What this means Our calculation
16 of 17 trades here pay more than the typical U.S. metro; the best-paid is electrical lineworkers at $95,380. 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 about the same as most metros (4.2%) and the population is growing faster than most (+10.4% since 2020).
Highest-paying trades in Amherst Town Government data
All 17 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 | $95,380 | -1% | $95,149 | 30 | #138 |
| Building Inspector | $89,030 | +32% | $88,814 | 110 | #33 |
| Construction Supervisor | $81,650 | +6% | $81,452 | 310 | #112 |
| Plumber | $78,570 | +28% | $78,380 | 190 | #63 |
| Electrician | $76,980 | +23% | $76,793 | 240 | #90 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $75,030 | +22% | $74,848 | 30 | #63 |
| HVAC Technician | $73,370 | +23% | $73,192 | 180 | #42 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanic | $70,710 | +11% | $70,539 | 60 | #106 |
| Heavy Equipment Operator | $66,830 | +12% | $66,668 | 180 | #104 |
| Carpenter | $66,830 | +19% | $66,668 | 350 | #51 |
| Diesel Mechanic | $63,260 | +5% | $63,107 | 110 | #102 |
| Auto Mechanic | $58,980 | +21% | $58,837 | 220 | #52 |
| Machinist | $58,360 | +2% | $58,219 | 110 | #147 |
| Construction Laborer | $58,150 | +24% | $58,009 | 280 | #52 |
| Painter | $55,040 | +16% | $54,907 | 60 | #74 |
| Maintenance Technician | $51,640 | +7% | $51,515 | 1,140 | #112 |
| Landscaper | $47,510 | +27% | $47,395 | 490 | #12 |
Pay: BLS OEWS, May 2025 (metro-level). Real pay: BEA price parities, 2024. How we calculate
Living costs & homes Government data
Homes in Amherst Town
The Amherst Town area has about 67,378 homes. 64% were built before 1980 (typical metro 45%), so its housing is older than most; 6% were built in 2010 or later. Older homes often need more repair, replacement and upgrade work. 66% of households own their home, and the median home value is $413,400.
Census American Community Survey, 2024 1-year estimates (table DP04).
Working outdoors in Amherst Town Government data
In an average year, Amherst Town has 18 days at 90°F or hotter (fewer than most metros; typical metro 33), 144 nights below freezing (typical 90) and 78 days with a tenth of an inch of rain or more. Summer afternoons average 82°F and winter nights 18°F. That matters for outdoor trades: heat and freezes shape the working season and the hours.
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020 averages, Westfield Barnes Muni Airport, MA station. Compare cities on outdoor work weather.
Job market & growth Government data
Unemployment
4.2% in 2025 (typical metro 4.1%), all workers.
BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, 2021–2025.
Population
The Amherst Town area's population grew 10.4% from 2020 to 2025 (148,597 → 164,065), ranking #32 of 387 metros for growth (typical metro +2.5%). People moving in (net +19,679) account for more than all of the change.
Census Bureau population estimates, July 1 of each year, 2020–2025.
New homes permitted
New-home permits in Amherst Town are down 8% from 2024 to 2025 (318 → 291). Permits signal construction activity, not open jobs.
Census Building Permits Survey, 2024–2025.
Getting to work
The average commute in the Amherst Town area is 23 minutes each way, about the same as the typical metro (24 min). 10% of commuters spend 45 minutes or more. 63% drive alone, 3% take transit and 17% work from home (all workers, not just trades).
Census American Community Survey, 2024 1-year estimates (table S0801).
Licensing in Massachusetts Official source
The main state licensing office in Massachusetts is the Massachusetts Office of Public Safety and Inspections. It can point you to the right license for skilled trades.
Official Massachusetts licensing site ↗
Requirements for skilled trades vary by state and sometimes by city; always confirm with the official agency.
Union membership
In 2025, 14.5% of wage and salary workers in Massachusetts were union members, above the U.S. rate of about 10% (#10 of 51 states and D.C.), and 15.4% 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 Massachusetts.