Highest Paying Trades in San Francisco
2025 salary data · COL Index: 190
50
Trades Tracked
$79,272
Avg Median Salary
190
COL Index
52
Avg Trade Pay Score
Trade Salaries in San Francisco
| Trade | Category | Median | Range (10th-90th) | Grade | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elevator Mechanic | Specialty | $139,652 | $87,065 – $206,654 | B | 9,726 |
| Construction Manager | Management | $133,724 | $87,050 – $193,515 | B | 11,964 |
| Electrical Power-Line Tech | Electrical | $113,734 | $73,395 – $164,418 | B | 13,256 |
| Power Line Installer | Electrical | $104,999 | $62,759 – $148,890 | B | 12,133 |
| Underwater Welder | Welding | $104,646 | $62,324 – $156,176 | C | 6,615 |
| Aircraft Mechanic | Automotive | $103,202 | $66,010 – $147,869 | C | 11,104 |
| Building Inspector | Management | $96,644 | $57,900 – $145,845 | D | 8,228 |
| Steamfitter | Plumbing | $96,051 | $62,175 – $144,844 | C | 9,315 |
| Pile Driver Operator | Heavy Equipment | $94,668 | $58,021 – $142,462 | D | 9,818 |
| Millwright | Industrial | $90,696 | $57,861 – $131,006 | C | 12,422 |
| Telecommunications Tech | Electrical | $88,501 | $56,069 – $125,505 | C | 10,684 |
| Fire Sprinkler Fitter | Plumbing | $87,980 | $55,204 – $133,839 | C | 9,382 |
| Boilermaker | Industrial | $87,129 | $52,670 – $124,084 | D | 4,539 |
| Plumber | Plumbing | $86,700 | $55,761 – $125,593 | C | 12,172 |
| Crane Operator | Heavy Equipment | $85,250 | $54,047 – $131,944 | C | 10,469 |
| Industrial Electrician | Electrical | $84,666 | $53,310 – $123,160 | C | 9,401 |
| Electrician | Electrical | $84,360 | $52,164 – $122,055 | C | 10,892 |
| Pipefitter | Plumbing | $84,056 | $49,570 – $120,473 | C | 8,492 |
| Tool and Die Maker | Metalwork | $80,173 | $49,670 – $116,056 | F | 5,179 |
| Wind Turbine Technician | Energy | $79,770 | $48,857 – $117,135 | B | 17,433 |
| HVAC Technician | HVAC | $78,788 | $50,320 – $111,358 | C | 14,801 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanic | Industrial | $77,949 | $48,888 – $115,300 | C | 13,092 |
| Ironworker | Structural | $76,392 | $47,949 – $110,039 | D | 8,983 |
| Structural Welder | Welding | $75,858 | $49,166 – $112,149 | D | 8,157 |
| Refrigeration Mechanic | HVAC | $75,238 | $45,951 – $112,936 | C | 10,804 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | Metalwork | $75,071 | $48,554 – $106,471 | D | 8,135 |
| Carpenter | Construction | $74,865 | $44,102 – $111,813 | D | 9,894 |
| Diesel Mechanic | Automotive | $73,710 | $44,794 – $103,708 | D | 10,843 |
| Drywall Installer | Construction | $73,060 | $47,178 – $109,200 | D | 5,061 |
| Mason (Bricklayer) | Construction | $71,364 | $45,655 – $107,052 | D | 6,565 |
| Heavy Equipment Operator | Heavy Equipment | $68,502 | $40,737 – $104,086 | D | 7,190 |
| Tile Setter | Construction | $68,182 | $40,166 – $105,568 | F | 5,901 |
| Insulation Worker | Construction | $67,410 | $42,279 – $101,995 | D | 10,195 |
| Solar PV Installer | Electrical | $66,757 | $41,467 – $99,877 | B | 15,326 |
| Machinist | Metalwork | $66,698 | $43,227 – $101,663 | D | 8,565 |
| Maintenance Mechanic | Industrial | $66,174 | $41,504 – $97,470 | D | 9,883 |
| Well Driller | Specialty | $65,961 | $39,204 – $95,556 | F | 7,416 |
| Environmental Engineering Tech | Specialty | $65,707 | $42,693 – $96,180 | D | 14,177 |
| Plasterer | Construction | $65,389 | $41,689 – $98,407 | F | 5,212 |
| Auto Mechanic | Automotive | $64,892 | $38,259 – $93,137 | F | 6,264 |
| Septic Tank Servicer | Plumbing | $64,492 | $39,087 – $93,561 | F | 8,020 |
| Floor Layer | Construction | $64,342 | $40,463 – $97,695 | F | 6,629 |
| Locksmith | Specialty | $63,899 | $40,026 – $97,168 | F | 3,568 |
| Glazier | Construction | $63,883 | $37,715 – $93,085 | D | 9,896 |
| Concrete Finisher | Construction | $63,674 | $39,578 – $95,363 | D | 8,105 |
| Welder | Welding | $62,299 | $38,340 – $87,998 | D | 7,762 |
| Painter (Construction) | Construction | $61,726 | $37,161 – $93,819 | F | 3,678 |
| Roofer | Construction | $61,434 | $39,719 – $89,666 | D | 5,910 |
| CNC Machine Operator | Metalwork | $57,395 | $36,519 – $84,256 | F | 6,127 |
| Scaffold Builder | Construction | $55,891 | $34,132 – $79,140 | F | 5,988 |
About Trade Pay in San Francisco
San Francisco, CA has a cost-of-living index of 190, which is 90% above the national average. This means trade salaries here need to be higher to maintain equivalent purchasing power.
The highest-paying trade in San Francisco is Elevator Mechanic with a median salary of $139,652. Across all 50 trades tracked, the average median salary is $79,272. Despite higher living costs, strong union presence and infrastructure demand keep trade wages competitive.
Compare San Francisco against other metros on the best cities for trade workers ranking, or see the highest paying trades nationally.