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Skilled trade pay in Seattle, WA

Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro · BLS, May 2025

39trades with pay data
+11%local prices vs. U.S.
$2,0661-bed rent / month
4.6%unemployment, 2025
30 minaverage commute
15,659new homes permitted, 2025

New homes permitted Government data

New-home permits in Seattle are down 49% from 2021 to 2025 (30,743 → 15,659). Permits are a sign of construction activity, not a count of open jobs.

30,7432021
26,6612022
17,2232023
17,9202024
15,6592025

Census Building Permits Survey, annual 2021–2025.

Highest-paying trades

Elevator Installer$138,880
Electrical Lineworker$134,150
Construction Supervisor$121,130
Ironworker$111,440
Sheet Metal Worker$109,830
Building Inspector$102,830
Electrician$101,780
Brickmason$97,830
Paving Equipment Operator$96,590
Heavy Equipment Operator$95,750
Plumber$95,230
Diesel Mechanic$82,330

All 39 trades

Click a column to sort. Jobs are employment estimates, not open positions.

TradeMedian payJobsU.S. rank
Elevator Installer$138,880290#7
Electrical Lineworker$134,1501,010#10
Construction Supervisor$121,13011,040#4
Ironworker$111,440450#5
Sheet Metal Worker$109,8302,190#1
Building Inspector$102,8301,640#8
Electrician$101,7809,750#5
Brickmason$97,830310#2
Paving Equipment Operator$96,590270#3
Heavy Equipment Operator$95,7504,860#13
Plumber$95,2306,350#11
Diesel Mechanic$82,3303,740#3
Telecom Equipment Installer$81,0301,750#18
Concrete Finisher$80,8602,140#9
HVAC Technician$80,1003,940#5
Industrial Machinery Mechanic$79,9204,600#16
Telecom Line Installer$79,750860#68
Tile Setter$79,040450#3
Rigger$78,840160#14
Carpenter$76,41014,970#16
Glazier$75,610900#9
Drywall Installer$75,5601,840#11
Machinist$74,5604,250#7
Insulation Installer$71,9801,250#4
Welder$66,2403,230#11
Auto Body Repairer$64,5901,340#12
Septic & Sewer Technician$64,180830#9
Roofer$64,0902,970#22
Appliance Repair Technician$61,870530#16
Maintenance Technician$60,76017,790#9
Painter$60,4405,140#27
Hazmat Removal Worker$60,2901,620#12
Construction Laborer$59,74013,040#33
Auto Mechanic$59,2906,860#46
Plasterer$58,860220#29
Pest Control Technician$58,380670#2
Flooring Installer$57,590210#30
Fence Installer$55,440730#12
Landscaper$48,48011,780#6

Pay: BLS OEWS, May 2025 (metro-level). Real pay: BEA price parities, 2024. How we calculate

Nearby metros

BremertonWASHINGTON · WA$76,21541 miles away · typical trade pay
OlympiaWASHINGTON · WA$74,17061 miles away · typical trade pay
Mount VernonWASHINGTON · WA$67,00568 miles away · typical trade pay
WenatcheeWASHINGTON · WA$63,64075 miles away · typical trade pay
YakimaWASHINGTON · WA$62,67087 miles away · typical trade pay

See every metro in Washington.

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