The best cities in America for trade workers right now
Workers are increasingly looking at the trades for careers that can't be replaced by AI. Here are some of the cities with the most opportunities
In an era where automation and artificial intelligence threaten to disrupt traditional employment, more workers are turning to the skilled trades—plumbing, electrical, HVAC, carpentry, and more—as careers built on irreplaceable human expertise. These hands-on professions demand problem-solving, adaptability, and physical presence: qualities that remain difficult to automate.
But not all cities offer equal opportunity for trades professionals. To identify where skilled workers can build the most promising careers, SupplyHouse, an online distributor of plumbing, heating, and HVAC supplies, analyzed dozens of major U.S. cities across six key metrics: workforce density, access to training programs, median salary, job growth (2019–2024), union coverage, and cost of living for trades workers.
Here are the top eight cities where trades careers are flourishing.
## 8. Boston, Massachusetts
*Highest Pay, Highest Price*
Boston leads the pack in compensation, offering the highest median salary among the top eight cities at **$82,385**. It also boasts the strongest union coverage at **14%**, providing workers with greater bargaining power and job security. However, these advantages come with trade-offs: the city has the slowest job growth on the list at just **0.30%** over the past five years, and its notoriously high cost of living can offset the generous wages. For experienced tradespeople prioritizing pay and union support over rapid expansion, Boston remains a compelling option.
## 7. Raleigh, North Carolina
*Growth Meets Affordability*
Raleigh stands out for its dynamic labor market, with **5.30% job growth** in trades from 2019 to 2024. The city maintains a robust workforce density of **583 licensed trade professionals per capita**, signaling strong industry infrastructure. Coupled with a relatively affordable cost of living, Raleigh offers an attractive balance for newcomers and seasoned professionals alike seeking opportunity without the financial strain of coastal metros.
## 6. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
*Union Strength and Training Access*
Philadelphia leads in union representation among the top cities at **12%**, a critical factor for workers seeking wage stability, benefits, and workplace protections. The city also offers a competitive median salary of **$70,003** and supports career development through **19 dedicated training programs**. With **410 licensed trade professionals per capita**, Philadelphia provides a solid foundation for those entering or advancing in the trades.
## 5. Mesa, Arizona
*Training Hub with Strong Growth*
Mesa ties for the most training programs on the list—**31 in total**—making it a standout destination for workers seeking to upskill or launch a new career. The city matches nearby Phoenix with **679 licensed trade professionals per capita** and has seen impressive **6.50% job growth** since 2019. Add in a low cost of living score, and Mesa emerges as a practical, forward-looking choice for trades careers in the Sun Belt.
## 4. Charlotte, North Carolina
*Affordability Fuels Opportunity*
Charlotte combines accessibility with momentum. The city offers one of the most affordable costs of living among top-ranked metros while delivering strong **5.80% job growth** in trades. With **21 training programs** and a median salary of **$56,212**, Charlotte provides a balanced entry point for workers prioritizing long-term stability and quality of life in a rapidly growing Southern hub.
## 3. Nashville, Tennessee
*Fastest-Growing Trades Market*
Nashville claims the top spot for job growth, with an impressive **7.20% increase** in trades employment from 2019 to 2024—the highest among all cities analyzed. It also offers the **lowest cost of living score** on the list, stretching wages further for workers. With a median salary of **$60,560** and **652 licensed trade professionals per capita**, Nashville delivers both opportunity and affordability in a city known for its cultural vibrancy and economic expansion.
## 2. Phoenix, Arizona
*Training Leader with Scalable Opportunity*
Phoenix offers the most robust pipeline for skills development, featuring **31 training programs**—the highest of any city ranked. Paired with strong **6.50% job growth** and a dense workforce of **679 licensed trade professionals per capita**, the metro area provides clear pathways for entry and advancement. A median salary of **$60,474** and a moderate cost of living further cement Phoenix as a top destination for trades careers in the Southwest.
## 1. Omaha, Nebraska
*The Best Balance for Trades Professionals*
Taking the top spot, Omaha delivers the highest concentration of skilled workers at **756 licensed trade professionals per capita**, reflecting a deeply embedded trades ecosystem. The city offers a competitive median salary of **$68,147**, a reasonable cost of living, and **eight training programs**—a notable investment for a metro of its size. While it may not dominate in any single metric, Omaha's consistent strength across all six factors makes it the most well-rounded city for building a resilient, rewarding career in the skilled trades.
As automation continues to transform the labor landscape, the skilled trades represent a durable path forward—one rooted in human skill, local need, and community infrastructure. While no city is perfect, these eight metros demonstrate how strategic investments in training, union support, and workforce development can create environments where tradespeople don't just survive, but thrive.
For workers weighing their next move, the data suggests looking beyond coastal headlines: opportunity is growing in the Midwest and Sun Belt, where affordability, training access, and job growth converge. In the race against automation, the hands that build, fix, and maintain our world remain indispensable—and in these cities, they're valued accordingly.
*Methodology: SupplyHouse evaluated major U.S. cities using publicly available data on median trade salaries, union membership rates, cost of living indices, job growth projections (2019–2024), number of accredited trade training programs, and density of licensed trade professionals per capita. Rankings reflect a weighted composite score across all six factors.*