What this means Our calculation
9 of 28 trades here pay more than the typical U.S. metro; the best-paid is electrical lineworkers at $97,390. Prices run 11% 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 (3.4%) and the population is growing at a typical pace (+3.9% since 2020).
Highest-paying trades in Columbia Government data
All 28 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 | $97,390 | +1% | $108,891 | 80 | #127 |
| Ironworker | $79,100 | +24% | $88,441 | 40 | #36 |
| Construction Supervisor | $78,060 | +1% | $87,278 | 310 | #172 |
| Brickmason | $72,190 | +15% | $80,715 | 30 | #50 |
| Electrician | $61,500 | -2% | $68,763 | 290 | #215 |
| Building Inspector | $61,170 | -9% | $68,394 | 50 | #266 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanic | $59,850 | -6% | $66,918 | 70 | #324 |
| Concrete Finisher | $59,090 | +3% | $66,068 | 160 | #140 |
| HVAC Technician | $58,880 | -1% | $65,833 | 330 | #222 |
| Plumber | $58,010 | -6% | $64,861 | 310 | #267 |
| Telecom Line Installer | $56,820 | -14% | $63,530 | 110 | #194 |
| Construction Laborer | $56,810 | +21% | $63,519 | 470 | #63 |
| Heavy Equipment Operator | $56,770 | -5% | $63,474 | 310 | #224 |
| Carpenter | $56,160 | +0% | $62,792 | 510 | #192 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $54,550 | -11% | $60,992 | 60 | #181 |
| Diesel Mechanic | $53,980 | -11% | $60,355 | 130 | #329 |
| Welder | $52,700 | +1% | $58,924 | 200 | #183 |
| Auto Body Repairer | $51,910 | +0% | $58,040 | 120 | #180 |
| Telecom Equipment Installer | $51,780 | -17% | $57,895 | 90 | #300 |
| Machinist | $50,120 | -12% | $56,039 | 240 | #289 |
| Auto Mechanic | $48,370 | -1% | $54,082 | 630 | #225 |
| Roofer | $46,530 | -7% | $52,025 | 60 | #212 |
| Painter | $46,260 | -3% | $51,723 | 160 | #233 |
| Insulation Installer | $46,000 | -5% | $51,432 | 40 | #84 |
| Maintenance Technician | $45,870 | -5% | $51,287 | 1,290 | #288 |
| Appliance Repair Technician | $44,930 | -11% | $50,236 | 50 | #109 |
| Pest Control Technician | $43,370 | -2% | $48,492 | 40 | #141 |
| Landscaper | $37,060 | -1% | $41,437 | 830 | #230 |
Pay: BLS OEWS, May 2025 (metro-level). Real pay: BEA price parities, 2024. How we calculate
Living costs & homes Government data
Homes in Columbia
The Columbia area has about 94,654 homes. 34% were built before 1980 (typical metro 45%), so its housing is newer than most; 18% were built in 2010 or later. 58% of households own their home, and the median home value is $289,500.
Census American Community Survey, 2024 1-year estimates (table DP04).
Working outdoors in Columbia Government data
In an average year, Columbia has 41 days at 90°F or hotter (about typical; typical metro 33), including 3 at 100°F or more, 93 nights below freezing (typical 90) and 71 days with a tenth of an inch of rain or more, and 17 inches of snow. Summer afternoons average 87°F and winter nights 25°F. That matters for outdoor trades: heat and freezes shape the working season and the hours.
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020 averages, Columbia U Of M, MO station. Compare cities on outdoor work weather.
Job market & growth Government data
Unemployment
3.4% in 2025 (typical metro 4.1%), all workers.
BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, 2021–2025.
Population
The Columbia area's population grew 3.9% from 2020 to 2025 (210,857 → 219,062), ranking #130 of 387 metros for growth (typical metro +2.5%). People moving in (net +5,777) account for most of the change.
Census Bureau population estimates, July 1 of each year, 2020–2025.
New homes permitted
New-home permits in Columbia are down 20% from 2021 to 2025 (1,029 → 825). Permits signal construction activity, not open jobs.
Census Building Permits Survey, 2021–2025.
Getting to work
The average commute in the Columbia area is 20 minutes each way, shorter than the typical metro (24 min). 7% of commuters spend 45 minutes or more. 76% 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.