What this means Our calculation
20 of 25 trades here pay more than the typical U.S. metro; the best-paid is electrical lineworkers at $119,850. Prices run 4% 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 (5.9%) and the population is growing slowly (+1.0% since 2020).
Highest-paying trades in Yakima Government data
All 25 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 | $119,850 | +24% | $125,438 | 30 | #40 |
| Concrete Finisher | $87,830 | +53% | $91,925 | 130 | #6 |
| Construction Supervisor | $87,260 | +13% | $91,329 | 300 | #75 |
| Electrician | $78,630 | +26% | $82,296 | 390 | #64 |
| Building Inspector | $78,000 | +16% | $81,637 | 80 | #72 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $77,850 | +27% | $81,480 | 90 | #40 |
| Telecom Line Installer | $75,580 | +14% | $79,104 | 50 | #100 |
| Heavy Equipment Operator | $71,810 | +20% | $75,158 | 190 | #87 |
| HVAC Technician | $65,900 | +11% | $68,973 | 160 | #65 |
| Diesel Mechanic | $63,990 | +6% | $66,974 | 260 | #83 |
| Carpenter | $63,300 | +13% | $66,252 | 480 | #80 |
| Paving Equipment Operator | $63,160 | +27% | $66,105 | 30 | #27 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanic | $62,670 | -2% | $65,592 | 480 | #232 |
| Plumber | $60,900 | -1% | $63,740 | 240 | #206 |
| Machinist | $59,560 | +4% | $62,337 | 180 | #118 |
| Drywall Installer | $58,950 | +9% | $61,699 | 50 | #67 |
| Welder | $57,450 | +10% | $60,129 | 290 | #105 |
| Roofer | $56,660 | +13% | $59,302 | 160 | #102 |
| Auto Mechanic | $50,150 | +3% | $52,488 | 410 | #159 |
| Maintenance Technician | $49,450 | +2% | $51,756 | 1,210 | #150 |
| Construction Laborer | $48,810 | +4% | $51,086 | 590 | #149 |
| Septic & Sewer Technician | $48,230 | -5% | $50,479 | 60 | #93 |
| Painter | $46,680 | -2% | $48,857 | 240 | #219 |
| Auto Body Repairer | $46,240 | -11% | $48,396 | 70 | #334 |
| Landscaper | $42,340 | +13% | $44,314 | 530 | #99 |
Pay: BLS OEWS, May 2025 (metro-level). Real pay: BEA price parities, 2024. How we calculate
Living costs & homes Government data
Homes in Yakima
The Yakima area has about 94,119 homes. 54% were built before 1980 (typical metro 45%), so its housing is older than most; 12% were built in 2010 or later. Older homes often need more repair, replacement and upgrade work. 60% of households own their home, and the median home value is $349,900.
Census American Community Survey, 2024 1-year estimates (table DP04).
Working outdoors in Yakima Government data
In an average year, Yakima has 40 days at 90°F or hotter (about typical; typical metro 33), including 6 at 100°F or more, 147 nights below freezing (typical 90) and 26 days with a tenth of an inch of rain or more, and 20 inches of snow. Summer afternoons average 86°F and winter nights 24°F. That matters for outdoor trades: heat and freezes shape the working season and the hours.
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020 averages, Yakima Air Terminal, WA station. Compare cities on outdoor work weather.
Job market & growth Government data
Unemployment
5.9% in 2025 (typical metro 4.1%), all workers.
BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, 2021–2025.
Population
The Yakima area's population grew 1.0% from 2020 to 2025 (256,716 → 259,185), ranking #254 of 387 metros for growth (typical metro +2.5%). More people moved out than in (net -2,108).
Census Bureau population estimates, July 1 of each year, 2020–2025.
New homes permitted
New-home permits in Yakima are down 35% from 2021 to 2025 (1,103 → 713). Permits signal construction activity, not open jobs.
Census Building Permits Survey, 2021–2025.
Getting to work
The average commute in the Yakima area is 22 minutes each way, shorter than the typical metro (24 min). 9% of commuters spend 45 minutes or more. 81% drive alone, 0% take transit and 6% 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.