Raleigh’s skilled trades scene just scored some national bragging rights. A new analysis from SupplyHouse ranked the city seventh out of 50 major metros for the strength of its licensed trade workforce and training pipeline. The study weighed everything from the number of licensed workers per capita to local training programs, median pay, cost of living and recent job growth. One catch: the researchers said union presence counted against cities in the scoring, a factor that ultimately dragged Raleigh’s final mark a bit lower. For contractors, apprentices and policymakers, the ranking lands somewhere between a victory lap and a reminder to keep building up the talent pipeline.
How the study ranked cities
According to CBS17, SupplyHouse pulled together a 50-city list that blended several metrics: licensed trade professionals per capita, the number of training programs, median salary, cost of living and job growth between 2019 and 2024. CBS17 reports that Raleigh landed in seventh place on that list, putting it in the top tier alongside several Sun Belt and Mid-Atlantic metros. The station noted that the research was published on SupplyHouse’s blog in late January.
Local training pipeline
One reason Raleigh holds its own in the rankings is the depth of its training network. Wake Technical Community College offers construction and maintenance pathways, apprenticeships and credentials that help supply local contractors with new talent. Wake Tech highlights HVAC, electrical and other hands-on career fields on its website, positioning them as direct routes into the trades.
The state is also backing the pipeline earlier in the education journey. North Carolina has directed nearly $200,000 toward secondary Career and Technical Education, a package intended to boost homebuilding programs across several school districts, as reported in a nearly $200,000 package.
Why unions mattered
SupplyHouse’s scoring system gave cities a markdown for union presence, which the company said was meant to capture differences in licensing and payroll structures between union and non-union markets. According to SupplyHouse, that union factor worked against Raleigh even as strong training options and recent job growth pulled its score higher. The blog post went live on January 26 and is currently password-protected on SupplyHouse’s site, with local outlets such as CBS17 sharing the topline findings.
Bottom line for Raleigh
Raleigh’s number 7 spot will not overhaul hiring overnight, but it does underline what many in the Triangle already see on job sites and in classrooms. The market offers plenty of entry points for tradespeople, along with room for wage growth. Employers and educators are likely to treat the ranking as another talking point when pitching apprenticeships, expanding programs and working to fill on-site vacancies. For residents considering a trade career, Raleigh’s place on the national list signals steady demand and accessible training close to home.
