Data checked · source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics
Field trade labor rates in the United States
Median wages for eight building trades across 49 metro areas, taken from US government data, plus what that translates to on an invoice.
Across the eight trades we track, median hourly wages run from $23.75 to $30.67. Billed rates typically land 2.21× to 3.19× higher once a shop covers burden, overhead and profit.
All eight trades at a glance
| Trade | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | Typical billed rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plumber | $24.13 | $30.67 | $40.92 | $68–$98 |
| Electrician | $23.76 | $30.38 | $40.36 | $67–$97 |
| Hvac Technician | $23.25 | $29.33 | $37.05 | $65–$94 |
| Carpenter | $23.32 | $29.12 | $36.94 | $64–$93 |
| Equipment Operator | $23.40 | $28.78 | $37.10 | $64–$92 |
| Tile Setter | $21.73 | $26.77 | $33.76 | $59–$85 |
| Roofer | $22.24 | $26.65 | $31.44 | $59–$85 |
| Painter | $21.46 | $23.75 | $29.65 | $52–$76 |
Hourly. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. Billed rates are FieldPricing estimates — see methodology.
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Why we publish this
Wage data for the building trades already exists and it is free. The Bureau of Labor Statistics releases it every year for hundreds of metro areas. Almost nobody turns it into something a homeowner or a shop owner can actually use.
So the numbers people see instead come from lead-generation sites that earn money when you request a quote, or from software vendors writing about their competitors. We have no quote form on these pages and no relationship with any contractor.
Everything here is free to read, with no login and no email capture. The formula is published. If you think we are wrong, the corrections page tells you how to say so.