The need for talented skilled trade workers continued throughout Q3-2026, with a near record number of new trade workers entering the labor force in July. Despite continued macro-economic uncertainty and significant geopolitical events, growth across the skilled trades industry remains strong. Here are the three primary areas to focus on from the third quarter:
- Skilled trade wages have substantially outpaced inflation over the past year, with HVAC Technicians and Electricians showing especially clear gains.
- Job Seekers are at their lowest desire to relocate for work in over two years.
- Florida, Texas, and Ohio continue to lead the nation in skilled trade job creation.
1. Skilled Trade Wages are Beating Inflation
For years, one of the biggest questions surrounding careers in the skilled trades was whether rising wages were actually translating into greater purchasing power. In 2024, the answer was no. BlueRecruit’s data showed skilled trade wages increased a average of just 0.98% while inflation was running around 3.2%, meaning the average trade worker was losing ground. Thankfully, that story has changed dramatically.
Over the past year, wages in some of America’s most in-demand skilled trades have increased substantially faster than inflation with HVACR Technicians being the clearest example. Average HVACR compensation increased 19.5% year-over-year in Q2 2026, nearly six times the rate of inflation. Electricians also saw meaningful gains, with compensation increasing 6.5% over the same period.
With inflation at 3.4% from July 2025 to July 2026, these increases represent real gains in purchasing power, not simply higher wages on paper. HVACR Techs and Electricians aren’t isolated examples. Plumbers, Carpenters, Welders and General Laborers continue to command wages that would have been difficult to imagine just a few years ago. The latest BlueRecruit data shows average employer paid wages of $45.00/hour for Plumbers, $38.91 for Carpenters, $36.20 for Welders and $26.04 for General Laborers.
The message is clear: the skilled trades aren’t simply keeping up with inflation; they are increasingly pulling ahead of it.
2. Americans are Less Likely to Relocate for New Job Opportunities
While demand for skilled workers remains strong across the country, BlueRecruit data shows that Job Seekers are becoming increasingly reluctant to relocate for a new opportunity. The percentage of Job Seekers open to relocation has fallen to its lowest level in more than two years.
There are several possible reasons for this trend, with housing costs likely playing the primary factor. Higher home prices and climbing rents can make moving for a higher-paying job far less attractive, particularly when the increased salary may be offset by a higher cost of living. Recent research from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York shows that Americans’ expected mobility has continued to decline, while other research finds that housing costs are increasingly preventing workers from relocating.
Furthermore, given the massive internal migration which occurred during COVID and the years following, many Job Seekers who sought a new state of residence have already settled.
These trends create an important challenge for employers. The workers companies need may not be willing or able to move to where the jobs are. As a result, employers may need to expand their recruiting radius without assuming Job Seekers will relocate, while also placing greater emphasis on apprenticeship programs and training workers already living in their communities.
3. Where are the Jobs
Florida, Texas, and Ohio continue to stand out as major sources of job growth in the skilled trades labor market. These states combine large and growing populations with significant construction, manufacturing, infrastructure and commercial development activity. All of which are industries that rely heavily on skilled workers.
Florida’s continued population growth is driving demand for new commercial buildings and infrastructure, while Texas continues to benefit from its enormous construction, energy, manufacturing, and technology sector expansion. Ohio’s strength is somewhat different, with its manufacturing base and renewed investment in advanced manufacturing, infrastructure and industrial facilities creating sustained demand for skilled workers.
Also, let’s give a shot out to little South Carolina which continues to climb the job creation ladder, up three spots from last quarter to now sitting at number seven.
Meet BlueRecruit – Built for the Trades
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