What this means Our calculation
40 of 40 trades here pay more than the typical U.S. metro; the best-paid is elevator installers at $132,640. Prices run 3% above the U.S. average, so a paycheck here is worth less than the same dollars elsewhere. For the wider job market, unemployment is higher than most metros (4.5%) and the population is growing slowly (+1.4% since 2020).
Highest-paying trades in Philadelphia Government data
All 40 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elevator Installer | $132,640 | +23% | $129,337 | 540 | #12 |
| Electrical Lineworker | $119,460 | +23% | $116,485 | 1,420 | #41 |
| Ironworker | $103,330 | +61% | $100,757 | 800 | #9 |
| Telecom Line Installer | $96,540 | +46% | $94,136 | 1,760 | #29 |
| Construction Supervisor | $95,840 | +24% | $93,453 | 10,700 | #44 |
| Plasterer | $78,200 | +33% | $76,253 | 80 | #8 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $77,140 | +26% | $75,219 | 1,530 | #46 |
| Brickmason | $75,970 | +21% | $74,078 | 1,210 | #33 |
| Building Inspector | $75,710 | +12% | $73,825 | 2,900 | #95 |
| Telecom Equipment Installer | $75,290 | +21% | $73,415 | 2,020 | #56 |
| Plumber | $74,860 | +22% | $72,996 | 7,150 | #93 |
| Electrician | $74,590 | +19% | $72,732 | 10,090 | #117 |
| Flooring Installer | $73,280 | +31% | $71,455 | 350 | #7 |
| Rigger | $72,660 | +20% | $70,850 | 140 | #22 |
| Tile Setter | $70,730 | +40% | $68,969 | 390 | #7 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanic | $70,340 | +10% | $68,588 | 5,500 | #114 |
| Heavy Equipment Operator | $66,810 | +12% | $65,146 | 5,620 | #105 |
| HVAC Technician | $64,580 | +8% | $62,972 | 8,610 | #77 |
| Diesel Mechanic | $64,550 | +7% | $62,942 | 4,490 | #72 |
| Glazier | $62,200 | +13% | $60,651 | 710 | #37 |
| Carpenter | $61,780 | +10% | $60,241 | 14,260 | #104 |
| Drywall Installer | $61,280 | +14% | $59,754 | 980 | #48 |
| Machinist | $61,280 | +7% | $59,754 | 3,330 | #71 |
| Concrete Finisher | $60,900 | +6% | $59,383 | 1,870 | #102 |
| Roofer | $59,730 | +19% | $58,242 | 1,530 | #74 |
| Fence Installer | $59,530 | +23% | $58,047 | 570 | #4 |
| Septic & Sewer Technician | $59,020 | +16% | $57,550 | 480 | #38 |
| Auto Body Repairer | $59,000 | +14% | $57,531 | 2,660 | #61 |
| Auto Mechanic | $58,460 | +20% | $57,004 | 12,700 | #63 |
| Welder | $58,380 | +12% | $56,926 | 4,630 | #88 |
| Solar Installer | $58,350 | +0% | $56,897 | 580 | #22 |
| Appliance Repair Technician | $57,710 | +14% | $56,273 | 440 | #37 |
| Painter | $57,410 | +21% | $55,980 | 3,360 | #60 |
| Construction Laborer | $55,120 | +18% | $53,747 | 14,580 | #76 |
| Paving Equipment Operator | $50,860 | +2% | $49,593 | 410 | #65 |
| Insulation Installer | $50,320 | +4% | $49,067 | 370 | #37 |
| Maintenance Technician | $50,200 | +4% | $48,950 | 22,470 | #134 |
| Hazmat Removal Worker | $49,130 | +2% | $47,906 | 890 | #57 |
| Pest Control Technician | $47,260 | +6% | $46,083 | 1,350 | #42 |
| Landscaper | $42,130 | +12% | $41,081 | 17,700 | #100 |
Pay: BLS OEWS, May 2025 (metro-level). Real pay: BEA price parities, 2024. How we calculate
Living costs & homes Government data
Homes in Philadelphia
The Philadelphia area has about 2,652,016 homes. 65% were built before 1980 (typical metro 45%), so its housing is older than most; 8% were built in 2010 or later. Older homes often need more repair, replacement and upgrade work. 67% of households own their home, and the median home value is $375,100.
Census American Community Survey, 2024 1-year estimates (table DP04).
Working outdoors in Philadelphia Government data
In an average year, Philadelphia has 30 days at 90°F or hotter (about typical; typical metro 33), 77 nights below freezing (typical 90) and 73 days with a tenth of an inch of rain or more, and 23 inches of snow. Summer afternoons average 86°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, Philadelphia International Airport, PA station. Compare cities on outdoor work weather.
Job market & growth Government data
Unemployment
4.5% in 2025 (typical metro 4.1%), all workers.
BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, 2021–2025.
Population
The Philadelphia area's population grew 1.4% from 2020 to 2025 (6,242,164 → 6,329,118), ranking #236 of 387 metros for growth (typical metro +2.5%). People moving in (net +56,740) account for most of the change.
Census Bureau population estimates, July 1 of each year, 2020–2025.
New homes permitted
New-home permits in Philadelphia are down 64% from 2021 to 2025 (36,307 → 12,900). Permits signal construction activity, not open jobs.
Census Building Permits Survey, 2021–2025.
Getting to work
The average commute in the Philadelphia area is 30 minutes each way, longer than the typical metro (24 min). 21% of commuters spend 45 minutes or more. 64% drive alone, 7% take transit and 15% work from home (all workers, not just trades).
Census American Community Survey, 2024 1-year estimates (table S0801).
Licensing in Pennsylvania Official source
The main state licensing office in Pennsylvania is the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General. Home improvement contractors register with the state; most trades are licensed locally. It can point you to the right license for skilled trades.
Official Pennsylvania licensing site ↗
Requirements for skilled trades vary by state and sometimes by city; always confirm with the official agency.
Union membership
In 2025, 10.9% of wage and salary workers in Pennsylvania were union members, above the U.S. rate of about 10% (#20 of 51 states and D.C.), and 11.7% 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 Pennsylvania.