What this means Our calculation
9 of 20 trades here pay more than the typical U.S. metro; the best-paid is telecom line installers at $92,440. Prices run 3% 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 (3.3%) and the population is shrinking (-0.4% since 2020).
Highest-paying trades in State College 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Telecom Line Installer | $92,440 | +40% | $95,533 | 30 | #39 |
| Construction Supervisor | $78,880 | +2% | $81,520 | 340 | #150 |
| Building Inspector | $66,940 | -1% | $69,180 | 50 | #175 |
| Telecom Equipment Installer | $65,820 | +6% | $68,023 | 30 | #113 |
| Concrete Finisher | $61,040 | +7% | $63,083 | 50 | #100 |
| Heavy Equipment Operator | $60,540 | +1% | $62,566 | 460 | #178 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanic | $59,160 | -7% | $61,140 | 140 | #335 |
| Diesel Mechanic | $58,760 | -3% | $60,726 | 120 | #249 |
| HVAC Technician | $57,970 | -3% | $59,910 | 190 | #249 |
| Electrician | $57,600 | -8% | $59,528 | 180 | #298 |
| Plumber | $57,560 | -6% | $59,486 | 130 | #276 |
| Glazier | $56,740 | +3% | $58,639 | 40 | #78 |
| Carpenter | $55,690 | -1% | $57,554 | 350 | #202 |
| Construction Laborer | $53,420 | +14% | $55,208 | 620 | #94 |
| Welder | $51,030 | -2% | $52,738 | 140 | #221 |
| Machinist | $50,900 | -11% | $52,603 | 120 | #271 |
| Maintenance Technician | $48,420 | +0% | $50,040 | 870 | #194 |
| Auto Mechanic | $47,240 | -3% | $48,821 | 300 | #276 |
| Painter | $46,570 | -2% | $48,128 | 90 | #222 |
| Landscaper | $37,990 | +1% | $39,261 | 490 | #165 |
Pay: BLS OEWS, May 2025 (metro-level). Real pay: BEA price parities, 2024. How we calculate
Living costs & homes Government data
Homes in State College
The State College area has about 67,398 homes. 49% were built before 1980 (typical metro 45%), so its housing is older than most; 10% were built in 2010 or later. Older homes often need more repair, replacement and upgrade work. 63% of households own their home, and the median home value is $339,200.
Census American Community Survey, 2024 1-year estimates (table DP04).
Working outdoors in State College Government data
In an average year, State College has 6 days at 90°F or hotter (fewer than most metros; typical metro 33), 122 nights below freezing (typical 90) and 83 days with a tenth of an inch of rain or more, and 44 inches of snow. Summer afternoons average 79°F and winter nights 23°F. That matters for outdoor trades: heat and freezes shape the working season and the hours.
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020 averages, State College, PA station. Compare cities on outdoor work weather.
Job market & growth Government data
Unemployment
3.3% in 2025 (typical metro 4.1%), all workers.
BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, 2021–2025.
Population
The State College area's population shrank 0.4% from 2020 to 2025 (158,035 → 157,393), ranking #311 of 387 metros for growth (typical metro +2.5%). More people moved out than in (net -557).
Census Bureau population estimates, July 1 of each year, 2020–2025.
New homes permitted
New-home permits in State College are down 52% from 2021 to 2025 (654 → 314). Permits signal construction activity, not open jobs.
Census Building Permits Survey, 2021–2025.
Getting to work
The average commute in the State College area is 21 minutes each way, shorter than the typical metro (24 min). 8% of commuters spend 45 minutes or more. 61% drive alone, 4% take transit and 14% 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.