What this means Our calculation
18 of 21 trades here pay more than the typical U.S. metro; the best-paid is telecom line installers at $107,210. Prices run 5% 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 (3.6%) and the population is shrinking (-1.9% since 2020).
Highest-paying trades in Glens Falls Government data
All 21 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Telecom Line Installer | $107,210 | +62% | $113,012 | 30 | #4 |
| Plumber | $81,820 | +33% | $86,248 | 110 | #45 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $78,220 | +27% | $82,453 | 40 | #39 |
| Electrician | $77,660 | +24% | $81,863 | 230 | #76 |
| Construction Supervisor | $76,150 | -1% | $80,271 | 220 | #223 |
| Building Inspector | $71,210 | +6% | $75,064 | 70 | #139 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanic | $64,110 | +0% | $67,580 | 80 | #188 |
| HVAC Technician | $60,780 | +2% | $64,069 | 160 | #164 |
| Roofer | $60,700 | +21% | $63,985 | 30 | #62 |
| Heavy Equipment Operator | $60,030 | +1% | $63,279 | 170 | #186 |
| Machinist | $59,570 | +4% | $62,794 | 140 | #116 |
| Welder | $59,140 | +13% | $62,341 | 110 | #72 |
| Diesel Mechanic | $58,760 | -3% | $61,940 | 60 | #249 |
| Carpenter | $58,560 | +4% | $61,729 | 300 | #164 |
| Concrete Finisher | $58,490 | +2% | $61,655 | 40 | #148 |
| Auto Mechanic | $50,300 | +3% | $53,022 | 370 | #152 |
| Construction Laborer | $49,080 | +5% | $51,736 | 370 | #145 |
| Maintenance Technician | $48,940 | +1% | $51,589 | 740 | #169 |
| Auto Body Repairer | $48,670 | -6% | $51,304 | 70 | #252 |
| Painter | $47,690 | +0% | $50,271 | 80 | #177 |
| Landscaper | $43,100 | +15% | $45,433 | 460 | #95 |
Pay: BLS OEWS, May 2025 (metro-level). Real pay: BEA price parities, 2024. How we calculate
Living costs & homes Government data
Homes in Glens Falls
The Glens Falls area has about 70,037 homes. 59% were built before 1980 (typical metro 45%), so its housing is older than most; 7% 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 $265,600.
Census American Community Survey, 2024 1-year estimates (table DP04).
Working outdoors in Glens Falls Government data
In an average year, Glens Falls has 6 days at 90°F or hotter (fewer than most metros; typical metro 33), 160 nights below freezing (typical 90) and 77 days with a tenth of an inch of rain or more. Summer afternoons average 79°F and winter nights 13°F. That matters for outdoor trades: heat and freezes shape the working season and the hours.
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020 averages, Glens Falls Airport, NY station. Compare cities on outdoor work weather.
Job market & growth Government data
Unemployment
3.6% in 2025 (typical metro 4.1%), all workers.
BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, 2021–2025.
Population
The Glens Falls area's population shrank 1.9% from 2020 to 2025 (126,724 → 124,373), ranking #360 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 Glens Falls are down 15% from 2021 to 2025 (384 → 327). Permits signal construction activity, not open jobs.
Census Building Permits Survey, 2021–2025.
Getting to work
The average commute in the Glens Falls area is 26 minutes each way, longer than the typical metro (24 min). 15% of commuters spend 45 minutes or more. 78% 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 New York Official source
New York licenses most trades at the city or county level (e.g. New York City). 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, 21.3% of wage and salary workers in New York were union members, above the U.S. rate of about 10% (#2 of 51 states and D.C.), and 22.5% 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 New York.