Electrician Salary Overview 2026
Electricians are among the highest-paid skilled tradespeople in the US — and demand is surging due to the electrification of vehicles, homes, and commercial buildings. Master electricians running their own businesses can earn $120,000–$200,000+.
Salary by Certification Level
| Level | Hourly Rate | Annual (40hrs/wk) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apprentice (Year 1) | $15 – $22 | $31,000 – $46,000 | On-the-job training |
| Apprentice (Year 4–5) | $24 – $32 | $50,000 – $66,000 | Near journeyman level |
| Journeyman Electrician | $28 – $45 | $58,000 – $94,000 | Licensed, fully qualified |
| Master Electrician | $36 – $60 | $75,000 – $125,000 | Can run projects, pull permits |
| Electrical Contractor | $60 – $100+ | $125,000 – $200,000+ | Business owner |
Salary by State (Journeyman Level)
| State | Mean Hourly | Annual | Take-Home (est.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois | $45.20 | $94,000 | ~$67,800 |
| New York | $43.80 | $91,000 | ~$63,800 |
| Hawaii | $42.50 | $88,400 | ~$59,400 |
| Washington | $40.10 | $83,400 | ~$61,200 |
| California | $39.50 | $82,200 | ~$56,500 |
| Massachusetts | $38.90 | $80,900 | ~$58,300 |
| Oregon | $37.20 | $77,400 | ~$54,100 |
| Texas | $28.40 | $59,100 | ~$44,700 |
| Florida | $27.90 | $58,000 | ~$43,900 |
| Mississippi | $23.10 | $48,100 | ~$37,200 |
Union vs Non-Union Electricians
Union electricians (IBEW):
- Average 20–30% higher wages than non-union
- Defined-benefit pension and excellent health insurance
- Apprenticeship programs with free training
- Strong job security and safety standards
Non-union electricians:
- More flexibility in scheduling and job selection
- Can negotiate directly with employers
- Benefits vary widely by employer
- Lower barrier to starting own business
The Apprenticeship Path
Most electricians enter through a 4–5 year apprenticeship program:
- Years 1–2: Basic wiring, safety, code compliance — earning 40–50% of journeyman wage
- Years 3–4: More complex systems, specializations — earning 65–80% of journeyman wage
- Year 5: Near-journeyman level — earning 85–95% of journeyman wage
- Journeyman: Pass state licensing exam, full wages
IBEW apprenticeships are essentially free — you earn while you learn, and there are no tuition costs. Compare this to a 4-year college degree costing $80,000–$200,000.
Why Electricians Are in High Demand in 2026
- EV charging infrastructure: The US is projected to need 500,000+ EV charging stations by 2030
- Solar panel installation: Residential solar requires licensed electricians for grid connection
- Data center construction: AI computing demand is driving massive data center buildout
- Building electrification: Gas-to-electric appliance conversion programs in California, NY, WA
- Aging workforce: 25% of electricians are expected to retire by 2030
The BLS projects 11% job growth for electricians through 2033 — significantly faster than average.