What this means Our calculation
3 of 34 trades here pay more than the typical U.S. metro; the best-paid is electrical lineworkers at $98,520. Prices run 3% below the U.S. average, so a paycheck here is worth more than the same dollars elsewhere. For the wider job market, unemployment is higher than most metros (4.8%) and the population is growing faster than most (+19.8% since 2020).
Highest-paying trades in Lakeland Government data
All 34 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical Lineworker | $98,520 | +2% | $101,420 | 200 | #121 |
| Construction Supervisor | $74,500 | -4% | $76,693 | 1,860 | #261 |
| Building Inspector | $62,040 | -8% | $63,866 | 250 | #249 |
| Telecom Line Installer | $61,070 | -8% | $62,867 | 210 | #161 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanic | $60,840 | -5% | $62,631 | 1,190 | #296 |
| Telecom Equipment Installer | $60,220 | -3% | $61,992 | 170 | #216 |
| Diesel Mechanic | $59,780 | -1% | $61,539 | 790 | #221 |
| HVAC Technician | $56,680 | -5% | $58,348 | 1,120 | #268 |
| Rebar Worker | $55,430 | -2% | $57,061 | 70 | #13 |
| Electrician | $54,920 | -12% | $56,536 | 1,020 | #325 |
| Hazmat Removal Worker | $51,300 | +6% | $52,810 | 80 | #40 |
| Plumber | $51,220 | -17% | $52,727 | 740 | #336 |
| Appliance Repair Technician | $50,840 | +1% | $52,336 | 40 | #61 |
| Brickmason | $50,210 | -20% | $51,688 | 70 | #128 |
| Septic & Sewer Technician | $48,820 | -4% | $50,257 | 40 | #89 |
| Welder | $48,520 | -7% | $49,948 | 820 | #302 |
| Glazier | $48,000 | -13% | $49,413 | 110 | #113 |
| Heavy Equipment Operator | $47,900 | -20% | $49,310 | 820 | #332 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $47,740 | -22% | $49,145 | 180 | #234 |
| Concrete Finisher | $47,440 | -17% | $48,836 | 560 | #261 |
| Auto Body Repairer | $47,030 | -9% | $48,414 | 260 | #313 |
| Machinist | $46,990 | -18% | $48,373 | 390 | #343 |
| Roofer | $46,730 | -7% | $48,105 | 810 | #206 |
| Drywall Installer | $46,590 | -13% | $47,961 | 140 | #143 |
| Painter | $46,320 | -3% | $47,683 | 510 | #232 |
| Carpenter | $45,970 | -18% | $47,323 | 800 | #355 |
| Auto Mechanic | $45,900 | -6% | $47,251 | 1,820 | #328 |
| Maintenance Technician | $45,850 | -5% | $47,199 | 3,090 | #289 |
| Fence Installer | $45,550 | -6% | $46,891 | 110 | #36 |
| Tile Setter | $45,100 | -11% | $46,427 | 80 | #105 |
| Paving Equipment Operator | $44,180 | -11% | $45,480 | 140 | #132 |
| Pest Control Technician | $44,130 | -1% | $45,429 | 240 | #133 |
| Construction Laborer | $39,470 | -16% | $40,632 | 2,690 | #310 |
| Landscaper | $35,490 | -5% | $36,535 | 2,450 | #326 |
Pay: BLS OEWS, May 2025 (metro-level). Real pay: BEA price parities, 2024. How we calculate
Living costs & homes Government data
Homes in Lakeland
The Lakeland area has about 364,770 homes. 24% were built before 1980 (typical metro 45%), so its housing is newer than most; 25% were built in 2010 or later. 72% of households own their home, and the median home value is $305,400.
Census American Community Survey, 2024 1-year estimates (table DP04).
Working outdoors in Lakeland Government data
In an average year, Lakeland has 119 days at 90°F or hotter (more than most metros; typical metro 33), 3 nights below freezing (typical 90) and 83 days with a tenth of an inch of rain or more. Summer afternoons average 92°F and winter nights 53°F. That matters for outdoor trades: heat and freezes shape the working season and the hours.
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020 averages, Lakeland 2, FL station. Compare cities on outdoor work weather.
Job market & growth Government data
Unemployment
4.8% in 2025 (typical metro 4.1%), all workers.
BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, 2021–2025.
Population
The Lakeland area's population grew 19.8% from 2020 to 2025 (730,148 → 874,790), ranking #3 of 387 metros for growth (typical metro +2.5%). People moving in (net +142,694) account for most of the change.
Census Bureau population estimates, July 1 of each year, 2020–2025.
New homes permitted
New-home permits in Lakeland are down 37% from 2021 to 2025 (13,071 → 8,236). Permits signal construction activity, not open jobs.
Census Building Permits Survey, 2021–2025.
Getting to work
The average commute in the Lakeland area is 31 minutes each way, longer than the typical metro (24 min). 24% of commuters spend 45 minutes or more. 73% drive alone, 0% take transit and 12% work from home (all workers, not just trades).
Census American Community Survey, 2024 1-year estimates (table S0801).
Licensing in Florida Official source
The main state licensing office in Florida is the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation. Construction and electrical contractor boards. It can point you to the right license for skilled trades.
Official Florida licensing site ↗
Requirements for skilled trades vary by state and sometimes by city; always confirm with the official agency.
Union membership
In 2025, 5.4% of wage and salary workers in Florida were union members, below the U.S. rate of about 10% (#38 of 51 states and D.C.), and 6.2% 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 Florida.