Machinist vs Construction Manager
Which trade pays more? Side-by-side salary comparison using 2025 BLS data.
Machinist
Metalwork · 4yr apprenticeship
Median Salary$52,141
Salary Range$43,717 – $66,698
5yr Growth+6%
Trade Pay ScoreD (51/100)
Total Employment123,979
Cities Tracked30
Higher Pay
Construction Manager
Management · 0yr apprenticeship
Median Salary$112,501
Salary Range$90,238 – $141,603
5yr Growth+12%
Trade Pay ScoreB (82/100)
Total Employment195,083
Cities Tracked30
City-by-City Comparison
| City | Machinist | Construction Manager | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $66,698 | $133,724 | -$67,026 |
| Boston, MA | $65,491 | $129,499 | -$64,008 |
| Seattle, WA | $65,465 | $141,603 | -$76,138 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $64,169 | $134,046 | -$69,877 |
| New York, NY | $61,662 | $138,742 | -$77,080 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $59,339 | $124,384 | -$65,045 |
| Portland, OR | $57,987 | $129,318 | -$71,331 |
| Chicago, IL | $57,619 | $121,490 | -$63,871 |
| Milwaukee, WI | $53,383 | $103,583 | -$50,200 |
| Houston, TX | $53,304 | $110,350 | -$57,046 |
| Detroit, MI | $52,203 | $103,783 | -$51,580 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $52,117 | $124,593 | -$72,476 |
| Denver, CO | $51,848 | $121,535 | -$69,687 |
| Atlanta, GA | $50,744 | $105,135 | -$54,391 |
| Las Vegas, NV | $50,078 | $119,631 | -$69,553 |
| Dallas, TX | $49,483 | $111,663 | -$62,180 |
| St. Louis, MO | $48,863 | $110,487 | -$61,624 |
| New Orleans, LA | $48,371 | $93,203 | -$44,832 |
| Nashville, TN | $47,887 | $107,407 | -$59,520 |
| San Antonio, TX | $47,841 | $90,238 | -$42,397 |
| Miami, FL | $47,774 | $94,454 | -$46,680 |
| Charlotte, NC | $47,451 | $100,828 | -$53,377 |
| Kansas City, MO | $47,317 | $110,643 | -$63,326 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $47,196 | $103,128 | -$55,932 |
| Raleigh, NC | $46,215 | $102,831 | -$56,616 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $45,745 | $105,962 | -$60,217 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $45,510 | $109,848 | -$64,338 |
| Indianapolis, IN | $44,848 | $91,823 | -$46,975 |
| Columbus, OH | $43,891 | $102,530 | -$58,639 |
| Tampa, FL | $43,717 | $98,578 | -$54,861 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Machinists or Construction Managers make more money?
Construction Managers earn more on average, with a national median salary of $112,501 compared to $52,141 — a difference of $60,360 per year.
Which trade has better job growth — Machinist or Construction Manager?
Construction Manager has stronger 5-year wage growth at 12% vs 6%.
How long is the apprenticeship for each trade?
Machinist requires 4 years of apprenticeship, while Construction Manager requires 0 years.
Machinist salary by city →
Construction Manager salary by city →
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