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How Much Do Electricians Make? Electrician Salary Guide [2026]

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Andrew Robichaud
May 4, 2026 17 min read
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Key takeaways:

On average, an electrical contractor in the United States can earn between $32,000 and $98,000 per year. These salary estimates apply to both residential and commercial electricians.

Apprentices tend to earn wages on the lower side of that scale, while established journeymen and master electricians can earn much more. It all depends on the work you’re doing, where you operate, and how many years of experience you have.

This guide will walk you through the average electrician salary, including benefits, and how to increase that salary throughout your career.

Breakdown of electrician income

An electrician’s income comes in many shapes and sizes. From hourly rates to annual salaries, how and what you get paid depends on your experience, license level, and the state and city you work. There are also taxes and other deductions that factor into your take-home pay.

Keep reading to find out how much money electricians make per year, month, week, and hour:

How much do electricians make a year?

The median salary for an electrician in the United States is $61,391 a year.

There are three factors that influence how much electricians make a year:

  • Work experience: When you start as an electrician apprentice, you’ll most likely earn around $32,000 a year. Becoming a journeyman or a master electrician will help you earn raises or get higher-paying jobs. At that point, you could earn over $98,000/year.
  • Location: If you live in a major city with high demand, you’ll be able to charge much higher rates for your services. That said, your rates will probably be lower if you work in a rural area with fewer customers.
  • Specialization: You can charge higher rates for specialty services, like installing home automation systems, electric vehicle charging stations, and solar panels. If you get into consulting, you could earn even more without having to do any electrical installation yourself.

How much do electricians make a month?

You can make $2,666.67 to $8,166.67 a month as an electrician, depending on your experience, location, and specialization. If you earn the national average salary of $61,391 a year, you’ll make $5,115.92 per month before taxes.

Keep in mind that some months will be busier or quieter than others. However, electrical work can be pretty steady if you’re working indoors, since you may not be restricted by the weather.

How much do electricians make per week?

Your weekly income will be around $1,180.60 before taxes if you’re averaging 40 hours a week. This can vary depending on how many hours you work each week.

For example, you might work 50- to 60-hour weeks during the busy season. If you’re making time-and-a-half for overtime, you could make an extra $442.70 to $885.40 per week.

How much do electricians make per hour?

You can expect to make around $29.51/hour before taxes if your annual salary is $61,391. This assumes you work 40 hours a week. Your hourly income could vary depending on how many hours you work.

Hourly income also varies depending on the state you’re working in. Here are the top 5 electrician hourly rates by state:

City/stateHourly wage
Washington$43.53/hour
Washington, D.C.$43.43/hour
New York$42.04/hour
Massachusetts$41.97/hour
Alaska$41.39/hour

In contrast, here are the bottom 5 electrician hourly rates by state:

City/stateHourly wage
Louisiana$25.24/hour
Georgia$24.92/hour
Arkansas$24.41/hour
West Virginia$22.85/hour
Florida$22.06/hour
Source: ZipRecruiter, average electrician salary by state (2026)

Your electrician hourly rate will also vary based on your experience. An apprentice who is just beginning their career and performing light electrical tasks will earn less than a master electrician who is running an entire job site.

Here is a look at an electrician’s hourly rate by experience:

Experience levelHourly wageJob duties
Apprentice/entry level$15–$18/hourBasic wiring and safety tasks; learning the trade on the job
Journeyman$24.92/hourPerforms more complex installs and electric jobs with minimal supervision
Master$24.41/hourPerforms specialized tasks, supervises apprentices and journeymen, and designs electrical systems
Source: ZipRecruiter, electrician salary (2026)

Other factors that impact your electrician’s hourly rate are overtime and prevailing wages.

  • Overtime: If you’re working beyond 40 hours a week, you are entitled to overtime pay. This increase is calculated using a multiplier based on hours worked, usually at time and a half. This means that for every hour you work past 40 in a week, it’s actually worth 1.5 hours.
  • Prevailing wages: This is a fixed hourly rate above the market average to ensure fairness for specific electrical jobs. This is often used on government-funded projects and is determined by the Department of Labor.

Geographic impact on electrician salaries

StateAnnual salaryMonthly payWeekly payHourly wage
Washington$69,531$5,794$1,337$33.43
Washington, D.C.$69,373$5,781$1,334$33.35
New York$67,164$5,597$1,291$32.29
Massachusetts$67,047$5,587$1,289$32.23
Alaska$66,115$5,509$1,271$31.79
Vermont$65,274$5,439$1,255$31.38
North Dakota$64,957$5,413$1,249$31.23
Oregon$64,908$5,409$1,248$31.21
Colorado$64,554$5,379$1,241$31.04
Hawaii$63,783$5,315$1,226$30.66
Nevada$62,515$5,209$1,202$30.06
New Jersey$62,326$5,193$1,198$29.96
Wisconsin$61,965$5,163$1,191$29.79
Pennsylvania$61,538$5,128$1,183$29.59
Delaware$61,444$5,120$1,181$29.54
South Dakota$61,391$5,115$1,180$29.51
Virginia$60,864$5,072$1,170$29.26
California$60,587$5,048$1,165$29.13
Minnesota$60,127$5,010$1,156$28.91
Rhode Island$60,121$5,010$1,156$28.90
New Hampshire$59,703$4,975$1,148$28.70
Maryland$59,582$4,965$1,145$28.65
New Mexico$59,492$4,957$1,144$28.60
Illinois$59,489$4,957$1,144$28.60
Maine$59,439$4,953$1,143$28.58
Wyoming$59,010$4,917$1,134$28.37
Nebraska$58,533$4,877$1,125$28.14
Indiana$58,417$4,868$1,123$28.09
Connecticut$58,400$4,866$1,123$28.08
Ohio$58,364$4,863$1,122$28.06
Mississippi$58,141$4,845$1,118$27.95
Idaho$57,762$4,813$1,110$27.77
Iowa$57,662$4,805$1,108$27.72
Missouri$57,585$4,798$1,107$27.69
Arizona$57,209$4,767$1,100$27.50
Texas$57,195$4,766$1,099$27.50
South Carolina$56,968$4,747$1,095$27.39
Oklahoma$56,684$4,723$1,090$27.25
Montana$56,347$4,695$1,083$27.09
Utah$55,889$4,657$1,074$26.87
North Carolina$55,792$4,649$1,072$26.82
Tennessee$55,719$4,643$1,071$26.79
Alabama$55,644$4,637$1,070$26.75
Kansas$54,751$4,562$1,052$26.32
Michigan$53,508$4,459$1,029$25.73
Kentucky$53,320$4,443$1,025$25.63
Louisiana$52,497$4,374$1,009$25.24
Georgia$51,837$4,319$996$24.92
Arkansas$50,764$4,230$976$24.41
West Virginia$47,527$3,960$913$22.85
Florida$45,877$3,823$882$22.06
Source: ZipRecruiter, average electrician salary by state (2026)

Local demand and the cost of living make a big difference in your wages.

Highest paying U.S. cities for electricians

If you have the flexibility to move to a higher-paying area, consider moving to one of these cities where electricians are paid the highest wages in the country:

City/stateHourly wageAnnual salary
Corcoran, CA$47.05$97,861
Soledad, CA$44.15$91,835
Surry, VA$42.45/hour$88,294/year
Llano, CA$42.29/hour$87,953/year
Edgeley, ND$40.96/hour$85,189/year
Two Rivers, WI$39.83/hour$82,838/year
Montara, CA$39.77/hour$82,728/year
Pearblossom, CA$38.23/hour$79,522/year
Scotts Valley, CA$38.20/hour$79,446/year
Barrow, AK$36.77/hour$76,479/year
Source: ZipRecruiter, electrician salary (2026)

Corcoran and Soledad are known for their industrial agriculture and large correctional facilities. This increases the demand for specialized electricians and adds a premium to their hourly and annual rates.

Average salary by state

These are the five highest-paying states for electricians, with Washington in the top spot at $69,531/year:

City/stateHourly wageAnnual salary
Washington$33.43$69,531
Washington, D.C.$33.35$69,373
New York$32.29$67,164
Massachusetts$32.23$67,047
Alaska$31.79$66,115

In comparison, here are the five lowest-paying states for electricians. Florida pays the least with an annual salary of $45,877:

City/stateHourly wageAnnual salary
Louisiana$25.24$52,497
Georgia$24.92$51,837
Arkansas$24.41$50,764
West Virginia$22.85$47,527
Florida$22.06$45,877
Source: ZipRecruiter, average electrician salary by state (2026)

How much do electricians make in California?

On average, electricians in California earn $29.13/hour or $60,587/year. California has a large population and a high cost of living. This means there’s significant demand for services, and you need to charge higher rates to cover expenses.

The Golden State is loaded with opportunities in infrastructure development, the tech sector, and green energy.

READ MORE: How to become a certified electrician in California

How much do electricians make in Texas?

The average electrician in Texas earns $27.50/hour or $57,195/year. While this isn’t one of the higher salaries in the U.S., Texas has a lower cost of living than many states, which balances out your lower rates.

The Lone Star state’s evolution has opened new doors for electricians through residential expansion, data centers, and semiconductor manufacturing.

READ MORE: How to become an electrician in Texas

How much do electricians make in Florida?

The average salary for an electrician in Florida is $22.06/hour or $45,877/year. This is the lowest salary you can make as an electrical contractor in the U.S.

There is an allure to the Sunshine State thanks to no state tax, but the cost of living is on the rise, and competition among residential electricians is steep.

READ MORE: How to become a certified electrician in Florida

How much do electricians make in New York?

On average, New York electricians earn $32.29/hour or $67,164/year. Electricians are in constant demand in the Empire State thanks to population density and the city infrastructure—high-rise commercial buildings, extensive transit systems, and more.

The cost of living is higher, but it’s balanced out by higher salaries thanks to strong unions like IBEW and strict licensing requirements.

READ MORE: How to become a certified electrician in New York

How much do electricians make in Illinois?

The average electrician in Illinois earns $28.60/hour or $59,489/year. The Prairie State sits in the middle of the pack for both average electrician salaries and cost of living.

While Chicago can be more expensive, the rest of the state is more affordable. Illinois is also home to a growing infrastructure of data centers, which requires more specialized electricians to service 24/7.

READ MORE: How to become an electrician in Illinois

How much do electricians make in Georgia?

The average electrician in Georgia earns $24.92/hour or $51,837/year. It’s one of the lower average electrician salaries in the U.S., but the Peach State is known for its affordability, which keeps more of a paycheck in workers’ pockets.

Georgia is also on the rise as a hub for green technology, seeing an increase in electric vehicle battery plants and solar factories. This creates a unique opportunity for industrial electricians to earn more than the state average salary.

READ MORE: How to become an electrician in Georgia

How much do electricians make in Pennsylvania?

On average, an electrician in Pennsylvania earns $29.59/hour or $61,538/year. The Keystone State is one of the higher-paying areas in the U.S., and tradespeople benefit even more from a reasonable cost of living.

Pennsylvania has a rich manufacturing history and is home to a thriving energy sector.

How much do electricians make in North Carolina?

Electricians in North Carolina make an average of $26.82/hour or $55,792/year. This is one of the lower salaries for an electrical contractor in the U.S., but in one of the fastest-growing regions.

The Tar Heel State continues to establish itself as a destination for electricians with increasing opportunities in life sciences, biotech, data centers, and artificial intelligence.

How much do electricians make in Ohio?

The average salary for electricians in Ohio is $28.06/hour or $58,364/year. The Buckeye State is slightly lower than the national average for electrician salaries, but near the top for the affordable cost of living.

As one of the strongest automotive manufacturing markets in the U.S., Ohio is never short of demand for highly skilled electricians who keep an assembly line running.

How much do electricians make in Washington?

Electricians in Washington make an average of $33.43/hour or $69,531/year. The Evergreen State is the highest-paying state in the country, in large part due to strict licensing requirements and significant demand.

As a thriving tech hub, Washington needs electricians to build data centers and an infrastructure for renewable energy.

Licensing impact on electrician salary

The electrician license you have directly impacts your salary and long-term earning potential.

Electricians are highly regulated in most states. You’ll need to start your career as an apprentice, then get certified as a journeyman electrician. From there, you can decide whether you’d like to work toward a master electrician license.

As you upgrade your license, you’ll have the opportunity to perform more advanced electrical jobs, take on more responsibilities like supervising other electricians, and even own your own business.

For example, apprentices work on simple tasks like basic wiring. Journeymen take on more complex jobs like electrical panel installation. Master electricians can pull permits and design entire electrical systems.

As you gain more experience and level up your licenses, you can expect a steady rise in your salary.

  • A new apprentice electrician typically earns $21,000–$56,000 a year. You’ll need to pay for certain essential expenses in your early career, like your electrician license (if required) and electrical tools. This will cut into your first year’s salary, but it is well worth the investment.
  • As a journeyman electrician, you have 4 to 8 years of experience, passed a qualifying exam, and earned the right to work independently without supervision. With that level of experience, you’ll start to make more money and can earn anywhere between $38,500 to $104,500 a year.
  • Master electricians have 8 to 12 years of electrical experience, can train apprentices, and often have their own businesses. At this point in your career, you can make $44,000 to over $100,000 a year. You can earn even more if you work in a specialized field or in certain states, like Washington, Hawaii, or Illinois.

Master electrician salary

Becoming a master electrician is the pinnacle of an electrician’s licensing journey, and the salary is fit for the level of experience and expertise.

The average master electrician salary in the U.S. is $79,936 per year. The top 10% of master electricians earn more than $100,000.

By comparison, the average journeyman electrician salary is $68,058 per year. This means a master electrician’s salary is 16% more than a journeyman’s on average.

When considering the cost to get a master license is anywhere from $150 to $1,000 after application and exam fees, the investment starts paying itself back immediately.

In most states, electricians must work for 1–4 years as a journeyman in order to qualify for a master license, with 2 years being the most common. Once you complete the licensing application and pass the exams, a master electrician can:

  • Supervise apprentice and journeyman electricians on a job site
  • Pull permits
  • Design electrical systems
  • Run an electrical business.

Here is a look at the average master electrician salary by state:

City/stateHourly wageAnnual salary
Washington$43.53/hour$90,535/year
Washington, D.C.$43.43/hour$90,329/year
New York$42.04/hour$87,452/year
Massachusetts$41.97/hour$87,300/year
Alaska$41.39/hour$86,086/year
Vermont$40.86/hour$84,992/year
North Dakota$40.66/hour$84,578/year
Oregon$40.63/hour$84,515/year
Colorado$40.41/hour$84,054/year
Hawaii$39.93/hour$83,050/year
Nevada$39.13/hour$81,399/year
New Jersey$39.02/hour$81,154/year
Wisconsin$38.79/hour$80,683/year
Pennsylvania$38.52/hour$80,128/year
Delaware$38.46/hour$80,005/year
South Dakota$38.43/hour$79,936/year
Virginia$38.10/hour$79,250/year
California$37.93/hour$78,889/year
Minnesota$37.64/hour$78,290/year
Rhode Island$37.64/hour$78,282/year
New Hampshire$37.37/hour$77,738/year
Maryland$37.30/hour$77,581/year
New Mexico$37.24/hour$77,464/year
Illinois$37.24/hour$77,460/year
Maine$37.21/hour$77,394/year
Wyoming$36.94/hour$76,836/year
Nebraska$36.64/hour$76,215/year
Indiana$36.57/hour$76,064/year
Connecticut$36.56/hour$76,042/year
Ohio$36.54/hour$75,995/year
Mississippi$36.40/hour$75,705/year
Idaho$36.16/hour$75,211/year
Iowa$36.10/hour$75,081/year
Missouri$36.05/hour$74,980/year
Arizona$35.81/hour$74,491/year
Texas$35.80/hour$74,472/year
South Carolina$35.66/hour$74,177/year
Oklahoma$35.48/hour$73,807/year
Montana$35.27/hour$73,369/year
Utah$34.99/hour$72,771/year
North Carolina$34.93/hour$72,646/year
Tennessee$34.88/hour$72,551/year
Alabama$34.83/hour$72,453/year
Kansas$34.27/hour$71,291/year
Michigan$33.50/hour$69,672/year
Kentucky$33.38/hour$69,426/year
Louisiana$32.86/hour$68,355/year
Georgia$32.45/hour$67,496/year
Arkansas$31.78/hour$66,099/year
West Virginia$29.75/hour$61,884/year
Florida$28.72/hour$59,735/year
Source: ZipRecruiter, master electrician salary by state (2026)

Union vs. non-union electrician salary

You stand to earn more money if you belong to a union like the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. According to the IBEW, union workers make $10/hour more than non-union technicians.

The average union electrician salary is $68,058 per year, while a non-union electrician averages $61,635 per year.

Being a part of a union also comes with other benefits that separate you from non-union electricians, such as retirement funds, better overtime pay, healthcare coverage, and education allowance.

Here is a comparison of a union electrician salary vs. a non-union electrician salary.

FeatureUnion (IBEW)Non-Union
Average hourly wage$18–$50+$17–$40+
Overtime payStrict 1.5x or 2x (double-time)Varies; often flat 1.5x
RetirementGuaranteed pension + annuity401(k) match (if offered)
HealthcareEmployer-paid (full family)Employee-paid premiums/deductibles
Training costs$0 (funded by union)Often paid by employee (trade school)

Electrician salary by industry

Electricians can work in a wide range of industries, from utilities and construction to manufacturing. Some electricians even specialize in repairing electrical equipment in hospitals and other medical settings.

Electrician salaries vary by sector. These are just a few job opportunities and annual salaries to consider within the electrical industry:

  • Energy and natural gas: $104,920/year
  • Event promoters: $101,740/year
  • Electrical engineers: $100,420/year
  • Power line electricians: $78,310/year
  • Municipal government: $73,840/year
  • Utility construction: $69,440/year
  • Electrical technologists: $63,640/year
  • Commercial construction: $63,040/year

Industrial electrician salary

An industrial electrician’s salary fits into a similar range to that of residential electricians, despite more specialized work.

The average salary for an industrial electrician in the U.S. is $61,635. The bottom 10% of earners make between $35,500–$49,000, while the top 10% make between $76,000–$85,000 per year.

While residential electricians deal more with interior lighting, smart homes, and other home features, industrial electricians work on more complex equipment and larger-scale electrical systems, including:

  • Complex machinery like assembly lines, robotics, and industrial motors
  • Programmable logic controllers (PLC) for controlling warehouse equipment
  • High-voltage systems to distribute more power efficiently

You can find industrial electricians working in places like:

  • Manufacturing plants for industries like automotive and food processing.
  • Energy facilities like power plants and substations.
  • Logistics warehouses for distribution companies like Amazon or FedEx.

The demand for industrial electricians is on the rise as many companies look to install automated systems that need ongoing maintenance or build infrastructure for EV battery plants, semiconductor manufacturing plants, and more.

How to increase your electrician salary

One of the most effective ways to increase your electrician’s salary is to get more specialist certifications in popular fields, including:

  • Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Training Program (EVITP) certification to install systems related to electric vehicles and supply equipment.
  • North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) board certification to install and service photovoltaics, solar heating, and small wind technologies.

You can also brush up on your skills in home automation and smart home technology to provide a service that is growing in demand. Electricians with low-voltage and network certification are better suited to corner this market.

After you’ve added a certification or two, you can continue to increase your electrician salary by:

  • Moving to a higher-paying or lower-tax state: Working in places like Washington and New York gives you the chance to make the most money, but an electrician in Florida or Georgia has the chance to keep more of every paycheck.
  • Joining a union like the IBEW: Joining a union will give you the opportunity to earn more money, but the real value comes from the benefits you receive, like healthcare coverage, a guaranteed pension, and training courses.
  • Starting your own business: As the owner of an electrician business, you stand to make much more than a journeyman or master electrician. Electrician business owners can earn between $60,000 and $150,000 per year.

Other electrician job benefits

As a qualified electrician, there are upsides to every job in addition to your salary. Consider these benefits when you’re looking at employer job postings and thinking about applying:

  • Health, dental, and vision insurance
  • Retirement plans, 401(k) options, and contribution matching
  • Profit sharing and other employee loyalty programs
  • Paid vacation days, sick days, and personal days
  • Room to take on new responsibilities and grow your career

Income potential for electrical business owners

To make the most money possible as an electrician, you should consider starting an electrical business one day. It takes hard work, but it can be incredibly profitable in the long term.

As a business owner, you can make anywhere from $60,000 to $150,000 a year. And that’s your personal salary—the business itself could make more than $500,000 a year, depending on your workload and expenses.

You can boost your company’s revenue even more by adding new revenue streams and expanding your services to include plumbing, HVAC, and other skilled trades. With these in place, you’re a one-stop shop for residential and commercial service needs.

Another must-have is an electrician business software like Jobber. Use it to schedule work, manage employees, organize job details, communicate with customers, send quotes and invoices, and collect payment.

READ MORE: How to run a successful electrical business

Build a profitable career as an electrician

Your salary as an electrician will depend on how much you work, where you work, what services you provide, and how many years of experience you have.

With the potential to earn $32,000 to $98,000 per year as a commercial or residential electrician, there’s plenty of opportunity to build a long-term career that’s both challenging and profitable.

Frequently Asked Questions

The average salary for an electrician in the United States is $61,391 per year. This breaks down to $29.51 an hour. Salary ranges differ from state to state, so the average annual salary and hourly rate would differ slightly depending on where you decide to work as an electrician.
Entry-level electricians can expect to earn between $32,000 and $38,000.
Yes, electricians can make over $100,000 per year. Experienced journeyman and master electricians can make upwards of $105,000 at the top of their trade.
Based on 2026 salary data, the top five states for electrician salaries are:

1. Washington: $33.43 per hour or $69,531 per year
2. Washington, D.C.: $33.35 per hour or $69,373 per year
3. New York: $32.29 per hour or $67,164 per year
4. Massachusetts: $32.23 per hour or $67,047 per year
5. Alaska: $31.79 per hour or $66,115 per year
Electrician business owners can make anywhere from $60,000 to $150,000 on average. As the owner of a business, your earnings are directly tied to revenue and the success of your business. The stronger your numbers, the higher your salary can be.
Yes, union electricians make more than non-union electricians. While the entry-level salary is similar, an experienced union electrician earns an average of $10 per hour more than a non-union electrician.