Electrician Salaries & Wage Percentiles
Data updated · Sources: BLS OEWS May 2025 · Methodology
Install, test, maintain, and repair electrical wiring, equipment, and fixtures.
National Wage Percentile Spectrum
Empirical distribution from entry-level apprentice (10th percentile) to senior principal / master tier (90th percentile).
Nationwide State Salary Rankings
State-by-state empirical labor compensation benchmarked against local cost of living and purchasing power.
| Rank | State | Median Salary | Hourly Rate | CoL Adjusted Real Wage | Total Employed | Top Metro in State | CoL Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Hawaii HI | $99,375 | $47.78/hr | $61,116 | 2,600 | Urban Honolulu, HI | 162.6 |
| #2 | Oregon OR | $97,310 | $46.79/hr | $80,956 | 10,780 | Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | 120.2 |
| #3 | Washington WA | $92,100 | $44.28/hr | $81,649 | 16,180 | Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA | 112.8 |
| #4 | Illinois IL | $90,892 | $43.70/hr | $86,481 | 20,580 | Kankakee, IL | 105.1 |
| #5 | Alaska AK | $90,150 | $43.34/hr | $73,352 | 1,190 | Fairbanks-College, AK | 122.9 |
| #6 | Minnesota MN | $81,850 | $39.35/hr | $76,999 | 10,990 | Mankato, MN | 106.3 |
| #7 | New Jersey NJ | $80,280 | $38.59/hr | $67,976 | 1,500 | Trenton-Princeton, NJ | 118.1 |
| #8 | Montana MT | $78,836 | $37.90/hr | $70,452 | 1,640 | Billings, MT | 111.9 |
Top Metropolitan Areas for Maximum Earnings
High-yield metros commanding premier compensation, rent affordability, and living wage coverage.
Career Ladder & Progression Stages
Typical milestones from entry level to senior roles.
High school diploma, enrolled in IBEW/JATC or non-union program
4,000+ logged on-job training hours, passing state exam parts
State Journeyman License, 8,000 hours certified experience
Master Electrician exam, supervisor qualification, code mastery
Contractor license, business bonding, commercial bidding
Skill-Adjacent Career Opportunities
Direct lateral transitions capitalizing on shared occupational competencies and BLS wage differentials.
Electrician: Career Ladder, Industry Hub & Regional Parity
Navigate parent industry benchmarks, lateral career progressions, and cross-pillar living cost calculators.
Skilled Trades Directory
Compare wage percentiles, required certifications, and senior salary caps across all Skilled Trades occupations.
Adjacent Career Paths
Living Cost & Tax Parity
Occupational Labor Economics & Frequently Asked Questions
Explore national wage percentiles (10th to 90th), top-paying metropolitan areas, and career ladder progression for Electrician. Official 2026 economic data for Electrician compiled from Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS surveys, HUD Fair Market Rents, and statutory tax codes.
Quick answers
National compensation benchmarks for Electrician range across the 10th, 25th, 50th (median), 75th, and 90th percentiles based on BLS OEWS labor market statistics.
Electrician: Where the Pay Is Highest
The national median for Electrician is $63,190 per year ($30.38/hour). BLS OEWS publishes this occupation in 390 metropolitan areas, where median pay ranges from $37,840 in Arecibo, PR to $105,500 in Kankakee, IL.
Top-paying metropolitan areas for Electrician
| Metropolitan area | Median annual wage | Vs national |
|---|---|---|
| Kankakee, IL | $105,500 | +67.0% |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $105,090 | +66.3% |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA | $104,510 | +65.4% |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $102,350 | +62.0% |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $101,780 | +61.1% |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $100,320 | +58.8% |
| Urban Honolulu, HI | $100,270 | +58.7% |
| Albany, OR | $100,230 | +58.6% |
| Corvallis, OR | $99,880 | +58.1% |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $99,850 | +58.0% |
| Bend, OR | $99,200 | +57.0% |
| Salem, OR | $98,850 | +56.4% |