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Skilled trades in North Carolina, ranked by pay
Of the 5 trades tracked here, the best paid in North Carolina is HVAC technicians at a median $57,260 a year. Across all 5, 125,530 people are employed in North Carolina. Each row links to the full wage spread for that trade in the state.
| # | Trade | Median annual | Median hourly | 10th–90th | Employed | vs US | State rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | HVAC technicians | $57,260 | $27.53 | $37,780 – $77,160 | 15,230 | 6% below | #40 of 51 |
| 2 | Plumbers and pipefitters | $57,080 | $27.44 | $38,860 – $75,850 | 14,510 | 11% below | #44 of 51 |
| 3 | Electricians | $56,800 | $27.31 | $40,130 – $75,060 | 21,640 | 10% below | #49 of 51 |
| 4 | Truck drivers (CDL) | $51,530 | $24.77 | $39,400 – $76,360 | 62,400 | 12% below | #46 of 51 |
| 5 | Welders | $50,590 | $24.32 | $38,540 – $71,240 | 11,750 | 6% below | #37 of 51 |
"State rank" is where North Carolina places among the 50 states and DC on median pay for that trade — a low number means the state pays well for it. "vs US" compares the North Carolina median with the national median for the same trade.
How to get licensed in North Carolina: HVAC technicians · Plumbers and pipefitters · Electricians · Truck drivers (CDL) — license tiers, required hours, exam and fees, sourced from the state authority.
Which of these to consider in North Carolina
Pay is one input, not the answer. A trade that pays a little less but employs far more people in North Carolina can be the easier one to get hired and stay hired in. Weigh the median against the employment column, and against the training time and licensing each trade demands — the parts this page will carry next, once each state's board data is sourced. For now, open a trade to see its full percentile spread and how North Carolina ranks against every other state.
Full detail by trade
HVAC technicians in North Carolina · Plumbers and pipefitters in North Carolina · Electricians in North Carolina · Truck drivers (CDL) in North Carolina · Welders in North Carolina
Or compare these trades nationally on the trade ranking, or pick another state from the state list.
Licensing requirements, apprenticeship programs, training cost and time-to-journeyman in North Carolina are being collected from state sources and will appear on this page once sourced and cited. The pay and employment figures here are the May 2025 BLS estimates; see how the numbers are built.