License and pay guides
State licensing rules and BLS pay data, with sources and the date we last checked them.
License requirements
What each state requires, summarized from its licensing board, with a source for every rule.
Pay
Hourly medians from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025), nationally and by state.
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Electrician pay
U.S. median $30.38 an hour
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Plumber pay
U.S. median $30.67 an hour
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HVAC technician pay
U.S. median $29.33 an hour
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Diesel mechanic pay
U.S. median $29.70 an hour
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Lineman pay
U.S. median $45.83 an hour
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Welder pay
U.S. median $25.84 an hour