Electrician Salary in 2026
What do electricians make? The national average is $61,000 per year — with industrial electricians and master electricians commonly earning $90,000–$120,000+. Here's the complete picture.
$61K/yr
National Average
$29/hr
Hourly Rate
+11%
Job Growth
73,000+
Total Employed
Electricians are riding one of the strongest job market waves in the skilled trades. The shift to electric vehicles, the massive buildout of data centers, solar and wind energy infrastructure, and the ongoing housing construction boom have combined to create extraordinary demand for licensed electrical workers. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of electricians is projected to grow 11% from 2022 to 2032 — nearly three times the average for all occupations. The national median salary for electricians sits at approximately $61,000 per year, or about $29 per hour, but this number tells only part of the story. Entry-level apprentices may earn $35,000 in rural markets, while journeyman electricians in union markets in New York, Illinois, or California routinely earn $80,000–$110,000 with overtime. Industrial and lineman electricians represent the highest-paid specialty, with experienced linemen earning $100,000+ as a baseline in many states. This guide covers everything you need to know about electrician salaries in 2026.
Electrician Salary by Experience Level
Experience is the single biggest driver of pay in the trades. Here's what you can expect at each stage.
Apprentice
$35,000–$48,000
Avg: $41,000/yr
Working through a 4–5 year apprenticeship program. Typically earns 40–60% of journeyman wages, increasing each year.
Journeyman
$55,000–$78,000
Avg: $65,000/yr
Licensed to work independently on most electrical installations. Often the most common career stage with strong earning potential.
Senior Electrician
$70,000–$95,000
Avg: $81,000/yr
Leads complex projects, mentors apprentices, and handles specialized work like industrial controls and high-voltage systems.
Master Electrician
$85,000–$130,000+
Avg: $104,000/yr
Licensed to design and sign off on electrical systems, run a business, and pull permits. Highest individual earning potential in the trade.
| Experience Level | Years | Salary Range | Avg Annual | Avg Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apprentice | 0–4 years | $35,000–$48,000 | $41,000 | $20/hr |
| Journeyman | 4–8 years | $55,000–$78,000 | $65,000 | $31/hr |
| Senior Electrician | 8–15 years | $70,000–$95,000 | $81,000 | $39/hr |
| Master Electrician | 15+ years | $85,000–$130,000+ | $104,000 | $50/hr |
Electrician Salary Calculator
Estimate your salary based on years of experience and location.
Estimated Annual Salary
$60,000/year
≈ $29/hour · 5 yrs experience · National Average
* Estimate based on BLS data + regional adjustments. Actual salary varies by employer, certifications, and local market.
Electrician Salary by State (2026)
Where you work matters — salaries can vary by $30,000+ depending on your state. Here are the highest and lowest-paying states.
Top Paying States
| State | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| New York | $93,000 | $45/hr |
| Illinois | $90,000 | $43/hr |
| Alaska | $88,000 | $42/hr |
| Hawaii | $86,000 | $41/hr |
| California | $84,000 | $40/hr |
| New Jersey | $83,000 | $40/hr |
| Massachusetts | $81,000 | $39/hr |
| Connecticut | $79,000 | $38/hr |
| Washington | $78,000 | $38/hr |
| Nevada | $76,000 | $37/hr |
| Minnesota | $74,000 | $36/hr |
| Oregon | $72,000 | $35/hr |
| Maryland | $70,000 | $34/hr |
| Colorado | $69,000 | $33/hr |
| Pennsylvania | $67,000 | $32/hr |
Lower Paying States
| State | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky | $50,000 | $24/hr |
| West Virginia | $49,000 | $24/hr |
| Tennessee | $50,000 | $24/hr |
| South Carolina | $48,000 | $23/hr |
| Alabama | $47,000 | $23/hr |
| Arkansas | $46,000 | $22/hr |
| Mississippi | $44,000 | $21/hr |
Salary by Specialization
Your specialty matters. Industrial and commercial work typically pays significantly more than residential service.
Residential Electrician
$58K$48,000–$72,000
New construction wiring, service upgrades, panel replacements, and repairs in single-family and multi-family homes.
Commercial Electrician
$71K$60,000–$85,000
Office buildings, retail, restaurants, and commercial construction. Higher complexity and larger project scope than residential.
Industrial Electrician
$84K$70,000–$100,000
Works on manufacturing plants, industrial controls, PLCs, motor controls, and high-voltage equipment. Highest-paying specialty.
Lineman
$98K$80,000–$120,000+
Installs and maintains high-voltage transmission and distribution lines. Among the best-compensated trades in the country.
Low Voltage Technician
$56K$45,000–$70,000
Installs data cabling, security systems, fire alarms, and AV systems. Lower barrier to entry; growing with smart building adoption.
Solar Electrician
$66K$55,000–$80,000
Installs and commissions solar PV systems. One of the fastest-growing specialties due to federal incentives and falling solar costs.
Certifications That Increase Pay
Investing in certifications pays off. Many certified tradespeople earn 10–25% more than their uncertified peers.
| Certification | Full Name | Salary Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Journeyman | Journeyman Electrician License | +$10,000–$20,000/yr |
| Master Electrician | Master Electrician License | +$15,000–$40,000/yr |
| Low Voltage | Low Voltage Systems Technician | +$4,000–$8,000/yr |
| OSHA 30 | OSHA 30-Hour Construction Safety | +$2,000–$5,000/yr |
| NABCEP | NABCEP PV Installation Professional | +$5,000–$12,000/yr |
Electrician vs Other Trades
How does Electrician pay compare to other skilled trades?
| Trade | Avg Annual | Hourly | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| ElectricianYou | $61,000 | $29/hr | +11% |
| HVAC Technician | $52,000 | $25/hr | +6% |
| Plumber | $59,000 | $28/hr | +2% |
| Pipefitter | $62,000 | $30/hr | +4% |
| Welder | $47,000 | $23/hr | +3% |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $54,000 | $26/hr | +0% |
| Elevator Installer | $97,000 | $47/hr | +4% |
Job Outlook & Growth Projections
+11%
Projected Growth
2022–2032
73,000+
New Jobs Expected
estimated new positions
Yes
Faster Than Average
compared to all occupations
No skilled trade has a stronger growth outlook right now than electricians. The BLS projects 11% job growth through 2032 — adding roughly 73,000 new positions — driven by an extraordinary convergence of demand drivers. The EV transition alone is generating massive demand: every public charging station, home charger installation, and commercial EV fleet charging depot requires a licensed electrician. The data center boom (fueled by AI infrastructure buildout) is creating thousands of new industrial electrician positions. Federal climate legislation is funding billions in grid modernization, renewable energy installation, and building electrification. Meanwhile, the existing workforce is aging out — with nearly a quarter of electricians expected to retire by 2030 — creating urgent demand for new entrants. For electricians with 10+ years of experience, the employment market in 2026 is essentially as strong as it has ever been.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Electrician salaries, answered.
The national average electrician salary in 2026 is approximately $61,000 per year, or about $29 per hour. Apprentices typically earn $35,000–$48,000, journeymen earn $55,000–$78,000, and master electricians frequently earn $85,000–$130,000+.
Electricians earn an average of $29 per hour nationally. Apprentices earn $17–$23/hr, journeymen earn $26–$40/hr, and union electricians in high-cost states can earn $45–$65/hr before overtime.
New York ($93,000), Illinois ($90,000), Alaska ($88,000), Hawaii ($86,000), and California ($84,000) are the top-paying states for electricians. Strong union presence and high costs of living drive these premium wages.
On average, electricians earn slightly more than plumbers — approximately $61,000 vs. $59,000 annually. However, master plumbers in high-demand markets can out-earn many electricians, and both trades offer strong six-figure potential for experienced professionals.
Most states require 4–5 years (approximately 8,000 hours) of apprenticeship training to qualify for the journeyman electrician exam. Apprentices typically earn 40–60% of journeyman wages while in training.
Lineman is consistently the highest-paid electrical specialty, with experienced linemen earning $80,000–$120,000+ per year. Industrial electricians working in manufacturing and data centers also earn premium wages of $70,000–$100,000.
Absolutely. Electricians have one of the strongest job outlooks of any skilled trade — 11% projected growth, massive demand from EV infrastructure and data centers, and a retiring workforce creating opportunities for new entrants. The earning ceiling is high, and the work cannot be outsourced.
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