 100, which is 0% 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 Raleigh is Construction Manager with a median salary of $102,831. Across all 50 trades tracked, the average median salary is $55,650. With below-average living costs, trade workers in Raleigh often enjoy strong purchasing power relative to coastal metro areas.
Compare Raleigh against other metros on the best cities for trade workers ranking, or see the highest paying trades nationally.