What this means Our calculation
18 of 27 trades here pay more than the typical U.S. metro; the best-paid is telecom line installers at $99,040. Prices run 1% above the U.S. average, so a paycheck here is worth less than the same dollars elsewhere. For the wider job market, unemployment is higher than most metros (6.2%) and the population is shrinking (-0.5% since 2020).
Highest-paying trades in Chico Government data
All 27 trades
Vs. U.S. compares with the typical metro for that trade. Jobs are employment estimates, not open positions. Click a column to sort.
| Trade | Median pay | Vs. U.S. | Real pay | Jobs | U.S. rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Telecom Line Installer | $99,040 | +49% | $97,869 | 50 | #22 |
| Ironworker | $88,070 | +38% | $87,028 | 50 | #23 |
| Building Inspector | $83,480 | +24% | $82,493 | 50 | #41 |
| Construction Supervisor | $82,380 | +7% | $81,406 | 290 | #103 |
| Heavy Equipment Operator | $79,040 | +32% | $78,105 | 230 | #52 |
| Telecom Equipment Installer | $75,190 | +21% | $74,301 | 40 | #57 |
| Carpenter | $72,290 | +29% | $71,435 | 390 | #40 |
| Electrician | $65,400 | +5% | $64,626 | 320 | #160 |
| Auto Body Repairer | $64,420 | +25% | $63,658 | 40 | #13 |
| Auto Mechanic | $63,070 | +29% | $62,324 | 320 | #12 |
| HVAC Technician | $62,920 | +6% | $62,176 | 120 | #99 |
| Drywall Installer | $61,410 | +14% | $60,684 | 60 | #47 |
| Roofer | $61,110 | +22% | $60,387 | 100 | #56 |
| Plumber | $60,730 | -1% | $60,012 | 180 | #208 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanic | $59,990 | -6% | $59,280 | 200 | #317 |
| Concrete Finisher | $59,710 | +4% | $59,004 | 150 | #123 |
| Diesel Mechanic | $55,770 | -8% | $55,110 | 100 | #309 |
| Construction Laborer | $54,720 | +17% | $54,073 | 480 | #83 |
| Maintenance Technician | $52,040 | +8% | $51,424 | 720 | #103 |
| Welder | $48,740 | -7% | $48,163 | 160 | #295 |
| Tile Setter | $47,940 | -5% | $47,373 | 30 | #74 |
| Painter | $47,130 | -1% | $46,573 | 240 | #203 |
| Machinist | $46,580 | -18% | $46,029 | 40 | #347 |
| Landscaper | $45,150 | +20% | $44,616 | 710 | #50 |
| Pest Control Technician | $45,130 | +2% | $44,596 | 130 | #98 |
| Fence Installer | $44,800 | -7% | $44,270 | 30 | #39 |
| Septic & Sewer Technician | $43,120 | -15% | $42,610 | 40 | #135 |
Pay: BLS OEWS, May 2025 (metro-level). Real pay: BEA price parities, 2024. How we calculate
Living costs & homes Government data
Homes in Chico
The Chico area has about 95,770 homes. 46% were built before 1980 (typical metro 45%), so its housing is about as old as most; 14% were built in 2010 or later. 54% of households own their home, and the median home value is $420,400.
Census American Community Survey, 2024 1-year estimates (table DP04).
Working outdoors in Chico Government data
In an average year, Chico has 93 days at 90°F or hotter (more than most metros; typical metro 33), including 18 at 100°F or more, 11 nights below freezing (typical 90) and 43 days with a tenth of an inch of rain or more. Summer afternoons average 93°F and winter nights 41°F. That matters for outdoor trades: heat and freezes shape the working season and the hours.
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020 averages, Oroville Muni Airport, CA station. Compare cities on outdoor work weather.
Job market & growth Government data
Unemployment
6.2% in 2025 (typical metro 4.1%), all workers.
BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, 2021–2025.
Population
The Chico area's population shrank 0.5% from 2020 to 2025 (210,204 → 209,211), ranking #318 of 387 metros for growth (typical metro +2.5%).
Census Bureau population estimates, July 1 of each year, 2020–2025.
New homes permitted
New-home permits in Chico are down 51% from 2021 to 2025 (2,050 → 997). Permits signal construction activity, not open jobs.
Census Building Permits Survey, 2021–2025.
Getting to work
The average commute in the Chico area is 21 minutes each way, shorter than the typical metro (24 min). 8% of commuters spend 45 minutes or more. 72% drive alone, 1% take transit and 12% work from home (all workers, not just trades).
Census American Community Survey, 2024 1-year estimates (table S0801).
Licensing in California Official source
The main state licensing office in California is the Contractors State License Board. Licenses all trades by classification (e.g. C-10 electrical; C-36 plumbing). It can point you to the right license for skilled trades.
Official California licensing site ↗
Requirements for skilled trades vary by state and sometimes by city; always confirm with the official agency.
Union membership
In 2025, 14.9% of wage and salary workers in California were union members, above the U.S. rate of about 10% (#8 of 51 states and D.C.), and 16.7% were covered by a union contract. These figures cover all jobs in the state, not only the trades.
BLS Union Members, 2025 (Current Population Survey), table 5.
Nearby metros
Compare any trade in two cities with city vs. city, or see every metro in California.