What this means Our calculation
2 of 29 trades here pay more than the typical U.S. metro; the best-paid is electrical lineworkers at $94,970. 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 (3.5%) and the population is growing faster than most (+17.4% since 2020).
Highest-paying trades in St. George Government data
All 29 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 | $94,970 | -2% | $97,584 | 80 | #141 |
| Building Inspector | $75,950 | +13% | $78,041 | 80 | #92 |
| Construction Supervisor | $74,060 | -4% | $76,099 | 820 | #271 |
| Telecom Equipment Installer | $61,100 | -2% | $62,782 | 120 | #193 |
| Diesel Mechanic | $59,490 | -1% | $61,128 | 90 | #229 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanic | $59,070 | -8% | $60,696 | 100 | #338 |
| Heavy Equipment Operator | $57,900 | -3% | $59,494 | 670 | #216 |
| Plumber | $56,730 | -8% | $58,292 | 370 | #291 |
| Electrician | $56,510 | -9% | $58,066 | 490 | #315 |
| Plasterer | $54,310 | -8% | $55,805 | 180 | #38 |
| Machinist | $52,740 | -8% | $54,192 | 110 | #243 |
| Brickmason | $51,720 | -18% | $53,144 | 180 | #123 |
| Drywall Installer | $50,900 | -5% | $52,301 | 380 | #93 |
| Welder | $50,890 | -3% | $52,291 | 160 | #225 |
| Roofer | $49,620 | -1% | $50,986 | 260 | #143 |
| Auto Body Repairer | $49,130 | -5% | $50,482 | 90 | #239 |
| Ironworker | $48,970 | -23% | $50,318 | 70 | #134 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $48,910 | -20% | $50,256 | 60 | #220 |
| Telecom Line Installer | $48,660 | -27% | $49,999 | 60 | #220 |
| Concrete Finisher | $48,070 | -16% | $49,393 | 520 | #244 |
| HVAC Technician | $47,790 | -20% | $49,106 | 420 | #366 |
| Auto Mechanic | $47,430 | -3% | $48,736 | 550 | #266 |
| Carpenter | $47,060 | -16% | $48,355 | 1,110 | #339 |
| Construction Laborer | $45,670 | -3% | $46,927 | 1,500 | #229 |
| Tile Setter | $45,120 | -11% | $46,362 | 130 | #103 |
| Maintenance Technician | $44,210 | -9% | $45,427 | 950 | #331 |
| Painter | $43,050 | -10% | $44,235 | 330 | #300 |
| Landscaper | $37,930 | +1% | $38,974 | 1,100 | #169 |
| Pest Control Technician | $35,780 | -20% | $36,765 | 90 | #232 |
Pay: BLS OEWS, May 2025 (metro-level). Real pay: BEA price parities, 2024. How we calculate
Living costs & homes Government data
Homes in St. George
The St. George area has about 88,415 homes. 9% were built before 1980 (typical metro 45%), so its housing is newer than most; 35% were built in 2010 or later. 71% of households own their home, and the median home value is $567,200.
Census American Community Survey, 2024 1-year estimates (table DP04).
Working outdoors in St. George Government data
In an average year, St. George has 128 days at 90°F or hotter (more than most metros; typical metro 33), including 63 at 100°F or more, 62 nights below freezing (typical 90) and 22 days with a tenth of an inch of rain or more, and 1 inch of snow. Summer afternoons average 99°F and winter nights 30°F. That matters for outdoor trades: heat and freezes shape the working season and the hours.
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020 averages, St George, UT station. Compare cities on outdoor work weather.
Job market & growth Government data
Unemployment
3.5% in 2025 (typical metro 4.1%), all workers.
BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, 2021–2025.
Population
The St. George area's population grew 17.4% from 2020 to 2025 (182,002 → 213,670), ranking #4 of 387 metros for growth (typical metro +2.5%). People moving in (net +29,496) account for most of the change.
Census Bureau population estimates, July 1 of each year, 2020–2025.
New homes permitted
New-home permits in St. George are down 18% from 2021 to 2025 (3,484 → 2,857). Permits signal construction activity, not open jobs.
Census Building Permits Survey, 2021–2025.
Getting to work
The average commute in the St. George area is 19 minutes each way, shorter than the typical metro (24 min). 6% of commuters spend 45 minutes or more. 66% drive alone, 1% take transit and 16% work from home (all workers, not just trades).
Census American Community Survey, 2024 1-year estimates (table S0801).
Licensing in Utah Official source
The main state licensing office in Utah is the Utah Division of Professional Licensing. It can point you to the right license for skilled trades.
Official Utah licensing site ↗
Requirements for skilled trades vary by state and sometimes by city; always confirm with the official agency.
Union membership
In 2025, 3.8% of wage and salary workers in Utah were union members, below the U.S. rate of about 10% (#47 of 51 states and D.C.), and 7.8% 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 Utah.