State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
Electrician Salary (2026): Data, Outlook & How to Become One
The median pay for Electricians is $63,190 a year ($30.38/hr), according to BLS OEWS, May 2025. Employment is projected to grow 9.5% through 2034, with about 81,000 openings a year (BLS EP, 2024–2034). Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
SOC 47-2111Construction and ExtractionLast updated August 23, 2026
- Median pay
- $63,190
- Projected growth
- +9.5%
- Openings a year
- 81,000
- Typical education
- High school
BLS OEWS, May 2025
BLS EP, 2024–2034
BLS EP, 2024–2034
BLS EP, 2024–2034
Also advertised as: Control Electrician, Electrical Journey Person, Electrical Troubleshooter, Electrician, Housing Maintenance Electrician, Industrial Electrician.
How much do Electricians make?
10th percentile$42,640
Entry / lowest-paid tenth
25th percentile$49,430
Lower quartile
Median (50th)$63,190
Half earn more, half earn less
75th percentile$83,940
Upper quartile
90th percentile$108,510
Top-paid tenth
| Median annual wage | $63,190 |
|---|---|
| Median hourly wage | $30.38/hr |
| Mean annual wage | $71,490 |
| People employed | 757,220 |
Versus all US occupations
At $63,190, Electricians earn 24% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $12,210 a year.
Versus construction and extraction occupations
Inside the Construction and Extraction group, where the middle occupation pays $57,430, this is 10% above the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $108,510 or more while the bottom 10% earn $42,640, a gap of 2.5×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 48% of the 923 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Cost of living
Oregon posts the highest raw median ($101,310), but once local prices are taken into account Illinois leads at $99,602 in national-average dollars.
Which states pay Electricians the most?
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oregon | $101,310 | $98,016 | 10,590 |
| Illinois | $99,560 | $99,602 | 23,120 |
| Hawaii | $96,460 | $87,730 | 3,070 |
| Washington | $95,220 | $88,980 | 19,380 |
| Alaska | $89,440 | $87,379 | 1,870 |
| Massachusetts | $79,420 | $75,097 | 17,810 |
| District of Columbia | $78,970 | $71,856 | 2,440 |
| New York | $78,750 | $72,970 | 40,130 |
| Minnesota | $78,160 | $79,253 | 14,350 |
| Connecticut | $77,540 | $74,838 | 7,710 |
Is Electrician a growing career?
Electricians9.5%
All US occupations3.1%
+9.5% projected growth vs 3.1% for all occupations.
Much faster than average
BLS projects employment of Electricians to change 9.5% over 2024–2034, roughly 3.1× the 3.1% projected for all occupations. That is 77,400 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 81,000 openings are projected each year, 9.9% of the 818,700 jobs that existed in 2024. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Nearly every building has electricity. Electricians are needed to install and replace these power systems. Alternative power generation, such as solar and wind, is a growing field that should require more electricians for installation. Electricians will continue to be needed to link these alternative systems to homes and power grids over the projections decade. However, employment growth stemming from these alternative sources may depend on government provisions, such as credits, net metering, and tax incentives, that spur consumer demand by lowering installation costs.
How to become an Electrician
There is no single national electrician license. Most states require electricians to pass an exam and hold a state license, and many cities and counties license separately, so the practical gate is completing a 4- or 5-year apprenticeship and then passing the licensing exam where you intend to work.
The credential path, step by step
- Finish high school or an equivalent
A high school diploma or equivalent is required. Some people first attend a technical school for circuitry, safety practices and basic electrical coursework; graduates usually receive credit toward their apprenticeship.
- Get accepted into an apprenticeshipApplication and selection vary by local program
Apply to a local IBEW/NECA program run through the electrical training ALLIANCE, or to another apprenticeship registered with the U.S. Department of Labor. Unions and contractor associations sponsor most programs; some contractors run their own training that is not a recognized apprenticeship.
- Complete the apprenticeship4-5 years
Work as a paid apprentice while taking technical instruction in electrical theory, blueprint reading, mathematics, code requirements, and safety and first aid. Expect about 2,000 hours of on-the-job training per year.
- Pass your state or local licensing exam
After the apprenticeship you are considered a journey worker and may work on your own, subject to the license your state or locality requires. The exam covers the National Electrical Code plus state and local codes.
- Work toward master electrician
After meeting additional requirements and working as a qualified electrician, journey workers may advance to master electrician; the added experience and exam requirements are set by the licensing jurisdiction.
Exams you have to pass
State or local electrician licensing examination
Taken after the apprenticeship to work unsupervised at journey level. Questions cover the National Electrical Code plus the state and local electrical codes that govern safe installation of wiring and equipment. The exam and the qualifying requirements are set by each jurisdiction, not nationally.
Administered by State or local electrical licensing board.
- Program accreditation
Apprenticeships registered with the U.S. Department of Labor are the standard entry path: you are paid from day one, receive progressive wage increases and classroom instruction, and finish with a nationally recognized credential. Registration is what makes the completion credential portable between employers and states.
- How long the training takes
4-5 years
Most apprenticeships run 4 or 5 years, with roughly 2,000 hours of paid on-the-job training per year plus technical instruction. Prior electrical experience from the military or construction may shorten the program, subject to testing.
- Continuing education
Set by each state
Electricians may be required to take continuing education to maintain a license, usually covering safety practices, changes to the electrical code, and manufacturer training on specific products. Whether it is required, and how much, is set by the licensing state or locality.
Licensing and state variation
Licensed state by state
Most states require electricians to pass a test and be licensed, and requirements vary by state; apprenticeship requirements also vary by state and locality. Many places license at city or county level in addition to the state, and the electrical training ALLIANCE notes that each state's certification exam is unique and that the qualifications for an electrician's license vary. Journey workers may perform work on their own only subject to local or state licensing rules.
Who governs the credential
- electrical training ALLIANCE — Joint training program of the National Electrical Contractors Association and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (previously called the NJATC) that developed the uniform apprenticeship standards and curriculum used by hundreds of local IBEW/NECA programs nationwide.
- International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) — Co-sponsors, with the National Electrical Contractors Association, the local joint apprenticeship programs delivered through the electrical training ALLIANCE.
- National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) — The contractor side of the IBEW/NECA joint apprenticeship partnership that funds and sponsors local training programs.
- U.S. Department of Labor Registered Apprenticeship (Apprenticeship.gov) — Registers apprenticeship programs, which pair a paid job and mentored on-the-job learning with classroom instruction and end in a portable, nationally recognized credential.
Credential detail for electricians is researched by hand from the bodies that issue it, not derived from BLS or O*NET. Sources last checked August 23, 2026. Requirements change: confirm with your own state board before enrolling in anything.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook — Electricians, How to Become One · checked August 23, 2026
- electrical training ALLIANCE — About Us · checked August 23, 2026
- Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) — Career Seekers: What is Registered Apprenticeship? · checked August 23, 2026
What the federal data says
Most electricians learn through an apprenticeship, but some start out by attending a technical school. Most states require electricians to be licensed. For more information, contact your local or state electrical licensing board.
| Typical entry-level education | High school diploma or equivalent |
|---|---|
| Preparation needed (O*NET job zone) | Some preparation |
| Work experience in a related occupation | None |
| Typical on-the-job training | Apprenticeship |
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as electricians.
- Post-Secondary Certificate61.7%
- High School Diploma30.6%
- Less than a High School Diploma2.3%
- Some College Courses2.3%
- Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)1.8%
What does an Electrician do?
Install, maintain, and repair electrical wiring, equipment, and fixtures. Ensure that work is in accordance with relevant codes. May install or service street lights, intercom systems, or electrical control systems.
Electricians install, maintain, and repair electrical power, communications, lighting, and control systems in homes, businesses, and factories.
Day-to-day tasks
- Prepare sketches or follow blueprints to determine the location of wiring or equipment and to ensure conformance to building and safety codes.
- Place conduit, pipes, or tubing, inside designated partitions, walls, or other concealed areas, and pull insulated wires or cables through the conduit to complete circuits between boxes.
- Work from ladders, scaffolds, or roofs to install, maintain, or repair electrical wiring, equipment, or fixtures.
- Use a variety of tools or equipment, such as power construction equipment, measuring devices, power tools, and testing equipment, such as oscilloscopes, ammeters, or test lamps.
- Assemble, install, test, or maintain electrical or electronic wiring, equipment, appliances, apparatus, or fixtures, using hand tools or power tools.
- Test electrical systems or continuity of circuits in electrical wiring, equipment, or fixtures, using testing devices, such as ohmmeters, voltmeters, or oscilloscopes, to ensure compatibility and safety of system.
- Repair or replace wiring, equipment, or fixtures, using hand tools or power tools.
- Plan layout and installation of electrical wiring, equipment, or fixtures, based on job specifications and local codes.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Almost all electricians work full time. Work schedules may include evenings and weekends. Overtime is common.
Self-employed electricians often work in residential construction and may be able to set their own schedule.
Where the work happens
- Outdoors in all weather at least weekly
Physical demands
- On their feet more than half the working day
- Regular bending or twisting
Working with people
- Constant contact with other people
- Face-to-face discussions every day
Pressure and stakes
- Meeting strict deadlines at least weekly
Autonomy
- A lot of freedom to make decisions without checking first
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2024–2034 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey, showing only the signals people in the job report decisively one way or the other.
Where electricians work
| Electrical contractors and other wiring installation contractors | 65% |
|---|---|
| Self-employed workers | 8% |
| Manufacturing | 6% |
| Employment services | 3% |
| Government, excluding state and local education and hospitals | 3% |
BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2024–2034 edition.
Core skills
- Active Listening3.4/5
- Speaking3.4/5
- Critical Thinking3.4/5
- Active Learning3.3/5
- Reading Comprehension3.1/5
- Monitoring3.1/5
- Writing3.0/5
- Mathematics3.0/5
Transferable skills
- Troubleshooting4.0/5
- Repairing3.5/5
- Installation3.3/5
- Quality Control Analysis3.3/5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.3/5
- Coordination3.1/5
- Complex Problem Solving3.1/5
- Operations Monitoring3.1/5
Tools and software
- Computer aided design CAD software · in demand
- Document management software · in demand
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Operating system software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Accounting software
- Analytical or scientific software
- Data base user interface and query software
- Industrial control software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
What personality type suits an Electrician?
Interest profile: O*NET Occupational Interests, scored 1–7
Realisticprimary7.0
Investigative2.7
Artistic1.2
Social1.3
Enterprising1.8
Conventionalprimary4.1
Day to day this is work built around hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors, combined with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data.
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Electrician: frequently asked questions
How much do Electricians make?
Electricians earn a median of $63,190 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), 24% above the $50,980 US median across all occupations. That works out at $30.38/hr. The middle half earn between $49,430 and $83,940. The top 10% earn $108,510 or more.
Do you need a degree to become an Electrician?
No. A bachelor's degree is not the norm: BLS reports a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry-level education for Electricians. BLS also lists apprenticeship as typical on-the-job training. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 61.7% hold post-secondary certificate.
Is Electrician a growing career?
Yes, strongly. Employment is projected to grow 9.5% over 2024–2034, more than double the 3.1% projected for all occupations (BLS EP, 2024–2034). BLS still projects about 81,000 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does an Electrician do?
Electricians install, maintain, and repair electrical power, communications, lighting, and control systems in homes, businesses, and factories. A core O*NET task: prepare sketches or follow blueprints to determine the location of wiring or equipment and to ensure conformance to building and safety codes. Employers most often ask for Computer aided design CAD software, Document management software, Electronic mail software.
Which states pay Electricians the most?
The highest state medians for Electricians are Oregon ($101,310), Illinois ($99,560), Hawaii ($96,460) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Adjusted for local prices using BEA Regional Price Parities, Illinois moves to the top at $99,602.
What personality type suits an Electrician?
O*NET scores Electricians highest on the Realistic and Conventional interest areas, so the work mixes hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping that lines up most closely with ISTJ personalities. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 923 occupations in the bank.
How long does it take to become an Electrician?
4-5 years. Most apprenticeships run 4 or 5 years, with roughly 2,000 hours of paid on-the-job training per year plus technical instruction. Prior electrical experience from the military or construction may shorten the program, subject to testing.
Do you need a license to work as an Electrician?
Yes, and it is issued by the state you work in, not nationally. Most states require electricians to pass a test and be licensed, and requirements vary by state; apprenticeship requirements also vary by state and locality. Many places license at city or county level in addition to the state, and the electrical training ALLIANCE notes that each state's certification exam is unique and that the qualifications for an electrician's license vary. Journey workers may perform work on their own only subject to local or state licensing rules.
What exams do you have to pass to become an Electrician?
The State or local electrician licensing examination. Taken after the apprenticeship to work unsupervised at journey level. Questions cover the National Electrical Code plus the state and local electrical codes that govern safe installation of wiring and equipment. The exam and the qualifying requirements are set by each jurisdiction, not nationally.