Electrician Salary.
Across 81 U.S. cities.
$62,000
national median salary
$49,000 to $82,000. Last updated August 2026.
Government benchmark for this occupation
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $63,190 for Electricians (SOC 47-2111) across the United States, based on 757,220 employed workers (May 2025 release).
10th percentile
$42,640
25th percentile
$49,430
Median
$63,190
75th percentile
$83,940
90th percentile
$108,510
Workers surveyed
757,220
What BLS published in each release
May 2024 release
$62,350
May 2025 release
$63,190
These are two separate published estimates, not a time series. The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not encourage the use of OEWS data for time-series analysis. Differences between releases reflect changes in occupational classification, survey methodology, and the three-year pooled sample as well as any change in pay, so the two figures should not be read as a rate of wage growth.
BLS publishes wages by occupation code, not by job title, so this figure covers every role mapped to Electricians (SOC 47-2111) rather than Electricianspecifically. The national range at the top of this page is Orbyt’s role-level estimate, which is a different thing and is labelled as such.
View the BLS source for SOC 47-2111Highest Paying
$86,000
San Jose, CA
Best Purchasing Power
$65,000
Sacramento, CA
Lowest Paying
$46,000
Charleston, WV
The salary figures on this page are computed estimates, not observed wages. Each one is a national role baseline scaled by a Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parity cost-of-living multiplier (2025 index) and rounded to the nearest $1,000. No published wage percentile is consulted and no wage survey response enters the calculation, so an Orbyt estimate must not be cited as a Bureau of Labor Statistics figure or as measured pay. The published wage data Orbyt holds is Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, and Department of Labor H-1B Labor Condition Application filings, which record a filed minimum visa base wage rather than market pay. Where BLS publishes a wage for the occupation a role maps to, it is shown on that role's page as a separate benchmark, labelled with its occupation code, metro area and the number of employed workers it covers. Last updated August 2026. This role maps to BLS occupation code 47-2111. Full methodology.
Orbyt estimates the average Electrician salary in the United States at $62,000 in 2026, within a range of $49,000 to $82,000. These figures are Orbyt estimates, computed rather than measured, and must not be cited as Bureau of Labor Statistics figures; the published BLS wage for the occupation this role maps to is shown separately on this page. San Jose is the highest of the 81 cities at $86,000, while Sacramento offers the best purchasing power after cost-of-living adjustments. License level (journeyman vs.
Electrician salary by city.
Skills that increase Electrician pay.
The skills below command measurable salary premiums for Electricians based on job posting data. Learning the top skill here could add $8,680 to your annual compensation.
≈ +$8,680 per year
≈ +$8,060 per year
≈ +$7,440 per year
≈ +$6,820 per year
≈ +$6,820 per year
≈ +$6,200 per year
≈ +$6,200 per year
≈ +$5,580 per year
What you should know.
License level (journeyman vs. master), union membership, and specialization are the primary factors. Industrial electricians and those working on high voltage systems earn significantly more than residential wirers. Overtime availability, geographic demand, and experience with renewable energy systems (solar, EV charging) also drive compensation upward.
Apprentice electricians earn $35,000 to $48,000 during their four to five year training. Journeyman electricians earn $55,000 to $80,000. Master electricians command $75,000 to $105,000. Electrical contractors who start their own business or move into project management can earn $100,000 to $150,000+.
Union electricians receive substantial benefits including pension contributions, health insurance, annuity, and apprenticeship funds that add 30 to 40% on top of hourly wages. Overtime at 1.5x to 2x the base rate is common. Non union electricians negotiate benefits individually, with more variation in total package value.
Total compensation breakdown.
Salary by company size
Remote salary adjustment
Remote Electricians typically earn $56,000 (10% less than on-site). This reflects location-adjusted pay policies at companies using geographic salary bands. Some companies pay flat national rates regardless of location.
Are you an Electrician?
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Common questions about Electrician pay.
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