What this means Our calculation
15 of 36 trades here pay more than the typical U.S. metro; the best-paid is electrical lineworkers at $83,570. Prices run 0% above the U.S. average, so a paycheck here is worth about the same than the same dollars elsewhere. For the wider job market, unemployment is lower than most metros (3.4%) and the population is growing faster than most (+5.9% since 2020).
Highest-paying trades in Atlanta Government data
All 36 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 | $83,570 | -14% | $83,522 | 2,660 | #168 |
| Elevator Installer | $83,500 | -23% | $83,452 | 510 | #46 |
| Construction Supervisor | $80,500 | +4% | $80,453 | 16,920 | #126 |
| Rigger | $75,670 | +25% | $75,626 | 400 | #17 |
| Building Inspector | $72,410 | +7% | $72,368 | 3,020 | #129 |
| Telecom Equipment Installer | $70,790 | +14% | $70,749 | 4,300 | #87 |
| Diesel Mechanic | $62,270 | +3% | $62,234 | 5,940 | #125 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanic | $62,000 | -3% | $61,964 | 6,120 | #263 |
| Drywall Installer | $59,670 | +11% | $59,635 | 490 | #63 |
| HVAC Technician | $58,970 | -1% | $58,936 | 7,060 | #216 |
| Electrician | $58,650 | -6% | $58,616 | 13,430 | #275 |
| Septic & Sewer Technician | $58,450 | +15% | $58,416 | 230 | #40 |
| Plumber | $58,380 | -5% | $58,346 | 5,470 | #263 |
| Telecom Line Installer | $58,130 | -12% | $58,096 | 2,110 | #186 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $56,750 | -8% | $56,717 | 1,550 | #170 |
| Machinist | $56,270 | -1% | $56,237 | 2,500 | #196 |
| Auto Body Repairer | $55,690 | +8% | $55,658 | 2,690 | #132 |
| Insulation Installer | $54,730 | +13% | $54,698 | 580 | #31 |
| Appliance Repair Technician | $52,000 | +3% | $51,970 | 310 | #58 |
| Auto Mechanic | $51,450 | +5% | $51,420 | 12,310 | #132 |
| Carpenter | $50,680 | -10% | $50,651 | 6,380 | #244 |
| Hazmat Removal Worker | $50,190 | +4% | $50,161 | 280 | #48 |
| Welder | $49,630 | -5% | $49,601 | 5,240 | #263 |
| Maintenance Technician | $49,630 | +3% | $49,601 | 25,190 | #145 |
| Painter | $49,570 | +4% | $49,541 | 1,340 | #125 |
| Heavy Equipment Operator | $49,430 | -17% | $49,401 | 8,360 | #289 |
| Roofer | $49,100 | -2% | $49,072 | 1,440 | #158 |
| Ironworker | $48,090 | -25% | $48,062 | 620 | #140 |
| Rebar Worker | $47,480 | -16% | $47,452 | 60 | #21 |
| Concrete Finisher | $46,750 | -18% | $46,723 | 2,290 | #274 |
| Paving Equipment Operator | $46,120 | -8% | $46,093 | 770 | #120 |
| Flooring Installer | $46,030 | -18% | $46,003 | 190 | #63 |
| Fence Installer | $45,350 | -6% | $45,324 | 270 | #37 |
| Construction Laborer | $42,010 | -10% | $41,986 | 16,460 | #292 |
| Pest Control Technician | $38,920 | -12% | $38,897 | 3,430 | #174 |
| Landscaper | $38,500 | +3% | $38,478 | 15,300 | #144 |
Pay: BLS OEWS, May 2025 (metro-level). Real pay: BEA price parities, 2024. How we calculate
Living costs & homes Government data
Homes in Atlanta
The Atlanta area has about 2,573,295 homes. 25% were built before 1980 (typical metro 45%), so its housing is newer than most; 20% were built in 2010 or later. 67% of households own their home, and the median home value is $402,100.
Census American Community Survey, 2024 1-year estimates (table DP04).
Working outdoors in Atlanta Government data
In an average year, Atlanta has 54 days at 90°F or hotter (more than most metros; typical metro 33), 52 nights below freezing (typical 90) and 75 days with a tenth of an inch of rain or more. Summer afternoons average 89°F and winter nights 35°F. That matters for outdoor trades: heat and freezes shape the working season and the hours.
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020 averages, Atlanta Fulton Co Airport, GA station. Compare cities on outdoor work weather.
Job market & growth Government data
Unemployment
3.4% in 2025 (typical metro 4.1%), all workers.
BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, 2021–2025.
Population
The Atlanta area's population grew 5.9% from 2020 to 2025 (6,120,770 → 6,482,182), ranking #80 of 387 metros for growth (typical metro +2.5%). People moving in (net +248,080) account for most of the change.
Census Bureau population estimates, July 1 of each year, 2020–2025.
New homes permitted
New-home permits in Atlanta are down 15% from 2021 to 2025 (39,466 → 33,670). Permits signal construction activity, not open jobs.
Census Building Permits Survey, 2021–2025.
Getting to work
The average commute in the Atlanta area is 32 minutes each way, longer than the typical metro (24 min). 26% of commuters spend 45 minutes or more. 68% drive alone, 2% take transit and 19% work from home (all workers, not just trades).
Census American Community Survey, 2024 1-year estimates (table S0801).
Licensing in Georgia Official source
The main state licensing office in Georgia is the Georgia Secretary of State (Professional Licensing). Construction Industry Licensing Board and Residential/General Contractors Board. It can point you to the right license for skilled trades.
Official Georgia licensing site ↗
Requirements for skilled trades vary by state and sometimes by city; always confirm with the official agency.
Union membership
In 2025, 5.1% of wage and salary workers in Georgia were union members, below the U.S. rate of about 10% (#40 of 51 states and D.C.), and 6.1% 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 Georgia.