What this means Our calculation
11 of 32 trades here pay more than the typical U.S. metro; the best-paid is electrical lineworkers at $81,220. 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 lower than most metros (2.8%) and the population is growing at a typical pace (+3.3% since 2020).
Highest-paying trades in Lincoln Government data
All 32 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 | $81,220 | -16% | $88,687 | 180 | #181 |
| Construction Supervisor | $77,270 | +0% | $84,373 | 1,020 | #196 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanic | $67,720 | +6% | $73,945 | 300 | #131 |
| Rigger | $64,110 | +6% | $70,004 | 40 | #31 |
| Building Inspector | $61,960 | -8% | $67,656 | 90 | #250 |
| Heavy Equipment Operator | $60,810 | +2% | $66,400 | 490 | #174 |
| Electrician | $60,680 | -3% | $66,258 | 1,020 | #235 |
| Plumber | $60,670 | -1% | $66,247 | 650 | #211 |
| Diesel Mechanic | $59,570 | -1% | $65,046 | 410 | #226 |
| HVAC Technician | $59,350 | -0% | $64,806 | 490 | #205 |
| Ironworker | $57,900 | -10% | $63,223 | 130 | #109 |
| Machinist | $57,820 | +1% | $63,135 | 240 | #165 |
| Brickmason | $55,850 | -11% | $60,984 | 60 | #112 |
| Auto Body Repairer | $55,730 | +8% | $60,853 | 160 | #131 |
| Welder | $53,990 | +3% | $58,953 | 820 | #162 |
| Paving Equipment Operator | $52,790 | +6% | $57,643 | 90 | #61 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $52,740 | -14% | $57,588 | 50 | #187 |
| Maintenance Technician | $50,640 | +5% | $55,295 | 1,540 | #128 |
| Concrete Finisher | $49,970 | -13% | $54,564 | 700 | #218 |
| Carpenter | $49,910 | -11% | $54,498 | 1,020 | #261 |
| Auto Mechanic | $49,500 | +1% | $54,051 | 770 | #176 |
| Glazier | $48,800 | -12% | $53,286 | 60 | #101 |
| Telecom Equipment Installer | $48,770 | -22% | $53,253 | 370 | #308 |
| Telecom Line Installer | $47,880 | -28% | $52,282 | 80 | #224 |
| Roofer | $47,360 | -6% | $51,714 | 400 | #192 |
| Hazmat Removal Worker | $47,220 | -2% | $51,561 | 60 | #82 |
| Painter | $47,170 | -1% | $51,506 | 280 | #201 |
| Drywall Installer | $47,130 | -12% | $51,463 | 160 | #134 |
| Construction Laborer | $46,700 | -0% | $50,993 | 1,250 | #198 |
| Appliance Repair Technician | $44,990 | -11% | $49,126 | 50 | #107 |
| Pest Control Technician | $44,170 | -1% | $48,231 | 80 | #131 |
| Landscaper | $37,770 | +1% | $41,242 | 1,040 | #181 |
Pay: BLS OEWS, May 2025 (metro-level). Real pay: BEA price parities, 2024. How we calculate
Living costs & homes Government data
Homes in Lincoln
The Lincoln area has about 152,657 homes. 46% were built before 1980 (typical metro 45%), so its housing is about as old as most; 17% were built in 2010 or later. 61% of households own their home, and the median home value is $287,200.
Census American Community Survey, 2024 1-year estimates (table DP04).
Working outdoors in Lincoln Government data
In an average year, Lincoln has 42 days at 90°F or hotter (about typical; typical metro 33), including 4 at 100°F or more, 143 nights below freezing (typical 90) and 54 days with a tenth of an inch of rain or more, and 26 inches of snow. Summer afternoons average 87°F and winter nights 17°F. That matters for outdoor trades: heat and freezes shape the working season and the hours.
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020 averages, Lincoln Muni Airport, NE station. Compare cities on outdoor work weather.
Job market & growth Government data
Unemployment
2.8% in 2025 (typical metro 4.1%), all workers.
BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, 2021–2025.
Population
The Lincoln area's population grew 3.3% from 2020 to 2025 (340,802 → 352,081), ranking #157 of 387 metros for growth (typical metro +2.5%). People moving in (net +5,971) account for most of the change.
Census Bureau population estimates, July 1 of each year, 2020–2025.
New homes permitted
New-home permits in Lincoln are down 8% from 2021 to 2025 (2,607 → 2,402). Permits signal construction activity, not open jobs.
Census Building Permits Survey, 2021–2025.
Getting to work
The average commute in the Lincoln area is 20 minutes each way, shorter than the typical metro (24 min). 6% of commuters spend 45 minutes or more. 74% 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 Nebraska Official source
The main state licensing office in Nebraska is the Nebraska Department of Labor. Contractors register with the state; electricians are licensed by the state Electrical Division. It can point you to the right license for skilled trades.
Official Nebraska licensing site ↗
Requirements for skilled trades vary by state and sometimes by city; always confirm with the official agency.
Union membership
In 2025, 6.6% of wage and salary workers in Nebraska were union members, below the U.S. rate of about 10% (#29 of 51 states and D.C.), and 8.5% 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 Nebraska.