Electricians in the US earn $60,240 on average — with master electricians and business owners earning $80,000-$150,000+.
Average Electrician Salary in 2026
| Metric | Amount |
|---|---|
| Average salary | $60,240 |
| Median salary | $60,040 |
| Entry level (apprentice) | $35,000-$45,000 |
| Journeyman | $55,000-$75,000 |
| Master electrician | $70,000-$100,000 |
| Hourly rate | $28.96 |
Electrician Salary by Experience Level
| Level | Years | Salary Range | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apprentice (1st year) | 0-1 | $32,000-$40,000 | $15-$19 |
| Apprentice (2nd-3rd year) | 1-3 | $40,000-$50,000 | $19-$24 |
| Apprentice (4th year) | 3-4 | $48,000-$58,000 | $23-$28 |
| Journeyman | 4-8 | $55,000-$75,000 | $26-$36 |
| Master Electrician | 8+ | $70,000-$100,000 | $34-$48 |
| Electrical Contractor | 10+ | $80,000-$200,000+ | Varies |
Electrician Salary by State
| State | Average Salary | Hourly Rate | vs. National |
|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois | $80,900 | $38.89 | +34% |
| New York | $79,480 | $38.21 | +32% |
| California | $76,430 | $36.75 | +27% |
| Oregon | $76,120 | $36.60 | +26% |
| Alaska | $74,970 | $36.04 | +24% |
| New Jersey | $74,210 | $35.68 | +23% |
| Massachusetts | $73,470 | $35.32 | +22% |
| Hawaii | $73,120 | $35.15 | +21% |
| Washington | $72,340 | $34.78 | +20% |
| Minnesota | $71,610 | $34.43 | +19% |
| Texas | $55,000 | $26.44 | -9% |
| Florida | $52,500 | $25.24 | -13% |
| North Carolina | $49,500 | $23.80 | -18% |
| Mississippi | $46,500 | $22.36 | -23% |
Electrician Salary by Specialty
| Specialty | Average Salary | Demand |
|---|---|---|
| Lineman/Lineworker | $82,340 | Very High |
| Industrial Electrician | $72,000 | High |
| Elevator Mechanic | $97,860 | High |
| Instrumentation Tech | $70,000 | High |
| Fire Alarm Technician | $55,000 | Moderate |
| Commercial Electrician | $62,000 | High |
| Residential Electrician | $52,000 | High |
| Low Voltage/Data | $58,000 | Growing |
| Solar/Renewable | $60,000 | Growing |
Union vs. Non-Union Electrician Pay
| Type | Average Wage | Benefits | Total Comp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Union (IBEW) | $36-$55/hour | Excellent | $90,000-$120,000 |
| Non-Union | $24-$38/hour | Varies | $50,000-$80,000 |
Union electricians typically earn 20-40% more when factoring in benefits (pension, health insurance, annuity).
Overtime and Total Earnings
Many electricians earn significant overtime:
| Base Salary | OT Hours/Week | Annual OT Pay | Total Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| $60,000 | 5 | $11,250 | $71,250 |
| $60,000 | 10 | $22,500 | $82,500 |
| $60,000 | 15 | $33,750 | $93,750 |
| $60,000 | 20 | $45,000 | $105,000 |
Industrial and power plant work often involves substantial overtime pay.
How to Become an Electrician
| Step | Duration | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| High school diploma | — | — |
| Pre-apprenticeship (optional) | 3-6 months | $3,000-$5,000 |
| Apprenticeship | 4-5 years | Paid training |
| Journeyman license exam | — | $100-$300 |
| Master electrician (optional) | 2-4 more years | — |
| Contractor license (optional) | Varies | $200-$500 |
Total investment: 4-5 years of paid training vs. 4-year college degree with debt.
Electrician Business Owner Income
Running your own electrical business can significantly increase earnings:
| Business Size | Owner Income |
|---|---|
| Solo operator | $70,000-$100,000 |
| 1-2 employees | $90,000-$130,000 |
| Small crew (5-10) | $120,000-$200,000 |
| Medium company (20+) | $200,000-$500,000+ |
Business owners take on risk but have unlimited earning potential.
Electrician Salary After Taxes
| Gross Salary | Federal Tax | FICA | State Tax (avg) | Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $3,400 | $3,825 | $2,000 | $40,775 |
| $60,240 | $4,600 | $4,608 | $2,410 | $48,622 |
| $80,000 | $8,400 | $6,120 | $3,200 | $62,280 |
| $100,000 | $12,200 | $7,650 | $4,000 | $76,150 |
Electrician vs. Other Trades
| Trade | Average Salary | Training Time |
|---|---|---|
| Elevator Mechanic | $97,860 | 4-5 years |
| Lineman | $82,340 | 3-4 years |
| Electrician | $60,240 | 4-5 years |
| Plumber | $59,880 | 4-5 years |
| HVAC Technician | $51,390 | 2-5 years |
| Carpenter | $52,850 | 3-4 years |
| Welder | $47,010 | 6 months-2 years |
Is Electrician a Good Career?
Pros:
- High demand (6% job growth)
- No college debt
- Paid apprenticeship
- Path to business ownership
- Can’t be outsourced
Cons:
- Physically demanding
- Safety risks
- Weather exposure (some specialties)
- Irregular hours
- 4-5 year apprenticeship
Bottom Line
Electricians earn $60,240 on average, but journeymen earn $55,000-$75,000 and master electricians earn $80,000-$100,000. With overtime, union wages, or specializing in high-demand areas like linework or industrial, electricians can earn well over $100,000. Business ownership offers the highest earning potential at $150,000-$500,000+.