What this means Our calculation
28 of 29 trades here pay more than the typical U.S. metro; the best-paid is electrical lineworkers at $135,450. Prices run 4% 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 (4.4%) and the population is growing at a typical pace (+2.8% since 2020).
Highest-paying trades in Olympia 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 | $135,450 | +40% | $130,655 | 50 | #4 |
| Ironworker | $111,500 | +74% | $107,553 | 40 | #4 |
| Heavy Equipment Operator | $103,060 | +73% | $99,412 | 260 | #7 |
| Construction Supervisor | $102,210 | +32% | $98,592 | 460 | #19 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $100,650 | +64% | $97,087 | 100 | #4 |
| Building Inspector | $98,220 | +46% | $94,743 | 120 | #19 |
| Electrician | $96,600 | +55% | $93,180 | 530 | #19 |
| Glazier | $91,870 | +66% | $88,618 | 70 | #2 |
| Telecom Line Installer | $86,450 | +30% | $83,390 | 40 | #50 |
| Plumber | $80,030 | +30% | $77,197 | 310 | #57 |
| Diesel Mechanic | $78,960 | +31% | $76,165 | 260 | #7 |
| Insulation Installer | $76,610 | +59% | $73,898 | 40 | #2 |
| HVAC Technician | $76,260 | +28% | $73,560 | 270 | #22 |
| Concrete Finisher | $75,850 | +33% | $73,165 | 120 | #16 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanic | $74,170 | +16% | $71,544 | 260 | #71 |
| Telecom Equipment Installer | $69,350 | +11% | $66,895 | 140 | #96 |
| Carpenter | $63,260 | +13% | $61,021 | 800 | #82 |
| Painter | $60,410 | +27% | $58,271 | 230 | #28 |
| Maintenance Technician | $58,980 | +22% | $56,892 | 1,130 | #18 |
| Welder | $58,680 | +12% | $56,603 | 140 | #82 |
| Auto Body Repairer | $58,240 | +13% | $56,178 | 100 | #77 |
| Roofer | $57,920 | +16% | $55,870 | 260 | #98 |
| Machinist | $55,660 | -2% | $53,690 | 120 | #206 |
| Construction Laborer | $53,090 | +13% | $51,211 | 730 | #96 |
| Auto Mechanic | $51,260 | +5% | $49,445 | 450 | #136 |
| Fence Installer | $49,350 | +2% | $47,603 | 60 | #21 |
| Hazmat Removal Worker | $48,460 | +1% | $46,744 | 70 | #62 |
| Pest Control Technician | $47,720 | +7% | $46,031 | 80 | #32 |
| Landscaper | $44,850 | +19% | $43,262 | 760 | #59 |
Pay: BLS OEWS, May 2025 (metro-level). Real pay: BEA price parities, 2024. How we calculate
Living costs & homes Government data
Homes in Olympia
The Olympia area has about 128,450 homes. 31% were built before 1980 (typical metro 45%), so its housing is newer than most; 18% were built in 2010 or later. 69% of households own their home, and the median home value is $525,500.
Census American Community Survey, 2024 1-year estimates (table DP04).
Working outdoors in Olympia Government data
In an average year, Olympia has 6 days at 90°F or hotter (fewer than most metros; typical metro 33), 77 nights below freezing (typical 90) and 105 days with a tenth of an inch of rain or more, and 4 inches of snow. Summer afternoons average 76°F and winter nights 33°F. That matters for outdoor trades: heat and freezes shape the working season and the hours.
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020 averages, Olympia Airport, WA station. Compare cities on outdoor work weather.
Job market & growth Government data
Unemployment
4.4% in 2025 (typical metro 4.1%), all workers.
BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, 2021–2025.
Population
The Olympia area's population grew 2.8% from 2020 to 2025 (296,013 → 304,261), ranking #183 of 387 metros for growth (typical metro +2.5%). People moving in (net +7,748) account for most of the change.
Census Bureau population estimates, July 1 of each year, 2020–2025.
New homes permitted
New-home permits in Olympia are down 19% from 2021 to 2025 (2,054 → 1,669). Permits signal construction activity, not open jobs.
Census Building Permits Survey, 2021–2025.
Getting to work
The average commute in the Olympia area is 26 minutes each way, longer than the typical metro (24 min). 16% of commuters spend 45 minutes or more. 67% drive alone, 1% take transit and 21% work from home (all workers, not just trades).
Census American Community Survey, 2024 1-year estimates (table S0801).
Licensing in Washington Official source
The main state licensing office in Washington is the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries. It can point you to the right license for skilled trades.
Official Washington licensing site ↗
Requirements for skilled trades vary by state and sometimes by city; always confirm with the official agency.
Union membership
In 2025, 18.0% of wage and salary workers in Washington were union members, above the U.S. rate of about 10% (#4 of 51 states and D.C.), and 19.4% 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 Washington.