The US skilled trades sector is at a pivotal moment. With massive infrastructure investments and a green energy transition driving unprecedented demand, employers face a fundamental challenge: five workers retire for every two replacements. To win in this environment, you need a strategic approach to compensation and talent management that goes beyond traditional hiring.
prepare to uncover
- how to attract top talent in a competitive American labor market
- how will the current compensation trends shape your hiring strategy?
- what impact do local salary trends have on today’s skilled trades workforce?
- how to build result-driven hiring strategies to onboard a great skilled trades team
Our 2026 skilled trades salary guide provides the crucial insights you need to attract and retain the best workers in a competitive market.
what you'll uncover in our 2026 skilled trades salary guide
Our comprehensive guide compiles data from a wide range of skilled trades specialties to give you a detailed view of the evolving US market. Inside, you will find:
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in-demand job market data
Get a granular look at national and regional salary averages for the most sought-after roles, including:
- welder
- machine builder
- conventional machinist
- CNC machinist
- millwright
- field service technician
- maintenance mechanic
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analysis and trends for the year ahead
Beyond the numbers, our guide provides strategic insights into the factors that will drive hiring and retention in 2026.
- Technology and green energy reshapes roles: The guide explores how new technologies and sustainability demands are creating entirely new career paths and reshaping traditional trades jobs. With roles like Wind Technicians and Solar Installers projected to grow by up to 60% and 48% respectively, our guide helps you understand the skills needed to succeed in these fast-growing areas.
- Fighting shortages with reskilling: With 76% of operational employees considering reskilling opportunities essential, we explore how you can use training programs to bridge skills gaps and retain valuable employees. This is a critical strategy for both meeting business demands and offering the career development employees crave.
Our guide features contributions from industry experts, offering a comprehensive view of the current and future landscape of skilled trades compensation in the US. By understanding these trends, you can build a resilient team for the future.
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