Electrician Salaries in 2024: How Much Do Electricians Make?
Published on: 9th December, 2024
While you might be wondering ‘how much do electricians make?’– here we’re with the answer to that question. Electricians make quite a competitive salary in the current market climate.
- The per-hour wages of electricians in the US are over $28.87 per hour.
- In 2021, the yearly median of a US electrician was around $60,040.
- Electricians in the lowest 10% earn under $37,020 annually, while those in the top 10% make over $99,800 per year.
In this blog, we plan to unveil more of this topic. Instead of giving you a hint on how much do electricians make, we intend to answer questions like ‘How much do they earn by state?’, ‘How much do electricians make a year?’, and ‘How much do electricians make a hour?’, ‘Citywide earning?’, and many others.
Whether you’re considering a career as an electrician or just curious about the earning potential in this field, we’ve got you covered. Let’s explore the economic condition of this profession.
Worldwide Overview of Electricians' Salary
The electrician's job is quite demanding and growing in almost every part of the world. Their necessity is inevitable.
Makes more sense when you see that they have a good weighted annual salary. However, the earnings vary based on several factors. Location is an important factor among those. What a sub-continent country offers to its electricians– you cannot expect the same in a country of Europe or America. There’s a good fluctuation.
Let’s have a better overview.
- The average electrician gross salary in Argentina is approximately $33,160 per year, with an hourly rate of about $15.94.
- In Brazil, the average electrician earns around $17,100 annually or about $8.29 per hour.
- Industrial Electricians in Canada make an average of approximately $49,800 per year.
- In Australia, the median annual salary for Industrial Electricians is about $54,600.
- The average hourly wage for Industrial Electricians in Germany is roughly $19.30.
- In South Africa, Industrial Electricians earn an average of about $12,400 annually or more to some extent.
- In Japan, the average annual salary for Industrial Electricians is approximately $33,700.
- The starting salary for Industrial Electricians in India is around $2,900 per year.
- The average electrician gross salary in the Czech Republic is about $29,500 annually or $14.20 per hour.
- In the Netherlands, electricians earn an average salary of approximately $64,200 per year, with an hourly rate of around $31.25, plus an average bonus of $2,290.
Now it would be confusing to answer why how much do electricians make varies. In developed countries, like Canada, Australia, and the Netherlands, electricians can expect solid earnings that reflect both their skills and the importance of their work.
Meanwhile, in emerging economies, such as Brazil and India, while the salaries might be lower in absolute terms, they are still competitive within their local job markets.
Electrician Salary by States
According to Forbes, the cost to hire an electrician can range between $50 to $150 per hour or even more based on the state they are residing. Also, the cost is likely to be influenced by other factors like home size, project complexity, and the skill level of the electrician hired.
Let’s have a better insight into the statewide earnings of an electrician. That would give you a better overview.
The entry/apprentice level salaries for electricians are in the 10th percentile of the salary distribution, and the master electrician salaries are typically found in the 90th percentile.
This salary by state shows that some states, like New Jersey, Washington, and California, offer some of the highest average salaries—Master Electricians earn over $100,000 annually—while states like Mississippi, Florida, and Arkansas are at the lowest end.
Furthermore, the above data indicates that an electrician's income around the US can range from around $38,000 to over $120,000.
Source: The data above is aggregated from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Citywide Electricians Salaries
Now that we know about the average electricians salary, let’s have an insight into the top-paying cities.
Highest Paying Cities
These are the highest-paying cities around the US.
Non-metropolitan Regions with the Highest Pay
Some cities outside the metropolitan areas are also paying quite handsome payments to their electricians. Let’s have an outlook on the non-metropolitan regions with the highest pay.
How much do electricians make based on experience levels?
Out of all the factors, it's clear that location and experience level have the highest impact on the electrician's salary. The Bureau of Labor Statistics’ National Compensation Survey might demonstrate that statement more clearly.
Factors Influencing the Electrician Salaries
We have already talked about the location and experience level factors that influence a lot in deciding an electrician's salary. What other factors influence this?
Specialized industry
Electricians working in specialized industries such as industrial, commercial, or high-voltage electrical systems may earn higher wages due to the advanced skills required.
Economic climate of the neighborhood
The local economic conditions and demand for electricians in a given area can impact salaries, with higher wages often found in economically prosperous regions.
Complexity of the job
The complexity and scope of the electrical work required can influence pay. More intricate or hazardous jobs typically command higher rates.
Unionization
Electricians who are members of a union may benefit from better pay rates and additional benefits compared to non-unionized workers.
Certifications, training, and education
Additional certifications or advanced training can enhance an electrician’s qualifications, potentially leading to higher salaries.
Contract type
Electricians working on a contract or freelance basis might have different earning potentials compared to those with full-time, salaried positions.
Company size and industry reputation
Larger companies or those with a strong reputation may offer higher salaries and better benefits.
Electrician Salaries Vs Other Careers– Market Outlook
According to different reports average electrician salary is a bit more than what HVAC technicians make and a bit lower than what plumbers make.
It is also a higher-paying job than solar panel installers which is trending right now. The average salary of a solar panel installer is around $47,670 per year. While electricians' average is $60,040 (reports from BLS)– that is approximately 25.95% higher.
The prediction is that the electrician job industry will start to grow rapidly after this fiscal year– 6% industry growth is expected within 2032. Over this decade alone 84,700 jobs are expected to grow per year.
Right now California has the highest job offering in the electrician industry among all the states.
How much do electricians make based on education level?
Education does have a vital role in an electrician's salary range. Though it isn't as central as in many other careers.
A fresher electrician has a salary range of $21K to $56K while a journeyman electrician’s range is $43.1K to $73.2K on average. Not only does experience play a role here– education has also something to do with this salary range fluctuations.
Reports show almost every journeyman electrician has a diploma degree while freshers do not.
Electricians can pursue formal education, ranging from trade school certifications to advanced degrees. However, the highest earners tend to have completed a two-year associate degree or have attended some college courses. Surprisingly, those with bachelor’s degrees fall slightly behind in earnings compared to this group.
In fact, electricians with a master’s degree do not significantly out-earn their counterparts with less formal education. It's just an indication that hands-on experience and skill development often outweigh academic qualifications in this field.
In essence, while education can help boost an electrician's salary, practical experience remains the more significant factor in determining income.
How much do electricians make: Commercial vs Industrial Electricians
Commercial and industrial electricians work in different settings. So their salary is also likely to be different from each other.
Commercial electricians operate in offices and stores, while industrial electricians are found in factories and similar locations. Now the big money question– Who earns more?
In 2018, industrial electricians earned more, with an average salary of $67,269 compared to commercial electricians. The later individuals had an earning of $61,139. But by 2022, the roles reversed—commercial electricians earned $65,398, while industrial electricians saw their average drop drastically to $59,304.
Advanced tools play a role too. Electricians using more complex equipment often command higher pay due to the skills and risks involved.
Electricians Jobs Portfolio
There are many electrician job types. Based on their specialty. Their task is not just limited to installing and repairing electrical systems. Based on their specialties and job type– tasks include maintenance, troubleshooting, and ensuring safety compliance across various industries.
Here’s a breakdown of average electrician salaries across various industries:
- Iron, Steel, and Ferroalloy Manufacturing: $60,000
- Electricians in Natural Gas Distribution Industry: $104,920
- Coal Mining: $75,500
- Local Government (excluding schools and hospitals): $73,840
- Metal Ore Mining: $71,340
- Utility System Construction: $69,440
- Nonresidential Building Construction: $63,040
- Building Equipment Contractors: $62,680
- Ship and Boat Building: $55,250
- Promoters of Events: $101,740
FAQs
The lowest a licensed electrician can earn is around $31,000. In the current market climate, the highest one can earn is $110,000 or even more based on different factors. Reports say the average hourly rate of licensed electricians around the regions of Washington, Vancouver, and others is about $43.25. That is quite sound and high.
Definitely, an electrician can earn six figures. But with a lot of hard and smart work. The best way might be to start your own company. Aside from that, it’ll take time. As you gain experience and more training– eventually you will be reputed for your work as a good electrician. Though location and a few other factors play an important role here.
Most entry-level electricians make around $38,000 per year. The value might deviate to a certain range based on the place you’re living and the complexity of the work. The company you have been working with also plays a huge role.
In most states, you can start as an electrician apprentice without prior training. It usually takes about two to three years of work experience and schooling to become a journeyman electrician.
Electricians typically work 8 to 10 hours a day. That’s a weekly total of 40 to 50 hours.