What this means Our calculation
1 of 19 trades here pay more than the typical U.S. metro; the best-paid is telecom line installers at $66,700. Prices run 13% below the U.S. average, so a paycheck here is worth more than the same dollars elsewhere. For the wider job market, unemployment is higher than most metros (4.6%) and the population is growing faster than most (+5.2% since 2020).
Highest-paying trades in Laredo Government data
All 19 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 | $66,700 | +1% | $76,705 | 30 | #116 |
| Construction Supervisor | $63,260 | -18% | $72,749 | 250 | #356 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanic | $56,050 | -12% | $64,458 | 150 | #362 |
| Telecom Equipment Installer | $52,980 | -15% | $60,927 | 80 | #295 |
| HVAC Technician | $48,450 | -19% | $55,718 | 180 | #354 |
| Diesel Mechanic | $48,270 | -20% | $55,511 | 760 | #374 |
| Building Inspector | $47,340 | -30% | $54,441 | 90 | #332 |
| Plumber | $46,350 | -25% | $53,303 | 120 | #381 |
| Electrician | $46,140 | -26% | $53,061 | 340 | #381 |
| Heavy Equipment Operator | $46,100 | -23% | $53,015 | 280 | #367 |
| Welder | $45,370 | -13% | $52,176 | 100 | #360 |
| Carpenter | $41,540 | -26% | $47,771 | 100 | #378 |
| Auto Mechanic | $39,450 | -19% | $45,368 | 640 | #378 |
| Maintenance Technician | $36,700 | -24% | $42,205 | 900 | #384 |
| Painter | $36,020 | -24% | $41,423 | 50 | #354 |
| Construction Laborer | $33,740 | -28% | $38,801 | 400 | #383 |
| Glazier | $33,280 | -40% | $38,272 | 30 | #161 |
| Landscaper | $32,150 | -14% | $36,973 | 240 | #366 |
| Pest Control Technician | $28,370 | -36% | $32,626 | 50 | #242 |
Pay: BLS OEWS, May 2025 (metro-level). Real pay: BEA price parities, 2024. How we calculate
Living costs & homes Government data
Homes in Laredo
The Laredo area has about 91,163 homes. 26% were built before 1980 (typical metro 45%), so its housing is newer than most; 21% were built in 2010 or later. 65% of households own their home, and the median home value is $207,100.
Census American Community Survey, 2024 1-year estimates (table DP04).
Working outdoors in Laredo Government data
In an average year, Laredo has 178 days at 90°F or hotter (more than most metros; typical metro 33), including 74 at 100°F or more, 5 nights below freezing (typical 90) and 30 days with a tenth of an inch of rain or more. Summer afternoons average 100°F and winter nights 49°F. That matters for outdoor trades: heat and freezes shape the working season and the hours.
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020 averages, Laredo 2, TX station. Compare cities on outdoor work weather.
Job market & growth Government data
Unemployment
4.6% in 2025 (typical metro 4.1%), all workers.
BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, 2021–2025.
Population
The Laredo area's population grew 5.2% from 2020 to 2025 (267,336 → 281,224), ranking #94 of 387 metros for growth (typical metro +2.5%). People moving in (net +1,382) account for part of the change.
Census Bureau population estimates, July 1 of each year, 2020–2025.
New homes permitted
New-home permits in Laredo are down 20% from 2021 to 2025 (1,684 → 1,340). Permits signal construction activity, not open jobs.
Census Building Permits Survey, 2021–2025.
Getting to work
The average commute in the Laredo area is 22 minutes each way, shorter than the typical metro (24 min). 8% of commuters spend 45 minutes or more. 81% drive alone, 1% take transit and 5% work from home (all workers, not just trades).
Census American Community Survey, 2024 1-year estimates (table S0801).
Licensing in Texas Official source
The main state licensing office in Texas is the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. Plumbers are licensed by the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners. It can point you to the right license for skilled trades.
Official Texas licensing site ↗
Requirements for skilled trades vary by state and sometimes by city; always confirm with the official agency.
Union membership
In 2025, 4.9% of wage and salary workers in Texas were union members, below the U.S. rate of about 10% (#41 of 51 states and D.C.), and 5.8% 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 Texas.