What this means Our calculation
8 of 20 trades here pay more than the typical U.S. metro; the best-paid is construction supervisors at $77,110. Prices run 4% 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 (4.4%) and the population is growing at a typical pace (+2.9% since 2020).
Highest-paying trades in Salisbury Government data
All 20 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 | $77,110 | -0% | $80,645 | 240 | #199 |
| Telecom Line Installer | $76,120 | +15% | $79,609 | 60 | #93 |
| Building Inspector | $67,010 | -1% | $70,082 | 30 | #174 |
| Plumber | $61,940 | +1% | $64,779 | 330 | #185 |
| HVAC Technician | $61,220 | +3% | $64,026 | 160 | #152 |
| Electrician | $58,940 | -6% | $61,642 | 150 | #269 |
| Welder | $58,480 | +12% | $61,161 | 60 | #86 |
| Insulation Installer | $58,420 | +21% | $61,098 | 50 | #20 |
| Diesel Mechanic | $58,370 | -3% | $61,046 | 60 | #257 |
| Heavy Equipment Operator | $55,480 | -7% | $58,023 | 70 | #230 |
| Auto Mechanic | $54,840 | +12% | $57,354 | 390 | #98 |
| Auto Body Repairer | $54,090 | +5% | $56,569 | 70 | #158 |
| Carpenter | $50,410 | -10% | $52,721 | 130 | #247 |
| Machinist | $48,890 | -14% | $51,131 | 50 | #316 |
| Maintenance Technician | $48,160 | -0% | $50,368 | 640 | #201 |
| Roofer | $47,320 | -6% | $49,489 | 30 | #194 |
| Painter | $43,950 | -8% | $45,965 | 70 | #287 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanic | $41,810 | -35% | $43,727 | 180 | #383 |
| Construction Laborer | $38,800 | -17% | $40,579 | 240 | #318 |
| Landscaper | $38,140 | +2% | $39,888 | 340 | #159 |
Pay: BLS OEWS, May 2025 (metro-level). Real pay: BEA price parities, 2024. How we calculate
Living costs & homes Government data
Homes in Salisbury
The Salisbury area has about 56,350 homes. 40% were built before 1980 (typical metro 45%), so its housing is newer than most; 16% were built in 2010 or later. 70% of households own their home, and the median home value is $255,900.
Census American Community Survey, 2024 1-year estimates (table DP04).
Working outdoors in Salisbury Government data
In an average year, Salisbury has 30 days at 90°F or hotter (about typical; typical metro 33), 94 nights below freezing (typical 90) and 78 days with a tenth of an inch of rain or more, and 8 inches of snow. Summer afternoons average 85°F and winter nights 30°F. That matters for outdoor trades: heat and freezes shape the working season and the hours.
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020 averages, Salisbury Wicomico Rgnl Airport, MD station. Compare cities on outdoor work weather.
Job market & growth Government data
Unemployment
4.4% in 2025 (typical metro 4.1%), all workers.
BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, 2021–2025.
Population
The Salisbury area's population grew 2.9% from 2020 to 2025 (128,134 → 131,872), ranking #175 of 387 metros for growth (typical metro +2.5%). People moving in (net +3,234) account for most of the change.
Census Bureau population estimates, July 1 of each year, 2020–2025.
New homes permitted
New-home permits in Salisbury are down 96% from 2021 to 2025 (5,552 → 205). Permits signal construction activity, not open jobs.
Census Building Permits Survey, 2021–2025.
Getting to work
The average commute in the Salisbury area is 25 minutes each way, longer than the typical metro (24 min). 16% of commuters spend 45 minutes or more. 79% drive alone, 1% take transit and 6% work from home (all workers, not just trades).
Census American Community Survey, 2024 1-year estimates (table S0801).
Licensing in Maryland Official source
The main state licensing office in Maryland is the Maryland Department of Labor (Occupational Licensing). Home Improvement Commission and trade boards. It can point you to the right license for skilled trades.
Official Maryland licensing site ↗
Requirements for skilled trades vary by state and sometimes by city; always confirm with the official agency.
Union membership
In 2025, 12.7% of wage and salary workers in Maryland were union members, above the U.S. rate of about 10% (#16 of 51 states and D.C.), and 15.0% 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 Maryland.