What this means Our calculation
19 of 38 trades here pay more than the typical U.S. metro; the best-paid is elevator installers at $133,080. 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 (+2.8% since 2020).
Highest-paying trades in Grand Rapids Government data
All 38 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elevator Installer | $133,080 | +23% | $139,284 | 80 | #11 |
| Electrical Lineworker | $104,030 | +7% | $108,879 | 170 | #83 |
| Plumber | $80,440 | +31% | $84,190 | 2,270 | #54 |
| Construction Supervisor | $75,350 | -2% | $78,863 | 2,490 | #245 |
| Plasterer | $74,570 | +27% | $78,046 | 30 | #10 |
| Building Inspector | $71,490 | +6% | $74,823 | 250 | #133 |
| Brickmason | $66,080 | +5% | $69,160 | 340 | #60 |
| Ironworker | $65,250 | +2% | $68,292 | 230 | #75 |
| Heavy Equipment Operator | $63,850 | +7% | $66,826 | 900 | #129 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanic | $62,620 | -2% | $65,539 | 3,160 | #236 |
| Electrician | $62,240 | -0% | $65,141 | 2,880 | #200 |
| Diesel Mechanic | $61,240 | +1% | $64,095 | 1,550 | #159 |
| Rigger | $61,020 | +1% | $63,865 | 40 | #33 |
| Telecom Equipment Installer | $61,010 | -2% | $63,854 | 310 | #197 |
| Telecom Line Installer | $60,670 | -8% | $63,498 | 270 | #167 |
| HVAC Technician | $60,190 | +1% | $62,996 | 1,920 | #181 |
| Concrete Finisher | $59,540 | +4% | $62,316 | 1,090 | #131 |
| Carpenter | $59,000 | +5% | $61,750 | 2,840 | #156 |
| Drywall Installer | $58,820 | +9% | $61,562 | 180 | #68 |
| Auto Body Repairer | $56,770 | +10% | $59,416 | 680 | #110 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $53,290 | -13% | $55,774 | 630 | #185 |
| Machinist | $50,110 | -12% | $52,446 | 3,460 | #290 |
| Flooring Installer | $49,930 | -11% | $52,258 | 90 | #50 |
| Roofer | $49,630 | -1% | $51,944 | 380 | #142 |
| Septic & Sewer Technician | $49,500 | -3% | $51,808 | 120 | #86 |
| Auto Mechanic | $49,310 | +1% | $51,609 | 3,340 | #181 |
| Welder | $48,920 | -6% | $51,200 | 2,520 | #289 |
| Painter | $48,870 | +3% | $51,148 | 770 | #146 |
| Maintenance Technician | $48,530 | +0% | $50,792 | 5,470 | #191 |
| Appliance Repair Technician | $48,320 | -4% | $50,572 | 190 | #79 |
| Glazier | $47,850 | -13% | $50,081 | 260 | #118 |
| Construction Laborer | $47,780 | +2% | $50,007 | 3,990 | #175 |
| Insulation Installer | $47,220 | -2% | $49,421 | 130 | #69 |
| Paving Equipment Operator | $46,550 | -7% | $48,720 | 180 | #113 |
| Tile Setter | $46,500 | -8% | $48,668 | 180 | #91 |
| Hazmat Removal Worker | $45,380 | -6% | $47,495 | 120 | #104 |
| Pest Control Technician | $44,080 | -1% | $46,135 | 150 | #134 |
| Landscaper | $37,470 | -0% | $39,217 | 4,590 | #199 |
Pay: BLS OEWS, May 2025 (metro-level). Real pay: BEA price parities, 2024. How we calculate
Living costs & homes Government data
Homes in Grand Rapids
The Grand Rapids area has about 475,009 homes. 51% were built before 1980 (typical metro 45%), so its housing is older than most; 12% were built in 2010 or later. Older homes often need more repair, replacement and upgrade work. 75% of households own their home, and the median home value is $316,600.
Census American Community Survey, 2024 1-year estimates (table DP04).
Working outdoors in Grand Rapids Government data
In an average year, Grand Rapids has 10 days at 90°F or hotter (fewer than most metros; typical metro 33), 133 nights below freezing (typical 90) and 81 days with a tenth of an inch of rain or more, and 78 inches of snow. Summer afternoons average 81°F and winter nights 21°F. That matters for outdoor trades: heat and freezes shape the working season and the hours.
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020 averages, Grand Rapids, MI 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 Grand Rapids area's population grew 2.8% from 2020 to 2025 (1,151,530 → 1,183,645), ranking #182 of 387 metros for growth (typical metro +2.5%). People moving in (net +16,638) account for most of the change.
Census Bureau population estimates, July 1 of each year, 2020–2025.
New homes permitted
New-home permits in Grand Rapids are up 15% from 2021 to 2025 (3,705 → 4,267). Permits signal construction activity, not open jobs.
Census Building Permits Survey, 2021–2025.
Getting to work
The average commute in the Grand Rapids area is 22 minutes each way, shorter than the typical metro (24 min). 8% of commuters spend 45 minutes or more. 76% drive alone, 1% take transit and 11% work from home (all workers, not just trades).
Census American Community Survey, 2024 1-year estimates (table S0801).
Licensing in Michigan Official source
The main state licensing office in Michigan is the LARA Bureau of Construction Codes. It can point you to the right license for skilled trades.
Official Michigan licensing site ↗
Requirements for skilled trades vary by state and sometimes by city; always confirm with the official agency.
Union membership
In 2025, 13.0% of wage and salary workers in Michigan were union members, above the U.S. rate of about 10% (#14 of 51 states and D.C.), and 14.2% 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 Michigan.