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 | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oregon | $99,750 | $59,550 | $101,310 |
| 2 | Washington | $94,470 | $52,170 | $95,220 |
| 3 | Hawaii | $92,870 | $45,730 | $96,460 |
| 4 | Illinois | $92,230 | $49,240 | $99,560 |
| 5 | Alaska | $90,040 | $58,420 | $89,440 |
| 6 | District of Columbia | $88,860 | $51,950 | $78,970 |
| 7 | New Jersey | $86,700 | $48,570 | $77,250 |
| 8 | California | $85,860 | $46,800 | $76,160 |
| 9 | New York | $84,860 | $45,740 | $78,750 |
| 10 | Massachusetts | $81,560 | $46,990 | $79,420 |
| 11 | Minnesota | $80,830 | $47,480 | $78,160 |
| 12 | Connecticut | $77,390 | $47,680 | $77,540 |
| 13 | Maine | $77,250 | $54,180 | $75,380 |
| 14 | Pennsylvania | $75,770 | $45,600 | $67,600 |
| 15 | Nevada | $75,710 | $46,110 | $73,570 |
| 16 | Maryland | $75,450 | $46,450 | $73,490 |
| 17 | Wyoming | $74,860 | $48,240 | $76,120 |
| 18 | Rhode Island | $74,150 | $42,990 | $74,090 |
| 19 | Michigan | $73,840 | $42,980 | $76,270 |
| 20 | Wisconsin | $73,810 | $44,830 | $76,540 |
| 21 | Vermont | $73,360 | $47,470 | $63,430 |
| 22 | Missouri | $72,310 | $43,860 | $65,410 |
| 23 | Montana | $71,930 | $49,130 | $76,760 |
| 24 | Indiana | $70,820 | $43,190 | $68,490 |
| 25 | Delaware | $70,750 | $38,280 | $63,700 |
| 26 | North Dakota | $70,460 | $46,440 | $65,710 |
| 27 | Kansas | $69,200 | $42,660 | $65,860 |
| 28 | Ohio | $68,840 | $40,750 | $64,700 |
| 29 | Virginia | $67,850 | $40,780 | $62,900 |
| 30 | West Virginia | $67,840 | $43,620 | $64,810 |
| 31 | Idaho | $66,600 | $38,830 | $63,000 |
| 32 | Colorado | $66,310 | $45,520 | $62,230 |
| 33 | New Hampshire | $65,780 | $43,190 | $62,840 |
| 34 | Utah | $65,290 | $39,940 | $62,000 |
| 35 | Arizona | $64,220 | $45,540 | $61,060 |
| 36 | Nebraska | $63,960 | $40,400 | $60,820 |
| 37 | Tennessee | $63,540 | $39,600 | $61,090 |
| 38 | Oklahoma | $63,410 | $37,900 | $61,010 |
| 39 | Iowa | $63,190 | $39,770 | $60,860 |
| 40 | Louisiana | $62,350 | $38,750 | $61,540 |
| 41 | South Dakota | $61,980 | $44,320 | $61,390 |
| 42 | Kentucky | $61,410 | $37,110 | $59,720 |
| 43 | Georgia | $61,090 | $37,180 | $58,320 |
| 44 | New Mexico | $59,620 | $36,650 | $58,390 |
| 45 | Texas | $59,280 | $37,920 | $58,570 |
| 46 | South Carolina | $59,030 | $44,330 | $58,740 |
| 47 | Mississippi | $58,000 | $38,200 | $60,860 |
| 48 | Florida | $57,660 | $38,190 | $57,250 |
| 49 | Alabama | $57,510 | $37,640 | $55,690 |
| 50 | North Carolina | $56,850 | $40,130 | $56,800 |
| 51 | Arkansas | $53,470 | $34,910 | $49,070 |
| — | National | $71,490 | $42,640 | $63,190 |
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, 2025 estimates, fetched 2026-08-25. Figures cover Electricians (cross-industry). Some states are omitted where BLS did not publish a reliable estimate.
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
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