The national median electrician salary is $64,000 in 2026. But your license level, union membership, and state can shift that number by $40,000 or more in either direction. Below is the complete 50-state breakdown plus every factor that moves an electrician’s pay.
Electrician Salary by State 2026 — All 50 States
| Rank | State | Avg Salary | Starting Salary | CoL-Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York | $88,000 | $52,000 | $71,500 |
| 2 | Illinois | $83,000 | $48,000 | $85,600 |
| 3 | Hawaii | $80,000 | $48,000 | $64,500 |
| 4 | Alaska | $79,000 | $50,000 | $70,200 |
| 5 | Washington | $77,000 | $46,000 | $70,000 |
| 6 | New Jersey | $76,000 | $46,000 | $67,900 |
| 7 | Massachusetts | $75,000 | $45,000 | $63,600 |
| 8 | California | $74,000 | $44,000 | $53,200 |
| 9 | Minnesota | $73,000 | $44,000 | $73,000 |
| 10 | Connecticut | $72,000 | $44,000 | $64,900 |
| 11 | Oregon | $71,000 | $43,000 | $62,800 |
| 12 | Michigan | $70,000 | $42,000 | $73,700 |
| 13 | Nevada | $69,500 | $42,000 | $67,500 |
| 14 | Wisconsin | $69,000 | $41,000 | $71,600 |
| 15 | Ohio | $68,500 | $40,000 | $73,700 |
| 16 | Colorado | $68,000 | $41,000 | $60,900 |
| 17 | Maryland | $67,500 | $40,000 | $58,700 |
| 18 | Pennsylvania | $67,000 | $40,000 | $71,300 |
| 19 | Missouri | $66,500 | $39,000 | $74,000 |
| 20 | Indiana | $66,000 | $39,000 | $71,700 |
| 21 | Iowa | $65,500 | $39,000 | $71,900 |
| 22 | Virginia | $65,000 | $39,000 | $63,100 |
| 23 | Wyoming | $64,500 | $40,000 | $71,400 |
| 24 | Nebraska | $64,000 | $38,000 | $69,600 |
| 25 | Delaware | $63,500 | $38,000 | $63,000 |
| 26 | Montana | $63,000 | $38,000 | $68,200 |
| 27 | North Dakota | $63,000 | $38,000 | $68,100 |
| 28 | Kansas | $62,500 | $37,000 | $68,200 |
| 29 | Utah | $62,000 | $38,000 | $60,600 |
| 30 | Rhode Island | $61,500 | $38,000 | $54,800 |
| 31 | Texas | $61,000 | $38,000 | $61,700 |
| 32 | South Dakota | $60,500 | $37,000 | $65,700 |
| 33 | Vermont | $60,000 | $37,000 | $57,700 |
| 34 | Maine | $59,500 | $36,000 | $61,300 |
| 35 | Idaho | $59,000 | $36,000 | $61,900 |
| 36 | New Hampshire | $58,500 | $36,000 | $54,200 |
| 37 | Arizona | $58,000 | $36,000 | $56,900 |
| 38 | Kentucky | $57,500 | $35,000 | $64,900 |
| 39 | Georgia | $57,000 | $35,000 | $57,600 |
| 40 | West Virginia | $56,500 | $34,000 | $66,500 |
| 41 | Tennessee | $56,000 | $34,000 | $59,800 |
| 42 | Oklahoma | $55,500 | $34,000 | $61,400 |
| 43 | New Mexico | $55,000 | $34,000 | $59,100 |
| 44 | Louisiana | $54,500 | $34,000 | $58,000 |
| 45 | Florida | $53,000 | $33,000 | $53,000 |
| 46 | North Carolina | $47,000 | $32,000 | $50,400 |
| 47 | Alabama | $46,000 | $31,000 | $50,600 |
| 48 | South Carolina | $45,000 | $31,000 | $47,900 |
| 49 | Arkansas | $44,000 | $30,000 | $49,600 |
| 50 | Mississippi | $43,000 | $30,000 | $48,600 |
| — | National | $64,000 | $38,000 | — |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, 2025–2026 estimates. CoL-adjusted figures use regional cost-of-living indices. Figures cover all electricians (SOC 47-2111).
Electrician Salary by License Level
Your license level is the single biggest salary lever in the trades. The jump from apprentice to journeyman adds roughly $20,000; master electrician adds another $15,000–$30,000 depending on region.
| License Level | National Average | Hourly Rate | Years to Reach |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apprentice (Year 1) | $35,000 | $17/hr | Starting |
| Apprentice (Year 3) | $44,000 | $21/hr | 3 years |
| Journeyman Electrician | $64,000 | $31/hr | 4–5 years |
| Master Electrician | $82,000 | $39/hr | 7–9 years |
| Electrical Foreman | $88,000 | $42/hr | 8–12 years |
| Electrical Contractor (owner) | $95,000–$200,000+ | Varies | 10+ years |
Union vs. Non-Union Electrician Pay
IBEW union membership adds an average of 25–30% to base pay plus substantially better benefits, pensions, and overtime protections.
| Category | Union (IBEW) | Non-Union |
|---|---|---|
| Journeyman hourly rate | $42–$55/hr | $28–$38/hr |
| Annual salary | $78,000–$85,000 | $56,000–$65,000 |
| Health insurance | Fully covered | Often not covered |
| Pension/retirement | Defined benefit | Rare |
| Paid apprenticeship | Yes | Varies |
| Overtime pay | Strictly enforced | Varies |
Electrician Salary by Specialization
Specializing in high-demand areas significantly boosts earning potential.
| Specialization | Avg Salary | Premium over Base |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Electrician | $74,000 | +16% |
| Maintenance Electrician | $68,000 | +6% |
| Construction Electrician | $64,000 | Baseline |
| Solar/Renewable Energy | $72,000 | +13% |
| Data Center/Low Voltage | $76,000 | +19% |
| Instrumentation Electrician | $80,000 | +25% |
| Elevator Installer/Repairer | $98,000 | +53% |
Electrician Salary by Experience
| Years of Experience | Average Salary | % Increase from Start |
|---|---|---|
| 0–2 years (apprentice) | $37,000 | Baseline |
| 3–5 years (journeyman) | $58,000 | +57% |
| 6–10 years | $67,000 | +81% |
| 11–15 years | $74,000 | +100% |
| 16–20 years | $80,000 | +116% |
| 20+ years (master/foreman) | $88,000 | +138% |
How to Increase Your Electrician Salary
| Strategy | Potential Annual Increase |
|---|---|
| Earn journeyman license | +$15,000–$25,000 |
| Earn master electrician license | +$15,000–$30,000 |
| Join IBEW union | +$10,000–$20,000 |
| Specialize in data centers or industrial | +$8,000–$15,000 |
| Get solar/EV charger certification | +$5,000–$10,000 |
| Start your own contracting business | Unlimited upside |
| Work overtime (common in construction) | +$10,000–$30,000/yr |
| Relocate to high-wage union states (NY, IL) | +$15,000–$30,000 |
Electrician Job Outlook 2026
The BLS projects 11% job growth for electricians through 2033 — faster than the average for all occupations. The main drivers:
- Electrification of everything — EV chargers, heat pumps, solar panels all require licensed electricians
- Data center boom — AI infrastructure spending is creating massive demand for commercial and industrial electricians
- Grid modernization — aging electrical infrastructure requires upgrades nationwide
- Housing construction — new construction remains strong in Sun Belt states
Related: Electrician Salary | Plumber Salary by State | Average Salary by State
Sources
- Bureau of Labor Statistics. “May 2025 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — Electricians (47-2111).” bls.gov/oes/current/oes472111.htm
- Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Occupational Outlook Handbook — Electricians.” bls.gov/ooh/construction-and-extraction/electricians.htm
The content on Wealthvieu is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, tax, or investment advice. Consult a qualified professional before making financial decisions. Full disclaimer · Editorial policy