What this means Our calculation
3 of 20 trades here pay more than the typical U.S. metro; the best-paid is electrical lineworkers at $99,850. Prices run 8% 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 (5.3%) and the population is shrinking (-1.3% since 2020).
Highest-paying trades in Niles 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical Lineworker | $99,850 | +3% | $108,098 | 60 | #110 |
| Construction Supervisor | $73,010 | -5% | $79,041 | 130 | #284 |
| Electrician | $64,060 | +3% | $69,352 | 240 | #172 |
| Building Inspector | $63,720 | -5% | $68,983 | 50 | #215 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanic | $63,230 | -1% | $68,453 | 270 | #216 |
| Plumber | $59,810 | -3% | $64,750 | 90 | #230 |
| Heavy Equipment Operator | $59,670 | +0% | $64,599 | 130 | #196 |
| Diesel Mechanic | $59,590 | -1% | $64,512 | 90 | #225 |
| HVAC Technician | $58,130 | -2% | $62,932 | 240 | #243 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $55,920 | -9% | $60,539 | 40 | #174 |
| Concrete Finisher | $55,590 | -3% | $60,182 | 70 | #184 |
| Carpenter | $54,620 | -3% | $59,132 | 180 | #209 |
| Auto Body Repairer | $51,160 | -1% | $55,386 | 40 | #187 |
| Machinist | $50,430 | -12% | $54,596 | 530 | #283 |
| Auto Mechanic | $49,450 | +1% | $53,535 | 270 | #178 |
| Welder | $49,040 | -6% | $53,091 | 230 | #281 |
| Painter | $47,400 | -1% | $51,315 | 50 | #191 |
| Construction Laborer | $46,530 | -1% | $50,373 | 290 | #202 |
| Maintenance Technician | $44,310 | -8% | $47,970 | 530 | #329 |
| Landscaper | $36,970 | -2% | $40,024 | 640 | #233 |
Pay: BLS OEWS, May 2025 (metro-level). Real pay: BEA price parities, 2024. How we calculate
Living costs & homes Government data
Homes in Niles
The Niles area has about 77,744 homes. 68% were built before 1980 (typical metro 45%), so its housing is older than most; 5% 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 $244,300.
Census American Community Survey, 2024 1-year estimates (table DP04).
Working outdoors in Niles Government data
In an average year, Niles has 12 days at 90°F or hotter (fewer than most metros; typical metro 33), 124 nights below freezing (typical 90) and 87 days with a tenth of an inch of rain or more, and 62 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, Niles, MI station. Compare cities on outdoor work weather.
Job market & growth Government data
Unemployment
5.3% in 2025 (typical metro 4.1%), all workers.
BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, 2021–2025.
Population
The Niles area's population shrank 1.3% from 2020 to 2025 (154,395 → 152,444), ranking #341 of 387 metros for growth (typical metro +2.5%).
Census Bureau population estimates, July 1 of each year, 2020–2025.
New homes permitted
New-home permits in Niles are up 12% from 2021 to 2025 (331 → 372). Permits signal construction activity, not open jobs.
Census Building Permits Survey, 2021–2025.
Getting to work
The average commute in the Niles area is 22 minutes each way, shorter than the typical metro (24 min). 10% of commuters spend 45 minutes or more. 77% drive alone, 1% take transit and 10% 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.