Texas Named Second-Best State for Trade Workers, Study Says

AUSTIN, Texas (TXAN 24) — Texas ranks as the second-best state in America for skilled trade workers and has the nation’s largest trade workforce, according to a new study from workplace safety solutions provider TRADESAFE.

Researchers analyzed wages, employment levels, and hiring demand for electricians, plumbers, HVAC technicians, and construction laborers across all 50 states.

Texas earned an overall score of 64.3, trailing only California. The state employs 263,820 workers across the four major trade occupations, more than any other state and over 25,000 more than California.

The report also found Texas led the nation in trade-related job postings, recording 1,853 openings during March 2026. However, because of the state’s massive workforce, Texas ranked 49th nationally in hiring velocity, meaning available jobs represented a smaller percentage of existing workers than in many other states.

Trade workers in Texas earn a combined median annual wage of approximately $51,928. Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters were identified as the state’s highest-paid trade professionals, earning a median salary of $58,560.

Researchers said Texas’ strong ranking is driven largely by employment opportunities and market size rather than wage levels, as the state ranked 43rd nationally for median trade pay.

The study was based on data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and Indeed job postings collected in March 2026.

Source: TRADESAFE