Between 2019 and 2029, the employment of electricians is expected to grow faster than most other professions.
This is just an average indicator and not the actual salary range, so you will likely find electrician salaries both above and below the aforementioned figure.
Keep reading to find out what factors may influence average electrician salaries and pay scales, including but not limited to the company you work for, the amount of experience you have, and location.
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Table of Contents
What Exactly Do Electricians Do?
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Electricians work full-time to install, service, and repair various electrical systems, motors, communication devices, HVACR systems, lighting systems, and control units in residential and commercial settings. They work both indoors and outdoors, depending on the worksite and type of installation or maintenance work involved.
As an electrician, you are responsible for:
- Reading structural blueprints and technical diagrams
- Planning layouts for electrical wiring for new buildings
- Inspecting electrical components (like circuit breakers and transformers)
- Using testing devices to identify common electrical issues
- Troubleshooting problems by using various tools (like conduit benders, screwdrivers, and drills)
- Using tools like ammeters, thermal scanners, cable testers, and voltmeters
- Repairing, maintaining, and replacing wiring and components
- Adhering to building regulations under the National Electrical Code
Where Can Electricians Make the Most Money?
As mentioned above, the demand in the job market is promising for electricians. However, companies and employers in different states and cities offer varying wages.Here are the top-paying states for electricians (state – hourly pay – annual pay):
- Illinois – $39.25 – $81,650
- New York – $39.11 – $81,340
- Hawaii – $38.12 – $79,280
- District of Columbia – $38.00 – $79,030
- Oregon – $36.56 – $76,040
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Let’s take a quick look at the electrician salary figures for jobs in various cities. The following ten cities and metropolitan areas have proven most lucrative in terms of the average pay per hour:
- San Francisco/Oakland/Hayward, CA – $51.29 – $106,680
- Trenton, NJ $43.37 – $90,210
- Kankakee, IL – $42.56 – $88,530
- Mount Vernon/Anacortes, WA – $42.22 – $87,820
- San Jose/Sunnyvale/Santa Clara, CA – $41.61 – $86,550
- Merced, CA – $41.23 – $85,760
- Syracuse, NY – $40.64 – $84,520
- Chicago/Naperville/Elgin, IL/IN/WI – $40.50 – $84,230
- New York/Newark/Jersey City, NY/NJ/PA – $40.48 – $84,190
- Carbondale-Marion, IL – $40.17 – $83,550
What Employment Opportunities do Electricians Enjoy?
An electrician generally starts as an apprentice before moving on to a full-time job. Electricians with the right experience may find employment with construction engineers, architects, and construction management companies to help design and develop the electrical systems for various residential and commercial buildings.
You may also become an independent consultant or electrical contractor for construction projects or work hand-in-hand with elevator installers and HVACR specialists.
If you work at a bigger company, you will be part of a team that carries out daily tasks at different worksites and supervises helpers and apprentices to complete jobs.
Types of Electrician Jobs
When it comes to selecting a speciality, you’ll need to choose between becoming a low-voltage and high-voltage electrician.
Low-Voltage Electricians
A low-voltage technician installs, maintains, repairs, and troubleshoots low-voltage electrical systems in residential and commercial buildings (homes, office buildings, complexes, factories, etc.).
Low-voltage technicians are in high demand because electrical wiring and systems are the lifeblood of any building from both a safety and functionality perspective.
Some popular types of low-voltage electricians include:
Residential Electricians – They work with electrical systems within a home (houses, apartments, condos, and more), including lighting and HVACR systems.
Commercial Electricians – They work in commercial buildings (offices and hotels) and are responsible for installing electrical circuits, security systems, and HVAC systems.
Installation Electricians – They set up electrical equipment and wiring for systems in residential, commercial, and industrial projects.
Construction Electricians – They perform electrical work in new buildings. Construction electricians must have adequate knowledge of state and local building codes and safety procedures.
Automotive Electricians – They install and maintain the electrical systems in motor vehicles and work with automotive concepts like vehicle diagnostics and performance electronics.
High-Voltage Electricians
High-voltage electricians maintain underground, overhead, power plants, and other central electrical systems with charges over 600 volts.
You will find the following job titles listed under the high-voltage umbrella:
Industrial Electricians – They work on large-scale projects across industrial facilities like factories, manufacturing facilities, and power plants, using large machinery and complex computer systems.
Maintenance Electricians – They are in charge of installing, maintaining, repairing, replacing, and regularly inspecting electrical systems and equipment in manufacturing plants.
Highway Systems Electricians – They install, maintain, and upgrade the electrical infrastructure on roads to ensure a safe and sustainable transportation system. This includes traffic lights, streetlamps, digital signage, etc.
Other electrician jobs include power system technician, electrical relay technician, electrical research technician, electro-mechanical technician, and controls engineer.
A Look at the Future Prospects in the Field
The state-wise and national average salary statistics, along with the ever-increasing demand for highly skilled and qualified electricians across states, are excellent indicators of what you can expect from a career in this industry.
The first step to becoming an electrician is getting an education. You can enroll in an Associate Degree in Electrical Technology program or a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Technology. Alternatively, you could also seek out an industry apprenticeship. Apprenticeship programs allow you to learn on the job as an assistant for four or five years.
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FAQs
What is the average electrician salary per hour?
According to the BLS, electricians earn an average of $27.36 per hour or $56,000 annually (median wage). The employment of electricians will grow by 8% (faster than the average for most other professions) in this decade.
What are some different career avenues I can explore?
You can choose to become a lineman, wireman, or take on a specialized role as an industrial, commercial, maintenance, auto, or installation technician.
What is the minimum qualification required to become an electrician?
While the bare minimum you need is a high school diploma, getting an associate’s degree in electrical technology is your best bet to explore entry-level jobs in the industry.