What is the highest-paying trade in Massachusetts?

Elevator and escalator installers and repairers, with a median of $138,420 a year ($66.55 an hour) in Massachusetts, per May 2025 BLS data.

Which trades pay over $100,000 in Massachusetts?

9 trades have a median of $100,000 or more in Massachusetts: elevator and escalator installers and repairers ($138,420), signal and track switch repairers ($126,440), pile driver operators ($120,980), structural iron and steel workers ($120,840), electrical and electronics repairers, powerhouse, substation, and relay ($119,460), electrical power-line installers and repairers ($110,210), rail car repairers ($108,680), telecommunications line installers and repairers ($103,410), glaziers ($100,810).

How many trades pay more than the typical job in Massachusetts?

42 of the 76 trades ranked here have a median above $63,590, the median for all occupations in Massachusetts.

Do trades pay more in Massachusetts than in the rest of the U.S.?

62 of the 76 trades have a higher median in Massachusetts than nationally. The biggest gap is structural iron and steel workers: $120,840, 92% above the U.S. median of $62,780.

Which trade employs the most people in Massachusetts?

Maintenance and repair workers, general, with about 29,830 jobs and a median of $58,320 a year.

Highest-paying trades in Massachusetts

Updated September 27, 2026

Elevator and escalator installers and repairers are the highest-paying skilled trade in Massachusetts, with a median of $138,420 a year, according to May 2025 BLS data. 42 of the 76 trades ranked here pay more than the $63,590 median for all jobs in Massachusetts.

All 76 trades by median pay in Massachusetts

#	Trade	Median a year	vs U.S.	Jobs
1	Elevator and escalator installers and repairers+26% vs U.S.	$138,420$66.55/hr	+26%	—
2	Signal and track switch repairers160 jobs · +37% vs U.S.	$126,440$60.79/hr	+37%	160
3	Pile driver operators130 jobs · +65% vs U.S.	$120,980$58.16/hr	+65%	130
4	Structural iron and steel workers2,050 jobs · +92% vs U.S.	$120,840$58.10/hr	+92%	2,050
5	Electrical and electronics repairers, powerhouse, substation, and relay430 jobs · +16% vs U.S.	$119,460$57.43/hr	+16%	430
6	Electrical power-line installers and repairers2,350 jobs · +16% vs U.S.	$110,210$52.99/hr	+16%	2,350
7	Rail car repairers770 jobs · +61% vs U.S.	$108,680$52.25/hr	+61%	770
8	Telecommunications line installers and repairers2,230 jobs · +39% vs U.S.	$103,410$49.72/hr	+39%	2,230
9	Glaziers1,080 jobs · +77% vs U.S.	$100,810$48.47/hr	+77%	1,080
10	Control and valve installers and repairers, except mechanical door1,320 jobs · +28% vs U.S.	$95,520$45.93/hr	+28%	1,320
11	Brickmasons and blockmasons1,570 jobs · +53% vs U.S.	$94,950$45.65/hr	+53%	1,570
12	Rail-Track laying and maintenance equipment operators570 jobs · +35% vs U.S.	$94,330$45.35/hr	+35%	570
13	Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters13,460 jobs · +47% vs U.S.	$93,880$45.14/hr	+47%	13,460
14	Aircraft mechanics and service technicians1,410 jobs · +16% vs U.S.	$93,040$44.73/hr	+16%	1,410
15	Avionics technicians40 jobs · +9% vs U.S.	$89,340$42.95/hr	+9%	40
16	Construction and building inspectors4,290 jobs · +11% vs U.S.	$83,200$40.00/hr	+11%	4,290
17	Sheet metal workers2,890 jobs · +33% vs U.S.	$82,100$39.47/hr	+33%	2,890
18	Electrical and electronics installers and repairers, transportation equipment90 jobs · −4% vs U.S.	$81,420$39.14/hr	−4%	90
19	Tile and stone setters410 jobs · +46% vs U.S.	$81,150$39.02/hr	+46%	410
20	Electricians17,810 jobs · +26% vs U.S.	$79,420$38.18/hr	+26%	17,810
21	Floor layers, except carpet, wood, and hard tiles1,060 jobs · +40% vs U.S.	$79,280$38.12/hr	+40%	1,060
22	Security and fire alarm systems installers1,690 jobs · +31% vs U.S.	$78,530$37.76/hr	+31%	1,690
23	Medical equipment repairers2,200 jobs · +27% vs U.S.	$78,230$37.61/hr	+27%	2,200
24	Electrical and electronics repairers, commercial and industrial equipment920 jobs · +5% vs U.S.	$77,570$37.29/hr	+5%	920
25	Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers8,200 jobs · +27% vs U.S.	$77,300$37.16/hr	+27%	8,200
26	Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators9,680 jobs · +28% vs U.S.	$76,820$36.93/hr	+28%	9,680
27	Telecommunications equipment installers and repairers, except line installers2,890 jobs · +20% vs U.S.	$76,500$36.78/hr	+20%	2,890
28	Mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except engines1,620 jobs · +16% vs U.S.	$76,070$36.57/hr	+16%	1,620
29	Carpenters18,540 jobs · +24% vs U.S.	$75,200$36.16/hr	+24%	18,540
30	Motorboat mechanics and service technicians890 jobs · +29% vs U.S.	$74,160$35.66/hr	+29%	890
31	Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists4,870 jobs · +19% vs U.S.	$73,270$35.23/hr	+19%	4,870
32	Industrial machinery mechanics6,130 jobs · +13% vs U.S.	$72,840$35.02/hr	+13%	6,130
33	Pipelayers+49% vs U.S.	$72,770$34.99/hr	+49%	—
34	Roofers1,950 jobs · +31% vs U.S.	$72,750$34.98/hr	+31%	1,950
35	Home appliance repairers550 jobs · +39% vs U.S.	$70,750$34.02/hr	+39%	550
36	Miscellaneous construction and related workers960 jobs · +41% vs U.S.	$70,540$33.91/hr	+41%	960
37	Stonemasons+21% vs U.S.	$69,610$33.47/hr	+21%	—
38	Drywall and ceiling tile installers590 jobs · +18% vs U.S.	$69,500$33.42/hr	+18%	590
39	Millwrights−1% vs U.S.	$65,220$31.36/hr	−1%	—
40	Tapers510 jobs · −5% vs U.S.	$65,060$31.28/hr	−5%	510
41	Insulation workers, mechanical560 jobs · +11% vs U.S.	$64,710$31.11/hr	+11%	560
42	Cement masons and concrete finishers1,590 jobs · +12% vs U.S.	$63,840$30.69/hr	+12%	1,590
43	Construction laborers16,210 jobs · +35% vs U.S.	$63,390$30.48/hr	+35%	16,210
44	Electric motor, power tool, and related repairers+12% vs U.S.	$62,710$30.15/hr	+12%	—
45	Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers2,830 jobs · +16% vs U.S.	$62,570$30.08/hr	+16%	2,830
46	Precision instrument and equipment repairers, all other70 jobs · −10% vs U.S.	$62,260$29.93/hr	−10%	70
47	Highway maintenance workers2,000 jobs · +22% vs U.S.	$61,500$29.57/hr	+22%	2,000
48	Recreational vehicle service technicians240 jobs · +18% vs U.S.	$61,470$29.55/hr	+18%	240
49	Paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators560 jobs · +14% vs U.S.	$60,950$29.31/hr	+14%	560
50	Radio, cellular, and tower equipment installers and repairers−4% vs U.S.	$60,890$29.28/hr	−4%	—
51	Automotive service technicians and mechanics12,710 jobs · +20% vs U.S.	$60,760$29.21/hr	+20%	12,710
52	Installation, maintenance, and repair workers, all other1,240 jobs · +22% vs U.S.	$59,890$28.79/hr	+22%	1,240
53	Locksmiths and safe repairers300 jobs · +16% vs U.S.	$59,420$28.57/hr	+16%	300
54	Automotive body and related repairers3,060 jobs · +8% vs U.S.	$59,300$28.51/hr	+8%	3,060
55	Solar photovoltaic installers620 jobs · +11% vs U.S.	$59,180$28.45/hr	+11%	620
56	Automotive glass installers and repairers140 jobs · +23% vs U.S.	$58,490$28.12/hr	+23%	140
57	Maintenance and repair workers, general29,830 jobs · +18% vs U.S.	$58,320$28.04/hr	+18%	29,830
58	Floor sanders and finishers+15% vs U.S.	$58,230$28.00/hr	+15%	—
59	Outdoor power equipment and other small engine mechanics800 jobs · +21% vs U.S.	$57,830$27.80/hr	+21%	800
60	Painters, construction and maintenance4,430 jobs · +16% vs U.S.	$57,510$27.65/hr	+16%	4,430
61	Computer, automated teller, and office machine repairers1,350 jobs · +20% vs U.S.	$57,270$27.54/hr	+20%	1,350
62	Audiovisual equipment installers and repairers+7% vs U.S.	$56,040$26.94/hr	+7%	—
63	Mechanical door repairers0% vs U.S.	$55,770$26.81/hr	0%	—
64	Maintenance workers, machinery320 jobs · −10% vs U.S.	$55,000$26.44/hr	−10%	320
65	Coin, vending, and amusement machine servicers and repairers70 jobs · +15% vs U.S.	$54,380$26.15/hr	+15%	70
66	Riggers240 jobs · −15% vs U.S.	$53,500$25.72/hr	−15%	240
67	Septic tank servicers and sewer pipe cleaners620 jobs · +6% vs U.S.	$53,080$25.52/hr	+6%	620
68	Hazardous materials removal workers2,770 jobs · 0% vs U.S.	$49,620$23.86/hr	0%	2,770
69	Insulation workers, floor, ceiling, and wall710 jobs · 0% vs U.S.	$48,940$23.53/hr	0%	710
70	Motorcycle mechanics+1% vs U.S.	$48,940$23.53/hr	+1%	—
71	Fence erectors+1% vs U.S.	$48,430$23.28/hr	+1%	—
72	Carpet installers−5% vs U.S.	$47,930$23.04/hr	−5%	—
73	Electronic equipment installers and repairers, motor vehicles220 jobs · −2% vs U.S.	$47,590$22.88/hr	−2%	220
74	Musical instrument repairers and tuners130 jobs · +1% vs U.S.	$46,820$22.51/hr	+1%	130
75	Bicycle repairers280 jobs · −3% vs U.S.	$41,600$20.00/hr	−3%	280
76	Tire repairers and changers1,240 jobs · −2% vs U.S.	$36,770$17.68/hr	−2%	1,240

Linked trades have full Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts, 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 Massachusetts median for 12 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 Massachusetts?: Elevator and escalator installers and repairers, with a median of $138,420 a year ($66.55 an hour) in Massachusetts, per May 2025 BLS data.
Which trades pay over $100,000 in Massachusetts?: 9 trades have a median of $100,000 or more in Massachusetts: elevator and escalator installers and repairers ($138,420), signal and track switch repairers ($126,440), pile driver operators ($120,980), structural iron and steel workers ($120,840), electrical and electronics repairers, powerhouse, substation, and relay ($119,460), electrical power-line installers and repairers ($110,210), rail car repairers ($108,680), telecommunications line installers and repairers ($103,410), glaziers ($100,810).
How many trades pay more than the typical job in Massachusetts?: 42 of the 76 trades ranked here have a median above $63,590, the median for all occupations in Massachusetts.
Do trades pay more in Massachusetts than in the rest of the U.S.?: 62 of the 76 trades have a higher median in Massachusetts than nationally. The biggest gap is structural iron and steel workers: $120,840, 92% above the U.S. median of $62,780.
Which trade employs the most people in Massachusetts?: Maintenance and repair workers, general, with about 29,830 jobs and a median of $58,320 a year.