How much does a electrician make?
The median electrician in the United States earns $62,350 per year, about $29.98 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all electricians earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. SOC code 47-2111.
Electrician salary range
Pay for electricians spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $39,430 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $106,030. The average (mean) wage of $69,630 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $39,430 | $18.96 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $48,820 | $23.47 | |
| Median (50th) | $62,350 | $29.98 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $81,730 | $39.29 | |
| 90th percentile | $106,030 | $50.98 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for electricians (SOC 47-2111), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
Electrician salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Electricians earn the most in Oregon at $97,320 a year, and the least in Arkansas at $49,420. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon | $97,320 | 9,830 |
| Washington | $96,530 | 18,380 |
| Illinois | $96,360 | 22,880 |
| Hawaii | $83,200 | 3,020 |
| Massachusetts | $82,120 | 16,570 |
| District of Columbia | $81,950 | 2,130 |
| Alaska | $81,860 | 1,820 |
| Minnesota | $81,430 | 12,970 |
| New York | $77,460 | 40,380 |
| Connecticut | $76,790 | 7,570 |
| California | $76,540 | 73,420 |
| Wisconsin | $75,090 | 12,630 |
| Wyoming | $73,450 | 2,710 |
| New Jersey | $73,090 | 15,230 |
| Michigan | $72,680 | 24,670 |
| Missouri | $70,950 | 12,660 |
| Rhode Island | $70,160 | 2,300 |
| Montana | $68,980 | 2,830 |
| Maine | $67,820 | 3,320 |
| North Dakota | $65,820 | 3,150 |
| Maryland | $65,650 | 14,750 |
| Indiana | $65,480 | 17,370 |
| Pennsylvania | $65,400 | 21,860 |
| Nevada | $64,950 | 8,570 |
| West Virginia | $63,850 | 4,010 |
| Ohio | $63,560 | 27,150 |
| Delaware | $62,970 | 2,220 |
| Iowa | $62,880 | 8,900 |
| Colorado | $62,090 | 17,140 |
| New Hampshire | $61,990 | 3,480 |
| Kansas | $61,830 | 5,640 |
| Virginia | $61,610 | 24,300 |
| Utah | $61,430 | 11,360 |
| Idaho | $60,670 | 5,380 |
| Oklahoma | $60,050 | 8,550 |
| Nebraska | $60,020 | 6,210 |
| Vermont | $59,670 | 1,410 |
| Louisiana | $59,590 | 10,810 |
| Kentucky | $59,490 | 10,320 |
| Arizona | $59,480 | 21,280 |
| Tennessee | $59,190 | 19,500 |
| Georgia | $58,860 | 20,740 |
| South Dakota | $58,550 | 2,790 |
| South Carolina | $58,260 | 7,830 |
| Mississippi | $57,300 | 5,650 |
| Texas | $56,920 | 71,880 |
| New Mexico | $56,890 | 5,090 |
| North Carolina | $54,070 | 23,660 |
| Florida | $53,100 | 47,980 |
| Alabama | $52,420 | 9,740 |
| Arkansas | $49,420 | 8,670 |
State median wages for electricians (SOC 47-2111), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2024. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for electricians
The BLS projects employment of electricians to grow 9.2% from 2025 to 2035. That is faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 821,000 jobs in 2025 moving toward 896,900 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 72,700 openings a year for electricians. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become an electrician
The typical entry-level education for electricians is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete a formal apprenticeship to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much an electrician earns
Experience, licensing, certifications, region, and overtime move these numbers the most. A licensed, experienced worker in a high cost metro or a strong union market lands near the top of the range, while apprentices and workers in rural areas start closer to the bottom.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Oregon, $97,320) and the lowest (Arkansas, $49,420) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 742,580 people work as electricians in the United States. At $62,350 a year, the job pays above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs.
Electrician salary FAQ
How much does an electrician make an hour?
The median hourly wage for an electrician is $29.98. The middle half of electricians earn between $23.47 and $39.29 per hour.
What is the highest electrician salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of electricians earn more than $106,030 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does an electrician make a year?
The median annual salary for an electrician is $62,350. The average (mean) wage of $69,630 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being an electrician a well paid job?
At $62,350 a year, an electrician earns above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs. About 742,580 people work as electricians in the United States.
Which state pays electricians the most?
Oregon has the highest median salary for electricians at $97,320 a year. Washington ($96,530) and Illinois ($96,360) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2024.
Is being an electrician a good career?
Employment of electricians is projected to grow 9.2% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 72,700 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become an electrician?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for electricians as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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