What this means Our calculation
19 of 22 trades here pay more than the typical U.S. metro; the best-paid is electrical lineworkers at $99,170. Prices run 9% below the U.S. average, so a paycheck here is worth more than the same dollars elsewhere. For the wider job market, unemployment is lower than most metros (3.3%) and the population is growing slowly (+1.2% since 2020).
Highest-paying trades in Mankato Government data
All 22 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 | $99,170 | +2% | $109,032 | 40 | #115 |
| Construction Supervisor | $83,430 | +8% | $91,727 | 260 | #93 |
| Electrician | $83,120 | +33% | $91,386 | 260 | #30 |
| Heavy Equipment Operator | $78,560 | +32% | $86,372 | 150 | #56 |
| HVAC Technician | $76,670 | +29% | $84,294 | 120 | #20 |
| Plumber | $74,450 | +21% | $81,854 | 130 | #96 |
| Telecom Equipment Installer | $72,100 | +16% | $79,270 | 60 | #78 |
| Telecom Line Installer | $71,290 | +8% | $78,379 | 40 | #111 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanic | $65,830 | +3% | $72,376 | 90 | #158 |
| Diesel Mechanic | $62,170 | +3% | $68,352 | 180 | #131 |
| Concrete Finisher | $61,590 | +8% | $67,715 | 40 | #87 |
| Carpenter | $61,150 | +9% | $67,231 | 230 | #114 |
| Machinist | $61,120 | +7% | $67,198 | 160 | #76 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $59,840 | -3% | $65,791 | 50 | #154 |
| Construction Laborer | $59,350 | +27% | $65,252 | 340 | #37 |
| Auto Body Repairer | $56,790 | +10% | $62,437 | 80 | #109 |
| Maintenance Technician | $56,690 | +17% | $62,328 | 630 | #47 |
| Welder | $52,940 | +1% | $58,205 | 280 | #177 |
| Roofer | $50,250 | +0% | $55,247 | 40 | #132 |
| Auto Mechanic | $48,450 | -1% | $53,268 | 290 | #223 |
| Painter | $46,470 | -2% | $51,091 | 50 | #227 |
| Landscaper | $45,400 | +21% | $49,915 | 330 | #43 |
Pay: BLS OEWS, May 2025 (metro-level). Real pay: BEA price parities, 2024. How we calculate
Living costs & homes Government data
Homes in Mankato
The Mankato area has about 44,449 homes. 52% were built before 1980 (typical metro 45%), so its housing is older than most; 14% were built in 2010 or later. Older homes often need more repair, replacement and upgrade work. 64% of households own their home, and the median home value is $288,600.
Census American Community Survey, 2024 1-year estimates (table DP04).
Working outdoors in Mankato Government data
In an average year, Mankato has 10 days at 90°F or hotter (fewer than most metros; typical metro 33), 161 nights below freezing (typical 90) and 64 days with a tenth of an inch of rain or more, and 39 inches of snow. Summer afternoons average 80°F and winter nights 9°F. That matters for outdoor trades: heat and freezes shape the working season and the hours.
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020 averages, Mankato, MN station. Compare cities on outdoor work weather.
Job market & growth Government data
Unemployment
3.3% in 2025 (typical metro 4.1%), all workers.
BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, 2021–2025.
Population
The Mankato area's population grew 1.2% from 2020 to 2025 (103,706 → 104,907), ranking #246 of 387 metros for growth (typical metro +2.5%). People moving in (net +561) account for part of the change.
Census Bureau population estimates, July 1 of each year, 2020–2025.
New homes permitted
New-home permits in Mankato are down 26% from 2021 to 2025 (480 → 356). Permits signal construction activity, not open jobs.
Census Building Permits Survey, 2021–2025.
Getting to work
The average commute in the Mankato area is 17 minutes each way, shorter than the typical metro (24 min). 7% of commuters spend 45 minutes or more. 76% drive alone, 0% take transit and 10% work from home (all workers, not just trades).
Census American Community Survey, 2024 1-year estimates (table S0801).
Licensing in Minnesota Official source
The main state licensing office in Minnesota is the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry. It can point you to the right license for skilled trades.
Official Minnesota licensing site ↗
Requirements for skilled trades vary by state and sometimes by city; always confirm with the official agency.
Union membership
In 2025, 14.1% of wage and salary workers in Minnesota were union members, above the U.S. rate of about 10% (#11 of 51 states and D.C.), and 15.8% 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 Minnesota.