Electrician Salary by State: 2026 Data & Pay Breakdown
The national median salary for electricians is $62,350per year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS, May 2024). But where you live and what license you hold can push that number above $100,000 — or drop it below $50,000. This guide breaks down the electrician salary by state using BLS data, so you can see exactly what you can expect to earn at every stage of your career.
Table of Contents
Quick facts: Electrician salary
- National median salary: $62,350/yr (BLS, May 2024)
- Hourly median: $35.07/hr (BLS, May 2024)
- Apprentice starting range: $18–$26/hr (50% of journeyman wage)
- Top 10% earn: $116,000+/yr nationally
- Highest-paying state: New York ($98,200 median)
- Job outlook: 9.5% growth through 2034 — triple the national average (BLS)
Electrician Salary by State — Full Table
The table below uses BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) data, May 2024 — the most current state-level figures available as of 2026. Figures represent median annual wages for electricians (SOC code 47-2111) in each state.
| State | Median Annual Salary | Median Hourly Wage | vs. National Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | $98,200 | $47.21 | +35% |
| Alaska | $97,800 | $47.02 | +34% |
| California | $97,600 | $46.92 | +34% |
| Massachusetts | $96,500 | $46.39 | +32% |
| New Jersey | $95,400 | $45.87 | +31% |
| Washington | $94,100 | $45.24 | +29% |
| Connecticut | $87,400 | $42.02 | +20% |
| Oregon | $84,700 | $40.72 | +16% |
| Illinois | $84,600 | $40.67 | +16% |
| Minnesota | $81,200 | $39.04 | +11% |
| Pennsylvania | $79,600 | $38.27 | +9% |
| Colorado | $75,300 | $36.20 | +3% |
| Michigan | $72,100 | $34.66 | −1% |
| Ohio | $72,800 | $35.00 | −0.2% |
| Wisconsin | $73,200 | $35.19 | +0.3% |
| Missouri | $68,900 | $33.13 | −6% |
| Indiana | $68,300 | $32.84 | −6% |
| Virginia | $71,500 | $34.38 | −2% |
| Arizona | $64,200 | $30.87 | −12% |
| Georgia | $61,200 | $29.42 | −16% |
| Texas | $61,300 | $29.47 | −16% |
| North Carolina | $60,100 | $28.89 | −18% |
| Tennessee | $60,400 | $29.04 | −17% |
| Florida | $58,900 | $28.32 | −19% |
| Alabama | $57,400 | $27.60 | −21% |
| Arkansas | $54,100 | $26.01 | −26% |
Looking for a different state? The table above covers the most-searched states. For all 50 states — plus apprentice, journeyman, and master-level breakdowns — use the interactive salary estimator tool
Good to know
BLS state-level OES data is released annually each April. The figures here reflect May 2024 estimates — the latest available as of 3rd May 2026. We will update the article as soon as BLS releases new data (expected on 15th May 2026). State medians include all electricians from residential to industrial, union and non-union. Specialty roles (industrial, solar, data center) often pay 15–30% above state medians.
Highest-Paying States for Electricians
New York, Alaska, California, Massachusetts, and New Jersey consistently sit at the top of the electrician pay scale, all with median wages above $95,000. These states share two things: strong union density and high costs of living. In New York, the IBEW union wage in New York City runs well above $100/hour for some classifications when you factor in benefits.
Washington, Oregon, and Illinois round out the top eight, each paying 11–29% above the national median. Illinois is notable because Chicago’s union trades are among the most organized in the country — IBEW Local 134 negotiates wages that pull the state’s median up significantly.
Top 5 highest-paying states for electricians (BLS, May 2024)
- New York: $98,200 median — strong union density, NYC metro premium
- Alaska: $97,800 median — remote work premium, oil/gas and industrial projects
- California: $97,600 median — high cost of living, large union membership
- Massachusetts: $96,500 median — Boston metro and biotech/pharmaceutical facility growth
- New Jersey: $95,400 median — NYC proximity, dense commercial development
One important caveat: raw salary figures don’t tell the full story. California’s median is $97,600, but the median home price in the Bay Area exceeds $1.2 million. Alaska pays well partly because of its remoteness — and it’s not for everyone. Use the cost-of-living lens when comparing states.
Lowest-Paying States for Electricians
Southern and lower-Midwest states consistently rank at the bottom of electrician pay, with Arkansas, Alabama, Florida, and Tennessee all below $62,000 median. Lower union density, lower costs of living, and less industrial development all drive wages down in these markets.
That said, lower median wages don’t always mean lower purchasing power. A $58,000 salary in rural Tennessee stretches very differently from a $98,000 salary in New York City. The BLS publishes regional price parities (RPPs) that let you compare real purchasing power across states.
Pro tip
If you’re willing to travel for work, the highest-paying jobs aren’t always in the highest-paying states. Industrial turnaround projects, data center construction, and large commercial builds in lower-wage states routinely pay prevailing wages — often $45–$60/hr — for the duration of the project. Electricians who travel for short-term industrial contracts frequently out-earn their union counterparts in high-wage states on an annual basis.
Apprentice Electrician Salary by State
If you’re starting out, expect to earn 40–50% of a journeyman’s wage in your first year of apprenticeship. That percentage steps up each year — typically in 5% increments — so by year four or five you’re close to full journeyman pay.
Using national BLS percentile data as a baseline, here’s what apprentice wages look like in practice:
| Apprentice Year | % of Journeyman Wage | Est. National Range | Hourly Est. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 40–50% | $30,000–$40,000/yr | $14–$20/hr |
| Year 2 | 55–65% | $38,000–$50,000/yr | $18–$24/hr |
| Year 3 | 70–75% | $44,000–$57,000/yr | $21–$28/hr |
| Year 4 | 80–85% | $52,000–$64,000/yr | $25–$31/hr |
| Year 5 (completion) | 90–100% | $60,000–$73,000/yr | $29–$35/hr |
Note: These ranges use national BLS 10th–90th percentile data as a guide. IBEW union apprenticeship wage scales are set by local collective bargaining agreements and vary by city. Source: BLS OES 2024, IBEW NECA training agreements.
In high-wage states like New York and California, first-year IBEW apprentices in major metros typically start at $22–$26/hr. In lower-wage states like Arkansas and Alabama, first-year apprentices in non-union programs may start closer to $14–$16/hr.
Good to know
Unlike most trade school or college programs, union electrical apprenticeships pay you to learn from day one. The Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (JATC) programs through IBEW-NECA have a set wage schedule that increases every 6–12 months. You can find your local JATC wage rates at electricalapprenticeinfo.org or contact your local IBEW hall directly.
See our full guide to how to become an electrician for a complete breakdown of the apprenticeship application process.
Journeyman vs. Master Electrician Pay
Getting your journeyman license is the milestone that moves your pay to the full BLS median. Your master electrician license — which typically requires 2–4 additional years of experience after journeyman status plus passing a second, harder exam — unlocks the next pay tier.
Journeyman Electrician
- National median: $62,350/yr (BLS, 2024)
- Top earners in high-wage states: $95,000–$115,000/yr
- Can work on projects independently under a master’s permit
- Cannot pull permits in most states
- Typical training path: 4–5 yr apprenticeship + state licensing exam
Master Electrician
- Typical range: $85,000–$130,000+/yr
- Can pull permits and run a licensed electrical contracting business
- Required to oversee apprentices and journeymen on many commercial jobs
- Pathway to business ownership — master license is your ticket
- Training: 2–4 additional years after journeyman + master exam
Master electricians who move into electrical contracting — running their own business rather than working for someone else — are not captured in BLS salary data, because they’re business owners. The income range for electricians running their own shops varies wildly, but established contractors with a crew of 5–10 electricians routinely net $150,000–$300,000+ per year.
Pro tip
The master electrician exam is significantly harder than the journeyman exam. Most states require you to pass a test based on the National Electrical Code (NEC), plus additional state-specific code. Exam pass rates for first-time test-takers run 40–60% in most states. Invest in an exam prep course — they typically cost $200–$500 and are worth every dollar compared to the cost of a retake and another year of waiting.
What Drives Electrician Pay Differences by State
The gap between a $54,000 salary in Arkansas and a $98,200 salary in New York isn’t random. Four main factors drive the spread.
Union density. States with high union membership — New York, California, Illinois, Washington — tend to pay significantly more. IBEW collective bargaining agreements set wage floors that lift all electricians in a market, union or not, because non-union contractors have to compete for the same labor pool.
Cost of living and prevailing wages. The federal Davis-Bacon Act requires contractors on federally funded construction to pay “prevailing wages” — rates set by local market surveys. In high-cost metro areas, prevailing wage rates for electricians are often $45–$75/hr, well above the state median.
Industry mix. States with large industrial, data center, renewable energy, or oil and gas sectors tend to pay more for electricians. Industrial electricians — those working in manufacturing plants, petrochemical facilities, or data centers — typically earn 15–30% more than residential electricians doing the same journeyman work. Alaska’s high median is partly explained by the state’s oil and gas industry, which demands industrial electricians year-round.
State licensing requirements. States with stricter licensing requirements (longer apprenticeship hours, harder exams, more continuing education) tend to have higher wages because the barrier to entry is higher. California requires 8,000 hours of apprenticeship; some states require only 4,000. A harder path to a license means fewer licensed electricians competing for the same jobs.
Watch out
Electrician licenses generally do not transfer across state lines — you cannot take your Texas journeyman card and work in California. A handful of states have reciprocity agreements, but they’re the exception. Before relocating for higher wages, verify the specific license reciprocity rules with the licensing board in your destination state. Moving mid-career to a higher-wage state typically requires you to re-examine — factor in that cost and timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average electrician salary by state?
The national median is $62,350/yr (BLS, May 2024), but state medians range from about $54,100 in Arkansas to $98,200 in New York. High-wage states like California, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Washington all sit above $94,000. Southern states and parts of the Midwest tend to run 15–25% below the national median. The full state-by-state breakdown is in the table above.
Which state pays electricians the most?
New York has the highest median electrician salary at $98,200/yr (BLS, May 2024), followed closely by Alaska ($97,800) and California ($97,600). All three states benefit from strong union density and high prevailing wages. When you factor in the cost of living, Alaska and parts of the Midwest may offer better real purchasing power despite lower headline wages.
How much do apprentice electricians make?
First-year apprentices typically earn 40–50% of journeyman wages — roughly $30,000–$40,000/yr at the national level, or $14–$20/hr. In union programs in high-wage states, that starting wage is higher: IBEW apprentices in New York City or the Bay Area often start at $22–$26/hr. Wages step up each year, reaching near-journeyman pay by year four or five of the apprenticeship.
Do union electricians make more than non-union?
Generally, yes — union electricians earn more in base wages and receive better benefits packages, including health insurance and pension contributions. The BLS reports that union construction workers earn roughly 20–30% more in total compensation than non-union workers in comparable roles. However, union work involves dues, may have slower job entry in competitive markets, and can limit where you work. Non-union positions often offer more scheduling flexibility.
Can electricians make $100,000 a year?
Yes — and it’s not rare. BLS data shows the top 25% of electricians nationally earn over $94,000/yr, and the top 10% earn above $116,000. In high-wage states like New York, California, and Massachusetts, $100,000+ is achievable for an experienced journeyman, especially with overtime. Master electricians and electrical contractors regularly exceed this figure. Industrial and commercial specializations also push wages well into six figures in most markets.
How does electrician pay compare to other trades?
Electricians are one of the higher-paid skilled trades, with a national median of $62,350 (BLS, 2024). Plumbers/pipefitters have a median of $60,090, HVAC technicians $57,300, and welders $47,540. Elevator installers top the list at $97,860. The trades with the highest pay tend to require the most training hours and carry greater safety responsibility — electrical work, elevator installation, and industrial pipe-fitting fall into that category.
What types of electricians earn the most?
Industrial electricians — those working in manufacturing plants, data centers, oil refineries, and petrochemical facilities — consistently earn the highest wages, often 15–30% above the residential and commercial median. Other high-paying specializations include solar and renewable energy systems (especially large utility-scale projects), high-voltage transmission work, and instrumentation and controls electricians. These roles often require additional certifications beyond a standard journeyman license.
Next Steps
If you’re researching electrician pay to decide whether to enter the trade, the numbers in this guide tell a clear story: the career pays well from day one of your apprenticeship, and the ceiling rises significantly with experience, specialization, and location. If you’re already in the trade and eyeing a move to a higher-wage state, verify the licensing reciprocity requirements before you go.
The best starting point is our complete guide to how to become an electrician, which walks through the full apprenticeship path, licensing requirements, and how to find IBEW and non-union programs near you.
Want to know which trade pays the most? Read our article on the highest-paying trade jobs in 2026.
All salary data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES), May 2024. State figures from BLS state-level OES estimates. BLS releases updated state-level OES data annually each April — this page will be updated when 2025 figures are released.
