What this means Our calculation
27 of 29 trades here pay more than the typical U.S. metro; the best-paid is electrical lineworkers at $116,460. Prices run 3% 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 (4.6%) and the population is growing at a typical pace (+3.7% since 2020).
Highest-paying trades in Worcester Government data
All 29 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 | $116,460 | +20% | $113,594 | 380 | #43 |
| Roofer | $105,270 | +110% | $102,679 | 350 | #1 |
| Telecom Line Installer | $102,070 | +54% | $99,558 | 110 | #12 |
| Construction Supervisor | $94,570 | +22% | $92,243 | 1,880 | #47 |
| Plumber | $82,260 | +34% | $80,236 | 1,370 | #40 |
| Building Inspector | $80,650 | +20% | $78,665 | 540 | #51 |
| Drywall Installer | $80,280 | +49% | $78,304 | 120 | #7 |
| Glazier | $78,820 | +43% | $76,880 | 90 | #7 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $77,820 | +27% | $75,905 | 290 | #41 |
| Heavy Equipment Operator | $77,050 | +29% | $75,154 | 1,230 | #65 |
| Brickmason | $76,930 | +22% | $75,037 | 140 | #28 |
| Electrician | $75,510 | +21% | $73,652 | 1,580 | #108 |
| HVAC Technician | $73,800 | +24% | $71,984 | 800 | #41 |
| Carpenter | $73,010 | +30% | $71,213 | 1,590 | #37 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanic | $72,960 | +14% | $71,165 | 770 | #86 |
| Diesel Mechanic | $71,780 | +19% | $70,014 | 660 | #36 |
| Flooring Installer | $70,340 | +26% | $68,609 | 130 | #12 |
| Telecom Equipment Installer | $66,380 | +7% | $64,746 | 230 | #110 |
| Machinist | $64,480 | +13% | $62,893 | 930 | #28 |
| Construction Laborer | $61,410 | +31% | $59,899 | 1,650 | #14 |
| Welder | $60,320 | +15% | $58,836 | 330 | #53 |
| Tile Setter | $58,930 | +17% | $57,480 | 50 | #33 |
| Auto Body Repairer | $58,080 | +12% | $56,651 | 390 | #84 |
| Maintenance Technician | $55,160 | +14% | $53,803 | 2,760 | #61 |
| Auto Mechanic | $54,330 | +11% | $52,993 | 1,720 | #101 |
| Painter | $54,240 | +14% | $52,905 | 300 | #77 |
| Septic & Sewer Technician | $49,670 | -3% | $48,448 | 150 | #84 |
| Landscaper | $47,980 | +28% | $46,799 | 2,170 | #10 |
| Hazmat Removal Worker | $47,250 | -2% | $46,087 | 320 | #81 |
Pay: BLS OEWS, May 2025 (metro-level). Real pay: BEA price parities, 2024. How we calculate
Living costs & homes Government data
Homes in Worcester
The Worcester area has about 358,354 homes. 61% 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 $465,500.
Census American Community Survey, 2024 1-year estimates (table DP04).
Working outdoors in Worcester Government data
In an average year, Worcester has 3 days at 90°F or hotter (fewer than most metros; typical metro 33), 130 nights below freezing (typical 90) and 84 days with a tenth of an inch of rain or more, and 73 inches of snow. Summer afternoons average 78°F and winter nights 20°F. That matters for outdoor trades: heat and freezes shape the working season and the hours.
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020 averages, Worcester Rgnl Airport, MA station. Compare cities on outdoor work weather.
Job market & growth Government data
Unemployment
4.6% in 2025 (typical metro 4.1%), all workers.
BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, 2021–2025.
Population
The Worcester area's population grew 3.7% from 2020 to 2025 (857,028 → 888,502), ranking #138 of 387 metros for growth (typical metro +2.5%). People moving in (net +26,654) account for most of the change.
Census Bureau population estimates, July 1 of each year, 2020–2025.
New homes permitted
New-home permits in Worcester are down 18% from 2021 to 2025 (2,053 → 1,690). Permits signal construction activity, not open jobs.
Census Building Permits Survey, 2021–2025.
Getting to work
The average commute in the Worcester area is 30 minutes each way, longer than the typical metro (24 min). 23% of commuters spend 45 minutes or more. 72% drive alone, 2% take transit and 14% 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.