7 Cities Where Skilled-Trade Workers Can Get More for Their Pay
The average hourly pay across all occupations in the U.S. is $33.54, according to the most recent Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Average hourly wages for skilled-trade workers, specifically construction and extraction workers, are a couple of dollars lower.
Earning an average amount as a skilled-trade worker requires some strategic planning to make the most of your paycheck, especially if most of your money is going toward housing.
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Using recent Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data and Zillow's September 2026 rent figures, MoneyLion identified seven metro areas where construction and extraction workers can earn above-average wages without overspending on rent.
1. Portland, Oregon
Average hourly wage: $39.44
Gross monthly income: $6,836
Typical monthly rent: $1,803
Rent as a percentage of gross monthly income: 26.4%
Portland has the highest average hourly wage for construction and extraction workers among these seven cities, but it also has the highest typical rent. Even so, workers earning the local average wage would spend just over a quarter of their gross monthly income on rent.
2. St. Louis
Average hourly wage: $35.43
Gross monthly income: $6,141
Typical monthly rent: $1,427
Rent as a percentage of gross monthly income: 23.2%
St. Louis is the only city of the seven where typical rent accounts for less than 25% of estimated gross monthly income. It’s worth a closer look if you're trying to keep housing costs down without giving up a decent wage. It has the lowest typical rent on the list, yet its average hourly pay is second only to Portland's.
3. Milwaukee
Average hourly wage: $35.09
Gross monthly income: $6,082
Typical monthly rent: $1,549
Rent as a percentage of gross monthly income: 25.5%
The average hourly wages in Milwaukee and St. Louis differ by only $0.34, although typical rent is $122 higher each month in the Wisconsin city. Even so, workers would only spend about 25% of their gross income on rent.
4. Kansas City, Missouri
Average hourly wage: $33.56
Gross monthly income: $5,817
Typical monthly rent: $1,534
Rent as a percentage of gross monthly income: 26.4%
Kansas City rent is $269 lower than in Portland, but average construction wages are also $5.88 less per hour. However, when you compare rent as a percentage of gross monthly income, the two cities are neck and neck.
5. Buffalo, New York
Average hourly wage: $32.70
Gross monthly income: $5,668
Typical monthly rent: $1,451
Rent as a percentage of gross monthly income: 25.6%
Buffalo has the third-lowest typical rent on this list, which helps make up for its lower wages compared with some of the other cities. Construction and extraction workers earn an average of $32.70 per hour, slightly more than the national average of $31.42.
6. Cleveland
Average hourly wage: $32.17
Gross monthly income: $5,576
Typical monthly rent: $1,440
Rent as a percentage of gross monthly income: 25.8%
Only St. Louis has lower typical rent than Cleveland, and the difference is just $13 per month. However, Cleveland's average hourly wage for construction and extraction workers is $3.26 less than St. Louis's. Even so, workers earning Cleveland's average wage would still spend less than 26% of their gross monthly income on rent.
7. Pittsburgh
Average hourly wage: $32.06
Gross monthly income: $5,557
Typical monthly rent: $1,467
Rent as a percentage of gross monthly income: 26.4%
Pittsburgh has the lowest average construction and extraction wage of the seven cities, but rent is also cheaper than what several of the other locations offer. For example, typical rent is $336 less than in Portland. The city’s typical rent is also cheaper than that of St. Louis, Milwaukee and Kansas.
Editor's note: Actual earnings will depend on your trade and experience level. Taxes, transportation costs and job availability are also worth considering before relocating. Methodology: Average hourly wages for construction and extraction occupations were sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics' May 2025 estimates. Gross monthly income was calculated assuming 40 hours of work per week for 52 weeks, divided by 12. Typical monthly rents were sourced from Zillow's September 2026 market report. Gross monthly income was rounded to the nearest dollar, and rent as a percentage of gross monthly income was rounded to one decimal place. Calculations are based on gross income before taxes and other expenses.
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
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