How to read pay on a trades job listing

A posted pay figure is the start of the conversation, not the whole offer. Here's how to read the numbers on a listing and compare two jobs fairly.

Hourly or yearly

Most field jobs post an hourly rate; foremen, estimators and managers often post a yearly salary. To compare an hourly job with a salaried one, ask how many hours the salaried role usually works, including on-call weeks. A salary that looks higher can work out lower per hour once regular overtime is counted.

Ranges

A range like "$28–$38/hr" means the employer will place you somewhere inside it, usually based on your license level, years in the trade and the work you can run on your own. Ask where you would start, and what it takes to move up the range — a license upgrade, a certification, or time.

"Up to" with only a top number tells you the ceiling, not where most hires start. Ask for the starting rate.

What the number doesn't include

• Overtime. Ask how often it happens in the busy season and whether it's paid at time and a half.
• On-call pay. Some shops pay a flat amount for on-call weeks, some pay only for calls run.
• Per diem. A daily allowance for travel jobs. Ask whether it's paid every day you're out or only on work days.
• Company vehicle and fuel. Taking a truck home can be worth a lot if you'd otherwise drive your own.
• Tools. Some employers provide tools or a tool allowance; others expect you to bring your own.
• Benefits. Health insurance, retirement match, paid time off and paid training all add real value on top of the hourly rate.
• License and exam costs. Some employers pay for continuing education and exam fees.

When pay isn't posted

Mountain West Trades marks those listings "Pay not posted." That doesn't mean the job pays badly, but it does mean you should ask early, before you spend a day interviewing.

Some states require pay on postings. In Colorado: Colorado's Equal Pay for Equal Work Act (Senate Bill 19-085) requires employers to state the hourly or salary pay, or a range of it, in each job posting, along with a general description of benefits and other compensation. (source)

Comparing against a benchmark

The Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes median wages for each trade by state (Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics). They are statewide figures across all employers, so they're useful as a sanity check, not a target. For example, in Utah:

• Electricians, median hourly wage: $29.81 (BLS OEWS)
• Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters, median hourly wage: $29.76 (BLS OEWS)
• Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers, median hourly wage: $28.24 (BLS OEWS)

Release: May 2025 (source)

Each trade and state page on Mountain West Trades shows the benchmark for that state next to live listings.