Electrician salary: what electricians actually make
Electricians earned a median $30.38 an hour ($63,190 a year) in May 2025, across 757,220 jobs in the BLS employer survey. Pay by state and metro, the 20-year trend, and the union scale contractors must pay on federal work.
How much do electricians make?
The median electrician earned $30.38 an hour, or $63,190 a year, in May 2025 according to the BLS employer survey of 757,220 jobs. Half earn more and half earn less; the middle 50% earn between $23.76 and $40.36 an hour.
The middle half of electricians earn between $23.76 and $40.36 an hour. The top 10% earn more than $52.17 ($108,510 a year); the bottom 10% earn less than $20.50. The top 10% earn 2.5× what the bottom 10% earn.
Apprentice, journeyman and master electrician pay
Pay tracks licence and experience: an apprentice or entry-level electrician earns near the bottom of the range, a journeyman around the median, and a master electrician, foreman or specialist in the top quarter. The union pay scale (journeyman base plus fringe) for every county is in the prevailing-wage section.
| Career stage (approximate) | Hourly | Annual | Where it sits in the distribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apprentice / entry level | $20.50 – $23.76 | $42,640 – $49,430 | roughly the 10th to 25th percentile |
| Journeyman | $23.76 – $40.36 | $49,430 – $83,940 | the middle half, around the median |
| Master, foreman or specialist | $40.36 – $52.17 | $83,940 – $108,510 | the 75th to 90th percentile and above |
Career-stage bands are an approximate reading of the wage distribution, not a BLS classification or licence requirement.
Electrician pay by state
Table
| State | Median $/hr | vs US |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon | $48.71 | 60% above |
| Illinois | $47.87 | 58% above |
| Hawaii | $46.38 | 53% above |
| Washington | $45.78 | 51% above |
| Alaska | $43.00 | 42% above |
| Massachusetts | $38.18 | 26% above |
| District of Columbia | $37.97 | 25% above |
| New York | $37.86 | 25% above |
| Minnesota | $37.58 | 24% above |
| Connecticut | $37.28 | 23% above |
| New Jersey | $37.14 | 22% above |
| Montana | $36.90 | 21% above |
| Wisconsin | $36.80 | 21% above |
| Michigan | $36.67 | 21% above |
| California | $36.62 | 21% above |
| Wyoming | $36.59 | 20% above |
| Maine | $36.24 | 19% above |
| Rhode Island | $35.62 | 17% above |
| Nevada | $35.37 | 16% above |
| Maryland | $35.33 | 16% above |
| Indiana | $32.93 | 8% above |
| Pennsylvania | $32.50 | 7% above |
| Kansas | $31.66 | 4% above |
| North Dakota | $31.59 | 4% above |
| Missouri | $31.45 | 4% above |
| West Virginia | $31.16 | 3% above |
| Ohio | $31.11 | 2% above |
| Delaware | $30.63 | 1% above |
| Vermont | $30.49 | about the same as |
| Idaho | $30.29 | about the same as |
| Virginia | $30.24 | about the same as |
| New Hampshire | $30.21 | 1% below |
| Colorado | $29.92 | 2% below |
| Utah | $29.81 | 2% below |
| Louisiana | $29.59 | 3% below |
| South Dakota | $29.51 | 3% below |
| Tennessee | $29.37 | 3% below |
| Arizona | $29.36 | 3% below |
| Oklahoma | $29.33 | 3% below |
| Iowa | $29.26 | 4% below |
| Mississippi | $29.26 | 4% below |
| Nebraska | $29.24 | 4% below |
| Kentucky | $28.71 | 5% below |
| South Carolina | $28.24 | 7% below |
| Texas | $28.16 | 7% below |
| New Mexico | $28.07 | 8% below |
| Georgia | $28.04 | 8% below |
| Florida | $27.52 | 9% below |
| North Carolina | $27.31 | 10% below |
| Alabama | $26.78 | 12% below |
| Arkansas | $23.59 | 22% below |
| State | Median $/hr | Cost-of-living adjusted | Adjusted rank | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oregon | $48.71 | $47.11 | #2 | 10,590 |
| Illinois | $47.87 | $47.87 | #1 | 23,120 |
| Hawaii | $46.38 | $42.16 | #4 | 3,070 |
| Washington | $45.78 | $42.79 | #3 | 19,380 |
| Alaska | $43.00 | $41.99 | #5 | 1,870 |
| Massachusetts | $38.18 | $36.09 | #12 | 17,810 |
| District of Columbia | $37.97 | $34.55 | #22 | 2,440 |
| New York | $37.86 | $35.09 | #18 | 40,130 |
| Minnesota | $37.58 | $38.11 | #10 | 14,350 |
| Connecticut | $37.28 | $35.98 | #13 | 7,710 |
| New Jersey | $37.14 | $34.14 | #23 | 13,520 |
| Montana | $36.90 | $39.01 | #8 | 2,750 |
| Wisconsin | $36.80 | $39.11 | #7 | 14,310 |
| Michigan | $36.67 | $38.12 | #9 | 23,530 |
| California | $36.62 | $33.08 | #32 | 73,310 |
| Wyoming | $36.59 | $39.47 | #6 | 2,960 |
| Maine | $36.24 | $37.36 | #11 | 3,780 |
| Rhode Island | $35.62 | $34.82 | #19 | 2,420 |
| Nevada | $35.37 | $35.37 | #15 | 8,350 |
| Maryland | $35.33 | $33.65 | #24 | 13,690 |
| Indiana | $32.93 | $35.29 | #16 | 19,020 |
| Pennsylvania | $32.50 | $33.30 | #31 | 22,730 |
| Kansas | $31.66 | $35.14 | #17 | 6,350 |
| North Dakota | $31.59 | $35.49 | #14 | 3,570 |
| Missouri | $31.45 | $34.64 | #21 | 12,780 |
| West Virginia | $31.16 | $34.82 | #20 | 4,290 |
| Ohio | $31.11 | $33.52 | #27 | 28,950 |
| Delaware | $30.63 | $30.69 | #38 | 2,260 |
| Vermont | $30.49 | $31.11 | #37 | 1,270 |
| Idaho | $30.29 | $31.72 | #36 | 5,690 |
| Virginia | $30.24 | $29.91 | #43 | 23,630 |
| New Hampshire | $30.21 | $28.99 | #48 | 3,330 |
| Colorado | $29.92 | $29.02 | #46 | 17,010 |
| Utah | $29.81 | $30.14 | #41 | 11,450 |
| Louisiana | $29.59 | $33.55 | #26 | 10,550 |
| South Dakota | $29.51 | $33.31 | #30 | 2,980 |
| Tennessee | $29.37 | $31.96 | #34 | 17,070 |
| Arizona | $29.36 | $29.16 | #44 | 21,140 |
| Oklahoma | $29.33 | $33.41 | #28 | 8,500 |
| Iowa | $29.26 | $33.33 | #29 | 10,310 |
| Mississippi | $29.26 | $33.63 | #25 | 6,610 |
| Nebraska | $29.24 | $32.45 | #33 | 6,440 |
| Kentucky | $28.71 | $31.83 | #35 | 11,030 |
| South Carolina | $28.24 | $30.14 | #42 | 8,010 |
| Texas | $28.16 | $29.00 | #47 | 76,770 |
| New Mexico | $28.07 | $30.44 | #39 | 5,020 |
| Georgia | $28.04 | $29.12 | #45 | 21,650 |
| Florida | $27.52 | $26.62 | #51 | 49,700 |
| North Carolina | $27.31 | $28.96 | #49 | 21,640 |
| Alabama | $26.78 | $30.16 | #40 | 10,900 |
| Arkansas | $23.59 | $27.15 | #50 | 7,500 |
Electrician wages over time
Table
| Year | Nominal $/hr | In 2025 $ | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | $19.13 | $36.97 | 611,920 |
| 2000 | $19.29 | $36.06 | 640,260 |
| 2001 | $19.60 | $35.63 | 625,560 |
| 2002 | $19.90 | $35.61 | 593,010 |
| 2003 | $20.04 | $35.06 | 584,010 |
| 2004 | $20.33 | $34.65 | 582,920 |
| 2005 | $20.57 | $33.91 | 606,500 |
| 2006 | $20.97 | $33.49 | 617,370 |
| 2007 | $21.53 | $33.43 | 624,560 |
| 2008 | $22.32 | $33.38 | 633,010 |
| 2009 | $22.68 | $34.03 | 579,150 |
| 2010 | $23.20 | $34.25 | 514,760 |
| 2011 | $23.71 | $33.93 | 512,290 |
| 2012 | $23.96 | $33.60 | 519,850 |
| 2013 | $24.28 | $33.55 | 542,680 |
| 2014 | $24.57 | $33.41 | 566,930 |
| 2015 | $24.94 | $33.88 | 592,230 |
| 2016 | $25.35 | $34.00 | 607,120 |
| 2017 | $26.01 | $34.16 | 631,080 |
| 2018 | $26.53 | $34.01 | 655,840 |
| 2019 | $27.01 | $34.01 | 688,620 |
| 2020 | $27.36 | $34.03 | 656,510 |
| 2021 | $28.87 | $34.30 | 650,580 |
| 2022 | $28.96 | $31.86 | 690,050 |
| 2023 | $29.61 | $31.29 | 712,580 |
| 2024 | $29.98 | $30.77 | 742,580 |
| 2025 | $30.38 | $30.38 | 757,220 |
Adjusted for inflation, the median electrician wage changed by -10.3% over the last ten years and by -10.7% since 2019.
Are there more electrician jobs than there used to be?
The BLS employer survey counted 757,220 electricians in May 2025, +27.9% compared with 592,230 ten years earlier and +10.0% since 2019.
Table
| Year | Jobs |
|---|---|
| 1999 | 611,920 |
| 2000 | 640,260 |
| 2001 | 625,560 |
| 2002 | 593,010 |
| 2003 | 584,010 |
| 2004 | 582,920 |
| 2005 | 606,500 |
| 2006 | 617,370 |
| 2007 | 624,560 |
| 2008 | 633,010 |
| 2009 | 579,150 |
| 2010 | 514,760 |
| 2011 | 512,290 |
| 2012 | 519,850 |
| 2013 | 542,680 |
| 2014 | 566,930 |
| 2015 | 592,230 |
| 2016 | 607,120 |
| 2017 | 631,080 |
| 2018 | 655,840 |
| 2019 | 688,620 |
| 2020 | 656,510 |
| 2021 | 650,580 |
| 2022 | 690,050 |
| 2023 | 712,580 |
| 2024 | 742,580 |
| 2025 | 757,220 |
Of the 41 states with a precise enough estimate to compare, 36 counted more electricians in 2025 than ten years earlier. The fastest growth was in Arizona (+92.0%, 11,010 to 21,140); the weakest was North Dakota (-22.2%).
| State | Jobs in 2015 | Jobs in 2025 | Change over 10 years | Since 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | 11,010 | 21,140 | +92.0% | +53.1% |
| Tennessee | 10,000 | 17,070 | +70.7% | +36.8% |
| Idaho | 3,390 | 5,690 | +67.8% | +24.2% |
| Utah | 6,980 | 11,450 | +64.0% | -0.1% |
| North Carolina | 13,960 | 21,640 | +55.0% | +12.0% |
| Florida | 32,160 | 49,700 | +54.5% | +20.0% |
| Oregon | 7,150 | 10,590 | +48.1% | +6.8% |
| Nevada | 5,830 | 8,350 | +43.2% | +16.0% |
| Arkansas | 5,260 | 7,500 | +42.6% | +30.0% |
| Texas | 54,500 | 76,770 | +40.9% | +20.4% |
| Kentucky | 7,850 | 11,030 | +40.5% | +11.6% |
| Nebraska | 4,610 | 6,440 | +39.7% | +11.6% |
| Virginia | 17,180 | 23,630 | +37.5% | +28.1% |
| Wisconsin | 10,570 | 14,310 | +35.4% | +17.6% |
| Ohio | 21,390 | 28,950 | +35.3% | +15.0% |
| Washington | 14,390 | 19,380 | +34.7% | -2.3% |
| Missouri | 9,490 | 12,780 | +34.7% | +13.9% |
| Iowa | 7,770 | 10,310 | +32.7% | +21.2% |
| California | 55,580 | 73,310 | +31.9% | +0.6% |
| New Mexico | 3,880 | 5,020 | +29.4% | +23.0% |
| Georgia | 16,930 | 21,650 | +27.9% | +27.2% |
| Minnesota | 11,240 | 14,350 | +27.7% | +36.3% |
| Oklahoma | 6,700 | 8,500 | +26.9% | +22.0% |
| Michigan | 18,710 | 23,530 | +25.8% | +5.1% |
| Alabama | 8,800 | 10,900 | +23.9% | +11.7% |
| Kansas | 5,190 | 6,350 | +22.4% | +28.5% |
| Connecticut | 6,380 | 7,710 | +20.8% | -1.2% |
| Indiana | 15,780 | 19,020 | +20.5% | +17.9% |
| Massachusetts | 14,910 | 17,810 | +19.5% | +8.9% |
| South Carolina | 7,020 | 8,010 | +14.1% | -23.8% |
| Maryland | 12,070 | 13,690 | +13.4% | -9.4% |
| Colorado | 15,730 | 17,010 | +8.1% | +5.3% |
| Mississippi | 6,310 | 6,610 | +4.8% | +28.1% |
| Illinois | 22,220 | 23,120 | +4.1% | -9.0% |
| New Jersey | 13,440 | 13,520 | +0.6% | -19.2% |
| New York | 40,100 | 40,130 | +0.1% | -8.6% |
| West Virginia | 4,370 | 4,290 | -1.8% | -0.2% |
| Pennsylvania | 23,240 | 22,730 | -2.2% | +6.4% |
| Hawaii | 3,270 | 3,070 | -6.1% | -0.3% |
| Louisiana | 12,620 | 10,550 | -16.4% | -16.1% |
| North Dakota | 4,590 | 3,570 | -22.2% | +2.6% |
Job counts are BLS OEWS survey estimates built from three years of samples, so moves of a few percent from one year to the next are within the survey's margin. Self-employed tradespeople are not counted. Areas with fewer than 3,000 jobs or a large sampling error are shown as a single figure rather than a trend.
Where the electrician jobs are
Wyoming has the highest concentration of electricians, 2.2× the national share, followed by North Dakota (1.7×) and Idaho (1.4×). The lowest is New Jersey at 0.7×. Concentration says where the trade is a large part of the local economy; the job count says where the most positions are.
| State | Jobs | Jobs per 1,000 | Concentration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wyoming | 2,960 | 10.5 | 2.2× |
| North Dakota | 3,570 | 8.3 | 1.7× |
| Idaho | 5,690 | 6.6 | 1.4× |
| Iowa | 10,310 | 6.6 | 1.4× |
| Utah | 11,450 | 6.6 | 1.4× |
| Arizona | 21,140 | 6.5 | 1.3× |
| South Dakota | 2,980 | 6.5 | 1.3× |
| Nebraska | 6,440 | 6.3 | 1.3× |
| West Virginia | 4,290 | 6.1 | 1.2× |
| Colorado | 17,010 | 5.9 | 1.2× |
| Indiana | 19,020 | 5.9 | 1.2× |
| Maine | 3,780 | 5.9 | 1.2× |
| Alaska | 1,870 | 5.7 | 1.2× |
| Arkansas | 7,500 | 5.8 | 1.2× |
| New Mexico | 5,020 | 5.8 | 1.2× |
| Virginia | 23,630 | 5.8 | 1.2× |
| Mississippi | 6,610 | 5.7 | 1.2× |
| Kentucky | 11,030 | 5.5 | 1.1× |
| Louisiana | 10,550 | 5.5 | 1.1× |
| Texas | 76,770 | 5.5 | 1.1× |
| Washington | 19,380 | 5.5 | 1.1× |
| Nevada | 8,350 | 5.4 | 1.1× |
| Oregon | 10,590 | 5.4 | 1.1× |
| Michigan | 23,530 | 5.3 | 1.1× |
| Montana | 2,750 | 5.4 | 1.1× |
| Ohio | 28,950 | 5.2 | 1.1× |
| Tennessee | 17,070 | 5.2 | 1.1× |
| Alabama | 10,900 | 5.2 | 1.1× |
| Florida | 49,700 | 5.0 | 1.0× |
| Maryland | 13,690 | 5.0 | 1.0× |
| Oklahoma | 8,500 | 5.0 | 1.0× |
| Hawaii | 3,070 | 4.9 | 1.0× |
| Massachusetts | 17,810 | 4.9 | 1.0× |
| Minnesota | 14,350 | 4.9 | 1.0× |
| New Hampshire | 3,330 | 4.9 | 1.0× |
| Wisconsin | 14,310 | 4.9 | 1.0× |
| Rhode Island | 2,420 | 4.8 | 1.0× |
| Delaware | 2,260 | 4.7 | 1.0× |
| Connecticut | 7,710 | 4.5 | 0.9× |
| Georgia | 21,650 | 4.4 | 0.9× |
| Kansas | 6,350 | 4.4 | 0.9× |
| North Carolina | 21,640 | 4.4 | 0.9× |
| Missouri | 12,780 | 4.3 | 0.9× |
| Vermont | 1,270 | 4.2 | 0.9× |
| New York | 40,130 | 4.1 | 0.8× |
| California | 73,310 | 4.0 | 0.8× |
| Illinois | 23,120 | 3.8 | 0.8× |
| Pennsylvania | 22,730 | 3.8 | 0.8× |
| District of Columbia | 2,440 | 3.5 | 0.7× |
| South Carolina | 8,010 | 3.5 | 0.7× |
| New Jersey | 13,520 | 3.1 | 0.7× |
Metros with the most electrician jobs
| Metro | Jobs | Median $/hr |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | 36,550 | $37.99 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | 20,930 | $28.37 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 20,610 | $35.49 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | 19,730 | $28.45 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | 17,720 | $49.21 |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | 17,240 | $29.43 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | 16,580 | $36.50 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | 13,430 | $28.20 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | 13,410 | $38.42 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | 12,990 | $28.19 |
Highest-paying metros for electricians
| Metro | Median $/hr | Cost-of-living adjusted | Adjusted rank | 90th pct | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $50.53 | $47.94 | #4 | $64.61 | 7,340 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA | $50.24 | $49.06 | #1 | $75.30 | 740 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $49.21 | $47.50 | #5 | $59.65 | 17,720 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $48.93 | $44.04 | #14 | $72.74 | 9,750 |
| Urban Honolulu, HI | $48.21 | $43.43 | #16 | $59.64 | 2,290 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $48.00 | $47.95 | #3 | $60.28 | 1,050 |
| Bend, OR | $47.69 | $46.03 | #6 | $59.26 | 610 |
| Salem, OR | $47.53 | $45.88 | #7 | $62.02 | 1,000 |
| Trenton-Princeton, NJ | $47.21 | $45.75 | #8 | $60.42 | 600 |
| Bellingham, WA | $46.92 | $45.42 | #9 | $61.15 | 560 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $46.44 | $44.78 | #12 | $62.28 | 530 |
| Eugene-Springfield, OR | $45.52 | $44.80 | #11 | $58.99 | 750 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $44.63 | $38.61 | #40 | $87.66 | 9,060 |
| Medford, OR | $44.43 | $43.82 | #15 | $57.40 | 500 |
| Kokomo, IN | $43.89 | $48.98 | #2 | $47.46 | 730 |
Metros with at least 500 electricians. Cost-of-living adjustment divides the median by the BEA regional price parity for the metro (2024, US = 100); the adjusted rank is among the 201 metros with a parity.
Union scale and prevailing wage for electricians
Federal construction projects must pay the Davis-Bacon rate for each county. Where the rate comes from a union contract it is the local journeyman scale: base wage plus fringe (health, pension, training). Where it comes from a survey, it is often older and lower. This table summarises the Building-construction determination for electricians in every state.
| State | Counties with a union rate | Typical union package (base + fringe, $/hr) | Typical survey rate | Counties with a rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | 100% | $103.81 | — | 18/21 |
| Hawaii | 100% | $89.71 | — | 5/5 |
| Washington | 97% | $87.78 | $84.62 | 39/39 |
| Alaska | 100% | $85.77 | — | 30/30 |
| Connecticut | 100% | $84.53 | — | 8/8 |
| Massachusetts | 100% | $84.36 | — | 14/14 |
| Illinois | 100% | $83.99 | — | 102/102 |
| Delaware | 100% | $83.43 | — | 3/3 |
| Pennsylvania | 94% | $82.64 | $45.08 | 62/67 |
| District of Columbia | 100% | $82.56 | — | 1/1 |
| Missouri | 98% | $81.86 | $31.86 | 115/115 |
| Rhode Island | 100% | $80.85 | — | 5/5 |
| California | 91% | $80.15 | $23.46 | 58/58 |
| Oregon | 56% | $79.51 | $60.45 | 36/36 |
| New York | 92% | $76.75 | $60.66 | 61/62 |
| Wisconsin | 100% | $70.47 | — | 72/72 |
| Ohio | 84% | $69.93 | $45.51 | 88/88 |
| Indiana | 97% | $68.36 | $10.58 | 91/92 |
| West Virginia | 65% | $66.44 | $43.27 | 55/55 |
| Iowa | 17% | $66.39 | $32.80 | 99/99 |
| Kansas | 22% | $64.30 | $38.59 | 105/105 |
| Kentucky | 78% | $63.40 | $42.47 | 120/120 |
| Michigan | 85% | $63.35 | $28.15 | 73/83 |
| Colorado | 98% | $61.75 | $35.14 | 64/64 |
| Maine | 31% | $59.88 | $34.57 | 16/16 |
| New Hampshire | 70% | $59.04 | $34.70 | 10/10 |
| Montana | 93% | $58.91 | $36.03 | 55/56 |
| Utah | 97% | $58.89 | $34.87 | 29/29 |
| Idaho | 95% | $58.74 | $27.83 | 44/44 |
| North Dakota | 79% | $57.59 | $34.00 | 53/53 |
| Virginia | 69% | $55.97 | $31.09 | 131/133 |
| Oklahoma | 91% | $54.54 | $27.78 | 77/77 |
| Nebraska | 100% | $53.88 | — | 93/93 |
| New Mexico | 88% | $53.71 | $33.42 | 33/33 |
| South Dakota | 73% | $53.15 | $32.33 | 66/66 |
| Arizona | 93% | $51.34 | $37.35 | 15/15 |
| Georgia | 77% | $49.20 | $27.04 | 159/159 |
| Florida | 60% | $47.70 | $19.96 | 67/67 |
| Tennessee | 40% | $47.70 | $33.77 | 95/95 |
| Texas | 19% | $47.19 | $22.93 | 251/254 |
| South Carolina | 67% | $46.79 | $15.86 | 46/46 |
| North Carolina | 32% | $45.41 | $18.57 | 100/100 |
| Louisiana | 83% | $43.91 | $30.93 | 64/64 |
| Arkansas | 45% | $43.89 | $26.95 | 75/75 |
| Mississippi | 70% | $42.94 | $26.13 | 82/82 |
| Vermont | 29% | $42.85 | $27.51 | 14/14 |
| Alabama | 36% | $41.24 | $23.78 | 67/67 |
| Maryland | 0% | — | $69.45 | 24/24 |
| Minnesota | 0% | — | $76.74 | 87/87 |
| Nevada | 0% | — | $83.81 | 17/17 |
| Wyoming | 0% | — | $49.43 | 23/23 |
Source: SAM.gov Davis-Bacon wage determinations, current revisions, Building construction type. Not the official determination; see each state page for county detail and links to the official text.
Job outlook
The BLS Employment Projections program expects the number of electricians to change by +9.2% over 2025-35, from 821,000 to 896,900, with about 72,700 openings a year.
Of those openings, 7,500 a year come from growth in the number of jobs and 65,200 from replacement: 22,100 for people who retire or leave the workforce and 43,100 for people who move to another occupation.
Demand change - share increases as an expected rise in electricity demand mainly from a growing number of data centers and the need to upgrade and expand electrical grid infrastructure, increase demand for electricians to install and connect power lines to these facilities.
BLS worker characteristics, 2025-35: typical education for entry: high school diploma or equivalent; related work experience: none; on-the-job training: apprenticeship. The Occupational Outlook Handbook entry describes the work.
What each state projects
State labor market agencies publish their own projections on a 2024–2034 cycle. Colorado projects the fastest growth for electricians at +31.0%; by openings, California (8,650 a year), Texas (8,100 a year), Florida (5,920 a year) lead. 51 states publish a figure for this occupation.
| State | Jobs, 2024 | Projected, 2034 | Change | Openings per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado | 18,050 | 23,640 | +31.0% | 2,340 |
| Idaho | 10,850 | 14,020 | +29.2% | 1,380 |
| Arizona | 23,160 | 29,090 | +25.6% | 2,820 |
| Tennessee | 19,840 | 24,290 | +22.4% | 2,330 |
| Wyoming | 2,980 | 3,640 | +22.1% | 350 |
| Utah | 12,240 | 14,860 | +21.5% | 1,420 |
| Florida | 52,340 | 62,470 | +19.4% | 5,920 |
| Montana | 3,160 | 3,740 | +18.6% | 350 |
| Delaware | 2,420 | 2,870 | +18.5% | 270 |
| Nevada | 8,980 | 10,510 | +17.0% | 980 |
| Rhode Island | 2,620 | 3,050 | +16.6% | 280 |
| Nebraska | 6,920 | 8,010 | +15.7% | 750 |
| South Dakota | 3,090 | 3,580 | +15.7% | 330 |
| North Dakota | 3,270 | 3,780 | +15.4% | 350 |
| Arkansas | 9,430 | 10,860 | +15.2% | 1,010 |
| Wisconsin | 13,790 | 15,870 | +15.1% | 1,470 |
| California | 81,000 | 93,100 | +14.9% | 8,650 |
| Georgia | 21,950 | 25,220 | +14.9% | 2,340 |
| Texas | 76,440 | 87,460 | +14.4% | 8,100 |
| Mississippi | 6,180 | 7,070 | +14.3% | 650 |
| Minnesota | 14,270 | 16,150 | +13.2% | 1,490 |
| New Jersey | 16,470 | 18,570 | +12.7% | 1,710 |
| New Mexico | 5,570 | 6,270 | +12.7% | 580 |
| District of Columbia | 2,130 | 2,390 | +12.5% | 220 |
| Connecticut | 8,500 | 9,530 | +12.1% | 870 |
| Iowa | 8,420 | 9,440 | +12.1% | 860 |
| Oregon | 10,810 | 12,120 | +12.1% | 1,110 |
| Alabama | 10,930 | 12,210 | +11.7% | 1,120 |
| Maryland | 14,910 | 16,640 | +11.6% | 1,520 |
| Massachusetts | 17,570 | 19,610 | +11.6% | 1,790 |
| South Carolina | 9,560 | 10,620 | +11.1% | 970 |
| North Carolina | 25,830 | 28,510 | +10.4% | 2,590 |
| Louisiana | 11,920 | 13,150 | +10.3% | 1,190 |
| Hawaii | 3,400 | 3,750 | +10.2% | 340 |
| New Hampshire | 3,720 | 4,100 | +10.0% | 370 |
| Vermont | 1,610 | 1,770 | +9.9% | 160 |
| Indiana | 18,090 | 19,860 | +9.8% | 1,800 |
| Illinois | 23,990 | 26,320 | +9.7% | 2,380 |
| Kansas | 6,190 | 6,780 | +9.6% | 610 |
| Virginia | 25,480 | 27,820 | +9.2% | 2,560 |
| Oklahoma | 9,380 | 10,230 | +9.1% | 920 |
| Pennsylvania | 23,970 | 25,900 | +8.1% | 2,320 |
| Ohio | 30,220 | 32,560 | +7.8% | 2,920 |
| Missouri | 17,740 | 18,920 | +6.7% | 1,680 |
| Washington | 24,640 | 26,240 | +6.5% | 2,490 |
| West Virginia | 4,590 | 4,870 | +6.2% | 430 |
| Michigan | 26,240 | 27,710 | +5.6% | 2,450 |
| Kentucky | 11,190 | 11,620 | +3.9% | 1,020 |
| Maine | 3,700 | 3,840 | +3.8% | 340 |
| New York | 44,520 | 46,000 | +3.3% | 4,020 |
| Alaska | 1,820 | 1,850 | +2.1% | 160 |
Source: state labor market information agencies via Projections Central, 2024–2034 projections. State base counts include the self-employed, so they run higher than the BLS survey count above.
Compare electrician pay with other trades
Questions this page answers
How much do electricians make an hour?
Hourly pay runs from about $20.50 at the 10th percentile to $52.17 at the 90th, with a median of $30.38. Overtime, per-diem and union fringe benefits are not included in these figures.
What does a starting or apprentice electrician make?
Entry-level pay sits near the bottom of the distribution: roughly $20.50 to $23.76 an hour ($42,640 to $49,430 a year). Registered apprentices usually start at a fixed percentage of the local journeyman rate and step up every six to twelve months.
Which state pays electricians the most?
Oregon had the highest median at $48.71 an hour in May 2025, followed by Illinois ($47.87) and Hawaii ($46.38). Adjusted for cost of living the order changes; see the state table.
Are electrician wages going up?
In today's dollars the median electrician wage changed by -10.3% over the last ten years of data (CPI-adjusted). The nominal median rose from $24.94 to $30.38.
Is electrician a good career?
By the numbers: median pay of $63,190 a year, a 90th percentile of $108,510, projected growth of +9.2% and about 72,700 openings a year. Whether it fits you depends on the work itself; this site only reports the pay and demand data.
Are electrician jobs growing?
The BLS employer survey counted 757,220 electricians in May 2025, +27.9% compared with ten years earlier and +10.0% since 2019. Looking ahead, BLS projects +9.2% growth over 2025-35 with about 72,700 openings a year, most of them replacing people who leave the occupation.
Which states will need the most electricians?
By projected annual openings, the state agencies' figures put California (8,650 a year, +14.9% growth), Texas (8,100 a year, +14.4% growth), Florida (5,920 a year, +19.4% growth) at the top. Every state's projection is in the outlook table above.
Where are electricians most concentrated?
Relative to the size of each state's workforce, Wyoming has the highest concentration at 2.2× the national share, then North Dakota (1.7×) and Idaho (1.4×). The largest absolute job counts are usually in the most populous states; see the map above.
Sources and notes
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, SOC 47-2111 (Electricians). Wages exclude overtime and benefits; job counts are survey estimates and exclude the self-employed.
- Inflation adjustment: BLS CPI-U annual averages, 2025 base.
- Cost-of-living adjustment: BEA Regional Price Parities, all items, 2024.
- Prevailing wage: SAM.gov Davis-Bacon wage determinations, current revisions. Not the official determination.
- BLS Employment Projections, national, 2025-35 (Tables 1.2, 1.10 and 1.12). Public-domain data; Skilled Wages is not affiliated with BLS.
- State projections: state labor market information agencies via Projections Central (Projections Managing Partnership), 2024–2034, fetched 2026-10-05. State figures include the self-employed.