How to Become a Electrician
Electricians earn a median salary of $63,190/year in the United States. Most positions require High school diploma or equivalent. Job growth is projected at 9.5% over the next decade. The highest-paying states include Oregon, Illinois, Hawaii.
Where Electricians have the most money left over after rent
Median pay minus estimated federal + state + FICA taxes, minus 12 months of rent at HUD's 2-bedroom Fair Market Rent. Darker green means more money left over each year. Hover any state for the breakdown.
View map data as a table
| State | Median (nominal) | Rent/mo (2BR) | Left after rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois | $100K | $1,407 | $57K |
| Oregon | $101K | $1,555 | $53K |
| Washington | $95K | $1,830 | $53K |
| Alaska | $89K | $1,643 | $52K |
| Wyoming | $76K | $1,008 | $50K |
| Montana | $77K | $1,129 | $45K |
| Wisconsin | $77K | $1,202 | $45K |
| Michigan | $76K | $1,272 | $44K |
| Minnesota | $78K | $1,384 | $43K |
| Hawaii | $96K | $2,240 | $42K |
| Maine | $75K | $1,281 | $42K |
| Nevada | $74K | $1,501 | $42K |
| Indiana | $68K | $1,144 | $41K |
| North Dakota | $66K | $1,034 | $41K |
| Rhode Island | $74K | $1,544 | $40K |
| Kansas | $66K | $1,066 | $39K |
| Missouri | $65K | $1,097 | $39K |
| Ohio | $65K | $1,188 | $39K |
| South Dakota | $61K | $1,017 | $39K |
| West Virginia | $65K | $1,008 | $39K |
| Connecticut | $78K | $1,679 | $39K |
| Pennsylvania | $68K | $1,351 | $38K |
| New York | $79K | $1,917 | $37K |
| Tennessee | $61K | $1,215 | $37K |
| Idaho | $63K | $1,136 | $36K |
| Oklahoma | $61K | $1,081 | $36K |
| Iowa | $61K | $1,064 | $35K |
| Louisiana | $62K | $1,191 | $35K |
| Maryland | $73K | $1,795 | $35K |
| Mississippi | $61K | $1,077 | $35K |
| Nebraska | $61K | $1,113 | $35K |
| New Jersey | $77K | $2,067 | $35K |
| District of Columbia | $79K | $2,146 | $34K |
| Kentucky | $60K | $1,110 | $34K |
| New Hampshire | $63K | $1,528 | $34K |
| New Mexico | $58K | $1,119 | $34K |
| Delaware | $64K | $1,448 | $33K |
| Utah | $62K | $1,350 | $33K |
| Vermont | $63K | $1,498 | $33K |
| Massachusetts | $79K | $2,347 | $32K |
| South Carolina | $59K | $1,263 | $32K |
| Texas | $59K | $1,415 | $32K |
| Arizona | $61K | $1,437 | $32K |
| Alabama | $56K | $1,085 | $31K |
| North Carolina | $57K | $1,284 | $30K |
| Virginia | $63K | $1,646 | $30K |
| Georgia | $58K | $1,434 | $29K |
| California | $76K | $2,471 | $29K |
| Florida | $57K | $1,658 | $28K |
| Colorado | $62K | $1,832 | $27K |
| Arkansas | $49K | $1,021 | $27K |
Education and training
Most electricians enter the trade through a formal apprenticeship, which combines classroom instruction with paid on-the-job training over 4-5 years. Apprenticeships are offered by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) union, independent electrical contractor associations (IEC), and some community colleges.
During the apprenticeship, you work as a paid employee earning 40-60% of a journeyman's wage, increasing as you advance. By year 4-5, you're earning 80-90% of full journeyman pay while completing your training hours. This is the single biggest financial advantage of the trades over college: you're being paid to learn instead of paying to learn.
Some electricians start with a certificate or associate degree in electrical technology from a trade school or community college (9-24 months), then enter an apprenticeship with advanced standing. Others go straight from high school into an apprenticeship. A high school diploma or GED is the minimum requirement for most programs.
Classroom work covers electrical theory, blueprint reading, the National Electrical Code (NEC), mathematics, safety practices, and first aid. The hands-on component covers residential wiring, commercial systems, industrial controls, fire alarm systems, and increasingly, solar and EV charging installation.
Licensing and certification
Electricians are licensed at the state or local level in every state. The specific requirements vary, but the general structure is: complete an apprenticeship or equivalent combination of education and experience, then pass a licensing exam.
Most states have two or three license tiers. A journeyman electrician license (the standard working credential) requires 8,000 hours of supervised experience (roughly 4 years full-time) and passing a written exam on the National Electrical Code. A master electrician license requires additional experience (typically 2-4 more years as a journeyman) plus a harder exam, and allows you to pull permits and run jobs independently.
Some states also offer specialty licenses for low-voltage work, fire alarm systems, or residential-only electrical. These have lower hour requirements and narrower scope of practice.
Continuing education is required in most states for license renewal, typically 12-24 hours every renewal cycle (1-3 years), focused on NEC updates, safety, and new technologies.
What the day-to-day looks like
Residential electricians wire new construction homes and renovate existing electrical systems. The work is varied, one day you're running Romex through studs in a framed house, the next you're troubleshooting a panel upgrade in a 1960s ranch. Most residential electricians work for contractors and move between job sites.
Commercial electricians work on office buildings, retail spaces, hospitals, and schools. The systems are larger, the conduit work is more complex, and the codes are stricter. Commercial jobs tend to be longer and more predictable than residential.
Industrial electricians maintain and repair electrical systems in factories, plants, and large facilities. This often involves PLC programming, motor controls, and high-voltage systems. Industrial work typically pays the most and requires the most specialized knowledge.
Physically, the work requires standing, bending, climbing ladders, working in tight spaces, and carrying materials. Not a desk job. Most electricians work 40-hour weeks, but overtime is common on tight construction schedules, and overtime pay (time-and-a-half) significantly boosts annual earnings above the hourly median.
Career progression
Apprentice (years 1-5): Learning the trade. Pay increases annually, starting around $35K-$45K and reaching $50K-$60K by the end. You work under the supervision of a journeyman or master.
Journeyman (years 5-10): Licensed and independent. You can work on any project within your license scope. Median pay nationally is $61K, but varies enormously by state and union status, from $47K in Mississippi to $82K in Illinois. Union journeymen in major metros can earn $90K-$100K+ with benefits.
Master electrician (years 8-15+): You can pull permits, bid on jobs, supervise other electricians, and operate your own business. Master electricians who run their own shops have uncapped earning potential, successful one-person operations gross $100K-$150K, and multi-person shops significantly more.
Specializations that command premium pay: solar/PV installation, EV charging infrastructure, low-voltage/data cabling, fire alarm systems, and industrial controls. These are growing fields where demand outpaces supply.
Salary progression
Highest paying states
| State | Median salary | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon | $101K | 10,590 |
| Illinois | $100K | 23,120 |
| Hawaii | $96K | 3,070 |
| Washington | $95K | 19,380 |
| Alaska | $89K | 1,870 |
| Massachusetts | $79K | 17,810 |
| District of Columbia | $79K | 2,440 |
| New York | $79K | 40,130 |
| Minnesota | $78K | 14,350 |
| Connecticut | $78K | 7,710 |
Where the jobs are
The highest-paying state for electricianss is Oregon at $101,310/year, that's $38,120 above the national median. But higher pay often comes with higher costs. Before assuming the top-paying state is the best financial move, check the full affordability breakdown for Oregon.
The pay gap between the highest and lowest-paying states is $52,240. That spread sounds dramatic, but cost-of-living differences offset much of it. A electricians making $49,070 in Arkansas may have more purchasing power than one making $101,310 in Oregon if rent and local prices differ enough.
By employment volume, the states with the most electricians jobs are Texas (76,770 workers), California (73,310 workers), Florida (49,700 workers). High employment numbers mean more job openings, more employer competition for talent, and usually more leverage when negotiating salary. States with fewer workers in the field may pay less but also have less competition for positions.
For the full state-by-state comparison with salary percentiles, cost-of-living adjustment, and rent affordability for electricianss, see the complete salary data page.
Salary negotiation
Unionized electricians don't negotiate individual wages, pay is set by the collective bargaining agreement and increases with classification and tenure. The union's negotiation power is the reason union electricians typically earn 15-25% more than non-union.
Non-union electricians have more room for individual negotiation. The strongest lever is specialization: an electrician who can do both standard electrical and solar/EV work is significantly more valuable than one who does only traditional wiring. Certifications (OSHA 30, solar installer, EV charger certified) demonstrate this breadth.
For electricians considering going independent: the hourly rate you charge as a contractor should be roughly 2.5-3x your hourly wage as an employee, to cover insurance, truck expenses, tools, taxes, and gaps between jobs. If the journeyman rate in your area is $35/hour, your contracting rate should be $85-$105/hour.
What the data doesn't tell you
BLS salary data for electricians underreports actual earnings for the same reason it does for nurses: overtime, premium pay, and side jobs don't show up in the median. An electrician with a reported $61K median salary who works 5-10 hours of overtime per week at time-and-a-half, plus picks up side jobs on weekends, can realistically W-2 at $75K-$90K. The reported number is the floor, not the ceiling.
See the full salary picture
Percentile breakdown, cost of living, rent burden, and purchasing power for electricianss in every metro.
View Electricians salaries →Frequently asked questions
How much does a electricians make?▼
The median electricians salary in the United States is $63,190 per year ($30/hour). Entry-level positions start around $42,640, while experienced professionals earn up to $108,510.
What education do you need to become a electrician?▼
Most electricians positions require High school diploma or equivalent. Requirements vary by state and employer. Check with your state's licensing board for specific requirements.
What is the job outlook for electricians?▼
Employment of electricians is projected to grow 9.5% over the next decade, with approximately 7,740 annual openings. This is faster than the average for all occupations.
What are the highest paying states for electricians?▼
The highest paying states for electricians are Oregon ($101,310), Illinois ($99,560), Hawaii ($96,460), Washington ($95,220), Alaska ($89,440). Salaries vary significantly by location due to cost of living and local demand.