Electrician salary can vary depending on various factors such as location, experience, industry, and specialization. However, electricians generally earn a competitive salary, making it an attractive career choice. They can earn an average hourly wage ranging from $20 to $40 per hour, with the average annual salary for an electrician in the US being around $55,000 to $60,000. With additional training and experience, electricians can earn higher wages and take on more specialized roles in the industry.
This electrician prices list has an extensive overview of electrician salaries including factors that affect how much they are paid. You’ll also get to know the amount to expect at different levels.
Whether just starting or looking to advance your career, this guide has everything you need to make informed decisions about your future.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median electrician’s yearly salary was $60,040 by May 2021. However, the salaries may vary according to location, level of experience, and industry.
For example, electricians in metropolitan areas earn more than those working in remote places. Similarly, electricians with more experience and advanced certifications earn higher incomes than those just starting out.
Overall, electricians are compensated for their experience and expertise.
Journeyman Electrician Salary vs. Master Electrician Salary
Journeyman and master electricians are both skilled professionals in the electrician industry. However, they have significant differences in education, experience, and job responsibilities. These differences are reflected in their salaries.
Journeyman electricians complete a formal apprenticeship program and pass a licensing exam. They have a broad knowledge of electrical systems including:
- Installation
- Repair
- Troubleshooting
- Maintenance
Journeyman electricians are supervised by their master counterparts. Their roles include installing and maintaining electrical systems in residential and commercial properties. According to Salary.com, the average journeyman electrician was $66,200 by February 2023.
Master electricians have advanced knowledge and skills beyond that of journeyman electricians. They complete additional training and have several years of experience as journeyman electricians. Master electricians oversee and manage work done by others in the field.
Their other roles include:
- Designing electrical systems
- Ensuring compliance with electrical codes and regulations
- Bidding on commercial electrical jobs
- Managing project budget and finances
According to Salary.com, the average electrician foreman salary was $82700 by January 2023.
Overall, journeyman electricians complete apprenticeships and are licensed to work on electrical systems. Master electricians have more advanced knowledge, experience, and responsibilities than journeyman electricians.
So, master electricians typically earn a higher remuneration than journeyman electricians.
Average Electrician Salary in the United States
By March 2023, the average annual pay for electricians in the US was $52,423 annually according to ZipRecruiter. The approximate electrician hourly rate is $25.20, $1,008 per week, or $4,368 monthly.
Here’s an overview of the 10 cities with the highest-paying electrician jobs.
| City | Average hourly rate | Average annual rate |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | $30.22 | $62,849 |
| Diamond Ridge, AK | $30.12 | $62,644 |
| Jackson, WY | $29.99 | $62,384 |
| Oakland, CA | $29.98 | $62,357 |
| New York, NY | $29.92 | $62,229 |
| San Francisco Bay Area, CA | $29.79 | $61,955 |
| San Rafael, CA | $29.60 | $61,577 |
| Vallejo, CA | $29.47 | $61,304 |
| Inverness, CA | $29.45 | $61,253 |
| Hayward, CA | $29.32 | $60,979 |
What Affects an Electrician’s Salary? Understanding Electrical Pay and Hourly Rates
Various factors affect the compensation of electricians including education, training, experience, location, employer, and industry. Where they work, such as a manufacturing company, electrical contractor, or government agency, also determines how much they earn.
Geographical location also affects electricians’ earning potential. Those working in areas with higher costs of living earn more. The particular industry the electrician works for also determines their pay.
Specialized industries such as renewable energy and home automation pay more for requiring specialized knowledge. Sometimes an electrician rate per hour applies. Their earning potential depends on factors such as the use of electrical contractor software for scheduling.
Union Electrician Salary vs. Non-Union Electrician Salary
Union electricians belong to a labor union that negotiates fair wages, benefits, and good working conditions on their behalf.
According to ZipRecruiter, the average remuneration of a union electrician was $26.80 per hour or $55747 annually by March 2023.
However, many union electricians also receive fringe benefits including health insurance, paid leave, and retirement plans that increase their overall compensation package.
Non-union electricians don’t benefit from collective bargaining through a labor union. Their wages are often determined by market forces or the ability to negotiate with an employer. The charges for non-union electricians depend on location, experience, and demand in the local market.
They have the flexibility of negotiating their pay rate. On the flip side, they don’t have the same level of job security or enjoy the same compensation package as union electricians.
The average income of a non-union electrician was about $30.19 per hour or $62,805 annually in the same period.
How Does Experience Affect an Electrician’s Salary?
Experience has a significant impact on the remuneration of an electrician. Gaining more experience in the field comes with acquiring more skills, knowledge, and expertise. All these lead to higher pay.
Let’s see how experience affects the remuneration of an electrician.
Payscale
Electricians are paid according to a pay scale. This includes different levels with each corresponding to particular skills and experience. Most electricians start their careers as apprentices and move up to become journeymen or master electricians.
Gaining more experience moves them up the pay scale with the corresponding raise in gross income.
Job Performance
Experience makes an electrician more proficient and efficient. They complete tasks much more quicker, accurately, and independently. The boost in productivity and better job performance attracts higher pay.
Demonstrating higher quality work and exceeding performance expectations is often rewarded with salary increments, bonuses, or other recognition.
Leadership and Supervisory Roles
Gaining experience makes an electrician take on leadership or supervisory roles such as foreman or project manager. The roles come with extra responsibilities and higher pay. This is because they require coordinating and overseeing work done by other electricians.
Higher roles require managing projects or ensuring compliance with safety regulations and standards.
Specialization
Working in a particular area of electrical work such as renewable energy installation for a long time encourages specialization. It requires additional training, certification, and expertise. These increase the value of the electrician in the market leading to higher wages.
Demand For Skilled Electricians
Locations with a shortage of skilled electricians offer higher compensation for those with experience. Experienced electricians can negotiate higher wages because they possess valuable expertise and experience.
Electrician Apprenticeship Pay: How Much Can You Expect to Earn?
The pay for apprentice electricians can be quite competitive and offers a wonderful starting salary. Apprentices usually receive electrician pay per hour rather than annual compensation. The rate is higher in metropolitan areas where the cost of living is high.
According to ZipRecruiter, an apprentice electrician was earning about $18.83 per hour by March 2023.
Apprentice Electrician Salary: Comparing Union vs. Non-Union Programs
There are significant differences in the remuneration of apprentices in union and non-union programs. Labor unions have apprenticeship programs and offer higher remuneration because of the collective bargaining power.
The union negotiates the income of apprentices with the employers based on factors including experience, job responsibilities, and skill level. Unionized apprentices may also get additional fringe benefits including health insurance and paid time off.
Individual employers and private training programs offer non-union apprenticeship opportunities. The employer or program determines wages based on local market rates, the apprentice’s experience, and its own policy.
These usually offer lower pay because of no collective bargaining power and standardized wage rate. However, non-union programs offer valuable on-job training and opportunities for skills development.
The availability of union and non-union programs depends on location and industry. Union programs offer higher compensation but are subject to union dues that affect take-home pay. Non-union programs offer flexible job opportunities but lack the security and benefits of a union program.
What is the Starting Salary for an Electrician Apprentice?
The average electrician starting salary was about $61,464 annually by March 2023. As the apprentice gains more experience, completes the program, and gets a license, their rates increase.
An electrician apprentice’s starting salary may be modest but dedication, hard work, and experience can build a rewarding and financially lucrative career.
Electrician Cost per Hour: What Factors Influence Pricing?
The pricing model for electricians can vary depending on various factors. From location to experience, skill set to project scope and complexity. Emergency and after-hours services also affect the lineman electrician’s salary per hour.
Electricians usually charge a premium for their availability during weekends and off-peak hours. This is because they have to cancel their regular schedule to attend to clients. The electrician’s cost per hour is also determined by the type of service required, location, and experience.
How Do Electricians Determine Their Rates?
Individual factors such as reputation, customer reviews, and business expenses can determine electrician pricing methods.
Other considerations include:
- Experience and skill level
- The location where the electrician operates
- Type of electrical work performed
- Time and labor for completing the task
- Cost of materials and equipment to do the job
- Need to cover overhead costs
- Level of demand for electrician services
Industrial Electrician Salary: How Does It Compare to Other Specializations?
The estimate of net income for electricians in comparison to other specializations is an important factor when considering a career as an electrician. This gives someone a chance to weigh their options and make informed decisions.
Let’s try to compare the industrial electrician’s salary against other specializations.
Industrial electricians provide electrical services to large-scale manufacturing facilities, power plants, and other industrial settings. They install, maintain, troubleshoot, and repair complex electrical systems and equipment.
They work closely with plumbers on construction and renovation projects. There’s little difference in how much these professionals make.
According to ZipRecruiter, the average annual pay for a master industrial electrician was $76,503 annually by March 2023. Alternatively, the average annual remuneration for an industrial plumber was $52,588 per year.
That of an HVAC technician was $63,428 while construction workers’ earnings were $77,855 annually in the same period. Electrician wage is competitive in the industry and is better than that of plumbers, and HVAC technicians.
Electrical Technician Salary: Exploring the Range of Compensation Packages
Employers offer various compensation packages to attract and retain electricians. These vary according to a range of factors including location, certification, skills, and experience.
Here’s an overview of the compensation packages for electrical technicians.
- Salary – The base compensation of electricians depends on experience and location.
- Overtime fees – Working overtime, after hours, or on emergencies increase overall compensation.
- Bonuses and commissions– Some employers can offer a performance-based bonus to electricians. This may be a percentage of the annual gross income or based on set targets.
- Benefits – Employers also offer benefits packages to electricians. These may include retirement plans, health insurance, paid time off, or other perks.
- Union membership – Membership to a labor union may come with benefits and compensations including higher wages, job security, and retirement plans.
Apprentice vs. Licensed Electrician Salary: Which Offers Better Pay?
Licensed electricians generally earn a higher remuneration than apprentices. This is because licensed electricians have completed the necessary training, passed a certification exam, and gained valuable industry experience. This makes them more valuable to employers.
The electrician’s annual salary for those with a license was $65,609 by March 2023 while apprentice electricians were earning $39,169 per year. Apprentices earn a small stipend because they are training and gaining experience but their net income may vary by apprentice program.
The Impact of Geographic Location on Electrician Salaries
Geographic location has a significant impact on electricians salaries. The cost of living and demand for skilled electricians influence electrician rates. Professionals in urban areas earn more than those in remote locations.
Urban areas have more demand for skilled electricians because of the high population, and commercial and industrial properties. Areas with high costs of living offer higher salaries to electricians to accommodate the high living expenses.
Alaska is the best state with an average electrician pay of $80,537 while Arkansas is the worst with median pay of $33,269.
In Conclusion,
The use of electrical contractor software such as Field Complete has an impact on the salary of an electrician by boosting efficiency and productivity. You can send a quote, bill, or invoice to receive payment on a single platform. In less time without risk of errors in financial records.
