According to the 2024 BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey, electricians earned a median annual wage of $62,040, or approximately $29.83 per hour.
That figure represents the midpoint across roughly 739,000 employed electricians nationwide — half earned more, half earned less.
Actual pay varies considerably based on experience level, trade certification (apprentice, journeyman, or master), union membership, and the type of work performed (residential, commercial, or industrial).
Electricians working in high-cost metro areas or specialized sectors such as solar installation and EV infrastructure tend to earn toward the upper end of the scale.
The BLS projects 11% job growth for electricians between 2023 and 2033, driven largely by clean-energy buildout and electrification of transportation — a pace classified as much faster than average.
Compared with other skilled trades, the plumber salary and welder salary offer useful benchmarks for those evaluating career options in the trades.
The electrical engineer salary provides a useful comparison point for those considering a degree-based path in the electrical field.
Electrician Salary Overview (2026)
According to the 2024 BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey for electricians (SOC 47-2111), the median annual wage was $62,040, equal to roughly $29.83 per hour.
The mean (average) annual wage was somewhat higher at approximately $66,700, a gap that reflects a relatively wide spread at the top of the pay scale.
Key wage percentiles from the 2024 BLS OEWS survey:
- 10th percentile: ~$38,680/year
- 25th percentile: ~$48,750/year
- 50th percentile (median): $62,040/year
- 75th percentile: ~$81,540/year
- 90th percentile: ~$104,120/year
The difference between the median and mean suggests that a smaller share of highly experienced or specialized electricians pull the average upward — the median is generally considered a more representative figure for workers entering or progressing through the field.
Those weighing skilled trade careers may also want to review the HVAC technician salary and carpenter salary for comparison.
To see exactly how wages like $29 an hour translate to annual, monthly, and after-tax take-home, our guide on $29 an hour is how much a year breaks down every pay period. For other rates in the range above, browse our hourly wage conversion guide index.
Electrician Pay by Experience Level
Earnings in the electrical trade are closely tied to credential level.
The industry recognizes three primary tiers: apprentice, journeyman, and master electrician.
Wages below reflect typical national ranges based on available BLS percentile data and industry reporting; individual pay may vary by state, employer, and union affiliation.
| Experience / Credential Level | Typical Annual Salary | Approximate Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Apprentice (0–4 years, in training) | $35,000 – $50,000 | $17 – $24/hr |
| Journeyman Electrician (4–8 years) | $52,000 – $75,000 | $25 – $36/hr |
| Senior Journeyman / Lead (8–15 years) | $70,000 – $90,000 | $34 – $43/hr |
| Master Electrician (15+ years / licensed) | $80,000 – $110,000+ | $38 – $53+/hr |
Apprentices typically earn a percentage of the journeyman rate — often starting at 40–50% and increasing incrementally over a 4- to 5-year program. Master electrician licensure requires additional exam passage and, in most states, several years of journeyman experience.
Union vs. Non-Union Electrician Pay
Union membership through the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) is associated with higher wages for many electricians.
IBEW-affiliated electricians typically receive negotiated wage scales, employer-funded health benefits, and defined pension contributions that non-union workers may not receive.
While total compensation comparisons depend heavily on location and local labor agreements, union electricians in major metro areas may earn total compensation packages substantially above the BLS median.
Non-union electricians may have more scheduling flexibility but often assume more of their own benefit costs.
Electrician Salary by State and Region
Geographic location is one of the strongest predictors of electrician pay. States with higher costs of living, stronger union density, or significant infrastructure investment tend to pay more. According to BLS OEWS state data, the top-paying states for electricians include:
- Illinois: Among the highest-paying states, driven by strong IBEW presence in the Chicago metro area
- Hawaii: High cost of living in Hawaii and limited contractor supply push wages well above the national median
- New York: New York City union electricians frequently appear in the upper wage percentiles nationally — the cost of living in New York is one of the highest in the country
- New Jersey: High-density commercial and industrial market adjacent to NYC
- Washington: Growing tech infrastructure and clean-energy projects support elevated demand; the cost of living in Washington State is above the national average
By contrast, electricians in rural parts of the Southeast or Midwest may earn closer to the 25th percentile of the national wage distribution.
Metropolitan areas consistently outpay rural areas for the same credential level, largely due to higher project volume, union contracts, and cost-of-living adjustments.
Factors That Affect Electrician Pay
Several variables beyond experience and location influence what an electrician may earn:
Type of Work: Residential, Commercial, and Industrial
Residential electricians install and service wiring in homes and typically operate in a more straightforward code environment.
Commercial electricians work in offices, retail centers, and institutional buildings — often at higher pay scales due to complexity.
Industrial electricians work in manufacturing plants, utilities, and heavy infrastructure where specialized knowledge of three-phase power, motor controls, and programmable logic controllers (PLCs) commands a premium.
Industrial and commercial work is generally associated with higher wages than residential.
Specialization and Emerging Sectors
Electricians with experience in solar photovoltaic (PV) installation, electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, or data center buildout are increasingly in demand.
The BLS projects 11% growth in electrician employment between 2023 and 2033 — much faster than the average for all occupations — driven in significant part by the clean-energy transition.
Specialty certifications, such as those offered by NABCEP for solar, may support higher billing rates and wages.
Employer Type and Business Structure
Electricians employed by large electrical contractors, utilities, or government agencies often receive more stable wage structures and benefit packages.
Self-employed master electricians who operate their own companies may earn significantly more in revenue but also bear business overhead, liability insurance, and irregular income risk.
Wages reported by BLS reflect employees, not self-employed business owners' net income.
Electrician Career Outlook
According to the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, employment of electricians is projected to grow 11% from 2023 to 2033, which is classified as much faster than the average for all occupations.
The BLS projects approximately 73,500 openings per year over that decade, stemming from both growth and replacement of workers who retire or leave the field.
Key growth drivers identified by the BLS include:
- Expansion of solar energy and wind power installations requiring new electrical infrastructure
- Growth in EV charging networks across commercial, industrial, and residential settings
- Ongoing construction of data centers, warehouses, and commercial buildings
- Aging electrical infrastructure requiring rewiring and upgrades
The trade typically requires completion of an apprenticeship program (4–5 years) combining on-the-job training with classroom instruction.
No four-year college degree is required, which means electricians typically enter the workforce with significantly less student debt than professionals in fields requiring advanced degrees.
After establishing a stable income, electricians — like other tradespeople — often benefit from understanding their salary negotiation options when changing employers or moving to larger contractors.
Setting up consistent 401(k) contribution rates early in a trade career compounds significantly over time, as does choosing a high-yield savings account for an emergency fund.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the median salary for an electrician in 2024?
According to the 2024 BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey, electricians earned a median annual wage of $62,040, or approximately $29.83 per hour.
This figure represents the national midpoint — half of all electricians earned more and half earned less.
Pay may vary significantly by state, experience level, and union status.
Do union electricians make more than non-union electricians?
Union electricians affiliated with the IBEW typically earn higher total compensation than non-union peers in comparable roles, when accounting for negotiated wages, employer-funded benefits, and pension contributions.
The wage gap varies by region and local labor agreement.
Non-union electricians may have more scheduling flexibility but often bear a greater share of benefit costs.
How long does it take to become a journeyman electrician?
Most apprenticeship programs for electricians last four to five years, combining on-the-job hours with classroom instruction in electrical theory, code compliance, and safety.
After completing an approved apprenticeship and meeting state-specific hour requirements, an electrician may qualify to take the journeyman licensing exam.
Requirements differ by state.
Which states pay electricians the most?
According to BLS OEWS state-level data, Illinois, Hawaii, New York, New Jersey, and Washington are among the top-paying states for electricians.
High union density, elevated cost of living, and strong construction activity in these states support wages well above the national median.
Metro areas within these states, such as New York City and Chicago, tend to be among the highest-paying markets.
For context on how wages stretch in these states, see our guides on the cost of living in New York and the cost of living in Washington State.
What is the job outlook for electricians?
The BLS projects 11% employment growth for electricians between 2023 and 2033, a rate classified as much faster than average.
Growth is driven by clean-energy infrastructure including solar and wind installation, EV charging networks, and continued commercial and industrial construction.
The BLS projects roughly 73,500 job openings per year over the decade.
For a comparison with another fast-growing trade, the plumber salary is a useful reference point, as is reviewing your retirement savings goals once income stabilizes.
Sources & References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — Electricians (SOC 47-2111), 2024 survey data — https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes472111.htm
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook — Electricians, job outlook and wage data — https://www.bls.gov/ooh/construction-and-extraction/electricians.htm
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates, 2024 — https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nat.htm
Last updated: April 27, 2026