What this means Our calculation
10 of 20 trades here pay more than the typical U.S. metro; the best-paid is electrical lineworkers at $99,650. Prices run 14% 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 (3.7%) and the population is growing at a typical pace (+1.7% since 2020).
Highest-paying trades in Cape Girardeau 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 | $99,650 | +3% | $115,767 | 50 | #113 |
| Construction Supervisor | $88,150 | +14% | $102,407 | 180 | #74 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanic | $66,530 | +4% | $77,290 | 80 | #147 |
| Plumber | $65,180 | +6% | $75,722 | 120 | #128 |
| Carpenter | $63,740 | +14% | $74,049 | 180 | #70 |
| Heavy Equipment Operator | $61,480 | +3% | $71,424 | 130 | #162 |
| Electrician | $59,720 | -4% | $69,379 | 150 | #250 |
| Concrete Finisher | $58,180 | +2% | $67,590 | 70 | #155 |
| Construction Laborer | $58,140 | +24% | $67,543 | 220 | #53 |
| Painter | $58,010 | +22% | $67,392 | 90 | #55 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $57,190 | -7% | $66,440 | 50 | #168 |
| Telecom Equipment Installer | $55,520 | -11% | $64,500 | 50 | #288 |
| Diesel Mechanic | $51,260 | -15% | $59,551 | 90 | #350 |
| Maintenance Technician | $48,830 | +1% | $56,728 | 490 | #177 |
| Auto Mechanic | $48,690 | -0% | $56,565 | 310 | #207 |
| Welder | $48,580 | -7% | $56,437 | 170 | #299 |
| Machinist | $48,160 | -16% | $55,949 | 100 | #328 |
| HVAC Technician | $47,150 | -21% | $54,776 | 110 | #375 |
| Auto Body Repairer | $46,750 | -10% | $54,311 | 50 | #323 |
| Landscaper | $36,130 | -4% | $41,974 | 200 | #296 |
Pay: BLS OEWS, May 2025 (metro-level). Real pay: BEA price parities, 2024. How we calculate
Living costs & homes Government data
Homes in Cape Girardeau
The Cape Girardeau area has about 44,337 homes. 54% were built before 1980 (typical metro 45%), so its housing is older than most; 13% were built in 2010 or later. Older homes often need more repair, replacement and upgrade work. 74% of households own their home, and the median home value is $220,100.
Census American Community Survey, 2024 1-year estimates (table DP04).
Working outdoors in Cape Girardeau Government data
In an average year, Cape Girardeau has 47 days at 90°F or hotter (more than most metros; typical metro 33), including 1 at 100°F or more, 90 nights below freezing (typical 90) and 75 days with a tenth of an inch of rain or more. Summer afternoons average 88°F and winter nights 28°F. That matters for outdoor trades: heat and freezes shape the working season and the hours.
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020 averages, Cape Girardeau Muni Airport, MO station. Compare cities on outdoor work weather.
Job market & growth Government data
Unemployment
3.7% in 2025 (typical metro 4.1%), all workers.
BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, 2021–2025.
Population
The Cape Girardeau area's population grew 1.7% from 2020 to 2025 (97,539 → 99,215), ranking #225 of 387 metros for growth (typical metro +2.5%). People moving in (net +2,278) account for more than all of the change.
Census Bureau population estimates, July 1 of each year, 2020–2025.
New homes permitted
New-home permits in Cape Girardeau are down 44% from 2021 to 2025 (177 → 99). Permits signal construction activity, not open jobs.
Census Building Permits Survey, 2021–2025.
Getting to work
The average commute in the Cape Girardeau area is 22 minutes each way, shorter than the typical metro (24 min). 9% of commuters spend 45 minutes or more. 80% drive alone, 1% take transit and 8% work from home (all workers, not just trades).
Census American Community Survey, 2024 1-year estimates (table S0801).
Licensing in Missouri Official source
Missouri licenses most trades at the city or county level. Check with the building or licensing office where you plan to work.
Requirements for skilled trades vary by state and sometimes by city; always confirm with the official agency.
Union membership
In 2025, 9.8% of wage and salary workers in Missouri were union members, close to the U.S. rate of about 10% (#22 of 51 states and D.C.), and 11.2% 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 Missouri.