What this means Our calculation
15 of 16 trades here pay more than the typical U.S. metro; the best-paid is construction supervisors at $96,170. Prices run 2% 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 (9.3%) and the population is growing slowly (+1.0% since 2020).
Highest-paying trades in Hanford Government data
All 16 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction Supervisor | $96,170 | +25% | $94,644 | 110 | #39 |
| Electrician | $86,040 | +38% | $84,675 | 220 | #28 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $76,710 | +25% | $75,493 | 40 | #51 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanic | $73,400 | +15% | $72,236 | 140 | #77 |
| Carpenter | $73,250 | +30% | $72,088 | 110 | #35 |
| Telecom Equipment Installer | $71,480 | +15% | $70,346 | 30 | #83 |
| Auto Mechanic | $64,090 | +31% | $63,073 | 170 | #10 |
| Painter | $63,800 | +34% | $62,788 | 40 | #9 |
| Heavy Equipment Operator | $63,050 | +6% | $62,050 | 100 | #132 |
| Plumber | $62,860 | +2% | $61,863 | 110 | #170 |
| HVAC Technician | $62,670 | +5% | $61,676 | 80 | #105 |
| Diesel Mechanic | $60,940 | +1% | $59,973 | 110 | #172 |
| Construction Laborer | $59,870 | +28% | $58,920 | 100 | #30 |
| Maintenance Technician | $59,200 | +22% | $58,261 | 520 | #17 |
| Welder | $47,520 | -9% | $46,766 | 60 | #330 |
| Landscaper | $44,360 | +18% | $43,656 | 180 | #73 |
Pay: BLS OEWS, May 2025 (metro-level). Real pay: BEA price parities, 2024. How we calculate
Living costs & homes Government data
Homes in Hanford
The Hanford area has about 47,576 homes. 44% were built before 1980 (typical metro 45%), so its housing is about as old as most; 11% were built in 2010 or later. 56% of households own their home, and the median home value is $350,500.
Census American Community Survey, 2024 1-year estimates (table DP04).
Working outdoors in Hanford Government data
In an average year, Hanford has 112 days at 90°F or hotter (more than most metros; typical metro 33), including 33 at 100°F or more, 31 nights below freezing (typical 90) and 21 days with a tenth of an inch of rain or more. Summer afternoons average 96°F and winter nights 37°F. That matters for outdoor trades: heat and freezes shape the working season and the hours.
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020 averages, Hanford Muni Airport, CA station. Compare cities on outdoor work weather.
Job market & growth Government data
Unemployment
9.3% in 2025 (typical metro 4.1%), all workers.
BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, 2021–2025.
Population
The Hanford area's population grew 1.0% from 2020 to 2025 (152,813 → 154,327), ranking #250 of 387 metros for growth (typical metro +2.5%). More people moved out than in (net -3,537).
Census Bureau population estimates, July 1 of each year, 2020–2025.
New homes permitted
New-home permits in Hanford are roughly flat from 2021 to 2025 (508 → 507). Permits signal construction activity, not open jobs.
Census Building Permits Survey, 2021–2025.
Getting to work
The average commute in the Hanford area is 24 minutes each way, about the same as the typical metro (24 min). 18% of commuters spend 45 minutes or more. 78% drive alone, 0% take transit and 5% 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.