How much do electricians make in the US in 2026?

Which state is best for electricians?

Different states win on different measures — here's the top on each. Pick the one that matters to you.

Across 25 states: $55,690–$99,560 (median $65,410).

Electrician pay by state

Where is the union premium biggest for Electricians?

Named locals and the premium over the BLS all-worker median.

Union data is partial for Electrician (6 of 25 states) — submitting your pay helps build complete data for Electrician.

Union landscape

IBEW (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers) is the dominant union in the electrical trade, and the wage premiums it delivers are not small numbers. In the three states where TradesPays has union scale data, the gap between union and non-union median pay looks like this: New York — IBEW Local 3 journeyman scale sits at $122,720 versus a non-union median of $78,750, a $43,970 premium. Pennsylvania — IBEW Local 98 (Philadelphia) journeyman scale comes in at $108,160 against a $67,600 non-union median, a $40,560 premium. California — IBEW Local 11 (Los Angeles) journeyman scale reaches $107,120 compared to a $76,160 non-union median, a $30,960 premium. Those are real dollars, not percentages dressed up to look bigger than they are. A few honest caveats: journeyman scale is one point on the union pay ladder — apprentices earn less and foremen or general foremen typically earn more under the same agreement. Union density also varies sharply by region; a strong local in Chicago or Philadelphia is a different animal than a smaller local in a right-to-work state. Not every job site is union, and not every union job is hiring. The numbers here reflect negotiated scale where TradesPays has verified data — we'll add more locals as we build out coverage.

What we don't track yet

Straight talk on the gaps in our data so you can use what's here without tripping over what isn't. No metro-level pay breakdowns yet. The state figures on TradesPays are statewide — they don't split out Seattle from rural Washington or Chicago from downstate Illinois. In trades, that gap can be significant. Metro data is on the roadmap, but we're not going to publish it until the numbers are solid. No apprentice, journeyman, or master tiers beyond union scale. For the union locals listed above, you're seeing journeyman scale — that's a specific rung. For non-union figures, the BLS state medians blend everyone from a second-year apprentice to a seasoned master electrician into one number. We can't currently separate those tiers for non-union workers. No specialty splits. High-voltage transmission work, industrial controls, fire alarm — these can pay differently from standard residential or commercial work. That granularity isn't in our dataset yet. If you work in the trade and have pay stubs, local agreements, or verified offer letters that could fill these gaps, we want to hear from you. Use the submission form on any state page to share what you're seeing on the ground. Real data from real workers is how TradesPays gets more accurate over time.

Electrician pay: FAQ

What is the national median wage for electricians?

According to BLS OEWS May 2025 data, the national median for electricians is $63,190 per year. The 25th percentile sits at $49,430 and the 75th percentile at $83,940, so half of all electricians in the survey fall in that roughly $34,000 range.

Which states pay electricians the most?

Among the 25 states TradesPays currently covers, Illinois leads at $99,560, followed by Washington at $95,220 and Massachusetts at $79,420. These are statewide medians — specific metro areas within those states may be higher or lower.

Which state in your dataset pays electricians the least?

Alabama is the lowest in our current set at $55,690. That's a $43,870 gap compared to the top state, Illinois, which illustrates how much location alone moves the number.

How much more do union electricians earn compared to non-union?

Based on the three union locals TradesPays has data for, the premiums are substantial: $43,970 more in New York (IBEW Local 3), $40,560 more in Pennsylvania (IBEW Local 98, Philadelphia), and $30,960 more in California (IBEW Local 11, Los Angeles). These comparisons are journeyman scale versus the state non-union median.

Do these numbers cover apprentices and master electricians separately?

Not for non-union workers. The BLS state medians blend all experience and license levels into one figure. For union locals, TradesPays reports journeyman scale specifically — apprentice rates and foreman rates under those agreements are different numbers we don't yet show.

Does TradesPays show city-level or metro-level electrician pay?

Not yet. All figures on TradesPays are statewide. Metro breakdowns are on the roadmap, but we're not publishing them until the data is reliable. If you're comparing, say, Seattle to Spokane, the statewide Washington figure won't tell you that story accurately.

How current is the pay data on TradesPays?

The electrician data is sourced from BLS OEWS May 2025, which is the most recent official release. Union scale figures reflect current negotiated agreements for the locals listed. We update as new BLS releases come out and as verified local agreements change.

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