How much do electricians make in 2026?
Electricians earn a national median of $63,190/yr ($30.38/hr) per BLS OEWS May 2025 (SOC 47-2111). The bottom 10% earn about $42,640 and the top 10% over $108,510. That median blends every experience level, a registered apprentice earns roughly $41,900, a licensed journeyman about $66,700, and a master electrician $86,000+. Pay is highest in union-strong states like Illinois, New York and Oregon. → Full electrician career guide, career path, credentials & placement →
Note: $63,190 blends every experience level, apprentice through master. For pay by level alone, see Verified Placement Data below.
- Electricians earn a national median of $63,190/yr ($30.38/hr) (BLS OEWS May 2025, SOC 47-2111); P10–P90 range $42,640–$108,510.
- Pay climbs sharply with license level, apprentice $41,900, journeyman $66,700, master $86,000+.
- Top-paying states (Illinois, New York, Oregon) run well above the national median; low-cost states run below.
- Certifications (state master license, PLC controls, NABCEP solar) each add a measurable premium on base pay.
US Electrician Pay Distribution · BLS OEWS May 2025
GlobalCybers Verified Placement Data · last verified July 2026
How does BLS compare to what electricians actually get placed at?
BLS OEWS is the most reliable public salary source, but it lags real market pay by 1–2 years — and it doesn't break out license level. Pick a level to see how published pay compares to actual verified placements made through GlobalCybers' nationwide electrician network.
All verified medians: GlobalCybers nationwide electrician placements, trailing 12 months, updated July 2026. Tap a level below for the full gap breakdown.
Where the gap comes from — Journeyman Electrician
Data time lag +2.0% — OEWS publishes ~10 months late on a 3-yr sample; US electrician wages grew 3–4%/yr since.
OT and shift pay excluded by OES +1.8% — Turnaround overtime and shift differentials on industrial jobs aren't in the BLS wage.
New-hire (switcher) premium +1.2% — BLS averages incumbents; JWs switching employers in a tight market command more.
Verified-candidate selection +2.5% — Licensed, OSHA-screened electricians in our network sit in the upper half of the distribution.
This role runs meaningfully above BLS, a licensed trade in a tight national market. GlobalCybers shows the real placement number alongside the published one so you can see exactly where each dollar of the gap comes from.
Company names withheld per employer confidentiality agreements. Roles shown are a representative sample, not an exhaustive list.
Methodology & Sources
How the “verified placement” numbers are built
Published (BLS): BLS OEWS May 2025, SOC 47-2111, United States national estimate. Public, methodologically rigorous, but sampled on a rolling 3-year basis and published ~10 months after collection — so it reflects wages that are already 1–2 years old by the time you read them.
Verified (GlobalCybers): The median base wage of candidates GlobalCybers placed into electricianroles nationwide, by license level, over the trailing 12 months. Every placement requires a confirmed state license record and a signed offer letter before it's counted — no self-reported or unverified salary data is included.
Sample sizes vary (n=8–214 depending on license level) because this reflects our own placement volume, not a market-wide survey — treat it as a directional, real-world data point alongside BLS, not a replacement for it.
Pay by Career Level
How much does an electrician earn at each career stage?
License level sets your pay floor. Each stage below shows the national BLS-aligned range and median, apprentice through business owner.
License ROI: Moving Apprentice → Journeyman adds a median $24,800/yr; Journeyman → Master adds roughly another $25,700. Exam fees run $100–$200. GlobalCybers covers exam & renewal fees after placement →
By State
Which states pay electricians the most in 2026?
BLS OEWS state medians. Top-tier states are driven by IBEW union density and high-cost metros; value states offset lower pay with no income tax or low living costs.
6 of 51 state guides shown, ranked by median. Bar is relative to Illinois ($82,650), the highest-paying state shown. See all 51 state salary guides →
By Metro
Which cities pay electricians the most?
BLS MSA medians for the largest electrician metros — where union density, sector mix and construction demand set the local rate.
BLS OEWS MSA estimates, May 2025. Nominal pay — weigh each metro against its cost of living before relocating.
Certification Impact
Which certifications raise an electrician’s pay the most?
Median annual pay before and after each credential, based on GlobalCybers placement data cross-referenced with BLS. License upgrades move the needle most; stackable certs add on top.
Impacts are not additive, the licensing rows share the same career ladder. Browse all 167 certifications →
Trade Comparison
How does electrician pay compare to related roles?
BLS OEWS national median across the closest trades. Electricians sit mid-pack on median but carry one of the widest P10–P90 spreads, licensing and specialization drive the upside.
BLS OEWS May 2025. Verify electrician wages on BLS.gov →
Take-Home Pay
What does an electrician actually take home after taxes?
BLS and verified medians above are gross base wage. Here are two real scenarios, line by line, a non-union Journeyman in a no-income-tax state, and a union Journeyman in a state with income tax and dues.
Estimates use 2026 federal brackets, standard deduction, and 7.65% FICA. Actual take-home varies with filing status, deductions, and local tax.
How to Earn More
5 ways electricians add the most to their paycheck
- 1Get licensed, then upgrade
Moving from apprentice to Journeyman adds a median +$24,800/yr; Master adds another +$25,700. The single highest-ROI move you can make.
- 2Move to a top-paying market
A Journeyman in Illinois or other union-strong states earns +$20K–$40K over the lowest-paying states. Weigh it against cost of living before relocating.
- 3Specialize in a high-demand sector
Data centers, industrial controls, solar & grid work pay +$8K–$18K over general commercial. Follow the capital, CHIPS-Act fabs and hyperscale builds are hiring hard.
- 4Stack certifications
PLC/controls (+$9,200), NABCEP solar (+$7,500) and NFPA 70E (+$4,100) each add measurable pay, and they compound.
- 5Go union, or go into business
IBEW Journeymen earn $56–$62/hr plus pension and health funds. Or take the Master + bond route to contractor pay, median $118,000.
FAQ
Electrician Salary, Frequently Asked Questions
Electrician career research journey
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