Highest-paying trades in California
Updated September 27, 2026
Elevator and escalator installers and repairers are the highest-paying skilled trade in California, with a median of $141,180 a year, according to May 2025 BLS data. 69 of the 87 trades ranked here pay more than the $58,240 median for all jobs in California.
All 87 trades by median pay in California
| # | Trade | Median a year |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Elevator and escalator installers and repairers1,910 jobs · +28% vs U.S. | $141,180$67.88/hr |
| 2 | Electrical power-line installers and repairers8,930 jobs · +35% vs U.S. | $129,040$62.04/hr |
| 3 | Electrical and electronics repairers, powerhouse, substation, and relay1,680 jobs · +18% vs U.S. | $121,520$58.42/hr |
| 4 | Insulation workers, mechanical1,310 jobs · +105% vs U.S. | $119,690$57.55/hr |
| 5 | Boilermakers720 jobs · +55% vs U.S. | $118,150$56.80/hr |
| 6 | Pile driver operators480 jobs · +51% vs U.S. | $110,340$53.05/hr |
| 7 | Watch and clock repairers+64% vs U.S. | $110,050$52.91/hr |
| 8 | Commercial divers310 jobs · +39% vs U.S. | $101,540$48.82/hr |
| 9 | Construction and building inspectors13,420 jobs · +36% vs U.S. | $101,290$48.70/hr |
| 10 | Control and valve installers and repairers, except mechanical door4,310 jobs · +35% vs U.S. | $100,260$48.20/hr |
| 11 | Telecommunications line installers and repairers8,810 jobs · +32% vs U.S. | $97,980$47.11/hr |
| 12 | Avionics technicians1,220 jobs · +12% vs U.S. | $92,480$44.46/hr |
| 13 | Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators36,020 jobs · +46% vs U.S. | $87,160$41.90/hr |
| 14 | Electrical and electronics repairers, commercial and industrial equipment5,830 jobs · +18% vs U.S. | $87,080$41.86/hr |
| 15 | Aircraft mechanics and service technicians12,590 jobs · +8% vs U.S. | $86,100$41.40/hr |
| 16 | Riggers2,260 jobs · +37% vs U.S. | $85,730$41.22/hr |
| 17 | Electrical and electronics installers and repairers, transportation equipment1,480 jobs · 0% vs U.S. | $84,820$40.78/hr |
| 18 | Signal and track switch repairers390 jobs · −8% vs U.S. | $84,670$40.71/hr |
| 19 | Paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators1,400 jobs · +56% vs U.S. | $83,130$39.97/hr |
| 20 | Precision instrument and equipment repairers, all other1,460 jobs · +16% vs U.S. | $80,060$38.49/hr |
| 21 | Mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except engines20,080 jobs · +20% vs U.S. | $78,550$37.76/hr |
| 22 | Millwrights2,230 jobs · +19% vs U.S. | $77,950$37.48/hr |
| 23 | Wind turbine service technicians400 jobs · +22% vs U.S. | $77,910$37.46/hr |
| 24 | Refractory materials repairers, except brickmasons+26% vs U.S. | $77,220$37.13/hr |
| 25 | Telecommunications equipment installers and repairers, except line installers14,040 jobs · +20% vs U.S. | $76,630$36.84/hr |
| 26 | Sheet metal workers8,390 jobs · +24% vs U.S. | $76,590$36.82/hr |
| 27 | Structural iron and steel workers7,110 jobs · +22% vs U.S. | $76,370$36.72/hr |
| 28 | Pipelayers1,420 jobs · +55% vs U.S. | $76,180$36.63/hr |
| 29 | Electricians73,310 jobs · +21% vs U.S. | $76,160$36.62/hr |
| 30 | Carpenters100,750 jobs · +25% vs U.S. | $75,920$36.50/hr |
| 31 | Industrial machinery mechanics26,830 jobs · +15% vs U.S. | $74,400$35.77/hr |
| 32 | Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists20,940 jobs · +20% vs U.S. | $73,950$35.55/hr |
| 33 | Tapers4,540 jobs · +8% vs U.S. | $73,460$35.32/hr |
| 34 | Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters47,660 jobs · +14% vs U.S. | $72,830$35.01/hr |
| 35 | Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers35,130 jobs · +19% vs U.S. | $72,560$34.88/hr |
| 36 | Medical equipment repairers6,080 jobs · +17% vs U.S. | $72,450$34.83/hr |
| 37 | Security and fire alarm systems installers8,180 jobs · +19% vs U.S. | $71,570$34.41/hr |
| 38 | Rail-Track laying and maintenance equipment operators770 jobs · +2% vs U.S. | $71,170$34.22/hr |
| 39 | Brickmasons and blockmasons3,820 jobs · +11% vs U.S. | $69,050$33.20/hr |
| 40 | Rail car repairers700 jobs · +1% vs U.S. | $68,370$32.87/hr |
| 41 | Recreational vehicle service technicians1,070 jobs · +31% vs U.S. | $68,240$32.81/hr |
| 42 | Maintenance workers, machinery4,130 jobs · +11% vs U.S. | $67,840$32.61/hr |
| 43 | Automotive body and related repairers14,050 jobs · +22% vs U.S. | $66,860$32.14/hr |
| 44 | Electric motor, power tool, and related repairers810 jobs · +17% vs U.S. | $66,040$31.75/hr |
| 45 | Drywall and ceiling tile installers27,280 jobs · +12% vs U.S. | $65,880$31.67/hr |
| 46 | Automotive service technicians and mechanics65,420 jobs · +28% vs U.S. | $64,980$31.24/hr |
| 47 | Glaziers7,020 jobs · +12% vs U.S. | $64,040$30.79/hr |
| 48 | Roofers21,190 jobs · +15% vs U.S. | $63,600$30.58/hr |
| 49 | Reinforcing iron and rebar workers2,390 jobs · +7% vs U.S. | $63,110$30.34/hr |
| 50 | Radio, cellular, and tower equipment installers and repairers1,030 jobs · −1% vs U.S. | $62,840$30.21/hr |
| 51 | Paperhangers130 jobs · +20% vs U.S. | $62,790$30.19/hr |
| 52 | Cement masons and concrete finishers28,700 jobs · +10% vs U.S. | $62,700$30.15/hr |
| 53 | Audiovisual equipment installers and repairers2,590 jobs · +19% vs U.S. | $62,390$30.00/hr |
| 54 | Motorboat mechanics and service technicians1,230 jobs · +8% vs U.S. | $62,330$29.97/hr |
| 55 | Floor layers, except carpet, wood, and hard tiles4,330 jobs · +8% vs U.S. | $61,210$29.43/hr |
| 56 | Locksmiths and safe repairers2,060 jobs · +19% vs U.S. | $61,010$29.33/hr |
| 57 | Stonemasons1,250 jobs · +6% vs U.S. | $60,930$29.29/hr |
| 58 | Miscellaneous construction and related workers2,560 jobs · +22% vs U.S. | $60,890$29.28/hr |
| 59 | Solar photovoltaic installers6,830 jobs · +14% vs U.S. | $60,600$29.14/hr |
| 60 | Construction laborers88,240 jobs · +28% vs U.S. | $60,270$28.98/hr |
| 61 | Plasterers and stucco masons6,780 jobs · +4% vs U.S. | $59,940$28.82/hr |
| 62 | Camera and photographic equipment repairers+13% vs U.S. | $59,770$28.74/hr |
| 63 | Highway maintenance workers8,150 jobs · +19% vs U.S. | $59,580$28.64/hr |
| 64 | Mechanical door repairers2,680 jobs · +7% vs U.S. | $59,560$28.64/hr |
| 65 | Manufactured building and mobile home installers+29% vs U.S. | $59,450$28.58/hr |
| 66 | Painters, construction and maintenance38,430 jobs · +19% vs U.S. | $59,020$28.38/hr |
| 67 | Tile and stone setters8,250 jobs · +6% vs U.S. | $58,880$28.31/hr |
| 68 | Home appliance repairers2,760 jobs · +15% vs U.S. | $58,480$28.12/hr |
| 69 | Computer, automated teller, and office machine repairers7,250 jobs · +22% vs U.S. | $58,280$28.02/hr |
| 70 | Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers26,060 jobs · +8% vs U.S. | $58,060$27.91/hr |
| 71 | Motorcycle mechanics1,730 jobs · +17% vs U.S. | $57,040$27.42/hr |
| 72 | Maintenance and repair workers, general143,060 jobs · +15% vs U.S. | $57,000$27.41/hr |
| 73 | Hazardous materials removal workers7,340 jobs · +13% vs U.S. | $56,120$26.98/hr |
| 74 | Fence erectors3,150 jobs · +17% vs U.S. | $56,060$26.95/hr |
| 75 | Septic tank servicers and sewer pipe cleaners3,130 jobs · +11% vs U.S. | $55,220$26.55/hr |
| 76 | Carpet installers2,270 jobs · +8% vs U.S. | $54,440$26.17/hr |
| 77 | Farm equipment mechanics and service technicians4,730 jobs · −5% vs U.S. | $53,790$25.86/hr |
| 78 | Coin, vending, and amusement machine servicers and repairers2,810 jobs · +9% vs U.S. | $51,870$24.94/hr |
| 79 | Installation, maintenance, and repair workers, all other23,630 jobs · +4% vs U.S. | $51,230$24.63/hr |
| 80 | Outdoor power equipment and other small engine mechanics2,470 jobs · +6% vs U.S. | $50,790$24.42/hr |
| 81 | Insulation workers, floor, ceiling, and wall3,080 jobs · −1% vs U.S. | $48,840$23.48/hr |
| 82 | Electronic equipment installers and repairers, motor vehicles960 jobs · 0% vs U.S. | $48,500$23.32/hr |
| 83 | Automotive glass installers and repairers2,200 jobs · 0% vs U.S. | $47,710$22.94/hr |
| 84 | Musical instrument repairers and tuners520 jobs · +2% vs U.S. | $47,580$22.88/hr |
| 85 | Bicycle repairers1,710 jobs · +5% vs U.S. | $45,120$21.69/hr |
| 86 | Terrazzo workers and finishers−46% vs U.S. | $41,430$19.92/hr |
| 87 | Tire repairers and changers11,620 jobs · +5% vs U.S. | $39,680$19.08/hr |
Linked trades have full California pay pages, with pay in each metro area. See also: highest-paying trades in the U.S.
How we ranked them
Ranked by median annual wage in California, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics state estimates, May 2025. “vs U.S.” compares each trade with its own national median. Which occupations count as trades: Construction occupations and installation, maintenance, and repair occupations (BLS major groups 47 and 49), plus welders, excluding first-line supervisors, helpers, and mining and oil-and-gas extraction occupations. BLS doesn't publish a California median for 1 of the 88 trades in the national ranking, usually because too few people do that work there to estimate; they're left out. Wages exclude self-employed workers. Methodology
Questions
- What is the highest-paying trade in California?
- Elevator and escalator installers and repairers, with a median of $141,180 a year ($67.88 an hour) in California, per May 2025 BLS data.
- Which trades pay over $100,000 in California?
- 10 trades have a median of $100,000 or more in California: elevator and escalator installers and repairers ($141,180), electrical power-line installers and repairers ($129,040), electrical and electronics repairers, powerhouse, substation, and relay ($121,520), insulation workers, mechanical ($119,690), boilermakers ($118,150), pile driver operators ($110,340), watch and clock repairers ($110,050), commercial divers ($101,540), construction and building inspectors ($101,290), control and valve installers and repairers, except mechanical door ($100,260).
- How many trades pay more than the typical job in California?
- 69 of the 87 trades ranked here have a median above $58,240, the median for all occupations in California.
- Do trades pay more in California than in the rest of the U.S.?
- 79 of the 87 trades have a higher median in California than nationally. The biggest gap is insulation workers, mechanical: $119,690, 105% above the U.S. median of $58,340.
- Which trade employs the most people in California?
- Maintenance and repair workers, general, with about 143,060 jobs and a median of $57,000 a year.