What this means Our calculation
17 of 18 trades here pay more than the typical U.S. metro; the best-paid is construction supervisors at $79,560. Prices run 1% above the U.S. average, so a paycheck here is worth less than the same dollars elsewhere. For the wider job market, unemployment is lower than most metros (3.4%) and the population is shrinking (-0.4% since 2020).
Highest-paying trades in Kenosha Government data
All 18 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction Supervisor | $79,560 | +3% | $78,680 | 270 | #135 |
| Plumber | $77,340 | +26% | $76,485 | 150 | #73 |
| Electrician | $74,970 | +20% | $74,141 | 120 | #112 |
| Heavy Equipment Operator | $73,190 | +23% | $72,381 | 120 | #83 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanic | $70,430 | +10% | $69,651 | 420 | #110 |
| Septic & Sewer Technician | $62,410 | +22% | $61,720 | 50 | #16 |
| HVAC Technician | $61,260 | +3% | $60,583 | 120 | #150 |
| Concrete Finisher | $60,630 | +6% | $59,960 | 70 | #107 |
| Carpenter | $60,120 | +7% | $59,455 | 310 | #138 |
| Diesel Mechanic | $59,940 | -1% | $59,277 | 190 | #218 |
| Machinist | $59,800 | +5% | $59,139 | 230 | #109 |
| Maintenance Technician | $58,740 | +22% | $58,091 | 840 | #21 |
| Welder | $57,780 | +11% | $57,141 | 250 | #97 |
| Auto Mechanic | $57,540 | +18% | $56,904 | 310 | #76 |
| Auto Body Repairer | $55,330 | +7% | $54,718 | 70 | #136 |
| Construction Laborer | $50,040 | +7% | $49,487 | 340 | #121 |
| Painter | $48,820 | +2% | $48,280 | 100 | #149 |
| Landscaper | $45,490 | +21% | $44,987 | 520 | #40 |
Pay: BLS OEWS, May 2025 (metro-level). Real pay: BEA price parities, 2024. How we calculate
Living costs & homes Government data
Homes in Kenosha
The Kenosha area has about 74,337 homes. 54% were built before 1980 (typical metro 45%), so its housing is older than most; 10% were built in 2010 or later. Older homes often need more repair, replacement and upgrade work. 67% of households own their home, and the median home value is $286,800.
Census American Community Survey, 2024 1-year estimates (table DP04).
Working outdoors in Kenosha Government data
In an average year, Kenosha has 11 days at 90°F or hotter (fewer than most metros; typical metro 33), 135 nights below freezing (typical 90) and 65 days with a tenth of an inch of rain or more. Summer afternoons average 81°F and winter nights 19°F. That matters for outdoor trades: heat and freezes shape the working season and the hours.
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020 averages, Kenosha Rgnl Airport, WI station. Compare cities on outdoor work weather.
Job market & growth Government data
Unemployment
3.4% in 2025 (typical metro 4.1%), all workers.
BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, 2021–2025.
Population
The Kenosha area's population shrank 0.4% from 2020 to 2025 (169,186 → 168,448), ranking #316 of 387 metros for growth (typical metro +2.5%). More people moved out than in (net -811).
Census Bureau population estimates, July 1 of each year, 2020–2025.
New homes permitted
New-home permits in Kenosha are up 243% from 2024 to 2025 (260 → 892). Permits signal construction activity, not open jobs.
Census Building Permits Survey, 2024–2025.
Getting to work
The average commute in the Kenosha area is 24 minutes each way, about the same as the typical metro (24 min). 13% of commuters spend 45 minutes or more. 79% drive alone, 1% take transit and 10% work from home (all workers, not just trades).
Census American Community Survey, 2024 1-year estimates (table S0801).
Licensing in Wisconsin Official source
The main state licensing office in Wisconsin is the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services. It can point you to the right license for skilled trades.
Official Wisconsin licensing site ↗
Requirements for skilled trades vary by state and sometimes by city; always confirm with the official agency.
Union membership
In 2025, 6.4% of wage and salary workers in Wisconsin were union members, below the U.S. rate of about 10% (#30 of 51 states and D.C.), and 7.5% 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 Wisconsin.